25 Southern Side Dish Recipes

There’s nothing quite like a table loaded with soul-warming sides that just make the meal. This collection of Southern side dish recipes includes both authentic classics and Southern-inspired dishes that capture those beloved flavors in new ways.

From cornbread dressing to collard greens and buttermilk biscuits, these recipes will transform any ordinary dinner into something special. These tasty Southern sides are perfect for Sunday suppers, holiday gatherings, and everything in between.

1. Southern Cornbread Dressing

This beloved Southern side combines crumbled cornbread with sautéed vegetables and bold Creole seasoning for incredible flavor.

It’s a must-have for Thanksgiving and Christmas tables, but also makes weeknight dinners feel extra special when you want comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Dressing

2. Southern Collard Greens with Bacon

These slow-simmered greens with crispy bacon are a tasty Southern side the entire family will love. They’re even better as leftovers, making them great for meal prep too.

Get the Recipe: Southern Collard Greens with Bacon

3. Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

These fluffy biscuits are perfect for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or any dinner where you want to make people feel loved. Grating frozen butter into the flour creates those flaky layers that make everyone reach for seconds.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

4. Southern Macaroni Salad

This crowd-pleasing pasta salad with sharp cheddar and fresh tomatoes is a potluck superstar that actually gets better overnight. It’s perfect for barbecues, picnics, and any gathering where you need a side that travels well.

Get the Recipe: Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe

5. Southern Fried Potatoes

These golden potato cubes cooked in bacon fat make a hearty side for weeknight dinners. Everyone will want seconds, and they’re simple enough to make any night of the week.

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Potatoes

6. Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

This one-pot dish is perfect for the holidays, but it’s also a fantastic weeknight dinner when you want something hearty and satisfying. The flavors get even better the next day, making it perfect for leftovers.

Get the Recipe: Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

7. Sweet Corn Hush Puppies

Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these corn-studded hush puppies are always a hit at gatherings. You can mix the batter in advance, then fry them fresh for guests.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn Hush Puppies

8. Pineapple Casserole

While cheddar, crackers, and pineapple may sound like an odd combo in this casserole, it’s incredibly tasty and is the perfect balance of salty and sweet.

It’s been showing up on holiday tables in the south for decades, and it’s perfect for potlucks where you want to bring something memorable.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

9. Southern Baked Beans

These molasses-sweetened beans with bacon are perfect for backyard barbecues, Fourth of July cookouts, and any time you’re grilling burgers or hot dogs. They’re much better than anything from a can and can easily feed a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans

10. Fried Green Tomatoes

These tangy, crispy slices make an impressive appetizer for dinner parties or a unique side dish for summer meals. This is a must-try Southern side!

Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

11. Corn Pudding Soufflé

This beloved family recipe works beautifully for holiday dinners where you want something that is comforting. It’s rich enough to serve at Thanksgiving but easy enough for regular Sunday dinners with the family.

Get the Recipe: Corn Pudding Soufflé

12. Crispy Fried Okra

This crispy, golden okra with its cornmeal coating is a summer dinner staple that pairs beautifully with fried chicken or grilled meat. It’s also a great way to get people to try okra if they’ve never had it before.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Fried Okra

13. Classic Southern Potato Salad

This classic potato salad with its creamy dressing and hard-boiled eggs is essential for picnics, church suppers, and family reunions. It’s the kind of reliable side dish that always disappears first from the buffet table.

Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Potato Salad

14. Southern Smothered Green Beans

These bacon-laden green beans are incredibly yummy. They’re a great way to get kids to eat their greens since they taste more like comfort food than health food.

Get the Recipe: Southern Smothered Green Beans

15. Southern Grape Salad

This creamy Southern classic has a sweet marshmallow base that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe. The candied pecans add the perfect crunch.

Get the Recipe: Southern Grape Salad

16. Southern Squash Casserole

This creamy, cheesy casserole is ideal for summer dinners when squash is abundant, but it’s also wonderful for Thanksgiving when you want a vegetable dish that feels indulgent. It’s a great way to use up extra squash from the garden, too.

Get the Recipe: Southern Squash Casserole

17. Southern Skillet Cornbread

This traditional cornbread is perfect served with chili or enjoyed warm with butter and honey. It’s especially wonderful for weeknight dinners when you want something homemade that doesn’t take much effort.

Get the Recipe: Southern Skillet Cornbread

18. Candied Sweet Potatoes

These old-fashioned sweet potato cubes get tossed with warm spices and a hint of orange, then simmered until they’re tender and glazed. The buttery caramel coating transforms sweet potatoes into something special.

Get the Recipe: Candied Sweet Potatoes

19. Turnip Greens

These simply sautéed greens with garlic and lemon are perfect for weeknight dinners when you want a side that’s a little lighter. They’re especially good alongside meat dishes.

Get the Recipe: Turnip Greens

20. Southern Butter Beans

Frozen lima beans become pure comfort food magic with crispy bacon and a splash of cream. Pair it with some cornbread and fried chicken for the ultimate Southern feast.

Get the Recipe: Southern Butter Beans

21. Corn Fritters

These golden puffs are crispy on the outside and packed with sweet corn kernels throughout.

Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

22. Southern Pineapple Bacon Coleslaw

This elevated coleslaw with sweet pineapple and crispy bacon is perfect for when you want something that stands out from ordinary sides. It’s especially good with pulled pork or fried chicken, yum!

Get the Recipe: Southern Pineapple Bacon Coleslaw

23. Southern Succotash

This colorful veggie medley brings together fresh corn and lima beans with bell peppers and tomatoes for a bright side. It’s completely plant-based but still manages to steal the show at any barbecue or potluck.

Get the Recipe: Southern Succotash

24. Mac and Cheese

This is the best mac and cheese you’ll ever try. It has a blend of cheeses and a custardy base that bakes until golden. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.

Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

25. Southern Style Creamed Corn

This recipe uses fresh corn for the best flavor, but canned or frozen works just as well if that’s what you have on hand. Prep takes only about 15 minutes with fresh corn, making it a quick option either way.

Get the Recipe: Southern Style Creamed Corn