Southern cooking is more than just food—it’s heritage, comfort, and heart in every bite. These recipes carry those traditions forward, from golden-fried favorites to slow-simmered stews and sweet desserts. Every dish tells a story of shared tables, big flavors, and warm hospitality. With buttery biscuits, smoky barbecue, and comforting casseroles, you’ll taste the roots of something timeless. These are recipes that feed both body and soul.

Southern Mashed Potatoes

Southern Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Creamy, buttery, and perfectly seasoned, these Southern Mashed Potatoes are comfort food at its finest. They’re the ideal side dish for fried chicken, roast beef, or any Sunday dinner. Simple yet irresistible, this recipe brings that classic homemade flavor everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mashed Potatoes

Southern Caramel Cake

Southern Caramel Cake. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Southern Caramel Cake is sweet, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Layers of tender cake are coated in smooth caramel frosting for a dessert that feels like a warm Southern hug. It’s perfect for holidays, birthdays, or anytime you’re craving something truly special.
Get the Recipe: Southern Caramel Cake

Southern Cornbread Recipe

Southern Cornbread Recipe. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A true staple of the South, this cornbread is golden, slightly sweet, and wonderfully crumbly. Whether served with chili, greens, or a drizzle of honey, it’s the perfect side to round out any meal. Simple, rustic, and packed with down-home flavor.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Recipe

Southern Cheese Straws

Southern Cheese Straws. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Crispy, buttery, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor, these Southern Cheese Straws are the ultimate party snack. They’re easy to make and even easier to eat—ideal for holidays, picnics, or afternoon munching. Once you start, you won’t stop!
Get the Recipe: Southern Cheese Straws

Southern Broccoli Casserole

Southern Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Southern Broccoli Casserole is rich, cheesy, and baked until perfectly golden on top. It’s a comforting side dish that pairs beautifully with any main course. Bring it to a potluck or family dinner—it’s always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Southern Broccoli Casserole

Southern Cornbread Dressing

Southern Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This classic Southern Cornbread Dressing is what Thanksgiving dreams are made of. Savory, herby, and perfectly moist, it’s the kind of dish that disappears first at the table. A true Southern tradition that never fails to comfort.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Dressing

Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Warm, cozy, and deeply satisfying, this Southern Chicken and Dumplings recipe is comfort in a bowl. The tender chicken and fluffy dumplings simmer in a savory broth that feels like home with every spoonful. Perfect for chilly days or when you need a little love in food form.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Pot Roast

Southern Pot Roast. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Southern Pot Roast is slow-braised perfection. With fall-apart tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce, it’s a meal that fills your kitchen with irresistible aroma. It’s the kind of comforting dish made for Sunday suppers and family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pot Roast

Southern Pecan Pie

Southern Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Buttery, gooey, and full of toasted pecans, this Southern Pecan Pie is a timeless favorite. The sweet filling and flaky crust make every bite pure bliss. It’s a classic dessert that belongs on every Southern table.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pecan Pie

Southern Peach Cobbler

Southern Peach Cobbler. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Juicy peaches meet a buttery, golden crust in this Southern Peach Cobbler that’s pure comfort in every bite. Baked until bubbly and fragrant, it’s best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A must-have for summer gatherings or cozy evenings at home.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler

Classic Southern Deviled Eggs

Close-up of Southern deviled eggs on a plate, filled with a creamy yellow yolk mixture and sweet pickle relish, garnished with green chives and a sprinkle of paprika. The eggs are neatly arranged and appear ready to serve.
Classic Southern Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

These Classic Southern Deviled Eggs are creamy, tangy, and full of flavor. Made with sweet pickle relish and a touch of mustard, they’re a crowd-pleaser at every gathering. Make a double batch—these disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Deviled Eggs

Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs

A biscuit sandwich filled with scrambled eggs and covered in thick, creamy gravy with chunks of sausage. In the background, there's part of a stovetop and a yellow item.
Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Rich, smoky, and full of Southern charm, this ham gravy takes breakfast to the next level. Poured over flaky, cheesy biscuits or scrambled eggs, it’s hearty, comforting, and deeply satisfying. This is what Southern mornings are all about.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs

Southern Mac and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese topped with breakcrumbs in a casserole dish.
Southern Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection, this Southern Mac and Cheese is the definition of comfort. Every bite is rich and satisfying, with a crunchy breadcrumb topping for extra texture. It’s the perfect side—or even a main course all on its own.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mac and Cheese

A Southern Classic: Tomato Pie

A slice of tomato pie on a white plate with a serving utensil, and a whole tomato pie in a white fluted dish, are shown on a marble surface with a small bowl of spices and basil leaves.
A Southern Classic: Tomato Pie. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Sweet, ripe tomatoes baked with mayonnaise, cheese, and a flaky crust make this Southern Tomato Pie a summertime staple. It’s tangy, creamy, and full of fresh flavor. Serve it warm or chilled—it’s a true Southern delight.
Get the Recipe: A Southern Classic: Tomato Pie

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A baked corn casserole with chopped peppers and herbs is presented in a white oval dish on a wooden surface, with a patterned cloth nearby.
Best Southern Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Soft, creamy, and slightly sweet, this Southern Corn Pudding is the perfect mix of comfort and tradition. It pairs beautifully with barbecue, roast meats, or holiday favorites. Every spoonful tastes like home.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Green beans with pork on a black plate.
Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

These Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans are tender, smoky, and packed with down-home flavor. Cooked low and slow with bacon and seasoning, they make an easy, crowd-pleasing side. Perfect for holidays or everyday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Air fryer fried chicken legs and thighs in a pile on a wooden cutting board.
Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get all the crispy, juicy goodness of classic Southern fried chicken—without the grease! The air fryer makes it golden and crunchy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. A lighter take on a Southern favorite that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Sweet Southern Cornbread

Close-up of honey being drizzled onto a slice of Southern cornbread with a wooden honey dipper. The cornbread, boasting a moist center and golden crust, sits on parchment paper, accompanied by green leaves. The softly blurred background highlights its inviting texture.
Sweet Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Sweet Southern Cornbread bakes up golden and tender, with just the right touch of sweetness. Drizzle it with honey or pair it with chili—it’s a versatile side that never disappoints. Comforting, simple, and oh-so-Southern.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Southern Cornbread

Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

A pile of crispy fried onion rings rests on parchment paper, accompanied by a small bowl of red dipping sauce in the background.
Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

These Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings are golden, crunchy, and completely addictive. Soaked in tangy buttermilk and seasoned to perfection, they make the ultimate snack or side. Serve them hot and watch them disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

Southern Oven-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Herb Crust

Slices of roasted pork tenderloin on a wooden board, garnished with fresh herbs. A jar of mustard is in the background, along with peppercorns scattered around the meat. The scene is warmly lit and appetizing.
Southern Oven-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Herb Crust. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Juicy and tender, this Southern-style oven-roasted pork tenderloin is packed with flavor. Marinated overnight and roasted with herbs, it’s elegant enough for guests yet easy enough for weeknights. Every slice is savory perfection.
Get the Recipe: Southern Oven-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Herb Crust

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!

Round cake with white icing drizzled on top, sitting on a wooden surface. Cake has a cracked texture on the sides and a hole in the center.
Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake is rich, buttery, and wonderfully moist. With a golden crust and a tender crumb, it’s a classic dessert that never goes out of style. Perfect for holidays, parties, or a simple sweet treat at home.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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