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There’s nothing quite like a good Southern meal rich in soul and flavor. Whether you grew up on fried chicken and cornbread or are just beginning to explore the bold and deeply comforting dishes of the South, this collection brings the Best Southern Recipes straight to your kitchen table.
What is Southern Food?
Southern food, or Southern cuisine, refers to the traditional cooking style of the Southern United States known for its comforting, hearty flavors, and deep roots in history, culture, and regional agriculture. Southern food blends influences from African, Native American, European, and Caribbean cuisines, resulting in dishes that are rich, soulful, and often made with simple, humble ingredients.
Hallmarks of Southern cuisine include slow cooking and braising with a deep love for crispy, golden fried foods like fried chicken and catfish. Corn-based dishes such as cornbread and grits are staples on Southern tables, often served with hearty stews and barbecued meats. You’ll find that Southern cuisine relies heavily on seasonings like garlic, onion, cayenne, paprika, and bay leaf, and often features rich ingredients like buttermilk, bacon fat, and hot sauce. And of course, no Southern meal is complete without a classic dessert like sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, or banana pudding.
TL;DR Southern food is all about slow-cooked comfort, bold spices, and rich, soulful flavors. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Sunday Suppers & Comfort Food Classics
These timeless main dishes are the heart and soul of Southern home cooking. Perfect for lazy Sundays, family reunions, or cozy weeknight meals, each recipe is packed with the kind of stick-to-your-ribs comfort the South is famous for. From golden, crispy fried chicken to slow-cooked barbecue favorites like pulled pork, these dishes bring people together around the table.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection, this classic buttermilk fried chicken is peak Southern comfort. The secret lies in a flavorful buttermilk marinade and a double-dredged coating for that signature crunch. Serve your fried chicken with creamy Alabama white sauce for the perfect finish.
Prefer boneless fried chicken tenders? Check out my recipe for Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders.
Chicken Fried Steak Recipe: This down-home favorite features tenderized steak, breaded and fried until crispy, then smothered in creamy pepper gravy. It’s indulgent, satisfying, and a true Southern diner classic.
Smothered Pork Chops Recipe: Bone-in pork chops are pan-seared, then simmered in a rich, creamy mushroom gravy until tender. This soul-warming dish is a Southern favorite, perfect with mashed potatoes or rice.
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: Tender chunks of chicken and pillowy dumplings are nestled in a thick, savory, veggie-filled broth. It’s the ultimate comfort food, bringing with it all the nostalgia of grandma’s kitchen.
Meatloaf Recipe: Made with ground beef, onions, and breadcrumbs, this moist meatloaf is topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze. It’s simple, satisfying, and even better as leftovers.
BBQ Pork Ribs: These tender pork ribs are slow-cooked and generously basted with a sticky, smoky barbecue sauce. Perfect for backyard cookouts and summer gatherings.
Easy Sausage Gravy Recipe: Browned breakfast sausage is simmered in a creamy, peppered gravy and served over fluffy buttermilk biscuits. It’s a Southern breakfast classic that’s hard to beat.
Best One-Pot & Slow-Cooked Southern Favorites
These cozy, slow-cooked Southern meals are big on flavor and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re simmering red beans with sausage or layering flavors in a hearty jambalaya, these one-pot classics bring comfort and tradition to the table—with plenty of leftovers for tomorrow. Love big-batch stews and slow-simmered Southern flavors? You’ll find even more to love in this roundup of 40+ Dutch oven recipes!
Brunswick Stew Recipe: A thick, tomato-based stew loaded with shredded pork, corn, lima beans, and potatoes. This Georgia classic is hearty, flavorful, and designed to feed a crowd.
Sausage and Seafood Gumbo Recipe: A rich, flavorful stew made with a dark roux, the “trinity” of Cajun cooking, sausage, and shrimp. It’s a Creole masterpiece that brings the very essence of Louisiana cooking to your table.
Green Gumbo Recipe: Also known as “gumbo z’herbes,” this earthy dish is made with a mix of leafy greens like collards, mustard, and kale, often simmered with smoked sausage or ham. Meatless versions were traditionally served during Lent, it’s a flavorful, nutrient-packed twist on classic gumbo with deep Creole roots.
Shrimp Étouffée Recipe: Shrimp are simmered in a buttery, Cajun roux-based sauce with onions, peppers, and celery. Served over cooked white rice, this dish is bold, comforting, and deeply rooted in Louisiana tradition.
Jambalaya Recipe: Jambalaya is a one-pot rice dish brimming with sausage, chicken, shrimp, and bold Cajun seasonings. It’s spicy, smoky, and incredibly delicious.
Southern Chicken Bog Recipe: A South Carolina favorite, chicken bog combines tender shredded chicken, smoked sausage, and seasoned rice. It’s simple, hearty, down-home cooking and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Red Beans and Rice Recipe: Red beans are flavored with sausage, garlic, and spices, then served over fluffy white rice. Traditionally slow-cooked and made on Mondays, this short-cut version makes it possible to enjoy this incredible dish any day of the week!
Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe: This deeply savory rice dish gets its name from the browned meat and Cajun spices that give it color and flavor. It’s a versatile side or main that packs a punch.
Soulful Southern Sides
No Southern meal is complete without a table full of comforting side dishes. From creamy casseroles and cheesy grits to sweet cornbread, these sides are packed with flavor and southern soul—and often steal the spotlight from the main course.
Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe: Creamy, cheesy, and finished with a golden crust, this baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort side dish. It’s rich, indulgent, and a Southern favorite at holidays and potlucks.
Southern-Style Collard Greens Recipe: Slow-simmered with smoked sausage or ham hocks, these greens are tender, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. A splash of vinegar before serving brings it all together.
Easy Pinto Beans with Bacon: Pinto beans are simmered with smoky bacon, onions, and spices until creamy and rich. It’s a no-fuss dish that’s perfect as a side, yet hearty enough to be a meal.
Squash Casserole Recipe: Tender yellow squash and zucchini is baked with a creamy filling and crunchy cracker topping. It’s a beloved Southern casserole that always disappears first at gatherings.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Marshmallows: Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are topped with gooey marshmallows and baked until golden. This dish toes the line between side and dessert—and no one’s complaining.
Cornbread Casserole Recipe: Sweet corn and cornbread mix come together in this soft, buttery side. It’s the easiest way to serve cornbread with a twist.
Cornbread Dressing Recipe: Made with crumbled cornbread, herbs, celery, and broth, this dressing is savory, moist, and essential on any Southern holiday table. It’s a must-have at Thanksgiving and beyond.
Tomato Pie Recipe: This savory Southern pie features ripe tomatoes, melty cheese, and a creamy filling in a buttery crust. It’s best made with summer tomatoes straight from the garden.
Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe: Tall, flaky, and buttery, these classic biscuits are perfect with honey, gravy, or jam. They’re a staple at any Southern breakfast or brunch table.
Favorite Southern Appetizers, Snacks, and Sauces
Southern gatherings always start strong—with bold, craveable bites and flavorful dips or sauces. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, a tailgate, or just need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these Southern snacks bring the flavor. Fried, creamy, spicy, or smoky—each one delivers a punch of down-home goodness.
Pimento Cheese Recipe: Known as the “caviar of the South,” this creamy cheese spread is made with shredded cheddar, pimentos, and mayo. Serve it with crackers, veggies, or spread on sandwiches.
Cajun Remoulade Sauce Recipe: This zesty, creamy sauce blends mayo, Creole mustard, horseradish, hot sauce, and spices for a bold Southern kick. It’s perfect for dipping fried seafood, topping po’boys, or serving alongside crab cakes and hush puppies.
Fried Okra Recipe: Bite-sized pieces of okra are breaded and fried until golden and crispy. It’s a crunchy, addictive side or snack that even okra skeptics will love.
Fried Boudin Balls Recipe: Deep-fried Cajun rice and pork sausage balls with a crispy crust and tender, spicy center. It’s a spicy, savory bite straight from Louisiana tradition.
Southern Sweets & Potluck Desserts
No Southern feast is complete without a sweet finish. These nostalgic desserts are made for sharing—think church suppers, family reunions, or Sunday dinners. Whether you’re scooping warm cobbler into a bowl or slicing a creamy sweet potato pie, these desserts deliver timeless flavor with every bite.
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe: This Southern dessert features a smooth, spiced sweet potato filling in a flaky pie crust. It’s a Thanksgiving favorite that rivals pumpkin pie any day.
Blackberry Cobbler Recipe: Juicy blackberries are baked beneath a sweet, biscuit-style topping until bubbling and golden. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finish.
Ambrosia Salad Recipe: A retro Southern dessert-salad made with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and shredded coconut. Light, sweet, and nostalgic, it’s a holiday favorite that always sparks conversation.
From crispy fried chicken to cobbler fresh out of the oven, these Southern recipes celebrate the flavors, stories, and comfort that make Southern cooking so special. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or just craving a taste of home, I hope these dishes bring joy to your table. And, please, if you make any of these recipes, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Happy cooking, y’all!
