Fried, Smothered, and Southern

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Get ready to take your taste buds on a whirlwind tour of Southern goodness, where simple meets extraordinary. From the crispy perfection of Southern Fried Okra to the sweet, sticky glory of Sweet Tea Fried Chicken, we’ve got it all. For those with a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss the Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake—it’s like a tropical vacation in every bite! And if you’re in the mood for something truly unforgettable, the Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict is a next-level twist that will have you questioning everything you know about brunch. Whether you’re craving a Shrimp Boil straight from the coast or indulging in the rich flavor of Southern Oxtail Recipe (Authentic Soul Food), this slideshow is packed with enough Southern charm to make your heart—and stomach—skip a beat

Banana Fritters

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Fritters with banana filling piled high with powdered sugar
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside—Banana Fritters are the ultimate way to turn ripe bananas into pure golden perfection. With a hint of vanilla and just the right amount of sweetness, these little bites disappear faster than you can fry the next batch!
Get the Recipe: Banana Fritters

The 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe That Changes Everything

A close-up of a cooked glazed ham in a baking pan. A brush is being used to apply a golden brown glaze, adding shine to the meat.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

3 Ingredient Ham Glaze is the sticky-sweet upgrade your holiday ham deserves. With just three simple ingredients, this glaze brings a perfect balance of tang and richness—no mystery packets required!

Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake

A slice of moist cake topped with a caramelized nut and coconut glaze, served on a white plate with warm holiday lights in the background.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake takes a humble boxed cake mix and turns it into something downright irresistible. With a generous splash of coconut rum and plenty of pecans, this Bundt cake is rich, buttery, and anything but ordinary. Easy to make, impossible to forget!

To learn more: Rum-Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake

Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict

A knife cuts into a runny egg yolk on a sandwich with fried chicken, cheese, and a waffle on a plate. The yolk drips over the sandwich, with a sprinkle of herbs on top.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

If Eggs Benedict took a detour through the South, it would land right here with Carolina-Style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict. Crispy fried chicken on a cornmeal waffle, topped with melty Havarti, a perfectly runny egg, and a drizzle of hot honey—because a little heat makes everything better.
Get the Recipe: Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict

Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

A pile of crispy, golden brown onion rings on parchment paper next to a small bowl of red ketchup on a wooden surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings are the game day MVP you didn’t see coming. Drenched in buttermilk, fried to golden perfection, and just the right amount of crunchy, they’re just as good piled on a burger as they are straight from the plate. Fair warning—once you start, sharing is off the table!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

Shrimp Boil

Image shown overhead of shrimp boil after cooking poured out and spread onto a large baking sheet.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Nothing says Southern comfort like an Easy Shrimp Boil—a one-pot feast packed with juicy shrimp, smoky sausage, buttery potatoes, and sweet corn. It’s bold, it’s messy (in the best way), and it’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, napkins in hand!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Boil

Southern Fried Okra

A shallow ceramic dish holding golden brown, crispy fried okra.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Fried Okra by House of Nash Eats is the crispy, golden Southern classic that disappears faster than you can fry the next batch. Perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection, it’s the ultimate appetizer or side dish that’ll have everyone reaching for more!
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Okra

Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Close up of sliced Kentucky Butter Cake recipe cut across the cake to show the inside cake.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Southern Kentucky Butter Cake isn’t just any old pound cake—it’s in a league of its own. Made with rich, nutty browned butter, this moist and decadent classic stands out from the crowd in the best way possible.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Southern Green Beans Recipe

A white plate with southern-style green beans, halved potatoes, and shredded meat.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Slow-Simmered Green Beans and Potatoes by Grandbaby Cakes get a serious flavor boost from smoky, tender turkey necks. This classic Southern side is rich, hearty, and just the way grandma used to make it!
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans Recipe

Red Eye Gravy

A ham steak with red eye gravy on a white dinner plate.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Red Eye Gravy is what happens when country ham drippings, strong black coffee, and butter join forces for the ultimate Southern breakfast staple. Poured over biscuits or grits, it’s bold, rich, and downright irresistible!
Get the Recipe: Red Eye Gravy

Pineapple Cake (Lighter and Full Fat Version)

An overhead shot of a large pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting and dried pineapple flowers ready to serve
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Easy Pineapple Sheet Cake is packed with sweet pineapple, deep molasses flavor, and just the right touch of warm spice. Moist, tender, and ready to steal the show at potlucks, picnics, or whenever a snack craving strikes!
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cake (Lighter and Full Fat Version)

Sweet Tea Fried Chicken

Overhead shot of a pile of sweet tea fried chicken next to a pitcher and glass full of sweet tea and lemons
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Sweet Tea Fried Chicken takes crunchy, golden perfection to a whole new level. A soak in Southern sweet tea makes for the juiciest, most flavorful bite—because classic fried chicken deserves a little extra love!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Tea Fried Chicken

Southern Oxtail Recipe (Authentic Soul Food)

a bowl of ox tails smothered in gravy and rice
Photo credit: Cooks with Soul

Southern Oxtails bring slow-simmered comfort to the table with fall-apart tender meat bathed in rich brown gravy. Served over rice with sautéed bell peppers and onions, this soul food classic is pure, stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction.
Get the Recipe: Southern Oxtail Recipe (Authentic Soul Food)

Pumpkin Cornbread

Close up of a slice brown butter pumpkin cornbread topped with butter.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Brown Butter Pumpkin Cornbread takes classic cornbread up a notch with the rich, nutty flavor of browned butter. Moist, lightly sweet, and packed with cozy fall vibes, it’s the perfect side for any autumn meal.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cornbread

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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