There’s a reason Southern food feels like a hug on a plate. These timeless recipes are built on tradition, comfort, and soulful flavors that go back generations. From crispy fried chicken to sweet banana pudding, every dish tells a story and every bite brings back memories of family tables, Sunday dinners, and holidays in grandma’s kitchen.
Whether you’re a born-and-raised Southerner or simply a fan of classic American comfort food, these 17 must-try Southern recipes will help you bring that warmth, flavor, and hospitality into your own home.
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1. 🍗 Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Image: sugarandsoul.com
Golden, crispy, and impossibly juicy, this Southern icon starts with a buttermilk marinade that tenderizes the chicken before it’s coated in seasoned flour and fried to perfection. You’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Olivia’s Tip: Let the coated chicken rest for 10–15 minutes before frying to help the crust stay crisp and stick better.
Get the Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe
2. 🍤 Shrimp and Grits
Image: simplerecipes.com
Creamy stone-ground grits are topped with sautéed shrimp, smoky bacon, and just the right amount of spice. It’s hearty, rich, and packed with Lowcountry charm—a brunch or dinner favorite.
Olivia’s Tip: Stir a little cheddar or Parmesan into your grits for added depth and richness.
Get the Shrimp and Grits recipe
3. 🍲 Chicken and Dumplings
Image: thetoastykitchen.com
This dish is pure comfort: tender shredded chicken, velvety broth, and soft, fluffy dumplings that soak up all the flavor. It’s a Southern classic that fills both belly and soul.
Olivia’s Tip: Don’t lift the lid while your dumplings cook—steam is what makes them pillowy soft.
4. 🥬 Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
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Slow-simmered with onions, garlic, and smoked turkey (or ham hock), these greens are bold, earthy, and deeply satisfying. They’re a soul food staple that belongs at every table.
Olivia’s Tip: A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end brightens the dish and cuts the richness perfectly.
Get the Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey recipe
5. 🍞 Southern Cornbread
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Crispy on the edges, moist in the middle—true Southern cornbread is baked in a cast iron skillet and made without sugar. Perfect with chili, greens, or just a pat of butter.
Olivia’s Tip: Preheat your skillet with a bit of bacon grease for that unbeatable golden crust.
Get the Southern Cornbread recipe
6. 🍛 Red Beans and Rice
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Hearty, smoky, and comforting, this Louisiana classic slow-cooks red beans with sausage, celery, peppers, and spices until creamy—then serves it all over fluffy white rice.
Olivia’s Tip: Make it on a Monday, the traditional day for red beans in New Orleans. Bonus: It tastes even better the next day.
Get the Red Beans and Rice recipe
7. 🍳 Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
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Flaky, buttery biscuits are smothered in thick sausage gravy made with milk, flour, and pan drippings. It’s a Southern breakfast must-have and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Olivia’s Tip: Use cold butter and don’t overwork the dough—those are the secrets to tall, tender biscuits.
Get the Biscuits and Sausage Gravy recipe
8. 🧀 Pimento Cheese Spread
Image: asouthernsoul.com
Known as the “caviar of the South,” this creamy spread blends shredded cheese, mayo, and diced pimentos with a hint of spice. Serve it with crackers, on burgers, or between slices of white bread for a nostalgic sandwich.
Olivia’s Tip: Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to balance the richness and give it a kick.
Get the Pimento Cheese Spread recipe
9. 🍚 Hoppin’ John
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This lucky New Year’s dish is made from black-eyed peas, rice, and smoked meat—usually bacon or ham. But don’t wait for January 1st—Hoppin’ John is great year-round.
Olivia’s Tip: Pair it with collard greens and cornbread for the ultimate good-luck trio.
10. 🍅 Fried Green Tomatoes
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Tart, unripe tomatoes are sliced, dipped in cornmeal batter, and fried until crisp and golden. Serve them with a spicy remoulade or creamy ranch dip.
Olivia’s Tip: Don’t skip the cornmeal—it gives that signature Southern crunch and texture.
Get the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe
11. 🍖 Smothered Pork Chops
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Juicy pork chops are pan-fried, then simmered in onion gravy until fall-apart tender. It’s comfort food at its finest and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or rice.
Olivia’s Tip: Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the brown bits from the pan before making your gravy—they’re packed with flavor.
Get the Smothered Pork Chops recipe
12. 🍠 Sweet Potato Casserole
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Creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with either a brown sugar pecan streusel or gooey marshmallows. It’s a must at Southern holidays—but don’t be surprised if you crave it all year.
Olivia’s Tip: Roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them—it deepens their flavor and keeps them from getting watery.
Get the Sweet Potato Casserole recipe
13. 🥓 Southern-Style Green Beans
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These aren’t your average green beans. Simmered long and slow with onions, garlic, and bacon or ham, they’re tender, smoky, and soul-warming.
Olivia’s Tip: Add a dash of broth or a spoonful of bacon drippings while they simmer for an extra hit of flavor.
Get the Southern-Style Green Beans recipe
14. 🐟 Catfish Po’ Boy
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Crispy fried catfish tucked inside a soft baguette with lettuce, tomato, and creamy remoulade sauce. It’s Louisiana in sandwich form.
Olivia’s Tip: Don’t forget to toast the bread and go heavy on the sauce—it’s what ties everything together.
Get the Catfish Po’ Boy recipe
15. 🥩 Chicken Fried Steak
Image: houseofyumm.com
Cube steak is dredged in seasoned flour and pan-fried like chicken, then smothered in white country gravy. It’s crispy, savory, and straight-up satisfying.
Olivia’s Tip: Use a heavy skillet (cast iron is best!) and keep the oil hot for an even, golden crust.
Get the Chicken Fried Steak recipe
16. 🍌 Banana Pudding
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Layers of creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers topped with whipped cream—or a cloud of meringue. It’s a classic Southern dessert that never gets old.
Olivia’s Tip: Make it ahead and chill for a few hours. It helps the flavors meld and softens the wafers just right.
17. 🍑 Peach Cobbler
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Juicy peaches baked with a soft biscuit topping or cake-like crust, then served warm—often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top.
Olivia’s Tip: When peaches aren’t in season, frozen works just fine. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well first.
❤️ Why Southern Food Still Reigns Supreme
- 🍽️ It’s all about comfort – rich, filling, and made with love
- 🕰️ Built on tradition – every dish tells a story
- 🌿 Uses real ingredients – herbs, spices, and time-tested techniques
- 👩🍳 Meant to be shared – perfect for family meals, potlucks, and holidays
These old Southern recipes aren’t just food—they’re a feeling. Bring them to your table, and you’ll taste the warmth, the history, and the joy in every bite.
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