June is the time of year when the sun stays out late and the afternoon seems to last forever. After a big cookout, when the food is all gone and the plates are empty, nobody wants to get up and leave the picnic table.
We stay because the stories get better when we are not in a hurry, and because special days mean we should spend every extra minute together. These 19 Juneteenth recipes are the exact foods that make everyone want to slow down, talk, and stay outside until the stars come out.
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Stir flour and oil in a pot until it turns into a dark, rich roux. Add smoky sausage and chicken, letting it simmer until the flavor is deep and hearty. It's the kind of dish that stays warm on the kitchen counter for hours.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
These bright red cakes are light, fluffy, and have just the right amount of chocolate flavor. Use a little vinegar to make the cake tender and top it with tangy cream cheese frosting. Watch how quickly they disappear from the platter!
Get the Recipe: Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
This pork cooks for eight hours in a sweet brown sugar sauce until it is falling-apart tender. You can just use two forks to shred it right in the pot. It's perfect for piling onto soft buns whenever people get hungry for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Spiced Grilled Corn
Watch the dark grill marks cover the bright yellow corn as it cooks over the open fire. A dusting of warm spices makes them taste extra sweet and just a little bit sharp. It's a simple, hands-on side dish that everyone loves to eat by hand.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Soak these drumsticks in lime juice and spices overnight so the flavor goes right to the bone. They get a beautiful, shiny glaze on the grill that people can't get enough of. It's usually the first plate to be completely wiped clean.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Easy Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens with Bacon
Cook green leaves and smoky bacon together until everything is soft and tender. The bacon fat makes the peas smooth and savory. Make sure to have extra cornbread on hand to soak up all that delicious juice!
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens with Bacon
Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders
These little sandwiches mix warm shredded chicken with a tangy, crunchy coleslaw. Everything is tucked into tiny, sweet buns that are easy to grab. They're great for munching on while hanging out in lawn chairs.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders
Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Pralines
I watch the melted sugar cool on the wax paper into sweet, crunchy candy drops. To make these pralines, I use real butter and brown sugar mixed with plenty of crunchy nuts. Then, let them cool on wax paper until they're ready to share. They are the perfect little sweets to break in half and pass around.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Pralines
Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches
Fresh yellow peaches bake right into a sweet, cake-like crust. The fruit juices bubble up and mix with the batter, making it taste like pure sunshine. The smell in the kitchen is honestly the best part of the whole day.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches
Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe Without Mix
Skip the fake syrups and use real, blended strawberries and fresh lime juice instead. It's cold, bright, and refreshing on a hot afternoon. Keep a big pitcher on the table and watch how fast everyone fills their cups.
Get the Recipe: Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe Without Mix
Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Melt four different types of cheese together for a flavor that is super creamy and rich. As it bakes, the edges get a perfect, crunchy golden crust that everyone fights over. It's the best comfort food that brings people back to the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Barbecued Pork Steaks
Brown these thick steaks over hot coals to get them smoky and tender. Slicing them thin on a big wooden board makes it easy for guests to grab a piece. It's a backyard staple that feels like a real celebration.
Get the Recipe: Barbecued Pork Steaks
Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Cook these slowly with bacon until the sauce gets dark, sweet, and sticky. The flavor soaks into every single bean, making them better the longer they sit. Just leave the pot out so people can help themselves all afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Cherry Cobbler
This cobbler has a sweet, crunchy biscuit top that roasts over the tart fruit. As it bakes, the red cherry juices bubble right through the crust. Everyone usually ends up using a spoon to scrape the sticky, sweet bits from the corners.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cobbler
Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze
Smoke this with firewood to get a hint of that woodsy flavor under a sweet glaze. Because it's mixed with breadcrumbs and onions, it cuts into perfect slices that stay together. It's a savory, crowd-pleasing dish that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze
The Best Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe)
This is a surprising mix of sweet pineapple and salty cheddar cheese topped with buttery crackers. The flavors sound different, but they work so well together that people always come back for more. It's a classic that gets everyone talking.
Get the Recipe: The Best Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe)
Virgin Strawberry Watermelon Margarita Mocktail
This drink is made with real blended watermelon and strawberries, not just soda water. Put salt on the rims of the jars to make it feel extra special. It's a cold, colorful, and fun drink for both the kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Virgin Strawberry Watermelon Margarita Mocktail
Black eyed pea masabacha with tahini, tomatoes, garlic and hot peppers
This is a creamy mix of black-eyed peas and nutty tahini paste, seasoned with garlic and olive oil. Serve it on a big plate and let people dip their bread right in. It's a great way to keep the conversation going while everyone eats.
Get the Recipe: Black eyed pea masabacha with tahini, tomatoes, garlic and hot peppers
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These get nice and sticky with barbecue sauce and come out perfectly crispy in the air fryer. The meat stays soft and juicy inside, but the sauce gets that nice, bubbly finish. They are a fun, handheld snack for when the party is still going.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Grab your keys for a grocery run, because these are the dishes that turn a quick afternoon cookout into an all-night conversation.
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