18 Down-Home Southern Dishes That Never Disappoint

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Southern cooking is all about big flavors, warm hospitality, and absolutely no skimping on butter. Start with crispy Southern Fried Pickles, because nothing says “welcome” like deep-fried goodness. Then, dive into a classic Seafood Boil or the Lowcountry favorite Stuffed Deviled Crab for a taste of the coast. Need some comfort? Cornbread Dressing and Smoky Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens will make you feel right at home. And let’s not forget brunch—Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole is pure morning bliss. But no true Southern meal ends without dessert, so grab a fork and dig into Cinnamon Swirl Toasted Pecan Bundt Cake or Farm Recipe Green Tomato and Raspberry Pie—because down South, we always save room for sweets!

Seafood Boil

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A vibrant seafood platter featuring shrimp, clams, corn on the cob, potatoes, and lemon wedges, garnished with parsley.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Seafood Boil brings Southern charm straight to your table—one pot, 20 minutes, and a customizable feast perfect for sharing with your crew!
Get the Recipe: Seafood Boil

Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

Close-up of two baked seafood dishes topped with herbs, while a person drizzles sauce with chopsticks onto the crispy topping.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Easy Stuffed Crab loads every bite with savory, seasoned crab, delivering Lowcountry flavor so authentic, you’ll swear you’re in South Carolina!

To learn more: Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

Ambrosia Salad

A close-up of a colorful fruit salad mixed with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and nuts, served in a clear bowl.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Ambrosia Salad is a Southern classic—fruity, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy, making every potluck or summer gathering a little more delightful!
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Close-up of creamy potato salad, garnished with black pepper and cherry tomatoes, served in an ornate white dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Penna Dutch Potato Salad serves up Amish-style comfort with a tangy, creamy kick—thanks to its warm dressing, it’s a side dish to remember!

To learn more: Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Smoky Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

A close-up of a dish featuring black-eyed peas and sautéed leafy greens, garnished with spices, served in a dark bowl.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Smoky Black-Eyed Peas and Garlicky Collard Greens bring warmth and luck to your table—wholesome, flavorful, and even better with a side of cornbread!
Get the Recipe: Smoky Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

Cornbread Dressing

A white dish filled with fluffy cornbread stuffing, featuring green onions and chunks of cornbread, ready for serving.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Cornbread Dressing is a holiday essential—herb-packed, garlicky, and irresistibly moist, making every Thanksgiving or Christmas feast feel complete!
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole Recipe

A plate with scrambled eggs and a piece of meatloaf topped with melted cheese and herbs.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy Casserole layers buttery biscuits with creamy, savory goodness—so irresistible, you’ll be back for seconds (or thirds)!

To learn more: Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole Recipe

Pinto Beans Recipe

Close-up of a spoon scooping up a mix of pinto beans and chunks of pink meat in savory broth.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Pinto Beans with Ham Hocks slow-simmers to Southern perfection—rich, smoky, and just like Grandma made, it’s a hearty side worth savoring!
Get the Recipe: Pinto Beans Recipe

Shrimp Boil

A hearty dish featuring shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes, garnished with parsley, alongside a slice of golden cornbread.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Shrimp Boil is a Southern crowd-pleaser—juicy shrimp, hearty sausage, and tender veggies, all seasoned to perfection in just one pot!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Boil

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

Close-up of creamy shrimp and grits topped with cooked shrimp, green herbs, and a drizzle of sauce, showcasing a savory Southern dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits is Southern comfort at its finest—creamy, cheesy, and downright irresistible when made just right!

To learn more: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

Pea Salad with Bacon

A creamy green pea salad mixed with red onion, crispy bacon, and shredded cheese, served in a light-colored bowl.
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

Pea Salad with Bacon takes a Southern favorite up a notch—smoky, creamy, and with a chipotle kick that steals the show at any gathering!
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad with Bacon

Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

Slice of moist cake topped with a glossy glaze, showcasing a crumbly texture and specks of fruit, served on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze captures fall in every bite—moist, spiced, and topped with a lusciously tangy-sweet drizzle!

To learn more: Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

Strawberry Shortcake Tea Cake Stacks

Layers of vanilla cookies, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries stacked on a plate, garnished with additional strawberry slices.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Strawberry Shortcake Tea Cake Stacks give a fresh spin to a classic—fluffy tea cakes, luscious cream, and sweet berries stacked into pure springtime bliss!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Tea Cake Stacks

Farm Recipe Green Tomato And Raspberry Pie

Close-up of a golden-brown fruit pie with a flaky crust, showing slight cracks revealing warm filling underneath.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Farm Recipe Green Tomato and Raspberry Pie is unexpectedly delightful—bright, tangy-sweet, and proof that the best desserts come from the garden!

To learn more: Farm Recipe Green Tomato And Raspberry Pie

Johnny Cake Recipe

A plate of golden, fluffy bread rolls with one halved to reveal its soft, light interior, set against a textured fabric backdrop.
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Caribbean Johnny Cakes fry up golden, crisp, and irresistibly fluffy—perfect for breakfast, dinner, or anytime you crave a taste of the islands!
Get the Recipe: Johnny Cake Recipe

Cinnamon Swirl Toasted Pecan Bundt Cake

A close-up of a Bundt cake drizzled with creamy icing, with a spoon resting beside it, showcasing its rich texture and flavor.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Cinnamon Swirl Toasted Pecan Bundt Cake wraps up fall flavors in every bite—rich, nutty, and swirled with just the right touch of cinnamon!

To learn more: Cinnamon Swirl Toasted Pecan Bundt Cake

Southern Fried Pickles

Golden, crispy fried zucchini sticks with a small bite taken out, served with a side of creamy dipping sauce.
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Southern Fried Pickles serve up the ultimate crispy, tangy bite—golden-fried dill spears with a seasoned crunch, best dunked in Creole remoulade!
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Pickles

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A sliced bundt cake with berries and small fruit pieces on top, served on a white plate. A spoon lies beside the plate, with drinks in the background.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake is fall baked to perfection—moist, spiced, and bursting with cranberries, cinnamon, and a luscious cream cheese surprise!

To learn more: Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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