While celebrating the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., we take a closer look at some of the things he loved to eat. Go-to dishes include Southern staples like fried chicken, collard greens and pecan pie. Read on for more!
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Favorite Foods
Updated on Feb. 25, 2024
In addition to being an essential part of the civil rights movement in the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister, father, husband and proud Southerner. Here are the foods he loved to eat and share, according to his family and friends. Many are classic Southern foods we all love.
Fried Chicken
It’s not surprising that a native of the South was a big fan of fried chicken. Those who knew MLK Jr. claimed he particularly enjoyed it as part of a big Sunday meal. (Read our fried chicken tips before you start frying.)
Pecan Pie
Dr. King’s dessert of choice was pecan pie, holding him true to those Georgia roots. People celebrate his life by eating this pecan dessert on his birthday each year.
Quilly
This light dessert with a made-up name comes from Dr. King’s mother’s recipe box. It consists of gelatin, whipped cream, marshmallows and fruit salad all molded together. It sounds just like our beloved retro dessert salads.
Pickled Eggs
One of Dr. King’s favorite travel snacks was pickled pigs feet, and he never shied away from pickled eggs, either. The list of things you can pickle goes on and on!
Smothered Steak
Dr. King reportedly loved smothered steak. He might have liked these Salisbury steak recipes, too.
Macaroni and Cheese
As far as Southern comfort foods go, nothing can top homemade macaroni and cheese. It was a Dr. King favorite.
Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler was a runner-up to pecan pie on Dr. King’s list of top desserts, and he loved his mother’s version most of all. How many of these Southern desserts have you tried?
Collard Greens
Dr. King would’ve undoubtedly enjoyed this classic recipe for collards as part of a big family meal. Pair this dish with a piece of warm buttermilk cornbread.
