The Red Foods Our Black Thriver Union Members are Making This Juneteenth 

Austin Parks says that he thinks of Juneteenth as a “day on, not a day off”, a concept he first heard from author and Soul food historian Adrian Miller. 

Parks is a Business Analyst at Thrive Market and a leader in the Black Thriver Union, an employee resource group for the company’s Black employees. “Personally, helping organize Juneteenth programming has been such a learning experience, even being a man of color myself,” Parks says. One part of that learning experience has been exploring the significance of red foods, which take center stage on the table at many Juneteenth barbecues.

The History Behind Juneteenth

The first Juneteenth celebration happened on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, marking the end of slavery in the United States. Because Texas is located so far away from the rest of the South, it took two years for news of the Emancipation Proclamation (which was signed in 1863) to reach enslaved Americans in the state. News of their freedom was an emotional celebration full of food, festivities, and togetherness that evolved and expanded as newly freed Black communities arose and new traditions formed.

The Significance of Red Foods on Juneteenth

Whether you’re marking the day with a barbecue, a visit to an African American history museum, or by diving into a book, food has always been an essential component of any Juneteenth celebration.

On Juneteenth, red foods are particularly symbolic. Red represents the blood shed by enslaved African Americans, a way to remember their suffering and honor their experiences. The color red also has a cultural significance that can be linked back to ancestral foods and traditions from West and Central Africa. This is why many traditional Juneteenth foods, such as red beans and rice, watermelon, red velvet cake, and barbecued meats, all share a vibrant, red color. 

For more on the significance of watermelon, hibiscus, and other ingredients to Juneteenth and Black culture, check out Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole A. Taylor or Black Food by Bryant Terry. 

How to Celebrate Juneteenth 

Early Juneteenth celebrations included parties, barbecues, and even parades and rodeos. Historically, Juneteenth is celebrated with food-focused gatherings, but the holiday also involves remembrance and education. “This year, we’re emphasizing self-guided reflection and celebration and encouraging [people] to take time to explore and learn what Juneteenth is really about,” Parks says.

If you’d like to organize a Juneteenth celebration, think about ways to get your friends, coworkers, and community involved in learning about Black history in America while also enjoying a day of food and togetherness. “I really hope [people] take just a moment to research and look back at where we were as a nation, where we’ve come, and better understand, from their own perspective and effort, what work still needs to be done,” Parks says. “Juneteenth is just a piece of Black history in America.”

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Celebrate Juneteenth With These Red Foods 

Understanding the history and deep significance of red foods is a way to give your Juneteenth celebration more meaning. We’re sharing a few Juneteenth recipes that center around red ingredients, from cherry-drizzled rib eye steak to vibrant, cooling dishes with hibiscus and watermelon. We also tapped a few members of our Black Thriver Union to share the dishes they’re making at their own Juneteenth celebrations. 

5-Ingredient Hibiscus-Ginger Arnold Palmer Recipe
Hibiscus is significant to ancestral African food tradition, as the flower is indigenous to continental Africa. One particular example is bissap, a West African beverage made from sweetened hibiscus. Make your own red-hued beverage at home with this recipe for a simple hibiscus and ginger Arnold Palmer. 

Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe
Watermelon is a popular part of many Juneteenth celebrations, as this juicy fruit is native to Africa and has been a part of African food traditions since ancient times. While you might not think of it as an ingredient in a soup, this cool, savory gazpacho will change your mind. 

Rib Eye With Cherry Steak Sauce Recipe
Fire up the grill, because these rib eye steaks are sure to become the centerpiece of your Juneteenth cookout — and the bright red cherry sauce is just the cherry on top. 

Grilled Fruit & Seafood Kabobs Recipe
Juicy peaches add the red color and an unexpected burst of fruity flavor to these barbecue-ready kabobs. 

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Read more about Black foods and heritage in America:

Make Vegan Sweet Potato Biscuits from “Black Food,” Bryant Terry’s Celebration of BIPOC Culinary Culture

Nia Lee’s Blue Cornbread & Harissa Honey Butter Recipe

Chef Will Coleman’s Surf and Turf Pasta with Lemon Wine Sauce Recipe