The Southern United States has a distinct cuisine that draws heavily on infuence from various groups that have inhabited the area. The most notable influences come from african-american, native american, irish, french and spanish cuisines. Soul food, creole, cajun and tex-mex are examples of southern cuisine. In more recent history, elements of southern cuisine have spread north, having an effect on the development of other types of american cuisine.

Soul Food is African-American Cuisine, which has roots in African, American Indian and English cooking. The style of cooking originated during slavery when slaves were generally given only the "leftover" and "undesirable" cuts of meat (after the slaveowners had taken the choicest cuts), and had only the vegetables they grew for themselves.