20 Southern Recipes To Try At Least Once
Southern Sweet Potato Pie Bars
This comforting dessert features a flaky cream cheese crust that melts in your mouth with every bite. It’s generously filled with silky sweet potatoes that have been slow-cooked with brown sugar until perfectly caramelized and rich in flavor. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s finished with a layer of gooey, golden-browned marshmallows that add the perfect touch of sweetness. Warm, nostalgic, and absolutely irresistible, this treat brings all the cozy fall flavors to your plate. It’s the kind of dish that quickly becomes a must-have on your Thanksgiving table year after year.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie Bars
Praline Poke Cake
This praline cake is the kind of dessert that disappears almost as quickly as it comes out of the oven. It starts with a moist pecan-studded cake that's perfectly soft and rich, layered with a buttery filling that melts in your mouth. The real showstopper, though, is the decadent praline topping that adds a sweet, nutty finish to every bite. It’s a Southern favorite for a reason—easy to make, irresistibly delicious, and full of nostalgic charm. And just wait until you find out the secret ingredient that takes it over the top!
Get the Recipe: Praline Poke Cake
Chicken Fried Steak
Chicken fried steak is a true Southern classic, and this version is extra indulgent with its triple-dipped, ultra-crispy coating that delivers the perfect crunch with every bite. It’s smothered in a rich, creamy white gravy that soaks into the golden crust and makes each mouthful irresistibly satisfying. This dish has always been one of my personal comfort food favorites—it’s hearty, flavorful, and just feels like home. The best part is, you don’t have to wait for a restaurant visit to enjoy it; it’s surprisingly simple to make right in your own kitchen. Whether for a cozy dinner or a weekend treat, this recipe brings all the comfort and nostalgia you could ask for.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak
Southern Mac and Cheese
Southern Mac and Cheese is the kind of dish that wraps you in warmth with every bite. Made with a rich, velvety cheese sauce and tender pasta, it’s baked to golden perfection and finished with a crispy breadcrumb topping for that perfect contrast in texture. This comfort food classic is both hearty and satisfying, making it a go-to for family dinners or cozy weeknight meals. Best of all, you can have this soul-soothing favorite on the table in under an hour. It’s simple, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mac and Cheese
Quick Red Beans and Rice
Quick Red Beans and Rice is a hearty, comforting dish that brings bold Southern flavors to your table without spending hours in the kitchen. It features tender red beans, fluffy rice, and smoky sausage all simmered together in a rich, savory blend of spices. This recipe is a quicker twist on the traditional Louisiana favorite, making it ideal for those busy nights when you still want something homemade and satisfying. With minimal prep and big flavor, it’s a go-to meal that feels like it’s been slow-cooked all day.
Get the Recipe: Quick Red Beans and Rice
Southern Mash
Southern mashed potatoes are the kind of comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that never goes out of style, no matter the season. What sets this version apart is the rich Southern flair—extra creamy, buttery potatoes blended with a hint of garlic, a touch of onion, and the irresistible tang of cream cheese. It’s the kind of side dish that doesn’t just sit quietly on the plate—it steals the spotlight. Perfect for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or holiday tables, this dish is guaranteed to have everyone going back for seconds. Once you taste it, plain mashed potatoes just won’t cut it anymore.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash
Jiffy Cornbread Dressing
Give your Thanksgiving table a delicious update with this Jiffy cornbread dressing that’s both comforting and full of flavor. It takes everything you love about traditional Southern dressing and gives it a little twist with the sweet, tangy richness of soft buttermilk cornbread. The flavors are warm and savory, with just the right amount of seasoning to make every bite taste homemade without a lot of fuss. It’s incredibly easy to make, which means less stress in the kitchen and more time with your guests. Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or keeping it small, this dish is sure to become a new holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Jiffy Cornbread Dressing
Sweet Potato Cobbler
This Sweet Potato Cobbler is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug straight from the heart of the South. With tender slices of sweet potatoes baked until perfectly caramelized in a rich, buttery brown sugar sauce, every bite is full of cozy, nostalgic flavor. The golden, flaky pie crust on top adds just the right amount of crispness to balance the syrupy sweetness below. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to curl up with a big scoop and savor slowly. Once you get a taste, it’s almost impossible not to go back for seconds (or thirds).
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cobbler
Stuffed Crab
This stuffed crab recipe is a true Southern classic, packed with flavor and charm. Tender crab meat is the star of the show, mixed with egg and buttery cracker crumbs to create a rich, satisfying filling. Each bite is perfectly seasoned with just the right blend of spices to bring out the natural sweetness of the crab. Baked until golden and served in the shell, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that tastes like it came straight from a coastal kitchen. Whether for a special occasion or a casual seafood night, this recipe brings the warmth and tradition of Southern cooking to your table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Crab
Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
This easy Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole comes together with just 7 simple ingredients, making it a breeze to whip up for a comforting and hearty meal. Packed with layers of fluffy biscuits, savory breakfast sausage, creamy white peppered gravy, gooey melted cheese, and perfectly cooked eggs, every bite is rich and satisfying. It takes the flavors of a classic Southern breakfast and turns them into a warm, oven-baked casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you're serving it for a cozy weekend brunch, a holiday breakfast, or a family gathering, this dish is sure to bring everyone back for seconds. It’s one of those feel-good meals that’s both easy to make and impossible to forget.
Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
Southern Fried Corn
Southern fried corn is a beloved comfort food that brings a touch of down-home flavor to any dinner table. This classic side dish is made with sweet corn sautéed in butter and often flavored with bacon, onion, or a splash of cream for extra richness. It’s simple to make but packed with that nostalgic Southern charm that makes every bite feel like a warm hug. Whether you're serving it alongside fried chicken, barbecue, or a holiday roast, fried corn is always a crowd-pleaser. Get the easy recipe and learn the secrets to making the best Southern-style fried corn right in your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Corn
Slow Cooker Creole Crab Dip
Slow Cooker Creole Crab Dip is the kind of warm, comforting appetizer that instantly steals the show. It’s made with tender, sweet crab meat and a rich blend of three cheeses, all brought to life with bold Creole spices that add just the right amount of heat and flavor. This dip is perfect for parties, game days, or any gathering where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The best part? You can toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work while you enjoy time with your guests. It's a deliciously easy way to bring a little Southern charm to your table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creole Crab Dip
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This Easy Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the kind of comfort food that brings warmth to the table with every bite. Tender cabbage is cooked down with savory, crispy bacon and sweet, caramelized onions, creating a delicious balance of flavors and textures. A hint of brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness, while a splash of apple cider vinegar cuts through the richness with a gentle tang. It’s a humble dish, but the flavor is anything but basic—hearty, satisfying, and full of Southern charm. Whether served alongside your favorite meat or enjoyed on its own, it’s a simple side that always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Sweet Potato Biscuits
These sweet potato biscuits are a beloved, old-fashioned treat that’s been passed down from one generation to the next, bringing warmth and comfort to every table they grace. They put a delicious twist on classic Southern biscuits by blending in creamy sweet potatoes, which add a subtle sweetness and rich, earthy flavor. The result is a biscuit that’s wonderfully tender and flaky, with just the right amount of natural sweetness. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or alongside your favorite hearty meal, these biscuits feel like a warm hug from the past. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a staple in your own kitchen, too.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits
Party Perfect Pineapple Cheese Ball
The Pineapple Cheese Ball is a beloved Southern classic that brings together the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy. Made with crushed pineapple, sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, and smooth cream cheese, it’s a flavorful blend that keeps people coming back for more. The outside is coated in a crunchy mixture of crushed Ritz crackers and chopped pecans, adding the perfect texture to every bite. It’s incredibly easy to make and always a hit at parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Whether you're serving it with crackers, veggies, or just a spoon, it’s one of those appetizers that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Party Perfect Pineapple Cheese Ball
Old Fashioned Sausage & Oyster Dressing
Oyster dressing is a cherished Southern classic that brings a unique, savory twist to the holiday table. This comforting side dish combines the briny richness of fresh oysters and their liquor with savory sausage, sautéed onions, celery, and bell peppers, all seasoned with a hint of Cajun spice. The result is a bold, flavorful stuffing that perfectly complements roasted meats like pork, beef, or turkey. Often served at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, oyster dressing is more than just a side—it’s a family tradition passed down through generations. Its hearty texture and depth of flavor make it a true standout at any festive gathering.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sausage & Oyster Dressing
Granny's Cathead Biscuits
You haven’t truly experienced the magic of a Southern biscuit until you’ve tried Granny’s Cathead Biscuits. These biscuits are famously big—about the size of a cat’s head—and are everything you want in a homemade treat: golden and crisp on the outside, but incredibly soft and pillowy on the inside. Each bite practically melts in your mouth, filling you with a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Whether you slather them with butter, drizzle on some honey, or pile on your favorite jam, these biscuits are the kind of down-home goodness that keep you coming back for more. They’re simple, hearty, and made with love—just like Granny used to make.
Get the Recipe: Granny's Cathead Biscuits
Lemon Chess Pie
Lemon chess pie is a beloved Southern dessert that’s full of old-fashioned charm and bold citrus flavor. Made with the perfect mix of tart fresh lemon juice and just the right amount of sweetness, it’s like enjoying a slice of sunshine with every bite—bright, refreshing, and comforting all at once. The creamy filling sets beautifully in a flaky, gluten-free pie crust, creating a lovely contrast in texture, while a generous spoonful of dairy-free whipped cream adds a light, airy finish. Whether you’re sharing it at a holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet slice at home, this pie has a way of turning even the simplest moments into something special. It's a feel-good dessert that lemon lovers will want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chess Pie
Baked Beans with Ground Beef
These southern-style cowboy baked beans are packed with deep, rich flavor that somehow manages to get even better the next day. They’re thick, hearty, and incredibly satisfying—comfort food at its finest. While many people associate baked beans with summer cookouts, this dish is just as perfect served alongside holiday meals, cozy weeknight dinners, or potluck gatherings year-round. It pairs beautifully with soft banana bread rolls or warm, homemade hot dog buns, making each bite even more indulgent. With their bold taste and crowd-pleasing appeal, these baked beans are the kind of side dish that quickly becomes a go-to favorite for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Southern Fried Catfish
Southern Fried Catfish is a classic comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to make at home, giving you that crispy, golden goodness without the need for a deep fryer or complicated steps. With just seven ingredients and three simple steps, you can have this flavorful dish on the table in under 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The crispy coating is made without eggs or flour, which not only keeps things simple but also makes this recipe a great gluten-free option. It even comes with a tangy homemade tartar sauce that adds the perfect zing to every bite. Whether you're cooking for family or just craving a down-home Southern favorite, this dish is sure to satisfy.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Catfish
