50 Southern Recipes to Keep You Forever Loyal

1. Classic Southern Biscuits

Fluffy, buttery, and golden, classic Southern biscuits are a must-have for any breakfast spread. Serve them with gravy or jam for a delightful treat.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¾ cup buttermilk

Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk until just combined. Turn dough onto a floured surface, knead gently, and roll out to ½ inch thick. Cut into circles and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

2. Southern Collard Greens

No Southern meal is complete without a side of collard greens. This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients, making it a favorite among many.

• 1 pound collard greens, washed and chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent. Add collard greens, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 45 minutes until the greens are tender.

3. Shrimp and Grits

This iconic Southern dish combines succulent shrimp with creamy, cheesy grits for a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying.

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, bring water to a boil and add grits. Cook until thickened, then stir in cheese. In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy, then add shrimp and garlic. Cook until shrimp are pink. Serve shrimp over grits.

4. Southern Fried Chicken

Crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, Southern fried chicken is a classic that never goes out of style. Perfect for family gatherings and celebrations!

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 4 hours. In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture and fry in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.

5. Hoppin’ John

This traditional Southern dish made with rice and black-eyed peas is often served on New Year’s Day for good luck!

• 1 cup black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
• 1 cup rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft. Add black-eyed peas and chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.

6. Classic Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a Southern staple, perfect for spreading on crackers or sandwiches. It’s creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious!

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 jar pimentos, drained
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and serve chilled.

7. Cornbread

No Southern meal is complete without a warm slice of cornbread. It’s the perfect accompaniment to chili, greens, and stews.

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup melted butter

Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, and melted butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients and pour into a greased baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

8. Chicken and Dumplings

This comforting dish is a Southern favorite, featuring tender chicken and fluffy dumplings simmered in a rich broth.

• 1 whole chicken
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter

Boil the chicken in chicken broth until cooked. Remove chicken and shred. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and butter to form a dough. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering broth and cook for about 15 minutes until dumplings are fluffy.

9. Sweet Tea

No Southern meal is complete without a glass of sweet tea. This refreshing drink is the perfect complement to any Southern feast.

• 4 cups water
• 4 tea bags
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cups cold water

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until dissolved. Add cold water and serve over ice.

10. Peach Cobbler

Sweet, juicy peaches enveloped in a buttery crust make for a delightful dessert that’s quintessentially Southern.

• 4 cups sliced peaches
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix peaches, sugar, and lemon juice. In another bowl, combine flour, milk, baking powder, and melted butter. Pour batter into a baking dish, then spoon peaches on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.

11. Jambalaya

This one-pot dish is a flavor-packed combination of rice, meat, and spices, popular in Louisiana cuisine.

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 cup rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

In a large pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft. Add sausage and cook until browned. Stir in rice, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until pink.

12. Gumbo

This rich, hearty stew hails from Louisiana and is known for its robust flavors and variety of ingredients.

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound chicken, diced
• 1 cup okra, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• ¼ cup flour

In a large pot, heat oil and make a roux with flour until dark brown. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery, and sauté until softened. Stir in chicken, broth, okra, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer until chicken is cooked through and add shrimp before serving.

13. Banana Pudding

This beloved Southern dessert layers creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers for a sweet treat that everyone will love.

• 1 box vanilla wafers
• 4 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup whipped cream

Prepare pudding according to package instructions. In a trifle dish, layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding. Repeat layers and top with whipped cream. Chill before serving.

14. Biscuits and Gravy

This hearty breakfast dish combines fluffy biscuits smothered in savory sausage gravy for a delicious start to your day.

• 1 pound breakfast sausage
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 biscuits (homemade or store-bought)

In a skillet, cook sausage until browned. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over warm biscuits.

15. Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

This simple yet flavorful dish is a quick weeknight meal that’s full of Southern charm.

• 1 head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion until translucent. Add sausage and cook until browned. Stir in cabbage and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Conclusion

These 50 Southern recipes represent the heart and soul of Southern cooking, filled with rich flavors and cherished traditions. From hearty meals to sweet treats, each dish has a story to tell and a place in the hearts of those who enjoy them. Embrace these recipes, and you’ll find yourself forever loyal to Southern cuisine!

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16. Shrimp and Grits

This classic dish brings together succulent shrimp and creamy grits for a comfort food experience that’s hard to resist.

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, bring water to a boil and cook grits according to package instructions. Stir in cheese until melted. In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy, then add garlic and shrimp. Cook until shrimp are pink. Serve shrimp over grits.

17. Cornbread

No Southern meal is complete without a side of cornbread. This slightly sweet bread complements savory dishes beautifully.

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

18. Fried Green Tomatoes

This iconic Southern appetizer features crispy, tangy green tomatoes that are sure to delight your taste buds.

• 4 green tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Oil for frying
• Salt and pepper to taste

Dip tomato slices in buttermilk, then coat with cornmeal mixed with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels before serving.

19. Pecan Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a must-have during holidays, featuring a sweet, nutty filling that’s simply irresistible.

• 1 pie crust
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix corn syrup, sugar, eggs, and melted butter. Stir in pecans. Pour mixture into pie crust and bake for 60-70 minutes until set.

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