32 Best Southern Recipes

Southern food always keeps people coming back for seconds. I may be born and raised in California, but I put together a seriously solid list of Southern recipes.

Some are authentic favorites, others are Southern-inspired dishes everyone loves. Did I nail it, or did I miss something? Let me know in the comments.

1. Southern-Style Baked Mac and Cheese

This classic baked mac uses a blend of cheeses that melts into the noodles for a rich, homestyle flavor. A buttery cracker topping adds a light crunch that makes every serving feel special.

Get the Recipe: Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

2. Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy

Seasoned cube steak is coated and pan-fried until crisp, then covered with country gravy for a hearty plate. Try a bite, and you’ll be in Southern food Heaven.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy

3. Sweet Potato Pie

Mashed sweet potatoes bake into a silky, lightly spiced filling that makes one unforgettable pie. It’s rich, smooth, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for another forkful.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

4. Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

These buttermilk biscuits couldn’t be any tastier. They’re especially good fresh from the oven, yum!

Get the Recipe: Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

5. Shrimp and Grits

This creamy Cajun-spiced shrimp and grits dish is always a crowd pleaser. It works for busy weeknights, as well as parties and potlucks.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

6. Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

Green tomato slices are coated in cornmeal and fried until crisp, giving you that classic Southern bite. A tangy dipping sauce adds a fresh contrast to the tomatoes’ tartness.

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

7. Texas Pecan Fudge Pie

This pie layers a fudgy chocolate center with toasted pecans on top for a dessert everyone will love. It’s a great choice when you want something rich without being overly complicated.

Get the Recipe: Texas Pecan Fudge Pie

8. Pulled Pork Burger

Slow cooked pork turns tender and juicy before being piled onto buns with a zesty sauce that adds a little heat. Most of the time is hands off, making these sandwiches super easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Burger

9. Cornbread Stuffing

Cubes of cornbread soak up broth and herbs to create a flavorful, slightly sweet dressing. It’s a familiar holiday dish that brings warmth to any table.

Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing

10. Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese Spread

This spread combines creamy cheese with pimiento and a touch of jalapeno for gentle heat. It works well as a dip or a sandwich filling, especially when you want something with a little personality.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese Spread

11. Southern Peach Pie

Fresh peaches bake into a juicy filling that settles beneath a homemade crust for a classic summer dessert. It’s a great way to use ripe fruit when it’s in season.

Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Pie

12. Crockpot Collard Greens

Collard greens slowly simmer with broth, seasoning, and bacon until they come out perfectly. They take only 10 minutes of prep time and go well with a wide range of Southern dishes.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Collard Greens

13. Southern Sweet Tea

Nothing is better on a warm day than a homemade glass of sweet tea. Add some lemon to balance out the sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea

14. Southern Chicken and Rice

Chicken cooks with rice and simple seasoning to create a filling, comforting dish. It’s a nostalgic recipe that comes together in one pot for an easy meal.

Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken and Rice

15. Southern Caramel Cake

Yellow cake serves as the base for a smooth caramel frosting that brings a sweet, classic flavor. Each slice feels like a celebration, whether it’s for a holiday or a regular weeknight treat.

Get the Recipe: Southern Caramel Cake

16. Jambalaya

Chicken, andouille sausage, and rice cook together with bold Cajun seasoning for a pot full of hearty flavor. It’s customizable and works well for feeding a group.

Get the Recipe: Jambalaya

17. Buttermilk Pie with Streusel

A smooth buttermilk filling bakes beneath a sweet, crumbly topping for a dessert that feels both simple and special. Using a premade crust helps it come together quickly without sacrificing flavor.

Get the Recipe: Best Buttermilk Pie with Streusel

18. Biscuits and Gravy

Fluffy biscuits are paired with sausage gravy for a classic Southern breakfast that satisfies. It’s a dish that works for slow weekends and always pleases everyone.

Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy

19. Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

Buttermilk coating keeps the chicken juicy while giving the crust a crisp finish. These tenders cook quickly and bring that familiar Southern comfort to the table.

Get the Recipe: Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

20. Blackberry Cobbler

Blackberries bake into a sweet-tart filling that bubbles under a soft, golden topping. It’s a warm dessert that pairs especially well with a scoop of ice cream.

Get the Recipe: Blackberry Cobbler

21. Giblet Gravy

This classic gravy uses the holiday turkey’s giblets to create a rich, savory sauce for dressing or potatoes. It brings a traditional touch to Thanksgiving or Christmas meals.

Get the Recipe: Giblet Gravy

22. Southern Tomato Pie

Fresh tomatoes and bacon bake in a creamy filling that tastes like summertime. The dish makes good use of ripe tomatoes when they’re at their peak.

Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

23. Country Captain Chicken

This dish blends chicken with a spiced tomato sauce for a dish that will get rave reviews. Have you tried this dish before? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you.

Get the Recipe: Country Captain Chicken

24. Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

This cake peach cobbler pound cake is so yummy. Each slice has a warm, familiar flavor that’s great for gatherings.

Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

25. Southern Low Country Boil

Shrimp, crab legs, sausage, and vegetables cook in one pot for a meal that’s easy to share with a crowd. Its seasoned broth brings everything together.

Get the Recipe: Southern Low Country Boil

26. Southern Comeback Sauce

This creamy sauce mixes tangy and savory flavors, making it a tasty dip for chicken, fries, or vegetables. It uses only a few ingredients but adds big flavor to snacks and meals.

Get the Recipe: Southern Comeback Sauce

27. Southern Tomato Gravy and Biscuits

A tomato-based gravy thickened with a simple roux complements the biscuits perfectly. It cooks quickly but still feels like a comforting classic.

Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Gravy and Biscuits

28. Possum Pie

Layers of pecan crust, cheesecake filling, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping create a dessert that’ll have everyone wanting to know the recipe. I haven’t tried possum pie before, but after seeing this recipe think I might have to.

Get the Recipe: Possum Pie

29. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

This gumbo starts with the classic trinity of vegetables and builds flavor as it simmers with chicken and sausage. It’s a hearty bowl that brings the feel of Louisiana cooking right to your kitchen.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

30. Instant Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts

Cajun seasoning, garlic, and peppers infuse peanuts with bold flavor while the pressure cooker speeds up the process. They’re an easy snack for game days or road trips.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts

31. Chicken-Fried Chicken

A seasoned chicken breast is fried until crisp and topped with smooth country gravy for a comforting plate. It brings together familiar flavors that feel like a classic Southern supper.

Get the Recipe: Chicken-Fried Chicken

32. Lemon Chess Pie

This pie balances rich, creamy filling with bright lemon for a dessert that’s both sweet and tart. It’ll be your new go-to refreshing summer dessert.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Chess Pie