Comfort Food Hits from the Deep South

Jenny deRemer

Jul 15, 2025

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This collection brings the Southern flavor loud and clear—starting with Smoked Bologna with a Hot Honey Glaze and ending with a no-forks-needed slice of Southern Peach Cobbler. Whether you’re after crispy Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak, cheesy Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin, or that dreamy Coconut Lovers Dream Cake, there’s something rich, bold, and crowd-pleasing on every page. You’ll also spot Tomato Bacon Jam, Kentucky Bourbon Pie, and the ever-faithful Mom’s Deviled Egg Recipe—each one a hit at gatherings or just because!

Table of Contents

Smoked Bologna with A Hot Honey Glaze

A smoked glazed bologna with a checkered pattern on the surface, displayed on a wooden cutting board.
Photo Credit: Smoked Meat Sunday.

Smoked Bologna with a Hot Honey Glaze gives the humble lunch meat a spicy-sweet glow-up. Smoky, sticky, and perfect for slicing into sandwiches (or straight off the cutting board).
GET THE RECIPE: Smoked Bologna with A Hot Honey Glaze

Baked Ranch Chicken

Breaded chicken slices topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped parsley.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

Baked Ranch Chicken is juicy, crispy-edged, and coated in zesty ranch flavor. It’s the easiest way to keep weeknight chicken interesting.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ranch Chicken

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A pound cake with sugar glaze.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake bakes up rich, dense, and dangerously moist. Slice it thick, top it with berries, or sneak a bite straight from the pan.

GET THE RECIPE: Pound Cake

Tomato Bacon Jam

A jar with a chunky, reddish-brown mixture and a white spoon inside, resting on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: To Simply Inspire.

Tomato Bacon Jam is sweet, smoky, and surprisingly versatile. Spread it on burgers, biscuits, or anything that needs a little Southern sass.
GET THE RECIPE: Tomato Bacon Jam

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

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

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak brings golden, crunchy crust and creamy pan gravy to the dinner table without the road trip.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Fried Steak

Pineapple BBQ Sauce

A close-up of a clear glass filled with a reddish-brown sauce, possibly sweet and sour sauce, with visible chunks of ingredients. A twisted metal spoon is standing up in the sauce. The background is slightly blurred.
Photo Credit: Out Grilling.

Pineapple BBQ Sauce is tangy, tropical, and just spicy enough to keep you swiping it on everything from ribs to grilled chicken.
GET THE RECIPE: Pineapple BBQ Sauce

Coconut Lovers Dream Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting

A yellow layer cake with white frosting and shredded coconut on top sits on a round, gold-colored plate. A slice has been cut out, revealing its interior.
Image credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen.

Coconut Lovers Dream Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting is a frosted, fluffy ode to coconut in every bite. It’s tender, sweet, and a showstopper at any gathering.

GET THE RECIPE: Coconut Cake

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

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

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin is rich, melty, and way more exciting than your average side. Sweet potatoes and cheese are a very good idea.

GET THE RECIPE: Potatoes Au Gratin

Blueberry BBQ Sauce

A close-up of glazed barbecue ribs arranged on a dark plate. The ribs have a shiny, caramelized coating. In the background there is a dollop of sauce with a spoon and a piece of bread. The overall color palette is rich with browns and reds.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

Blueberry BBQ Sauce is fruity, smoky, and sneakily addictive. Slather it on pork, chicken, or anything coming off the grill.
GET THE RECIPE: Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Kentucky Bourbon Pie

A slice of pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

Kentucky Bourbon Pie is boozy, chocolatey, and as rich as it sounds. Serve it warm with whipped cream and a warning label.
GET THE RECIPE: Kentucky Bourbon Pie

The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

chicken-and-dumplings-3
The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings features tender chicken, pillowy dumplings, and a creamy broth that tastes like it’s been simmering all day.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken and Dumplings

Bacon Pasta Salad

A close up image of pasta salad with bacon and green onions in a bowl.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

Bacon Pasta Salad tosses crispy bacon with pasta, fresh veg, and a tangy dressing for a crowd-pleasing side you’ll find excuses to make.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Pasta Salad

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

A spoonful of green beans, bacon pieces, creamy sauce, and breadcrumb topping.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon takes the holiday classic and cranks up the flavor with salty bacon and crunchy topping. It’s comfort food dressed up for company.

GET THE RECIPE: Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Mom’s Deviled Egg Recipe

Deviled eggs topped with paprika and chopped chives, arranged on a decorative plate.
Deviled Eggs. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Mom’s Deviled Egg Recipe is creamy, zippy, and perfectly nostalgic. A must at every potluck—and gone in 60 seconds.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Eggs

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Peach Milkshake

3 milkshakes topped with cream and peach slices.
Peach Milkshakes. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Peach Milkshake is a cold, creamy blend of sweet summer peaches and vanilla soft serve—no drive-thru required.

GET THE RECIPE: Peach Milkshakes

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole Recipe

a white plate, with Bob Evans Sausage Gravy Recipe and scrambled eggs
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Casserole. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole Recipe turns a diner favorite into a bubbly, biscuit-topped bake that delivers comfort by the spoonful.

GET THE RECIPE: Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Casserole

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeno Poppers

Close-up of bacon-wrapped, toothpick-skewered appetizers with a golden-brown, crispy texture.
Photo Credit: Boulder Locavore.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeno Poppers are spicy, cheesy, and wrapped in bacon—aka the holy trinity of appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeno Poppers

‘Chicken on The Ritz’ Casserole

Creamy leftover rotisserie chicken casserole with crushed Ritz crackers on top.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

‘Chicken on The Ritz’ Casserole layers buttery crackers, tender chicken, and a creamy filling into one comforting, crowd-pleasing bake.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

Bacon-wrapped shrimp skewers with a golden-brown crispy texture, garnished with chopped green herbs.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe. Photo credit: Curry Trail.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe delivers salty-sweet satisfaction in every bite. Grill them, bake them, or eat them right off the skewer.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

Crispy Baked Chicken Sandwiches

Two baked chicken breast sandwiches on toasted buns with lettuce and coleslaw.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Crispy Baked Chicken Sandwiches bring crunch without the deep fryer. Stack with pickles and mayo and call it a win.

GET THE RECIPE: Baked Chicken Sandwiches

Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs

Grilled barbecue ribs with a shiny glaze, arranged on a yellow plate.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs are fall-apart tender with sticky, smoky sauce baked right in. Napkins advised.

GET THE RECIPE: Oven Baked Ribs

Hummingbird Cake

A spoonful of bourbon glaze dripping back into a hot pan.
Image Credit: Ally Roomberg for Baking A Moment

Hummingbird Cake is Southern through and through—banana, pineapple, pecans, and cream cheese frosting in one glorious layer cake.

GET THE RECIPE: Hummingbird Cake

Brown 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.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes add nutty depth to your favorite side dish. Creamy, rich, and impossible to stop scooping.

GET THE RECIPE: Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Southern Peach Cobbler

A peach cobbler topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, served with a spoon.
Photo Credit: Butter Your Biscuit.

Southern Peach Cobbler is bubbling fruit topped with a golden, biscuit-like crust. It’s the definition of summer dessert—especially with a scoop of vanilla on top.
GET THE RECIPE: Southern Peach Cobbler

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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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