Put on Your Apron for These Iconic Southern Recipes

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If you’ve ever wanted to bring a little Southern charm into your kitchen, these iconic recipes are a great place to start. From classic comfort dishes to crowd-pleasing favorites, these meals will have you reaching for your apron in no time. I love how easy these recipes are to whip up while still delivering all the rich, familiar flavors you expect. Perfect for family dinners or just a cozy night at home, you’ll feel right at home cooking up these timeless Southern dishes. Trust me, they’re worth the effort!

Sweet Sticky Spicy Bourbon Glaze

A spoon holding a thick, glossy sauce with seeds and spices hovers over a pot.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze delivers a burst of umami flavor that takes any protein; meat, fish, or shellfish; to the next level. With its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory, it’s a must-try glaze that works wonders on chicken too.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Sticky Spicy Bourbon Glaze

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

It’s more than just a movie! This Fried Green Tomatoes recipe is a real favorite dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

Butter Pecan Sheet Cake

Butter Pecan Sheet Cake
Photo credit: Handle the Heat

This buttery delight is a dessert you won’t soon forget. So, make this Butter Pecan Sheet Cake soon and share it with friends for lots of oohs and ahhs!
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Sheet Cake

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe with Okra Pilaf

Delicious Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe with Okra Pilaf ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Chicken and Sausage Gumbo recipe is a super flavorful stew served over our okra rice pilaf. A delicious and EASY gumbo recipe!
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe with Okra Pilaf

Pecan Bourbon Glazed Ham

Pecan Bourbon Glazed Ham served fresh
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Wow your friends and family with this delicious pecan bourbon glazed ham. Perfect to serve at any feast, it’s wonderfully rich and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Bourbon Glazed Ham

Fried Okra

Fried Okra
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

Turn to this southern comfort recipe when you’re ready for the best crispy side dish. This Fried Okra dish is easy to make and creates a crispy bite that you’ll love, especially when paired with the best dipping sauces.
Get the Recipe: Fried Okra

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Food on a white surface.
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

These Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes take a southern staple and give it a creamy, flavorful upgrade. Filled with mashed sweet potatoes, butter, and spices, this dish is perfect for showcasing classic southern flavors in a new way. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a unique yet comforting option to their lineup of iconic southern recipes.
Get This Recipe: Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Pecan Cookies

Pecan Cookies
Photo credit: Namely Marly

These bad boys are like little nutty nuggets of heaven! Crunchy pecans nestled in a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth vegan cookie dough that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Cookies

Air Fryer Okra Fries

Spiced air fryer okra fries served with a yogurt dip on a plate with fresh parsley.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen

Air fryer okra is the BEST way to enjoy this often-overlooked vegetable. The air fryer turns what many refer to as a “slimy” texture into crispy, crunchy okra fries. Seasoned simply but irresistibly, this recipe will have you falling in love with okra!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Okra Fries

Honey Bourbon Dutch Oven Short Ribs

A beautifully presented photo of Honey Bourbon Dutch Oven Short Ribs
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These honey bourbon Dutch oven short ribs are so moist and tender, and the honey bourbon glaze is to die for!
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Dutch Oven Short Ribs

Kentucky Fried Chicken (Copycat Recipe)

Yummy Kentucky Fried Chicken (Copycat Recipe) picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Make Kentucky Fried Chicken at home with this recipe that reveals all the secret herbs and spices you need for the authentic taste you crave.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Fried Chicken (Copycat Recipe)

Make Ahead Yeast Rolls

A baking tray filled with golden-brown dinner rolls, each roll closely nestled against the other. The rolls have slightly uneven, fluffy tops with a soft, inviting texture. A checkered cloth is partially visible in the background.
Make Ahead Yeast Rolls. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Soft, fluffy, and buttery, Make Ahead Yeast Rolls are an iconic part of southern meals. These rolls are perfect for holidays or family gatherings, where bread is a must-have on the table. Since you can prep them ahead of time, they help you save time while still delivering a classic southern comfort food experience.
Get This Recipe: Make Ahead Yeast Rolls

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

A slice of cheesecake topped with pecans sits on a gray plate, with a fork beside it and some crumbs scattered on the plate.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake is a versatile masterpiece, blending smooth bourbon flavors with crunchy pecans. Perfect for any occasion, it impresses guests and satisfies your sweet tooth, epitomizing Southern charm and elegance.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

A white bowl filled with a colorful dish of roasted sweet potato cubes garnished with chopped herbs and mixed with walnut pieces. The background features a blurred setting with plates and a spoon.
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes bring out the natural sweetness of this iconic southern vegetable with a hint of rich maple syrup. The result is a dish that’s both sweet and savory, making it an ideal side for southern-style dinners. Serve these alongside your favorite roasted meats or even as a stand-alone snack.
Get This Recipe: Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Pecan Praline Brownies

Brownies with pecans and mint on a baking sheet.
Photo credit: call Me PMc

A perfect blend of rich chocolatey goodness and nutty sweetness, look no further than these heavenly Pecan Praline Brownies.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Praline Brownies

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe

Delicious Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN is the best fried chicken recipe you will ever sink your teeth into. This is the PERFECT fried chicken.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe

Spicy Candied Pecans

Spicy candied pecans on a baking tray.
Photo credit: The Honour System

This tasty Spicy Candied Pecans recipe is quick and easy to make. Perfect for snacking or adding to salads and charcuterie boards. Also, a popular homemade gift!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Candied Pecans

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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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