My Journey Through Two Decades of Southern Cooking – 25 Recipes

Jenny deRemer

Nov 21, 2025

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Welcome to my kitchen, where I’ve spent the last 20 years embracing the vibrant flavors and rich traditions of Southern cooking since moving from New Jersey to South Carolina. Southern cuisine is a unique tapestry woven from diverse cultural influences, including African, Native American, French, and Spanish roots. Unlike other regional cuisines across the United States, Southern food is characterized by its emphasis on slow cooking and robust flavors, utilizing ingredients such as cornmeal, buttermilk, and greens. Dishes like gumbo, fried chicken, and collard greens not only offer comfort but also tell a story of the region’s history and the hospitality that brings families and friends together. In this slideshow, I’m excited to share some of my favorites that reflect the love and labor I’ve poured into learning to cook like a local.

Table of Contents

Cast Iron Ribeye with Shiitake and Shallot

A close-up of a seared steak topped with sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions in a creamy sauce. Fresh chives are placed on the side of the plate for garnish. The dish is presented on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Get your skillet ready and peel some potatoes for a Cast Iron Ribeye with Shiitake and Shallot steak dish that transforms date night into a restaurant-quality experience right at home! This recipe is impressive because it delivers delicious results, even if you’re not an expert cook. Ribeye is known as the “king of steaks,” making them a forgiving cut that’s hard to ruin.

Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Ribeye with Shiitake and Shallot

A Pear Tart with Shortbread Crust

A slice of fruit tart with powdered sugar sits on a decorative plate beside a fork and scattered almond slices on a wooden table.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Pear Tart with Shortbread Crust embodies sweetness and sophistication while being remarkably simple to prepare. As the mid-fall season rolls around, and after indulging in too many pumpkin-flavored treats, I find myself turning to pears—my second favorite autumn fruit. Baking this exquisite Pear Tart offers a delightful and cozy dessert that is quick to whip up and always enjoyable.

Get the Recipe: A Pear Tart with Shortbread Crust

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad in a patriotic motif serving bowl with a spoon.
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You caught me—this isn’t Southern; it’s a delightful Yankee dish I like to include every now and then! This Amish Potato Salad recipe is a masterclass in textures and flavors. It features a warm dressing made from evaporated milk and vinegar, which brings together creaminess and tanginess, accented by a touch of sweetness. The result is a savory potato salad with sweet undertones, thick and creamy, enhanced by chopped hard-boiled eggs and a delightful crunch from celery.

Get the Recipe: Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

A slice of cheesecake with chopped nuts on top, a gray plate, a fork, and scattered crumbs.
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Experience the indulgence of a Southern Bourbon Praline Cheesecake, a dessert that beautifully combines rich flavors with ease of preparation, making it accessible even for beginners in cheesecake making. This delightful treat offers a sweet, buttery twist that’s perfect for any occasion.

Get the Recipe: Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

Close-up of a breakfast sandwich with flaky biscuits filled with scrambled eggs, bacon bits, and creamy gravy. The sandwich appears to be rich and hearty, with the gravy generously covering the eggs and biscuit layers.
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Southern breakfast features rich Smoky Ham Gravy over cheesy biscuits, paired with soft scrambled eggs. Best of all, these mouthwatering dishes are quick to make from scratch, pleasing every palate. There’s nothing like gathering to enjoy good food and company, especially with these Southern staples served over biscuits!

Get the Recipe: Ham Gravy

Best Creamy and Easy Squash Casserole

A close-up of a baked casserole dish filled with a savory mix of chopped vegetables and bread crumbs. The colorful combination includes visible bits of carrots, celery, and leeks, with a golden-brown crust on top. Three whole onions and a green cloth are nearby.
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Easy Squash Casserole is a delightful side dish that pairs well with nearly any main course. If you are a fan of stuffing, or are feeding a true stuffing connoisseur, THIS is the recipe! It’s a winner because it freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy it later with holiday meals.

Get the Recipe: Best Creamy and Easy Squash Casserole

Magic Cake with Autumn Apples

A slice of creamy, custard-filled cake dusted with powdered sugar sits on a white plate. A fork with a piece of the cake rests beside it, revealing the smooth, yellow filling and flaky layers. The background is blurred, emphasizing the dessert.
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Magic Cake with Autumn Apples, also known as Custard Cake, is a delightful treat that uses just six basic ingredients to create a single, simple batter. The addition of apples brings an extra layer of flavor to this easy dessert!

Get the Recipe: Magic Cake with Autumn Apples

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole

A close-up of a plate of breakfast food featuring fluffy yellow scrambled eggs next to a serving of cheesy sausage casserole. The dish has a golden-brown crust, with visible ingredients such as melted cheese and pieces of sausage. A fork rests on the plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Get ready for breakfast casserole goodness with Bob Evans’ Sausage Gravy recipe! Using just all-purpose flour and a skillet, we’ll whip up a savory gravy to layer with biscuits, creating a mouthwatering casserole perfect for brunch or breakfast for dinner. Quick and easy to prepare, this dish will become a family favorite and reheats beautifully for leftovers!

Get the Recipe: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

A white plate holds a serving of creamy chicken and vegetables in a thick sauce. The dish includes pieces of tender chicken, carrots, peas, and is garnished with fresh parsley. The sauce is light brown and evenly coats the ingredients.
The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Best Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting family favorite that’s easy to make with simple, wholesome ingredients. This quick Southern classic features drop dumplings that create a satisfying all-in-one meal, perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you’re feeding a hungry crowd!

Get the Recipe: The Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Easy Po’ Boy Steak Sandwich

Two sandwiches filled with tender beef strips, sliced bell peppers, red onions, and crisp lettuce are displayed on a tray. The bread is soft and slightly toasted, and the vibrant colors of the vegetables create an appetizing and fresh appearance.
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Sink your teeth into the grilled and marinated Po’ Boy Steak Sandwich, dressed with mayo and Romaine for a burst of flavor! With just a pound and a half of beef, you can make six deliciously over-stuffed sandwiches, perfect for tailgates, cookouts, or busy weeknight dinners.

Get the Recipe: Po Boy

A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp

A close-up of a visually vibrant dish featuring pieces of shrimp, red bell peppers, thinly sliced fennel, and fresh dill on a white plate. The dish is garnished with leafy greens, offering a fresh and colorful presentation.
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Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp offers an unforgettable flavor experience. Begin with charred rye bread spread with sherry aioli, then top with pickled veggies like onion, celery, carrot, and red bell pepper, all marinated in Champagne vinegar. The highlight is shrimp, poached in a fragrant mix of lemon zest and Old Bay Seasoning for a delightful kick.

Get the Recipe: Pickled Shrimp

Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew

A hearty stew in a white bowl, featuring chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich brown broth. Garnished with a sprig of parsley, the meal is accompanied by a fresh roll with butter on the side. A spoon and orange napkin are nearby.
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This delightful Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew Recipe embodies Southern flavors, enhanced by the addition of dry red wine and whole grain mustard. To elevate the dish even further, a unique ingredient is added just before serving, bringing a special touch to this hearty classic!

Get the Recipe: Farm to Table Thick Beef Stew

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

A sliced roasted pork dish wrapped in crispy bacon, placed on a white oval platter. A serving knife rests beside the meat on a wooden table, with a blue and white cloth partially visible in the background.
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This Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin features seasonal flavors like smoky bacon and sweet maple for a delightful dish that’s perfect for any gathering. If you lack a smoker but still crave that rich, smoky taste, fear not! While smokers are great for barbecue enthusiasts, you can achieve delicious results without one and ONLY requiring 7 ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

A close-up of seafood stuffing being brushed with butter inside scallop shells. The stuffing looks crispy and is garnished with small green and red vegetables. The shell rests on a wooden surface.
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Check out this easy Stuffed Crab recipe, a luxurious blend of rich crab meat that transports you to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Serve this quintessential Gullah dish in retro crab tins or intact crab shells for an authentic presentation. Often called Deviled Crab, it resembles crab cakes but features a touch of heat and is lovingly basted with warm butter and sherry sauce.

Get the Recipe: Deviled Crab

Endive Gratin with Ham and Smoked Gruyere

A plate featuring endive stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese. The dish is covered in a creamy sauce, creating a rich and appetizing presentation.
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Among my very favorite recipes is a delicious Ham Casserole loaded with fresh endive and smoky Gruyère cheese, filed under ‘dinner recipes, comfort food, and casseroles with ham’ in my recipe collection. This dish offers a modern twist on a classic French recipe and has gained immense popularity in Charleston, thanks to the city’s rich Huguenot heritage.

Get the Recipe: Endive Gratin with Ham and Smoked Gruyere

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
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Southern Corn Pudding is the ultimate farm-to-table dish, perfect with everything from grilled steak to Thanksgiving turkey. Baked to a gorgeous golden brown, this classic Southern dish delivers creamy corn pudding bliss to the dinner table. Whether paired with holiday ham, turkey, or green bean casserole, it’s a delightful complement to any meal!

Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

An overhead view of a round baking dish with red handles, filled with creamy, baked scalloped sweet potatoes. The dish shows a mix of thinly sliced orange sweet potatoes and a creamy sauce, garnished with herbs. A piece of the dish has been scooped out with a spoon.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

The epitome of Southern comfort food, Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin elevates the classic sweet potato to new heights of richness with minimal effort. This dish perfectly combines creamy and cheesy flavors, offering a savory alternative to traditional Southern sweet potato casserole. This potato bake steals the spotlight and rivals even your main course in flavor!

Get the Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin

Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop

A plate of creamy spaghetti topped with a seared scallop garnished with herbs. A rosemary sprig lies on the side, all set on a white plate with a pink napkin nearby.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

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Get the Recipe: Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak with country gravy.
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Bring the South to your kitchen with Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak in just 45 minutes! This dish, known as chicken-fried steak in the South, features seasoned cube steak coated in a golden crust and topped with rich, creamy white sawmill gravy that will have you coming back for seconds and thirds!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A plate of breaded and fried chicken cutlet topped with brown gravy sits on a bed of white rice. The dish is garnished with chopped fresh herbs and accompanied by a sprig of parsley. A striped yellow and white napkin is placed beside the plate on a wooden table.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy is pure comfort food. Golden-brown breaded cutlets served with savory pan gravy and Carolina Gold rice capture the essence of Southern cooking. While simple in presentation, the combination of flavors creates a dish that truly sings Southern comfort.

Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken

A Warm and Gratifying Authentic Dublin Coddle

Close-up of browned sausages cooked in a pot with roasted potatoes, onions, and chopped herbs. The sausages are golden and glistening, sitting atop a mixture of caramelized onions and potatoes.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

For a flavorful and comforting dish, consider making a Dublin Coddle, inspired by the Irish settlers who made their way to South Carolina in the 18th century. These immigrants, particularly the Scots-Irish, brought with them simple, rustic recipes featuring ingredients like bacon and sausages. This hearty stew typically includes Irish bangers, smoked bacon, plenty of onions or leeks, potatoes, and Guinness making it an ideal winter meal.

Get the Recipe: A Warm and Gratifying Authentic Dublin Coddle

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A close-up of a Bundt cake with a golden-brown crust, generously drizzled with white icing. The cake is presented on a wooden board, with the icing showcasing an artistic, dripping pattern, highlighting the cake's rich texture.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Serve up nostalgia with Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake, a moist and beautiful cake perfect for any occasion! With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious batter using a two-step method. In no time, you’ll have an old-fashioned pound cake that rivals those made by the best Southern bakers. So why wait?

Get the Recipe: Pound Cake

Chicken Plov – A One-Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf

A close-up of a red pot filled with cooked rice, chicken pieces, and whole garlic bulbs. Garnished with fresh parsley, the dish appears flavorful and aromatic, showcasing a blend of herbs and spices.
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If you’ve enjoyed Indian Biryani, East African Pilau, or Southern Perloo, you’ve tasted variations of this beautifully aromatic Chicken Plov. These flavorful rice dishes, unique to their cultures, share a common heritage enriched with spices and ingredients that reflect their origins.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Plov – A One-Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Layers of banana pudding, Nilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
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Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding is the ultimate Southern comfort dessert. This easy, no-bake trifle combines creamy vanilla pudding, Nilla Wafers, and Cool Whip. With just a few minutes of prep, you can create a crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion!

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

A white baking dish filled with mashed potatoes topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with chopped green onions. A silver serving spoon rests on the right side of the dish, where a portion has been scooped out. A portion is served on a nearby plate.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, we crave the comfort that potato dishes bring. Baked Cheesy Mashed Potatoes are the perfect hearty casserole to add to your holiday table. This make-ahead recipe not only saves time but is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. For an extra treat, make it a “loaded mash” by adding ingredients like crispy bacon, browned sausage, or cream cheese!

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

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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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