22 Southern Dishes No Food Lover Should Miss

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

This collection showcases beloved Southern classics that food enthusiasts adore. From crispy Fried Chicken to creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes, each recipe reflects Southern hospitality. Enjoy crowd-pleasers like Chicken Fried Steak, Cherry Cobbler, and Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Ideal for both new cooks and experienced chefs, these dishes invite you to experience the warm spirit of Southern hospitality!

Alabama Chopped Chicken Sandwiches

Sandwiches with chopped chicken, pickles, and creamy white sauce on toasted buns, arranged on a decorative plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Alabama Chopped Chicken Sandwiches serve up smoky pulled chicken drenched in creamy white sauce with a vinegary kick. Piled onto toasted buns with pickles, it’s a bold barbecue detour that’s anything but ordinary.

To learn more: Alabama Chopped Chicken Sandwiches

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes is topped with melted butter and chopped chives, with a spoon inside. A checkered cloth is draped over the wooden surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish to elevate any meal. The rich, nutty flavor from the browned butter combined with creamy buttermilk transforms ordinary mashed potatoes into a gourmet experience. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings or a special weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Country Captain Chicken

A plate of white rice topped with a tomato-based chicken stew, garnished with herbs and slivered almonds. A fork rests on the side, with bowls of extra rice and stew nearby.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Country Captain Chicken blends Lowcountry comfort with warm curry spices for a dish that’s both familiar and far-flung. Tender chicken, tomatoes, and a hint of sweetness make this storied Southern staple a flavorful standout.

To learn more: Country Captain Chicken

Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Golden-brown fried chicken drumsticks garnished with fresh dill, arranged on a decorative green and white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks come out crispy, golden, and gloriously mess-free—no deep fryer in sight. Just brine, bake, and enjoy the crunch that turns any cook into a weeknight hero.

To learn more: Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict

A waffle topped with a piece of fried chicken and a runny poached egg on a white plate. There's a sprinkle of herbs and pepper on the egg, with a fork resting on the plate. A drink is partially visible in the background.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict recipe takes comfort food to the next level! Crispy buttermilk fried chicken, golden cornmeal waffles, and spicy honey make a sweet and savory combination that’s perfect for brunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict

Beer Braised Beef Brisket

A serving of tender beef slices, pickles, onion rings, and white bread in a rustic bowl lined with parchment paper.
Image Credit: Image credit goes to.

Beer-Braised Beef Brisket brings you melt-in-your-mouth beef, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich stout sauce with savory onions. Pure bliss!

To learn more: Beer Braised Beef Brisket

Smoky Oven-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwiches

A pulled pork sandwich with melted cheese, pickled vegetables, and coleslaw on a bun is served on brown paper. In the background, there is a glass of beer and a yellow drink.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Sandwiches bring the smoky-sweet comfort of barbecue indoors, no smoker required. Each juicy bite is a slow-braised triumph—especially when paired with Carolina mustard sauce and a heap of creamy slaw.

To learn more: Smoky Oven-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Healthy Fried Chicken

Fried chicken on a cutting board.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This low-fat fried chicken recipe offers a crispy baked coating for a healthier alternative to deep-frying, without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy this lighter version as part of a balanced meal with your favorite sides!

GET THE RECIPE: Healthy Fried Chicken

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Fluffy biscuits.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe produces flaky, homemade buttermilk biscuits with a golden exterior and soft, fluffy interior. Perfect for any meal, these biscuits will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven with butter or as the base for a savory biscuit sandwich!

GET THE RECIPE: Buttermilk Biscuits

Fried Potatoes and Onions

Country fried potatoes and onions.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Pan-fried potatoes and onions are a classic side dish that enhances any meal, from breakfast to dinner. With crispy potatoes and sweet, caramelized onions, this versatile dish combines simple ingredients for unbeatable flavor. Perfect with eggs, meat, or fish, it’s a beloved staple in Southern kitchens for good reason.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Potatoes and Onions

Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

A brush basting deviled crab with sherried butter.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Try this easy Stuffed Crab recipe, featuring rich crab meat stuffing that takes you to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Serve it in retro crab tins or intact crab shells for an authentic touch. Known as Deviled Crab, it resembles crab cakes, basted with warm butter and sherry sauce for a bit of heat and a stunning presentation.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Crab

Carolina BBQ Sauce

A spoon dipping into barbecue sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Experience the tangy, mustard-infused flavor of authentic Carolina BBQ sauce that elevates your grilling. This delicious sauce combines zesty mustard with sweetness and a hint of smokiness, making it perfect for basting chicken, pork, or beef. It’s essential for any barbecue enthusiast looking to add Southern flair to their dishes.

GET THE RECIPE: Carolina BBQ Sauce

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

A plate of cheesy eggs and biscuits smothered in southern ham gravy.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern breakfast is a delightful experience, featuring smoky ham gravy over cheesy biscuits and velvety scrambled eggs. These easy-to-make dishes can be whipped up in minutes, pleasing everyone at the table. Amid the daily hustle, nothing beats gathering to enjoy good food and company, especially when served over biscuits in the heart of the South!

GET THE RECIPE: Ham Gravy

Mint Julep Cocktail

Mint Julip cocktails.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This Mint Julep Cocktail is perfect for any gathering, from casual summer barbecues to elegant evening events. It’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests!

GET THE RECIPE: Mint Julep Cocktail

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole

A plate of scrambled eggs and hot sausage biscuit and gravy casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Get ready for breakfast casserole bliss with Bob Evans’ famous sausage gravy! Using just flour and a skillet, we’ll create a savory dish layered with biscuits. Perfect for brunch or dinner, this quick and easy casserole is sure to become a family favorite and reheats beautifully!

GET THE RECIPE: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

Turkey and Ham Pie

Ham and turkey pot pie with a spoon.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Transform your holiday leftovers into a delicious Turkey and Ham Pie with this easy, family-friendly recipe. This dish wraps leftover turkey and ham in savory pastry, making it a flavorful and customizable meal. Perfect for post-holiday gatherings or a cozy family dinner, it’s a comforting choice that everyone will love!

GET THE RECIPE: Turkey and Ham Pie

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Layers of banana pudding, Nilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

The ultimate Southern comfort dessert is Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding—a layered trifle with creamy vanilla pudding, Nilla Wafers, and Cool Whip. This easy no-bake dessert is quick to prepare and sure to please a crowd, making it perfect for any occasion!

GET THE RECIPE: Banana Pudding

Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

Sweet potato pancakes.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This simple Johnny Cakes recipe—also known as Cornbread Pancakes—yields crispy yet fluffy pancakes every time. Combining the comforting flavors of cornbread with the convenience of pancakes, these delicious treats add a touch of Southern charm to your breakfast or brunch. They’re perfect for anyone looking to switch up their morning routine!

GET THE RECIPE: Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A bowl of creamy mashed sweet potatoes with butter.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a delightful alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, featuring a creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor. This colorful, nutritious side dish adds a touch of sweetness and pairs wonderfully with various main courses!

GET THE RECIPE: Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

A casserole of sweet potatoes layered with Muenster cheese.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin is the epitome of Southern comfort food. Elevating sweet potatoes to new levels of richness with minimal effort, it combines creamy and cheesy flavors, serving as a savory alternative to sweet potato casserole. This dish steals the spotlight, delivering bold flavors that rival any main course!

GET THE RECIPE: Potatoes Au Gratin

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak with country gravy.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

The Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak Recipe brings Southern comfort to your kitchen in just 45 minutes! Known as chicken-fried steak, this dish features seasoned cube steak with a golden-brown crust, complemented by rich, creamy white sawmill gravy that will leave you wanting seconds and thirds!

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Fried Steak

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern Corn Pudding is a versatile dish that pairs well with everything from grilled steak to Thanksgiving turkey. Baked to a golden brown, this creamy corn pudding is a classic Southern favorite that complements holiday ham, turkey, and green bean casserole beautifully!

GET THE RECIPE: Corn Casserole

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

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!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *