From Grits to Gravy – Southern Cooking at Its Best!

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Ready to dive into some seriously soulful eats? Whether you’re craving a hearty plate of fried chicken or dreaming about grandma’s creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, our Southern fare will have you feeling like you’re right at home. Get ready for a collection of recipes that’ll not only fill your belly but warm your heart. Let’s bring a little bit of Southern hospitality to your table!

Southern Oxtail Recipe

A white plate filled with steamed white rice topped with chunks of meat and gravy. The dish is served with black chopsticks and a fork placed on the side. The meal looks savory, and the gravy appears to be rich and thick. A blue napkin is partially visible to the left.
Southern Oxtail Recipe. Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Our smothered oxtail recipe brings the essence of Southern soul food straight to your table, reminiscent of classic Sunday dinners and family get-togethers. This dish features succulent oxtail simmered in a rich, savory gravy with bell peppers and onions, served over a bed of rice.

Get the Recipe: Southern Oxtail Recipe

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

A white baking dish containing a pecan-topped sweet potato casserole with a portion scooped out, revealing the orange sweet potato filling. The dish is set on a wooden surface, with a brown kitchen towel and a small bowl of pecans nearby.
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans. Photo credit: Happy Honey Kitchen.

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans adds a splash of bourbon and a buttery pecan topping to the traditional sweet potato dish. This southern-inspired casserole is a must-have for Thanksgiving, offering a rich and flavorful side that everyone will love. The combination of sweet potatoes, bourbon, and pecans creates a unique and delicious addition to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

Creamy Butter Beans Recipe (Southern Soul Food)

A white bowl filled with creamy mashed beans and chunks of ham, with a spoon resting in the dish. The bowl is placed on a light-colored surface with a soft, white cloth partly visible in the background.
Creamy Butter Beans Recipe (Southern Soul Food). Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

This Southern-style creamy butter beans recipe showcases large lima beans simmered in a seasoned broth with smoked turkey and the essential “holy trinity” of bell pepper, celery, and onion.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Butter Beans Recipe (Southern Soul Food)

Slow Cooker Collard Greens

A plate of cooked collard greens mixed with pieces of bacon and pork fat, served on a white dish.
Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

These Slow Cooker Collard Greens are tender and flavorful, cooked with smoked ham hocks for a rich, savory depth. A splash of apple cider vinegar adds just the right amount of tang. Ideal as a side dish for any Southern meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

A white plate with a pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw, accompanied by a red-checked cloth and a blue dish.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Cooks.

These Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches are the epitome of Southern BBQ. The pork shoulder is cooked until it falls apart and then mixed with a tangy barbecue sauce. Serve it on buns with coleslaw for a true Southern treat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake

A small white ramekin filled with peach cobbler topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. A red polka-dotted napkin is beside the ramekin, adding a pop of color to the background.
Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake. Photo credit: Pumpkin ‘N Spice.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake. With just a few simple ingredients, including spiced apple pie filling and a buttery cake mix, you can create a warm, gooey dessert that’s sure to please. Its simplicity and deliciousness make it a standout choice among popular Southern slow cooker desserts.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake

Homemade Banana Pudding

Two glasses filled with creamy banana pudding topped with whipped cream and crushed cookies. The dessert is layered with banana slices and pudding. Metal spoons and a patterned orange napkin are placed beside the glasses on a white surface.
Homemade Banana Pudding. Photo credit: 100 Days of Real Food.

This homemade banana pudding is a southern-inspired classic dessert that’s creamy, comforting, and filled with layers of fresh bananas. Ideal for potlucks and family gatherings, it brings a taste of the South to any table.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Banana Pudding

The Best Southern Pineapple Casserole

A close-up of a peach cobbler in a baking dish. The cobbler features a golden brown crumbly topping and juicy peach filling. A wooden spoon is scooping a portion from the dish, revealing the warm, gooey interior.
The Best Southern Pineapple Casserole. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

The Best Southern Pineapple Casserole is a holiday favorite, combining sweet pineapple with a buttery cracker topping. This easy-to-make dish brings a touch of southern charm to any meal. The unique blend of flavors makes it a standout choice for holiday dinners, offering a taste of southern-inspired casseroles that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: The Best Southern Pineapple Casserole

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A close-up of a bowl of creamy corn chowder garnished with grilled corn kernels, green onions, and fresh thyme. The bowl is set on a wooden surface with part of a white napkin visible in the background. The soup appears rich and colorful.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Bring a touch of Southern comfort to your BBQ with this corn pudding recipe, adding warmth and homely flavors to your grilled corn options. Its ease of preparation and comforting taste make it a fitting choice for transforming your summer BBQ spread.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding

Crawfish Dip Recipe

A skillet filled with dip topped with shrimp, fresh herbs, and green onions.
Photo Credit: A Full Living.

This Crawfish Dip is a creamy, cheesy seafood appetizer that’s perfect for any party. Packed with tender crawfish and spicy Cajun seasoning, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to disappear quickly. Serve it with crackers or bread for a delicious snack.
Get the Recipe: Crawfish Dip Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

A plate of creamy grits topped with shrimp in a savory brown sauce, garnished with chopped herbs.
Photo Credit: Dishes with Dad.

These Cajun Shrimp and Grits offer a spicy twist on a beloved Southern seafood staple. The creamy grits pair perfectly with the seasoned shrimp, creating a dish that’s both comforting and bold. It’s an easy recipe that brings a taste of the South to your table.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Lowcountry Boil Recipe

Shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage slices, potatoes, seasoned with herbs and spices.
Photo Credit: Britney Breaks Bread.

This Lowcountry Boil is a seafood lover’s dream with shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes all in one pot. The seasoning mix of Old Bay and Cajun spices makes it a flavorful hit at any gathering. Plus, it’s as simple to clean up as it is to cook!
Get the Recipe: Lowcountry Boil Recipe

Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe

A tray of freshly baked, seasoned potato fries garnished with parsley, accompanied by a small bowl of salt and a bowl of dipping sauce. The fries are golden and crispy, spread out on parchment paper for serving.
Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe. Photo credit: Sunglow Kitchen.

Enjoy the crispy, spicy goodness of Five Guys Cajun Fries right at home with your air fryer. The air fryer delivers a perfect crunch while keeping the seasoning just right. This recipe is ideal for those who love flavorful fries without the extra oil and mess. Your taste buds will appreciate this healthier version of a classic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe

Chicken on the Ritz Casserole

A white oval baking dish filled with creamy casserole topped with golden, crispy cracker crumbs and garnished with fresh herbs. The dish is placed on a wooden board, with a fork and drink beside it.
Chicken on the Ritz Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Chicken on the Ritz Casserole combines tender chicken with a creamy, velvety sauce. With fewer than ten ingredients, it’s perfect for busy nights and makes a great summer casserole. Use rotisserie chicken to make this easy recipe even quicker.
Get the Recipe: Chicken on the Ritz Casserole

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Slow cooker with green bean casserole topped with fried onions.
Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make crock pot green bean casserole to free up space in your oven! Making this classic Thanksgiving recipe in the slow cooker makes it almost effortless.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Best Easy and Creamy Squash Casserole

A glass baking dish filled with baked squash casserole.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Easy Squash Casserole makes a delicious side dish to just about any main dish and is perfect for using up all of those zucchini and yellow squash still lingering in many gardens. This recipe gets brownie points for being a fantastic freezer casserole.
Get the Recipe: Best Easy and Creamy Squash Casserole

Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie (Without Corn Syrup!)

A plate holds three square pieces of glazed apple cake stacked on top of each other. Slices of fresh apples are arranged around the cake. In the background, a kitchen towel and whole apples are visible, giving a cozy, homemade vibe to the scene.
Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie (Without Corn Syrup!). Photo credit: Handle the Heat.

This Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie, crafted without corn syrup, strikes the perfect balance of sweet and salty. It’s the best pecan pie I’ve ever had and is sure to be a standout hit on your Thanksgiving dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie (Without Corn Syrup!)

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 a decadent treat filled with rich chocolate, crunchy pecans, and a splash of bourbon. This Southern summer dessert’s gooey, chocolatey filling contrasts beautifully with the crisp, flaky crust, making it perfect for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Bourbon Pie

Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

A strawberry shortcake.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This easy Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits recipe is a game-changer, made completely from scratch that promises to outshine any store-bought version. Once you experience the fresh, buttery flavor of homemade biscuits combined with the sweet juiciness of ripe strawberries, you’ll be convinced to make them yourself every time. Perfect for a summer dessert or a special treat, this recipe shows just how rewarding baking from scratch can be. Give it a try, and you might find yourself saying goodbye to pre-packaged options for good!

GET THE RECIPE: Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Old Fashioned Caramel Cake Recipe

A slice of caramel cake with golden-brown layers and a smooth caramel frosting is placed on a black plate with a gold fork beside it. The remaining cake, partially visible in the background, is also frosted with caramel.
Old Fashioned Caramel Cake Recipe. Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

This classic caramel cake recipe features two layers of moist yellow cake smothered in homemade caramel sauce. Just like grandma used to make, it’s perfect for family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions.

Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Caramel Cake Recipe

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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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