Crispy, Cheesy, and Totally Southern Recipes

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Southern comfort hits the table in every dish, from crispy Fried Green Tomatoes and fluffy Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes to cheesy, crowd-pleasing Southern Baked Mac and Cheese. These recipes turn classic favorites into approachable, crave-worthy meals—perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or any gathering that calls for hearty, soulful flavors!

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 hit golden perfection without a deep fryer. Brined, baked, and irresistibly crispy, they turn any weeknight into a mini celebration!

To learn more: Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

A stack of breaded and fried green tomatoes, a glass jar, and a white ramekin filled with creamy dipping sauce.
Photo Credit: Season Two Taste.

Get ready to impress with this classic fried green tomatoes recipe. The crispy cornmeal coating gives these tangy green tomatoes a perfect crunch. This southern side dish will disappear from the table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

Classic Southern Okra and Tomatoes

Chopped okra, tomatoes, and crumbled bacon in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Syrup and Biscuits.

This classic southern side dish combines tender okra with juicy tomatoes, creating a flavorful addition to your meal. A touch of bacon adds a smoky depth, making it the perfect complement to any summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Okra and Tomatoes

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

The image shows a bowl of mashed potatoes topped with pepper and chopped chives, resting on a plaid cloth.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Our browned butter mashed potatoes deliver a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. Perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners, this recipe transforms comfort food into gourmet magic!
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Fried Green Tomato BLTs Sandwich Recipe

Presenting a delicious Fried Green Tomato BLTs Sandwich Recipe
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Fried green tomato BLTs topped with crispy bacon and fresh lettuce on toasted bread. A Southern twist to a classic sandwich!
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomato BLTs Sandwich Recipe

Easy 15 Minute Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cream Pie

Presenting a delicious Easy 15 Minute Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cream Pie
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

My no bake 15 Minute Peanut Butter And Chocolate Cream Pie is a ridiculously easy dessert that requires only a handful of ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Easy 15 Minute Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cream Pie

How to Make Gravy From Scratch (Easy!)

After learning how to make gravy from scratch, the homemade gravy is ladled over mashed potatoes
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Learn how to make gravy from scratch! This easy, insanely flavorful and FOOLPROOF classic homemade brown gravy recipe is perfect for turkey, mashed potatoes or just about anything else!
Get the Recipe: How to Make Gravy From Scratch (Easy!)

Salisbury Steak Meatball Noodle Skillet

A large skillet of salisbury steak meatballs and noodles in a large skillet over white background with parsley sprinkle
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Tender juicy homemade Salisbury Steak meatballs are served in a rich onion and mushroom gravy over delicious noodles. This recipe will turn your average weeknight meal into a decadent treat!
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak Meatball Noodle Skillet

A Tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Pickle lovers, rejoice! This kid-friendly pickle macaroni salad is a fun and tangy twist on the traditional side dish. With crunchy pickles and a creamy dressing, it’s sure to be a hit at your next family gathering.
Get the Recipe: A Tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

A spoon lifting a portion of cheesy baked casserole with melted cheese and garnished with herbs.
Photo Credit: A Full Living.

This southern baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Rich, creamy, and topped with a golden crust, it’s a side dish that will make everyone at the table smile. Don’t forget the extra cheese for that gooey perfection.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Easy Southern Coleslaw Recipe (GF)

Shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped green onions, and chia seeds.
Photo Credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

This gluten-free southern coleslaw is a refreshing side dish that’s easy to whip up. With a tangy vinegar dressing and crunchy cabbage, it pairs perfectly with any grilled meat. Make it ahead for even better flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Coleslaw Recipe (GF)

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A baked casserole dish filled with a golden-brown mixture of diced vegetables, corn, and herbs, topped with fresh thyme and green onions, on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Sweet, creamy, and slightly savory, this southern corn pudding is a delightful side dish for any summer meal. The rich custard base filled with fresh corn kernels makes it a comfort food classic you’ll crave.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding

Buttermilk Cornbread

A pile of golden-brown cornbread squares with a coarse and crumbly texture.
Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

Buttermilk cornbread is a southern staple, and this recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Moist and fluffy with a golden crust, it’s an ideal side dish for any hearty meal or barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Cornbread

Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

A spoonful of cheesy onion casserole with a golden-brown topping and creamy, melted cheese.
Photo Credit: The Kitchen is My Playground.

Sweet Vidalia onions are the star of this creamy southern casserole. Baked with a crunchy topping, this side dish pairs wonderfully with grilled meats. This dish will quickly become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

Old Fashioned Cornbread Salad

A glass bowl containing layers of cornbread, cheese, tomatoes, corn, green onions, and bacon.
Photo Credit: Chef Alli.

This old-fashioned cornbread salad is a colorful and flavorful mix of cornbread, fresh vegetables, and tangy dressing. It’s a unique southern side dish that brings a burst of flavor to any meal. Great for family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cornbread Salad

Easy Canned Green Bean Recipe

A close-up of chopped, cooked green beans mixed with small pieces of onion.
Photo Credit: Raepublic.

Transform canned green beans into a tasty side dish with this simple recipe. With a few added spices and a touch of butter, these green beans become a quick and flavorful addition to your table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Canned Green Bean Recipe

Vegan Southern Squash Casserole (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

A bowl of yellow squash casserole with a crumbly cheese topping.
Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine.

This vegan southern squash casserole is both gluten-free and allergy-friendly. Creamy and packed with flavor, it’s a comforting side dish that everyone can enjoy. Perfect for accommodating various dietary needs at a summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Southern Squash Casserole (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

Hearty Penn Dutch Potato Salad

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad in a patriotic motif serving bowl with a linen towel.
Classic Southern Potato Salad. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Deep in the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, there’s a classic potato salad recipe that’s been handed down for generations. Even though it’s not considered ‘authentically Southern,’ a bit of Yankee fodder never hurt anyone!
Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad

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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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