25 Southern Recipes You’ll Love Making Again and Again

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

Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk for several hours. In a separate bowl, mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Dredge the marinated chicken in the seasoned flour, then fry in hot oil until crispy and golden brown. The result is irresistibly crunchy and flavorful chicken that you’ll crave again and again.

Shrimp and Grits

Cook stone-ground grits with milk and butter until creamy. Sauté shrimp with garlic, bacon, and Cajun seasoning until cooked through. Serve the shrimp over the grits for a dish that perfectly balances creamy grits with savory, spicy shrimp.

Biscuits and Gravy

Make fluffy buttermilk biscuits by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and cold butter, then baking until golden. For the gravy, cook pork sausage until browned, stir in flour, and gradually add milk until thickened. Season with black pepper and serve the sausage gravy over the biscuits for a hearty Southern breakfast staple.

Jambalaya

In a large pot, cook diced onions, bell peppers, and celery until softened. Add chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, diced tomatoes, and rice. Season with Cajun spices and cook in a flavorful broth until the rice is tender and the dish is well combined. This vibrant one-pot dish showcases the flavors of Louisiana.

Collard Greens

Slow-cook collard greens with smoked ham hocks, onions, and chicken broth until tender. The greens absorb the deep, savory flavor of the ham hocks, making them a nutritious and flavorful side dish perfect alongside any Southern entrée.

Southern Macaroni and Cheese

Cook elbow macaroni and set aside. Make a rich cheese sauce by combining butter, flour, milk, and sharp cheddar cheese. Mix the macaroni with the cheese sauce, transfer to a baking dish, and bake until bubbly and golden. This creamy, cheesy comfort food is a hit at any gathering.

Cornbread

Mix cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, eggs, and a touch of sugar. Pour the batter into a hot cast-iron skillet and bake until the cornbread has a crispy crust and tender interior. This versatile Southern staple pairs well with a variety of dishes.

Chicken and Dumplings

In a large pot, cook chicken in broth until tender, then remove and shred. Make dumplings by combining flour, baking powder, and milk, then drop spoonfuls into the simmering broth. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and cook until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through, resulting in a comforting dish perfect for cold days.

Sweet Potato Pie

Roast sweet potatoes until tender, then mash and mix with sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the mixture into a buttery pie crust and bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. This Southern dessert rivals the best pumpkin pie with its sweet and aromatic flavor.

Red Beans and Rice

Simmer red beans with onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and smoked sausage until tender. Serve over fluffy white rice for a satisfying and flavorful meal. This traditional Louisiana dish is economical and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Hush Puppies

Mix cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk, and finely chopped onions. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown. These deep-fried balls of cornmeal batter are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a popular Southern side dish often served with seafood.

Pimento Cheese

Combine sharp cheddar cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and cream cheese, mixing until smooth. Chill before serving. This creamy cheese spread, often called the “caviar of the South,” is versatile and can be used as a dip, sandwich spread, or burger topping.

Gumbo

Cook a dark roux with flour and oil, then add the holy trinity of onions, bell peppers, and celery. Add your choice of protein (shrimp, sausage, or chicken) and simmer until tender. This rich, flavorful stew is a staple of Louisiana cuisine and is perfect for hearty meals.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes are a Southern delicacy featuring firm, unripe tomatoes sliced, coated in cornmeal, and fried until crispy. Slice firm, unripe green tomatoes, coat in seasoned cornmeal, and fry until crispy. These tangy and crunchy tomatoes are a Southern delicacy perfect as an appetizer or side dish.

Southern Pecan Pie

Southern Pecan Pie is a rich, sweet dessert with a filling made from butter, sugar, eggs, and pecans. Mix pecans, sugar, corn syrup, eggs, and butter, then pour into a pie crust and bake until set. This rich, sweet dessert is a holiday favorite with a combination of crunchy pecans and gooey filling that’s irresistible.

Black-Eyed Peas

Black-Eyed Peas are a traditional Southern side dish, especially popular on New Year’s Day for good luck. Simmer black-eyed peas with onions, garlic, and smoked ham hocks until tender. This traditional Southern side dish is especially popular on New Year’s Day for good luck, offering a savory and comforting flavor.

Brunswick Stew

Brunswick Stew is a thick, hearty stew made with chicken, pork, tomatoes, lima beans, and corn. Simmer chicken, pork, tomatoes, lima beans, and corn until the flavors meld and the stew is thick and satisfying. This hearty stew is perfect for cold weather and is a traditional Southern dish.

Okra and Tomatoes

Okra and Tomatoes is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights fresh summer produce. Sauté okra and tomatoes with onions and garlic until tender. Season with salt and pepper for a simple yet flavorful side dish that highlights fresh summer produce.

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. Dredge tenderized beef steak in seasoned flour, fry until golden brown, and smother with creamy gravy made from pan drippings. This comfort food classic is hearty and flavorful, perfect for family meals.

Banana Pudding

Layer vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and creamy vanilla pudding in a dish, then top with whipped cream or meringue. Chill until set. This classic Southern dessert is nostalgic, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Hoppin’ John

Cook black-eyed peas with bacon and onions, then serve over rice. This flavorful dish is traditionally served on New Year’s Day for good luck and is easy to prepare, making it a yearly favorite.

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. Mix egg yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and relish, then pipe back into the egg whites. These popular appetizers are easy to make and always a hit at gatherings.

Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork is a slow-cooked dish where pork shoulder is seasoned, cooked until tender, and shredded. Slow cook seasoned pork shoulder until tender, then shred and mix with barbecue sauce. This dish is perfect for sandwiches and a staple at Southern barbecues.

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea is a quintessential Southern beverage, made by brewing black tea and sweetening it with sugar. Brew black tea, dissolve sugar while hot, then chill and serve over ice. This quintessential Southern beverage is refreshing and perfect with any meal.

Buttermilk Pie

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

This article originally appeared on RetailShout

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