Real Southern Cooking for Real Families

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When it comes to Southern cooking, it’s all about sticking to the tried-and-true recipes that have been passed down through generations. From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these dishes are the heart and soul of Southern comfort food. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just getting started, these recipes will make you feel right at home.

Oven Fried Chicken Breast Recipe

Tasty Oven Fried Chicken Breast Recipe on display
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This oven baked chicken breast recipe creates the juiciest, crispiest chicken for easy dinners. Baked instead of fried for a healthier dish!
Get the Recipe: Oven Fried Chicken Breast Recipe

Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy

A close-up of shrimp and grits with succulent shrimp, velvety grits, bits of vibrant red pepper, and a rich, seasoned sauce.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy is spectacular for the tastebuds. This dish features succulent shrimp cooked to perfection and served over creamy, cheesy, buttery grits. Infused with a blend of spices and garnished with fresh green onions, it offers a comforting taste that’s both rich and satisfying.

GET THE RECIPE: Shrimp and Grits

Cheddar Iron Skillet Cornbread

Iron skillet cornbread filled with vegetables and cheese.
Photo credit: One Hot Oven

Try this made-from-scratch Cheddar Iron Skillet Cornbread that’s full of veggies for an easy quick bread to pair with soups and salads.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Iron Skillet Cornbread

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Delicious Fried Mac and Cheese Balls ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These fried mac and cheese balls are cheesy, crispy, and beyond comforting. It’s one delicious bite perfect for game day and parties.
Get the Recipe: Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

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.

GET THE RECIPE: Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Fried Fish Sandwich

Fried Fish Sandwich served fresh
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These crispy fried fish sandwiches are so easy to make. Beer batter adds the best crunch to fish fillets, and don’t forget the tartar sauce!
Get the Recipe: Fried Fish Sandwich

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A pound cake with sugar glaze.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Serve a slice of nostalgia with Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake, a timeless recipe that delivers a big, beautiful, moist cake perfect for any occasion! With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can quickly whip up an easy cake batter that transforms into the BEST old-fashioned cream cheese pound cake you can imagine.

GET THE RECIPE: Pound Cake

Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt

Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt whole on a plate.
Photo credit: call Me PMc

Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt is an old-fashioned recipe for crisp-on-the-outside tender cube steak used instead of hamburger in a traditional patty melt.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt

Everyday Cornbread

Everyday Cornbread
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

This Easy Homemade Cornbread is quick, easy, delicious, and it makes a great side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Get the Recipe: Everyday Cornbread

{Best Ever} Easy Crab Cakes

Crabcakes on a plate with a lemon wedge.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This {Best Ever} Easy Crab Cakes recipe offers the ultimate in flexibility by allowing you to use either fresh or canned crab meat. This versatility means you can enjoy making these delicious crab cakes anytime without needing a special trip to the store.

GET THE RECIPE: Crab Cakes

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A dinner plate filled with rice and topped with a fried chicken cutlet and scratch-made country gravy.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

There’s nothing quite as comforting as breaded cutlets fried to a perfect golden brown and served alongside a savory pan gravy. Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy is pure homey goodness.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Chicken

Fried Cabbage

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Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles

Fried Cabbage is a straightforward side dish that packs a lot of flavors using just a few ingredients. Made primarily with cabbage, leeks, and bacon, it’s seasoned simply with salt and pepper, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Cabbage

Cornmeal Biscuits with Country Sausage and Watermelon Rind Preserves

Cornmeal sausage breakfast biscuits with pickled watermelon rind preserves on the side.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This recipe for Cornmeal Biscuits with Country Sausage and Watermelon Rind Preserves intrigues and satisfies with its unexpected combination of tastes. The method is straightforward for the beginner, pairing the rustic texture of cornmeal biscuits with rich, savory country sausage, all complemented by the sweet tanginess of watermelon rind preserves.

GET THE RECIPE: Breakfast Biscuits

Smothered Pork Chops

Pork chops in mushroom gravy.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This Smothered Pork Chops recipe is wonderfully simple to prepare and absolutely scrumptious. It’s an ideal one-pan meal that serves as the ultimate comfort food for a relaxing evening at home. Perfect for those who love savory and hearty dishes, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

GET THE RECIPE: Smothered Pork Chops

Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese

Deviled eggs with pimento cheese filling, sprinkled with paprika and herbs, are grouped on a white plate.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

If there is a single food guaranteed to appear at every Southern gathering, it is surely the Deviled Egg. Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese incorporate bold and creamy pimento cheese and the typical ingredients for which these two-bite handhelds are famous.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Eggs

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Beef and noodle casserole in a baking dish.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Experience the ultimate in comfort food with this delicious Sour Cream Beef and Noodle Casserole recipe! Tender egg noodles are cooked to perfection and then smothered in a creamy sauce before being baked with ground beef and sausage for a hearty and satisfying weeknight meal. Your family will love this classic dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the dinner table.

GET THE RECIPE: Beef Noodle Casserole

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

Fritos corn ships smothered in chili con carne and jalepenos.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Experience the ultimate comfort dish when America’s favorite snacking chip sheds the ‘school lunchbox image’ and meets chili con carne in Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili. This easy-to-make Southern cult classic layers crunchy Fritos with hearty chili and melted cheese are perfect for game day tailgates or an out-of-the-ordinary family meal. Frito Pie delivers big flavors with minimal effort. 

GET THE RECIPE: Frito Pie

How To Make the Best Damn Wagyu Meatloaf

A dinner plate heaped with meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and Brussels sprouts.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Featuring high-quality Wagyu beef, this luxurious Wagyu Meatloaf recipe is exceptionally tender and rich in flavor. Topped with a savory glaze that enhances the meat’s natural juiciness, it veers off from a classic dish. Wagyu meatloaf promises a memorable dining experience that combines comfort with elegance.

GET THE RECIPE: Meatloaf

Fried Apples

A bowl of shrimp and cheese grits with garlic honey butter.
Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles

These Fried Apples feature tender sautéed slices sweetened with brown sugar and spiced with a warm, aromatic blend. This versatile recipe can serve as a delightful side dish or as a topping for pancakes and waffles. It’s also a delicious way to enhance ice cream, turning it into a special dessert.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Apples

Butter Pecan Cookies

A pile of pecan sandies cookies with a single pecan nut in each center.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Discover the sweet charm of the South with this delightful Butter Pecan Cookie recipe! Each pecan cookie is packed with crunchy pecans and baked to a perfect golden brown, offering a deliciously buttery texture and rich, nutty flavor. These cookies scream Southern all around, ideal for any occasion, including holiday gatherings or as a treat with some afternoon tea.

GET THE RECIPE: Butter Pecan Cookies

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

A cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with pecans and sauce; a slice is being lifted from the whole cake.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This luxurious Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake dessert is a versatile masterpiece, blending bourbon’s smooth, rich flavors with the crunchy, nutty goodness of pecans. Whether it’s for a festive celebration or a sophisticated treat to enjoy any day, this cheesecake is the perfect choice. It elevates any dining experience, impressing your guests and satisfying your sweet tooth. It’s a dessert that epitomizes Southern charm and elegance, inspiring you to explore its versatility in different settings.

GET THE RECIPE: Praline Cheesecake

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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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