The best Southern dishes have a way of making everyone feel like they're part of the gathering. They're the recipes people happily pass around the table, go back for seconds, and remember long after the meal is over.
That's what I've always admired about Southern cooking. It fills the table with comfort, but just as importantly, it gives people a reason to linger around it. These 23 Southern foods are the kinds of recipes America never seems to tire of.
Southern Peach Cobbler
Summer always feels complete once a fruit cobbler starts bubbling away inside a hot oven. Juicy peaches bake under a buttery batter that puffs up into a soft crust best served with vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Bakers across the South know that mashed sweet potatoes are the secret to the softest cornbread in the country. Cinnamon and sweet potato puree keep the bread extra moist, making it an incredible side for spicy chili.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread
Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
Bakeries across the country love this layered cake because mashed bananas and pineapple keep the sponge extra soft. A thick coat of cream cheese frosting makes this sweet dessert disappear off the counter fast.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
Best Southern Corn Pudding
If you need a side dish that pairs with almost anything, this sweet baked corn dish is your answer. It bakes into a soft custard that brings a gentle, cozy flavor to your holiday dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding
Quick Red Beans and Rice
Monday nights call for a fast dinner, and this classic Creole combination never lets you down. Sliced smoked sausage and creamy red beans give plain white rice a bold kick in under half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Quick Red Beans and Rice
Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
Do not let the funny name scare you off because this pot of food is pure comfort. Sliced potatoes, green beans, and smoky sausage cook together with Cajun spices to make the whole house smell incredible.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
Gluten Free Pecan Pie
Northern bakers try to copy this classic holiday dessert, but nothing beats a true brown sugar center. This easy recipe uses sweet maple syrup so everyone can enjoy a gooey slice after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Pecan Pie
Spicy Pimento Cheese
Have you ever wondered why people call this stuff the caviar of the South? You just mix sharp cheddar, diced peppers, and a little cayenne to make a dip that puts plain cheese spreads to shame.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Pimento Cheese
Southern Seafood Boil
Dumping a giant pot of fresh shrimp, corn, and smoky sausage right onto newspaper is the funnest way to eat. This messy feast brings everyone together at the picnic table, making it a huge national favorite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Seafood Boil
Shrimp and Grits Casserole
People usually order this dish at fancy coastal diners, but baking it into a casserole makes weeknight dinner easy. You get plump shrimp and thick, cheesy grits that scoop out easily for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Easy Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
Folks eat this hearty stovetop pot for good luck on New Year's Day, but it tastes great year-round. Tender greens and creamy beans simmer with smoky bacon to build a broth that begs for warm cornbread.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Pralines
Making these sweet candy drops at home is easier than you think once you boil sugar and butter together. Spooning the warm mixture onto wax paper yields rich, nutty bites that make wonderful gifts for neighbors.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Pralines
Southern Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy
There is a good reason folks across the country travel down South just to order this diner favorite. You fry a breaded steak until golden brown, then cover the whole plate with creamy pepper gravy.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
I love dropping a pork shoulder into the slow cooker when I want a meal that feeds a crowd. The meat cooks down until it melts in your mouth, giving you a sweet barbecue sandwich that everyone craves.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Brunswick Stew
Leftover barbecue chicken and pulled pork find new life when you simmer them together in a rich tomato base. This thick, cozy stew warms you right up and uses up your fridge leftovers in a clever way.
Get the Recipe: Brunswick Stew
Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
You might think green beans need to stay snappy, but simmering them low and slow changes everything. Bacon fat melts straight into the pot, turning the vegetables tender and full of deep, smoky flavor.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese with Pimentos
You can skip the boxed pasta tonight because adding sweet peppers to baked macaroni is a huge upgrade. It bakes into a bubbly dish with a crisp top that makes regular pasta look boring.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese with Pimentos
Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet
My favorite shortcut for a cozy night in is making this fast skillet meal on the stove. Juicy chicken and veggies simmer under a blanket of soft biscuits to deliver that home-cooked taste America loves.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet
Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings
Did you know a quick soak in cold buttermilk is the secret to keeping onion ring batter attached? These fry up with a big golden crunch that keeps people grabbing them straight off the platter.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings
Best Southern Ham Gravy
Country cooks know that saving your salty ham drippings is the secret to a rich morning sauce. Pouring this savory gravy over hot buttered biscuits keeps you full and happy for hours.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Ham Gravy
Easy Banana Pudding
A hot afternoon practically demands a dish of cool, sweet layers that require zero baking time. Crunchy cookies soften into the vanilla pudding as it chills, creating a classic dessert everyone reaches for.
Get the Recipe: Easy Banana Pudding
Succotash
America loves a good summer side dish, and this colorful vegetable toss is a favorite for good reason. Sautéing sweet corn, lima beans, and fresh tomatoes together gives you a bright, healthy plate in ten minutes.
Get the Recipe: Succotash
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
You can make a classic country breakfast in fifteen minutes flat without buying anything fancy at the store. Just brown your pork sausage, stir in milk, and pour the thick gravy over warm split biscuits.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
Here's to Southern recipes that bring people together one generous serving at a time.
