50 Must-Try Southern Comfort Food Classics for Autumn
Updated Nov 14, 2024
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As the leaves turn golden and the crisp autumn breeze ushers in cooler nights, our cravings shift toward warm and hearty meals that provide comfort and nostalgia. Building on our original collection of 25 Southern comfort classics you cannot miss, we’ve added another 25 mouthwatering dishes to help you nest and savor the season. From creamy shrimp and grits and smoky roasted pork tenderloin to rich coconut rum cake and indulgent luncheonette 4-layer chocolate pie, these recipes are the epitome of classic Southern cooking!
Table of Contents
- Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy
- A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze
- Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
- The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
- Pickled Sweet Peppers with Shallots & Thyme
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole
- Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
- Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese
- Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip
- Sheet Pan Home Fries Recipe with Sausages and Sunny Eggs
- Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic
- Smoked Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette
- Cast Iron Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Ginger Biscuits
- Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew
- Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
- Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze
- Southern Steak Po’ Boys
- Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
- Chocolate Pie
- Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce
- Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears
- Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs
- Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans
- Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs
- Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits
- Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili
- Farm Recipe Green Tomato and Raspberry Pie
- Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls
- Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake
- Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole
- A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp
- Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese
- Southern Chicken Salad with Pineapple – Southern Luncheonette Recipes
- A Simple and Tasty Blueberry Compote Recipe
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak
- Southern Pimento Cheese Nachos
- 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze
- Best Southern Corn Pudding
- Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin
- Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake
- Creamy Grits and Goat Cheese Breakfast Souffle
- Butter Pecan Cookies
- Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Chicken on the Ritz Casserole
- Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle
- 3 Ingredient Charleston Flash Pickles
- Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy
- 5 Ingredient Southern Fried Zucchini Fritters
Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy
Relish Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy—a comforting, homey meal that captures the heart of Southern cooking. This dish features Carolina Gold rice, a historic variety native to the South, adding a touch of history and unique flavor to your table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Fried Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice
A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze
Bring some Southern flair to your BBQ with this sweet, sticky, and spicy Bourbon Glaze. It’s perfect for brushing on ribs, chicken, or shrimp, giving them a deeply caramelized finish. The balance of sweetness and heat will have everyone raving, and it makes an amazing dipping sauce for chicken fingers, too!
Get the Recipe: A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze
Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
Whip up flaky and tender Buttermilk Biscuits using just three ingredients. Even if you’re a beginner, these easy biscuits will make you feel like a seasoned baker.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits
The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
Simple and wholesome, my Best Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner! This quick and comforting Southern classic, made with drop dumplings, is just what you need to satisfy your hungry family on busy weeknights.
GET THE RECIPE: Chicken and Dumplings
Pickled Sweet Peppers with Shallots & Thyme
Kick your meals up a notch or two with Pickled Sweet Peppers for a tangy flair. Infused with shallots and thyme, these peppers are ideal for topping sausages, in Bahn Mi sandwiches, or serving as a sweet and zesty side to barbecued and smoked foods.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Peppers
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole
This Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole is the ultimate comfort food side dish. Made with fresh potatoes, it’s a freezer-friendly recipe that you can prepare now and enjoy later. The creamy, cheesy goodness pairs perfectly with any main dish. Make it ahead, then simply bake when you’re ready to serve, saving you valuable time.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole
Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
Delight in the harmonious blend of flavors with this Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake. Every slice combines the rich notes of bourbon, sweet apples, and crunchy pecans, creating an utterly heavenly dessert experience.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese
These Southern Deviled Eggs are a staple at any Southern gathering, from pig pickin’s to funerals! With the addition of tangy pimento cheese, they offer a creamy richness and a slight kick that makes them stand out. Plus, they’re easy to transport and serve.
Get the Recipe: Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese
Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip
Discover the transformative charm of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where a visit can change your outlook on just about everything. And what better way to speed up this newfound clarity than with a cold beer and a rich bowl of Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip? Trust us, perspective has never tasted this delicious!
Get the Recipe: Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip
Sheet Pan Home Fries Recipe with Sausages and Sunny Eggs
Begin your morning with a hearty breakfast of crispy home fries, savory sausages, and sunny-side-up eggs—all cooked together on one pan for an effortless meal. Don’t you just love Sheet Pan Breakfasts?
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Breakfast
Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic
Stuffed Deviled Crab is a Lowcountry seafood classic that delivers the authentic flavors of South Carolina right to your table. Tender crab meat is perfectly seasoned and baked in its shell, creating a savory dish that’s ideal for a special dinner or a Southern-themed potluck.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Deviled Crab
Smoked Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Experience authentic Carolina-style barbecue with these slow-smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Tender and packed with flavor, they capture the traditional essence of Southern BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sandwich
Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette
If you sometimes cringe at those frilly restaurant salads that feel more like rabbit food, this hearty Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette is about to become your go-to. Filling and flavorful, it’s easy to whip up with minimal prep and is perfect for those nights you forget to marinate your steak.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette
Cast Iron Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Ginger Biscuits
Experience a delightful testament to fruits working in harmony with this Cast Iron Peach and Blueberry Cobbler. Juicy, ripe blueberries mingle with vibrant peaches for an unforgettable cobbler, elevated by a sweet ginger biscuit topping.
Get the Recipe: Peach and Blueberry Cobbler
Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew
This Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew is a true Southern classic, packed with rich flavors from dry red wine and whole grain mustard. But what sets it apart is the unique ingredient added just before serving, giving it that extra something special.
Get the Recipe: Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew
Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
Savor the ultimate comfort food with this Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole. Creamy, savory, and utterly satisfying, it’s a dish that hits all the right spots. Many consider this the origin of true comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze
Pools of sweet glaze cascade over the peaks and valleys of this Apple and Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze, offering a sure sign that autumn has arrived in Dixie. This cake is a delicious way to celebrate the season!
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze
Southern Steak Po’ Boys
Relish a Po’ Boy Steak Sandwich piled high with marinated steak, mayo, and crisp romaine lettuce. While traditional Po’ Boys feature fried seafood like shrimp or fish, this steak version captures all the classic elements of a Southern Po’ Boy nonetheless. Perfect for tailgates, cookouts, or a quick dinner, this sandwich is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Southern Steak Po’ Boy
Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Craving smoked food but don’t own a smoker? No worries! While I always recommend getting one, I get it’s not for everyone. But when you need that smoky flavor, here’s how to cheat! Follow this seven-ingredient method for the best smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin you’ve ever tasted.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Chocolate Pie
Chocolate Pie always reminds me of my grandmother. She made a simple, hand-crafted crust filled with the most heavenly pudding-like filling—pure bliss. I can still find that nostalgic slice in Southern luncheonettes from Texas to the Carolinas, and I never miss a chance to savor it, unless I’m making this scratch-made 4-layer version that is!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pie
Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce
Treat yourself to Beef Tips Smothered in Creamy Mushroom Sauce for a quick and savory dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for when you just want happy hearts and full bellies around the table.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tips in Gravy
Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears
It’s FALL Y’ALL, and these juicy Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears are divine, capturing all the best autumn flavors. Instead of a typical tart or preserve, I’m roasting pear quarters with maple syrup until caramelized and golden, then finishing them with garlic, white wine, and whole grain mustard for a savory bite!
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears
Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs
Delight in a traditional Southern breakfast with Smoky Ham Gravy, Cheesy Biscuits, and Scrambled Eggs. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, it’s a meal as southern as southern gets.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits
Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans
The Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans brings together all the best fall flavors—apples, pecans, and gooey cinnamon rolls—for an easy breakfast cake or quick coffee treat. Trust me, drop everything and make this recipe now!
Get the Recipe: Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans
Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs
Savor making tender, fall-off-the-bone Barbecue Ribs right in your oven. No special skills needed—just patience and a love for authentic Deep South flavors. These ribs are seasoned with both a barbecue rub and topped with a homemade barbecue sauce or your family’s favorite sauce!
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs
Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake
In the South, we love our Pound Cake and pumpkin spice just as much as anyone! This moist Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake features tart cranberries, warm cinnamon, cardamom, and a cream cheese center. With autumn cakes all around, it’s the perfect cozy treat to inspire your fall baking.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits
If there’s one dish Charleston and the Lowcountry are famous for, it’s Shrimp and Grits. This Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits is a regional favorite!
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits
Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili
Make your game-day snacks unforgettable with this Frito Pie topped with hearty cowgirl chili. Perfect for tailgating, it can be made ahead and assembled hot, crunchy, and fresh on site.
Get the Recipe: Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili
Farm Recipe Green Tomato and Raspberry Pie
If you’re craving a dessert that’s both unique and undeniably delicious, Farm Recipe Green Tomato and Raspberry Pie is a must-try! This intriguing blend of ingredients may sound odd, but one bite will change your mind. Made with an airy sour cream crust, this dessert uses classic baking techniques straight from old-fashioned recipes.
Get the Recipe: Farm Recipe Green Tomato and Raspberry Pie
Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls
These Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls are about as Southern as it gets and may just be the quintessential symbol of Christmas in the South. While it may be a bit early to hang the wreath, it’s definitely not too early to roll up these decadent treats for your next porch party—after all, chocolate and bourbon are always in season!
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls
Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake
Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake is a quintessential Southern fall dessert. This classic upside-down cake boasts a tangy, perfectly balanced topping that’s both festive and flavorful. With 12 generous servings, it’s ideal for sharing at any autumn gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake
Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole
As the sun takes its time to rise on Saturday mornings, it’s perfect for lazily assembling this nostalgic Bob Evans Sausage Gravy Breakfast Casserole. Layered with biscuits and rich sausage gravy, this dish is ideal for brunch or a cozy weekend breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole
A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp
Indulge in Charleston’s Pickled Spiced Shrimp served with grilled rye bread and sherry aioli. Popularized by Edmund’s Oast—a chic Southern restaurant in downtown Charleston—this dish combines the zesty flavors of pickled vegetables with tender poached shrimp for an unforgettable experience. It was so popular that after being retired, it made a comeback due to popular demand.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Spiced Shrimp
Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese
Enjoy a delightful Creamy Mac and Cheese prepared on the stovetop and then baked for an extra cheesy comfort dish whenever you need that homemade fix! The recipe also includes instructions for making individual creamy mac and cheese muffins.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mac and Cheese
Southern Chicken Salad with Pineapple – Southern Luncheonette Recipes
This delicious Southern Chicken Salad recipe, featuring Carolina peanuts and sweet pineapple, is the perfect blend of savory and sweet. The crunchy peanuts add a unique Southern twist, while the juicy pineapple brings a refreshing brightness. Whether you’re craving a taste of home or looking to impress at your next picnic or potluck, this chicken salad is sure to hit the spot!
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken Salad
A Simple and Tasty Blueberry Compote Recipe
This Blueberry Compote is a Southern-inspired topping that’s perfect for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream. With its sweet and tangy flavor, it elevates any dessert, making it a versatile must-have in your recipe collection.
Get the Recipe: A Simple and Tasty Blueberry Compote Recipe
Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak
This Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak Recipe brings the South straight to your kitchen in just 45 minutes! Known as chicken-fried steak in the Southern U.S., it features seasoned cube steak with a crispy golden-brown crust, all topped with a rich and creamy sawmill gravy that will have you coming back for seconds (or thirds!).
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak
Southern Pimento Cheese Nachos
Take your nachos to the next level with Southern Pimento Cheese Nachos. The creamy, tangy pimento cheese melts perfectly over the chips, delivering a rich and flavorful bite. Top them off with pickled jalapeños and crispy bacon bits for that extra touch of Southern charm.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pimento Cheese Nachos
3 Ingredient Ham Glaze
Do you dread the instant glaze powder packet that comes with your store-bought ham? A simple homemade glaze is all you need to transform a good ham into a great one. With this Three-Ingredient Ham Glaze recipe, you can effortlessly add a sweet and tangy flavor to your ham, giving it a beautiful sheen and making it a show-stopping main dish.
Get the Recipe: Ham Glaze
Best Southern Corn Pudding
Warm up your autumn evenings with creamy Southern Corn Pudding, perfect for cozy dinners as the weather cools. This kid-friendly recipe pairs beautifully with roasted meats or hearty vegetable casseroles.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin
Enjoy a creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin that adds a rich, cheesy variation of a Southern staple. Layers of tender sweet potatoes and melted Muenster cheese create a comforting dish that’s perfect for autumn dinners. It’s an indulgent side that pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or a fresh green salad.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Muenster Au Gratin
Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake
Old School Rum Cake is truly iconic—sweet, syrupy, and topped with a glistening rum glaze. Rich with butter and soaked in coconut Caribbean rum, it’s a dessert that feels indulgent. Since baking isn’t my forte, I’m taking you down the easy road with this semi-homemade version, but trust me, it’s just as delicious!
Get the Recipe: Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake
Creamy Grits and Goat Cheese Breakfast Souffle
My Creamy Grits and Goat Cheese Breakfast Soufflé recipe yields four individual savory soufflés. In the South, grits are a way of life—especially creamy, cheesy, stone-ground grits like these. This recipe elevates them to new heights with goat cheese and is shown here topped with a carrot green pesto.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Grits and Goat Cheese Breakfast Souffle
Butter Pecan Cookies
Bake a batch of classic Butter Pecan Cookies. Soft, buttery, and nutty, they’re perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Interesting fact: Pecans are the only major tree nut native to North America, making butter pecan treats a true American favorite rooted in Southern tradition.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies
Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Whip up a moist Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake with this simple two-step method. Perfect for any occasion, this timeless treat is sure to impress. Even if you’re not a seasoned baker, you can bake this one with ease!
Get the Recipe: Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Chicken on the Ritz Casserole
Prepare a rich and creamy Chicken on the Ritz casserole using just a few simple ingredients. Ideal for busy weeknights, especially when made with rotisserie chicken, this dish is comforting and effortless to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Ritz Chicken Casserole
Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle
Make a classic Southern Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding—a no-bake trifle that’s as easy to prepare as it is iconic. This scratch-made creamy, layered dessert is just about as Southern as it gets!
Get the Recipe: Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding
3 Ingredient Charleston Flash Pickles
3-Ingredient Charleston Flash Pickles are a BBQ and grilling favorite, ready in just an hour and even tastier when cured longer. With a minimal ingredient list—no onions, red pepper flakes, or bay leaf—these crisp pickle chips prove that cucumbers can be quickly transformed with just sugar, distilled vinegar, and water.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Charleston Flash Pickles
Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy
Discover an authentic Shrimp and Grits recipe that anyone can make at home. Even if you’re not from the South, this comforting dish is simple enough for everyone to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits
5 Ingredient Southern Fried Zucchini Fritters
These 5-Ingredient Southern Fried Zucchini Fritters turn the humble zucchini into a standout snack. Lightly sweet, mildly savory, and finished with a pinch of Malden sea salt, they’re perfect for pairing with a beer or cocktail.
Get the Recipe: 5 Ingredient Southern Fried Zucchini Fritters



Hi Jennifer,
I don’t see the recipe for the Smoky Roasted Pork Tenderloin. Did you mean the Pork Loin? I guess I could still use a Tenderloin for the Loin recipe, right?
I’d love to see a delicious Pork Tenderloin recipe on your site.
Everything of yours is always fabulous!
Becky, you are just the SWEETEST! In my introduction, I was referring to my Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin recipe. And only because you mentioned wanting to see a good pork tenderloin recipe, I’m going to share my most favorite – Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Zinfandel Reduction. Fancy food that isn’t fancy to prepare! And to answer your question regarding using a tenderloin in lieu of a loin, the answer is yes with a caveat – tenderloins tend to have almost no fat cap. This means you mustn’t overcook the meat. With a loin, there are some liberties which may be taken due to the fat cap ensuring the meat will remain moist. I would cook tenderloin to 140°F, then tightly double-wrap in foil until its resting temp climbs sufficiently to 145°F. Let me know if you try either recipe and how you enjoy it! I just love and look forward to fall food, don’t you? x – Jenny