Classic Southern Comfort Foods for the Coziest Winter Yet

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

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!

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

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!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Close-up of a breakfast sandwich with flaky biscuits filled with scrambled eggs, bacon bits, and creamy gravy. The sandwich appears to be rich and hearty, with the gravy generously covering the eggs and biscuit layers.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Smoky Ham Gravy, Cheesy Biscuits, and Scrambled Eggs bring all the Southern goodness you crave in one plate. With rich, smoky gravy and melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, this breakfast will have you saying “y’all” before the first bite. Easy to whip up and packed with flavor, it’s the perfect way to start your day the Southern way!

Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits

Sweet Tea

Two glasses of iced tea with lemon slices and ice cubes. Each glass has a red, white, and blue straw, adding a festive touch to the refreshing drink.
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

Southern Sweet Tea is the ultimate nod to the South, and it’s a breeze to make. With just a handful of ingredients, black tea is perfectly sweetened to hit that ideal balance—your go-to drink year-round!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Tea

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A white plate filled with breaded chicken covered in gravy, served on a bed of rice, garnished with chopped herbs. A small sprig of parsley decorates the left side of the dish. A striped yellow and white cloth is partially visible to the right of the plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy is a dish that screams Southern comfort. The Carolina Gold rice, with its rich history and distinct flavor, pairs perfectly with crispy chicken and velvety pan gravy—bringing you a taste of tradition that feels like home.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Fried Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice

How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes

Close-up of golden-brown, crispy fried green tomatoes on a plate, accompanied by a small bowl of white dipping sauce garnished with chopped chives and black pepper. A spoon rests in the bowl, ready for serving.
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes are the crispy, tangy treat you didn’t know you needed. With sweet green tomatoes fried to golden perfection and served alongside a creamy aioli, this Southern classic is the ideal snack or side dish to liven up any meal.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes

Okra and Tomatoes

A close-up of a colorful dish featuring sliced okra and diced tomatoes. The vegetables are lightly seasoned, and a spoon is scooping some of the mix. The okra pieces show their distinctive cross-sectional pattern.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Okra and Tomatoes is the ultimate Southern side that comes together in no time. With tender okra and juicy tomatoes, it’s a simple yet flavorful addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Okra and Tomatoes

A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze

A spoon with thick, golden-brown sauce containing small dark particles hovers over a stainless steel pot partially filled with the same liquid.
Image credit: Not Entirely Average

Bourbon Glaze adds the perfect sweet and spicy kick to your BBQ spread. Whether you’re brushing it on ribs, chicken, or shrimp, this sticky, caramelized glaze brings flavor that’ll have everyone reaching for more—plus, it doubles as an amazing dipping sauce for chicken fingers!
Get the Recipe: A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze

Best Hush Puppy Recipe

An image of deep fried balls of cornmeal dough known as hush puppies in the South.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Southern Hush Puppies are little golden nuggets of cornmeal goodness with a hint of grated onion. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these bites are the perfect crunchy sidekick to any Southern meal!
Get the Recipe: Best Hush Puppy Recipe

Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy

A plate of creamy mashed potatoes topped with succulent shrimp and a rich, savory gravy. The dish is garnished with chunks of crab meat and small pieces of red bell pepper, adding color and texture to the meal. The gravy glistens, blending the flavors together.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Shrimp and Grits is the Southern classic that’s easy enough for anyone to whip up at home. With tender shrimp and creamy grits, this comforting dish will have you feeling like a true Southerner, even if you’re not one!

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Oven Fried Fish

Delicious spicy oven fried fish fillets sprinkled with parsley and garnished with lemon ready to serve.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Oven Fried Catfish brings all the Southern flavor with a spicy twist, minus the frying mess. This crispy, flavorful dish gives you the perfect balance of heat and crunch—and it’s versatile enough to work with other fish, too!
Get the Recipe: Oven Fried Fish

Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

Close-up of a stack of three fluffy, golden-brown biscuits on a white surface. The biscuits have a flaky texture with distinct layers. In the blurred background, there is a white mug with blue detailing.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Buttermilk Biscuits are flaky, tender, and made with just three simple ingredients. Whether you’re a newbie in the kitchen or a pro, these biscuits are sure to have you feeling like a baking expert in no time!

Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew

A white bowl filled with a hearty beef stew containing chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots, garnished with fresh parsley, sits next to a large pot of the same stew and a round bread roll. A spoon rests on an orange cloth beside the bowl on a wooden table.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew is a hearty Southern classic, brimming with deep flavors from dry red wine and whole grain mustard. What makes it stand out? A secret ingredient added right at the end that takes this stew from great to unforgettable!

Get the Recipe: Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew

Southern Style Chicken and Waffles

Three plates of waffles with fried chicken and a small dish of maple syrup and hot sauce.
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Southern Style Chicken and Waffles brings together crispy buttermilk fried chicken tenders and fluffy, golden waffles. It’s a simple, mouthwatering combination that delivers all the comfort you could ever want in one plate!
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken and Waffles

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A close-up view of a baked dish featuring noodles mixed with ground meat and topped with melted cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper. The dish is in a white baking dish and appears golden and bubbling from the oven.
Image credit: Not Entirely Average

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, creamy and savory with every bite. This dish is a classic for a reason—it hits all the cozy, satisfying notes and has earned its spot as the true definition of comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Close-up image of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust. The macaroni is coated in a rich, gooey cheese sauce that mingles with crispy, textured breadcrumbs, suggesting a delicious and comforting dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Creamy Mac and Cheese starts on the stovetop and gets a golden, cheesy finish in the oven—perfect for when you’re craving that homemade comfort fix. Plus, with instructions for making individual mac and cheese muffins, you can enjoy cheesy goodness in a fun, portable form!

Get the Recipe: Creamy Mac and Cheese

Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

The image features a sliced Bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar, viewed from above.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Southern Kentucky Butter Cake is a game-changer with its rich, nutty browned butter flavor that makes it stand out from any ordinary pound cake. Moist, decadent, and totally irresistible, this cake brings a little Southern magic to your dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A close-up of a Bundt cake with a golden-brown crust, generously drizzled with white icing. The cake is presented on a wooden board, with the icing showcasing an artistic, dripping pattern, highlighting the cake's rich texture.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a classic that’s as easy as it is impressive. With just a simple two-step method, this moist, buttery cake is perfect for any occasion—even if you’re not a seasoned baker, you’ll nail this one every time!

Get the Recipe: Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Southern Pecan Pie

A freshly baked pecan pie in a clear glass pie dish, resting on a wire cooling rack. The pie has a golden-brown crust and is topped with a pattern of pecans. White plates and cutlery are blurred in the background.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Classic Southern Pecan Pie is the perfect mix of ooey-gooey, crunchy, and sweet—basically, everything you want in a dessert. Ideal for those chilly winter nights when all you crave is a slice of comfort wrapped in warmth!
Get the Recipe: Southern Pecan Pie

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 *