18 Delicious Homemade Southern Favorites

Sep 25, 2024

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Craving classic comfort food that warms the soul? Homemade Southern Favorites is here to satisfy with hearty dishes rooted in tradition. From crispy fried chicken to perfectly baked biscuits, these recipes bring the flavors of the South right to your kitchen. Whether you’re hosting Sunday dinner or just need a cozy meal, these home-cooked classics are guaranteed to hit the spot. Let’s dig into some good ol’ Southern-style cooking that feels like a hug on a plate!

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken
Southern Tomato Pie
Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls
Southern Style Potato Salad
Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears
Pimento Cheese Grits
Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans
Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits
Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake
Farm Recipe Green Tomato And Raspberry Pie
Cheddar Grits Breakfast Bowls
Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Homemade Sausage Gravy Recipe for Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce
Salsa Poached Eggs Grits
Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs
BBQ Meatballs with Cheese Grits
Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Air fryer fried chicken legs and thighs in a pile on a wooden cutting board. — Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings

Air fryer fried chicken is tender & juicy on the inside with a crispy coating. Enjoy air fryer fried chicken at home with less grease & mess!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Tomato Pie

This Southern Tomato Pie delivers a butter crust infused with fresh tomatoes, a creamy custard, and all the right seasonings. It’s so good you’ll want to eat it with a spoon straight from the pan, but we recommend a plate and a fork!
Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Close-up of a dessert ball coated in chopped nuts and seeds, placed in a white, ruffled paper cup with red polka dots. The background features a red surface and other similar dessert balls in the distance. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls are the perfect bite-sized treat that brings a bit of Southern flair to your dessert table. The richness of bourbon paired with the crunch of pecans makes these a true homemade Southern favorite. Ideal for holidays or special gatherings, these sweet treats will remind you of traditional Southern desserts.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Southern Style Potato Salad

This classic Southern Style Potato Salad uses both mustard and mayonnaise for a super flavorful dressing that is rich, tangy, and creamy.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Potato Salad

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

A white platter holds a rustic serving of roasted pork chops and caramelized pear slices, garnished with a sprinkle of herbs and spices. The dish is presented on a light wooden surface, with a folded beige cloth and a fork with a wooden handle placed beside it. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

These Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears offer a savory and sweet combination that’s always welcome in Southern kitchens. The juicy pork chops paired with caramelized pears create a comforting meal that’s perfect for showcasing homemade Southern favorite cooking at its best. This dish is both hearty and flavorful, making it a great dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

Pimento Cheese Grits

You can get a more authentic southern recipe than grits and this pimento cheese grits recipe delivers all the goodness of that iconic recipe with a twist. Enjoy every cheese-infused bite!
Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese Grits

Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans

A close-up of a baked dish featuring golden-brown dough pieces topped with chopped nuts, small chunks of apple, and drizzled with a creamy white glaze. The texture appears soft and slightly crisp, and the dish is presented in a reddish-brown baking tray. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

If you’re craving something warm and indulgent, the Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans is a must. Packed with the flavors of cinnamon, juicy apples, and crunchy pecans, this cake brings out the charm of favorite Southern-style homemade desserts. It’s perfect for a family gathering or weekend treat.
Get the Recipe: Insanely Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake with Apples and Pecans

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

A close-up of creamy shrimp and grits. The dish features plump shrimp on top of smooth, buttery grits, garnished with a sprinkling of herbs and seasoned with black pepper. A rich, golden sauce is drizzled over the shrimp and grits, adding a glossy finish. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits is a comforting dish that highlights the beauty of Southern cuisine. The creamy grits paired with rich, garlicky shrimp deliver a satisfying meal that’s perfect for those who love homemade Southern favorites. This dish is great for brunch or a laid-back dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake

Close-up of an upside-down cranberry cake on a scalloped-edge white cake stand. The cake has a caramelized top with visible cranberries. Nearby are a few scattered cranberries and a blue-and-white teapot in the background. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

The Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake combines tart cranberries and sweet brown sugar in a cast-iron skillet for that classic Southern touch. This rustic dessert embodies homemade Southern baking, making it perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion. The cast iron gives it an extra layer of flavor and tradition.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake

Farm Recipe Green Tomato And Raspberry Pie

A slice of apple pie on a white plate. The pie has a golden, flaky crust, and the filling is a mixture of cooked apples and some red fruit, which appears juicy and slightly spilling onto the plate. A wooden cutting board and a rolled-up napkin are in the background. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

For a unique Southern treat, Farm Recipe Green Tomato And Raspberry Pie combines tart green tomatoes and sweet raspberries in a flaky crust. This unexpected pairing is a nod to classic farm-style Southern baking and is sure to become a favorite for those who enjoy homemade Southern pies with a twist of creativity.
Get the Recipe: Farm Recipe Green Tomato And Raspberry Pie

Cheddar Grits Breakfast Bowls

Cheddar Grits Breakfast Bowls are an easy, comforting, and indulgent breakfast or brunch treat that you can whip up in about 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Grits Breakfast Bowls

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A bundt cake, partially sliced, garnished with small fruits and bananas, placed on a white plate. There are four glass bowls with a light pink liquid and a spoon nearby on a light blue surface. A beige textured cloth is partially visible in the top right corner. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a perfect fall dessert that brings out the warm, comforting flavors loved in Southern baking. With its rich cream cheese center and spiced pumpkin batter, this cake is a go-to for anyone looking to recreate that homemade Southern favorite during the cooler months.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Homemade Sausage Gravy Recipe for Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Homemade Sausage Gravy is a creamy, savory delight. This sausage gravy recipe is perfect for a classic biscuits and sausage gravy breakfast!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sausage Gravy Recipe for Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce

A plate of creamy mashed potatoes topped with melted cheese alongside a serving of savory beef and mushroom stew. The dish is garnished with chopped herbs and accompanied by a fork, all served on a white plate with a green floral pattern on the rim. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce offers a savory, satisfying meal that belongs on every Southern dinner table. The tender beef tips and rich mushroom sauce are a great choice for showcasing homemade Southern comfort food. Serve this over rice or mashed potatoes for a truly hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce

Salsa Poached Eggs Grits

These salsa poached eggs are like a southwest spin on shakshuka. Eggs poached in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce with green chiles.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Poached Eggs Grits

Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs

A close-up of a plate filled with saucy, grilled pork ribs, showcasing a deep, glistening barbecue sauce coating. The ribs appear slightly charred and caramelized on the edges, emphasizing their juicy and tender texture. The plate is placed on a yellow surface. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs deliver all the bold flavors you’d expect from a Southern barbecue, with the convenience of being baked in the oven. The smoky, tangy sauce makes these ribs a perfect example of homemade Southern favorites. Whether it’s for a family cookout or a weeknight dinner, these ribs will hit the spot.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Deep South Barbecue Ribs

BBQ Meatballs with Cheese Grits

BBQ Meatballs with Cheese Grits is the perfect cozy meal for crisp fall evenings, football games, and afternoons spent raking leaves.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Meatballs with Cheese Grits

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

A close-up of a dish featuring a layer of melted cheese, ground meat, sliced jalapeños, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped green onions on top of corn chips. The dish appears to be a flavorful and colorful casserole or nacho platter. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

The Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili is a classic Southern tailgate dish that’s all about bold flavors and homemade comfort. Layers of chili, cheese, and crunchy Fritos come together in this hearty meal, making it a great choice for game day or any gathering that calls for Southern favorites.
Get the Recipe: Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili