7 Sides for the 7 Days of the Kwanzaa Holiday
Whether you’re celebrating with family or as a community, you’ll love these Kwanzaa food options that enrich your celebration of African heritage and principles.
Your Kinara is out, its candles are ready to be lit, the table has been decorated, gifts have been purchased, but you’re still working on the menu for the seven days of Kwanzaa, we can help!
We’ve rounded up seven of our favorite sides for the seven days of Kwanzaa. Some Kwanzaa foods embrace the colors of the Pan-African flag, some are a nod to African diaspora-food, and some are simply delicious, crowd-pleasing dishes. And all of these recipes are worth a try – for the year-ending Kwanzaa celebration and beyond.
Bacon Cheese Mashed Potato Balls
Mashed potatoes infused with bacon and cheese – sounds pretty great, right? Now picture them rolled into a ball, breaded and fried to golden perfection. Yeah, they’re mouthwatering-good. Get your Kwanzaa celebration off to a great start with these tasty bites.
Sweet Potato Cornbread Muffins
Corn bread and sweet potatoes are two top-notch sides for bringing a little sweet to your plate. Would you believe that they’re even better when put together? These soft, flavorful cornbread muffins are especially delicious when they’re smothered in cinnamon sugar butter.
Sausage Stuffed Squash
A meal or a side? This sausage-stuffed squash (or zucchini) recipe can really go either way. The salty, savory flavors of the sausage mixture go so well with the light sweetness of the squash. And the greens fit right into the Kwanzaa color scheme.
Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Peas & Ham
Macaroni and cheese is a Kwanzaa favorite, and this take on the classic turns the side into a meal. The peas fit the colors of the holiday and add a fresh pop to the dish. And the salty ham goes so well with the cheesy noodles. This Kwanzaa casserole will be gobbled up quickly!
French Onion Soup Inspired Simply Potatoes
This potato dish embraces the rich flavors of a delicious French onion soup – the buttery zing of onion, creamy goodness of potatoes and gravy, and the nutty tang of the cheese. It’s so good. Plus, it’s another great meat-free option for Kwanzaa.
Ground Beef and Potato Zucchini Boats
With all of its reds and greens, these beef and potato-laden zucchini boats are another festive addition to your Kwanzaa feast. They’re packed with flavor and texture and a great option for anyone on a gluten-free diet.
Herbed Sausage Balls
Herby and complex, we love these springy, bite-size delights as an appetizer, a side or even a main course. They come together in less than an hour and are great for intimate gatherings or sharing at a community event.
Kwanzaa and Food
There are so many ways to celebrate Kwanzaa – with your immediate family or as a community, with poetry or dance, with reflection or drumming, with seven days of good food or one culminating feast.
But that gathering of groups large or small around a shared meal is constant. We hope these sides add to the joy of your Kwanzaa celebrations.
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