Classic Southern Comfort Foods for the Coziest Winter Yet
Jan 21, 2025
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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
- Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs
- Sweet Tea
- Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy
- How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes
- Okra and Tomatoes
- A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze
- Best Hush Puppy Recipe
- Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy
- Oven Fried Fish
- Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
- Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew
- Southern Style Chicken and Waffles
- Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
- Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese
- Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
- Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Southern Pecan Pie
Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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