Why Do Black People Wash Chicken? A Cultural Tradition That’s More Than Just Cleanliness

Have you ever found yourself in a heated debate about whether to wash chicken before cooking it? I sure have! And lemme tell you, this seemingly simple kitchen task has become one of the most divisive culinary practices, especially along cultural lines.

As someone who grew up in a household where washing chicken was as natural as breathing, I was shocked to discover that not everyone does this. In fact, this practice is particularly common among Black communities and has deep cultural and historical roots that many people don’t understand.

The Cultural Divide: Who Washes Chicken and Who Doesn’t

I didn’t realize this was even a debate until I was an adult. On social media, whenever the “chicken washing debate” circulates, there’s a clear cultural divide. Most Black folks, Caribbean people, and other people of color are firmly in the “yes, you absolutely must wash chicken” camp, while many white/Caucasian people seem genuinely surprised that anyone would wash chicken at all.

Let’s be real – this isn’t just about cleanliness. It’s about cultural traditions history, and habits passed down through generations.

The Historical Roots: Why This Practice Began

The tradition of washing chicken in Black communities has deep historical roots that trace back to slavery During this terrible period, enslaved Africans were often given the least desirable parts of animals that slave owners didn’t want These included

• Pig intestines (chitterlings/chitlins)
• Oxtails (the butts of oxen)
• Pig feet
• Chicken and turkey necks
• Hog jowls

To put it bluntly, these parts of animals smell awful and were often in poor condition It makes perfect sense why thorough washing became a necessary practice for making these foods edible.

As Brandi Crawford points out in her article on Black People’s Recipes, Black people are also used to thoroughly washing foods like:

• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Black-eyed peas
• Various beans

Skip washing your greens, and you might end up with bugs and dirt in your pot liquor broth – a mistake many of us have made firsthand!

How Black People Typically Wash Chicken

It’s not just running water over the meat (and definitely not dish soap, despite that one viral video that still haunts the internet). The washing process usually involves:

1. Lemon or lime juice
2. Vinegar
3. Salt
4. Water

Many Black home cooks use a combination of these ingredients as a quick soak or rinse. This process isn’t just about removing potential contaminants – it’s also about:

• Removing slime and excess fat
• Getting rid of any loose skin, fat, or undesirable bits
• Adding a subtle flavor foundation
• Removing blood or residue
• Making the meat feel “cleaner” before seasoning

As one commenter on Madame Noire mentioned: “Washing or rinsing off bacteria and slime on meat is a must… water with vinegar or a little lime doesn’t hurt anyone.”

The CDC and USDA Position

Now, here’s where things get complicated. The CDC and USDA strongly advise against washing raw chicken. Their guidance states in bold print: “Do not wash raw chicken. During washing, chicken juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops.”

The scientific concern is legitimate – washing chicken can potentially spread bacteria like Salmonella through water splatter. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in every 25 packages of chicken at grocery stores is contaminated with Salmonella.

The CDC recommends these alternative safety measures:

• Cook chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165°F
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling chicken
• Never place cooked food on surfaces that held raw chicken
• Clean all surfaces thoroughly after preparing chicken

Why Many Black People Continue Washing Chicken Anyway

Despite the official guidance, many Black people continue this practice because:

1. Tradition and habit – It’s been passed down through generations
2. Skepticism about processing – Concerns about how meat is handled in processing facilities
3. Visible cleanliness – Removing fat, slime, feathers, and yellow surfaces
4. Sensory preparation – It “feels” cleaner and ready for seasoning
5. Historical necessity – A practice born from having to make the most of less desirable cuts

As one Black food blogger called “Being Grace” explained, she washes chicken to remove extra fat or flabby skin she has no intention of eating. Similarly, many Black cooks trim chicken meticulously before cooking, believing it makes the meat both healthier and tastier.

The Compromise: Safety Meets Tradition

Many Black cooks who wash chicken have developed methods to address both tradition and safety concerns:

• Washing in a contained area like a large bowl to prevent splatter
• Immediately sanitizing sinks, countertops, and surrounding areas with bleach
• Being meticulous about cleaning up after handling raw meat
• Taking out garbage and cleaning any potentially exposed items immediately

As one commenter on Black People’s Recipes noted: “I WASH MY CHICKEN! I place it in a bag and soak it in vinegar, salt, and lemon (which makes the meat tender). I also similarly wash other meats. I disinfect my kitchen as soon as the meat is in the oven. Take out the garbage, clean any items that even look like they might have been exposed! Scrub the floors! I take it very seriously. LOL!”

The Cultural Significance Goes Deeper

When food safety experts suggest skipping the washing step, they’re unknowingly asking many Black people to abandon a practice that’s about more than just cleanliness – it’s about cultural identity, honoring ancestors, and techniques perfected over generations.

As Shannon Dawson writes in Madame Noire, “washing meat isn’t just about hygiene, it’s about honoring tradition, reclaiming a narrative, and adding a touch of ancestral care to every dish.”

For many Black cooks, washing chicken is an act of love and care – a way of preparing food with attention and respect. It’s a small but significant ritual that connects modern cooking to ancestral practices and wisdom.

What’s The Right Answer?

I’m not here to tell you what to do in your kitchen. The decision to wash chicken is ultimately one of personal preference and cultural background.

If you do wash chicken, consider these safety precautions:

• Contain splatter by washing in a bowl
• Clean and sanitize thoroughly afterward
• Don’t let raw meat juices contact other foods
• Still cook to the proper internal temperature

If you don’t wash chicken, understand that:

• Cooking to proper temperature will kill harmful bacteria
• Cultural differences in food preparation are valid
• The debate isn’t just about safety but also tradition

My Personal Take

I grew up watching my mom and grandma wash every piece of chicken that entered our kitchen. The sound of running water and the smell of lemon or vinegar meant dinner prep was underway. For me, unwashed chicken just doesn’t feel right – like skipping a crucial step.

That said, I’ve learned to be more careful about splatter and sanitizing my sink afterward. I see the value in both the cultural tradition and the safety concerns, and I try to honor both.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re Team Wash or Team No-Wash, understanding the cultural context behind washing chicken helps appreciate why this debate gets so heated. It’s not just about bacteria or cleanliness – it’s about honoring culinary heritage, respecting ancestral wisdom, and maintaining connections to cultural practices.

So next time you see a heated debate about washing chicken online, remember there’s a rich history and cultural significance behind these different approaches to food preparation. And maybe, just maybe, we can respect each other’s kitchen practices without judgment.

Do you wash your chicken? I’d love to hear your thoughts and practices in the comments below!