25 Southern Recipes You’ll Want To Make On Repeat

There’s something special about Southern cooking that brings comfort and joy. These recipes are filled with rich flavors, comforting textures, and the kind of warmth that makes you feel right at home. Southern food isn’t just about eating; it’s about savoring the experience and sharing it with loved ones. Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a festive gathering, or just looking to enjoy a delicious meal, these Southern recipes will become your go-to favorites.

Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken is a classic comfort food that combines a crispy, golden-brown exterior with tender, juicy meat. The key to its deliciousness lies in the buttermilk marinade, which tenderizes the chicken. You’ll need chicken pieces, buttermilk, flour, and a blend of spices including paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for several hours, then dredge in seasoned flour and fry until crispy. The result is irresistibly crunchy and flavorful chicken that you’ll crave again and again.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits is a beloved Southern dish that perfectly balances creamy grits with savory, spicy shrimp. The grits are cooked with milk and butter to achieve a rich, smooth texture, while the shrimp are sautéed with garlic, bacon, and Cajun seasoning. Essential ingredients include shrimp, stone-ground grits, butter, milk, and bacon. This dish is quick to prepare, making it a favorite for both breakfast and dinner. Its combination of textures and flavors ensures it’s a recipe you’ll return to frequently.

Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and Gravy is a hearty Southern breakfast staple. Fluffy buttermilk biscuits are topped with a creamy sausage gravy made from pork sausage, flour, milk, and a touch of black pepper. The biscuits are light and tender, providing the perfect base for the rich and flavorful gravy. Ingredients include buttermilk, flour, sausage, and milk. This dish is easy to make and incredibly satisfying, perfect for a weekend brunch or a comforting meal anytime.

Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a vibrant one-pot dish that showcases the flavors of Louisiana. It features rice cooked with chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, and the holy trinity of Cajun cooking: onions, bell peppers, and celery. Seasoned with Cajun spices and cooked in a flavorful broth, it’s a feast of textures and tastes. Ingredients include rice, chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, and Cajun spices. The ease of preparation and depth of flavor make Jambalaya a dish you’ll want to make repeatedly.

Collard Greens

Collard Greens are a nutritious and flavorful side dish that’s a Southern favorite. Slow-cooked with smoked ham hocks or bacon, they absorb a deep, savory flavor. Essential ingredients include collard greens, smoked ham hocks, onions, and chicken broth. Cook the greens slowly until they are tender and infused with the smoky flavor. This dish is perfect alongside any Southern entrée and is a delicious way to enjoy leafy greens.

Southern Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Macaroni and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food that’s a hit at any gathering. The key is using a blend of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, and baking it to perfection. Ingredients include elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and flour. Combine cooked macaroni with a rich cheese sauce, then bake until bubbly and golden. This dish is the epitome of indulgence and is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Cornbread

Cornbread is a versatile Southern staple that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Made with cornmeal, buttermilk, and a touch of sugar, it’s slightly sweet and delightfully crumbly. Ingredients include cornmeal, buttermilk, flour, and eggs. Bake the batter in a hot cast-iron skillet for a crispy crust and tender interior. Whether served with chili, barbecue, or as a standalone snack, cornbread is a recipe you’ll make time and again.

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting dish featuring tender chicken and fluffy dumplings in a savory broth. The dumplings are made from a simple dough of flour, baking powder, and milk, which cooks in the broth to a light, airy consistency. Ingredients include chicken, flour, baking powder, and chicken broth. This dish is perfect for cold days when you need a warming, hearty meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie is a Southern dessert that rivals the best pumpkin pie. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a buttery pie crust, it’s sweet and aromatic. Ingredients include sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk, and spices. Bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. This pie is perfect for holidays and special occasions, offering a taste of Southern hospitality with every bite.

Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice is a traditional Louisiana dish that’s both economical and flavorful. Red beans are simmered with onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and smoked sausage until tender. Serve over fluffy white rice for a satisfying meal. Ingredients include red beans, smoked sausage, onions, bell peppers, and rice. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and gets better the longer it sits, making it ideal for leftovers.

Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies are deep-fried balls of cornmeal batter that are a popular Southern side dish. They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often served with seafood. Ingredients include cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk, and onions. Mix the batter and drop spoonfuls into hot oil until golden brown. These tasty morsels are perfect for snacking or as a side to fried fish, making them a recipe you’ll come back to repeatedly.

Pimento Cheese

Pimento Cheese, often called the “caviar of the South,” is a creamy cheese spread made from sharp cheddar, pimentos, and mayonnaise. It’s versatile and can be used as a dip, a sandwich spread, or a topping for burgers. Ingredients include cheddar cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and cream cheese. Mix everything until smooth and chill before serving. This spread is a party favorite and a must-have for any Southern gathering.

Gumbo

Gumbo is a rich, flavorful stew that’s a staple of Louisiana cuisine. It’s made with a dark roux, the holy trinity of onions, bell peppers, and celery, and a mix of seafood or meat like shrimp, sausage, and chicken. Ingredients include flour, oil, onions, bell peppers, celery, and your choice of protein. Cook the roux until it’s dark brown, then add the vegetables and meat, simmering until everything is tender. Gumbo’s depth of flavor and hearty ingredients make it a dish you’ll want to make often.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes are a Southern delicacy featuring firm, unripe tomatoes sliced, coated in cornmeal, and fried until crispy. They’re slightly tangy and deliciously crunchy. Ingredients include green tomatoes, cornmeal, flour, and buttermilk. Dredge the tomato slices in seasoned cornmeal and fry until golden brown. These tomatoes are perfect as an appetizer or a side dish and are sure to be a hit at any meal.

Southern Pecan Pie

Southern Pecan Pie is a rich, sweet dessert with a filling made from butter, sugar, eggs, and pecans. It’s a holiday favorite that’s easy to make and always impresses. Ingredients include pecans, sugar, corn syrup, eggs, and butter. Pour the filling into a pie crust and bake until set. The combination of crunchy pecans and gooey filling makes this pie irresistible and a staple at any Southern gathering.

Black-Eyed Peas

Black-Eyed Peas are a traditional Southern side dish, especially popular on New Year’s Day for good luck. They’re simmered with onions, garlic, and smoked ham hocks for a savory, comforting flavor. Ingredients include black-eyed peas, ham hocks, onions, and chicken broth. Cook the peas until tender and infused with smoky goodness. This dish is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with cornbread or rice.

Brunswick Stew

Brunswick Stew is a thick, hearty stew made with chicken, pork, tomatoes, lima beans, and corn. It’s a traditional Southern dish that’s perfect for cold weather. Ingredients include chicken, pork, tomatoes, lima beans, and corn. Simmer the ingredients together until the flavors meld and the stew is thick and satisfying. This stew is a meal in itself and is sure to become a family favorite.

Okra and Tomatoes

Okra and Tomatoes is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights fresh summer produce. Sautéed okra and tomatoes are cooked with onions and garlic, seasoned with salt and pepper. Ingredients include okra, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Sauté the vegetables until tender and aromatic. This dish is a great side for any Southern meal and a delicious way to enjoy okra.

Chicken-Fried Steak

Chicken-Fried Steak is a comfort food classic, featuring tenderized beef steak that’s breaded and fried, then smothered in creamy gravy. Ingredients include cube steak, flour, eggs, milk, and seasonings. Dredge the steak in seasoned flour, fry until golden brown, and top with gravy made from the pan drippings. This dish is hearty, flavorful, and sure to be a hit with your family.

Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding is a classic Southern dessert that layers vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and creamy vanilla pudding, topped with whipped cream or meringue. Ingredients include vanilla wafers, bananas, milk, sugar, and eggs. Layer the ingredients in a dish and chill until set. This dessert is nostalgic, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Hoppin’ John

Hoppin’ John is a flavorful dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and bacon, traditionally served on New Year’s Day. Ingredients include black-eyed peas, rice, bacon, and onions. Cook the peas with the bacon and onions, then serve over rice. This dish is hearty, easy to prepare, and believed to bring good luck, making it a recipe you’ll want to make yearly.

Southern Deviled Eggs

Southern Deviled Eggs are a popular appetizer at gatherings, featuring hard-boiled eggs filled with a creamy, tangy mixture of yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and relish. Ingredients include eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and relish. Mix the yolks with the other ingredients, then pipe back into the egg whites. These eggs are easy to make and always a hit at parties.

Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork is a slow-cooked dish where pork shoulder is seasoned, cooked until tender, and shredded. Ingredients include pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, and spices. Slow cook the pork until it’s easily shredded, then mix with barbecue sauce. This dish is perfect for sandwiches and is a staple at Southern barbecues.

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea is a quintessential Southern beverage, made by brewing black tea and sweetening it with sugar. Ingredients include black tea bags, sugar, and water. Brew the tea, dissolve the sugar while it’s hot, then chill and serve over ice. Sweet tea is refreshing and a perfect accompaniment to any Southern meal.

Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie is a simple, custard-like dessert with a tangy flavor from buttermilk and a sweet, creamy filling. Ingredients include buttermilk, sugar, eggs, and flour. Mix the ingredients, pour into a pie crust, and bake until set. This pie is easy to make and delicious, making it a perfect end to any meal.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout

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