28 No-Nonsense Southern Recipes for Serious Flavor

Jenny deRemer

Dec 02, 2025

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Why make a meal complicated when you can serve up bold, mouthwatering Southern favorites with little more than a wink and a smile? Whether it’s Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken that’s crispy and golden, or Shrimp and Grits that scream comfort in every bite, we’ve got you covered. You can’t go wrong with Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn or Smoked Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches for a crowd-pleasing spread. For dessert, sink your teeth into Blackberry Cobbler or Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. These recipes are the epitome of laid-back Southern charm, ready to impress (without all the work).

Table of Contents

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

Scalloped Oysters

A close-up of a baked casserole dish filled with creamy herb-crusted artichoke gratin. The dish is garnished with fresh parsley and two lemon slices. A golden spoon rests in the casserole, ready to serve. The gratin has a crunchy, golden-brown topping.
Scalloped Oysters. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Scalloped Oysters bring a taste of coastal comfort straight to your table. Rich and creamy, with buttery crackers and fresh oysters, this dish is perfect for anyone craving southern comfort food with a seafood flair.
Get This Recipe: Scalloped Oysters

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Layers of banana pudding, Nilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Ask any self-respecting Southerner, and they’ll tell you that the ultimate Southern comfort dessert is Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding, a delicious scratch-made layered trifle boasting creamy vanilla pudding, Nilla Wafers, and luscious Cool Whip!

Get This Recipe: Banana Pudding

Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn

Looking down on a casserole with lots of toppings, like chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapeños.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

This Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn is the perfect side dish you can serve alongside your favorite meals. Made with loads of butter, you’ll be thrilled to have this easy slow cooker recipe to share at your next family dinner!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn

Southern-Style Buttermilk Biscuits

Southern-Style Buttermilk Biscuits
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

Learn the secrets of making southern-style buttermilk biscuits that bake up tall, fluffy, and light as a cloud. Homemade bread in 20 minutes or less!
Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Buttermilk Biscuits

How to Make Southern Homemade Sweet Tea

A clear glass filled with iced tea and garnished with slices of orange sits on a table. The background is softly blurred, showing more glasses and a checkered cloth. Another sliced orange is placed on a plate in the foreground.
How to Make Southern Homemade Sweet Tea. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a glass of Sweet Tea, and this recipe nails that classic southern comfort in a glass. With just the right amount of sugar and a long steeping process, this tea is perfect for front porch sipping or pairing with your favorite Southern meal.
Get This Recipe: How to Make Southern Homemade Sweet Tea

A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp

Pickled shrimp and vegetables on toasted rye with aioli.
A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp is a recipe that promises an unforgettable encore. Begin by grilling hearty slices of rye bread until perfectly charred, then slather them with a luscious sherry aioli. Next, pile on a colorful array of crunchy veggies, including onion, celery, carrot, fennel, and vibrant red bell pepper, all pickled to perfection along with fresh shrimp in an irresistible blend of Champagne vinegar and aromatic celery seed brine.

Get This Recipe: Pickled Shrimp

Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce

A glass jar filled with thick yellow honey and a wooden dipper with honey dripping down the side; in the background, there is a bowl containing honey and another dipper.
Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Carolina BBQ Sauce, also known as Carolina Gold, brings the perfect tangy and sweet kick to your next barbecue. Made with mustard as the base, this Southern favorite is a delicious way to spice up pulled pork, chicken, or ribs. If you’re looking to add some southern comfort food flair to your grilling, this sauce does the trick.
Get This Recipe: Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

overhead photo of Frito Pie Casserole on a tray
Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Upgrade your game-day snacks with this Tailgater Frito Pie! Crispy Fritos meet hearty chili con carne for a delicious combination that’s perfect for tailgating or a cozy night in.

Get This Recipe: Tailgater Frito Pie

Blackberry Cobbler

A bowl of warm blackberry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. A spoon is placed in the bowl, suggesting it's ready to be eaten. Fresh blackberries are scattered around the bowl, and part of another bowl of cobbler is visible nearby.
Blackberry Cobbler. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Blackberry Cobbler is a sweet reminder of the last of summer days in the South. Bursting with fresh berries and topped with a buttery crust, it’s a warm and comforting dessert that pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream.
Get This Recipe: Blackberry Cobbler

Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce

A dinner plate loaded with mashed potatoes and beef tips in brown gravy with mushrooms.
Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Indulge in a rich and savory Southern delight with this quick and easy recipe for Beef Tips in Creamy Mushroom Pan Sauce smothered in a decadent creamy mushroom sauce – a mouthwatering dinner ready in just 30 minutes!

Get This Recipe: Beef Tips in Gravy

Tomato Pie with Pimento Cheese

A slice of tomato and cheese pie with basil on a white plate, gold fork beside it, surrounded by whole tomatoes and basil leaves.
Tomato Pie with Pimento Cheese. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Tomato Pie with Pimento Cheese is a Southern comfort food classic that highlights fresh, ripe tomatoes layered with cheese and baked to perfection. With its flaky crust and savory filling, this dish is a great choice for picnics, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner.
Get This Recipe: Tomato Pie with Pimento Cheese

Slow Cooker Collard Greens

A plate of cooked collard greens mixed with pieces of bacon and pork fat, served on a white dish.
Slow Cooker Collard Greens. Image 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 This Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

Crispy, golden-brown fried onion rings arranged on parchment paper.
Beer Battered Onion Rings with Southern BBQ Sauce. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

These crispy Buttermilk-Battered Onion Rings are a crowd-pleaser, especially when paired with a classic sauce like Carolina Gold or Comeback Sauce. They’re the perfect side dish or snack for any gathering, delivering that familiar Southern comfort food crunch.
Get This Recipe: Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

Smoked Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

A heap of smoked pork on a griddled bun, with coleslaw.
Smoked Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Get ready for a authentic Southern culinary adventure! We’re diving into the heart of Carolina-style barbecue with slow-smoked pork that’s tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The ultimate goal? A mouthwatering pile of Pulled Pork Sandwiches that embody the traditional spirit of this beloved regional specialty. Buckle up, friends – it’s gonna be a delicious journey!

Get This Recipe: Pulled Pork Sandwich

Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne

Two bowls of chili topped with shredded cheese, corn chips, sour cream, and cilantro are shown. A hand is stirring one bowl with a spoon. Fresh cilantro and sliced green onions are scattered on a wooden board next to one of the bowls.
Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne. Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne is a hearty dish that brings warmth and comfort with every bite. Rich, meaty, and full of Southern-inspired flavors, it’s ideal for those cool nights when you crave something satisfying. Plus, letting it simmer all day makes it even more flavorful and perfect for a cozy meal.
Get This Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak with country gravy.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak Recipe brings the South straight to your home kitchen in just 45 minutes! Commonly known as chicken-fried steak in the Southern United States, this dish features seasoned cube steak coated in a golden-brown crust, perfectly complemented by a rich and creamy white sawmill gravy that’ll have you craving seconds and thirds!

Get This Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Shrimp and Grits

A white bowl filled with creamy shrimp and grits, topped with chopped green onions and crispy bacon bits. The dish is garnished with freshly ground black pepper and sits on a wooden surface next to silver utensils.
Shrimp and Grits. Image Credit: Baking A Moment.

Shrimp and Grits is a true Southern comfort food dish that’s all about the balance of creamy grits and savory shrimp. With its roots in Southern kitchens, this recipe is simple yet full of flavor, making it a go-to for anyone who loves classic Southern cooking.
Get This Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Oven Baked Home Fries Recipe with Sausages and Sunny Eggs

A big breakfast plate of home fries, with sausages and eggs.
Oven Baked Home Fries Recipe with Sausages and Sunny Eggs. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Start your day with a hearty, one-pan Oven Baked Home Fries Recipe with Sausages and Sunny Eggs that combines crispy, golden home fries, savory sausages, and perfectly cooked eggs – a breakfast trifecta that’s sure to become a morning favorite!

Get This Recipe: Sheet Pan Breakfast

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A close-up of baked pasta with melted cheese and ground meat in a white casserole dish.
Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Pasta lovers, rejoice! This creamy Sour Cream Noodle Bake is the ultimate comfort food indulgence, packed with savory beef and al dente noodles – a satisfying treat that will hit all the right spots!

Get This Recipe: Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Southern Style Potato Salad

Southern Style Potato Salad
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

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

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

A plate of cheesy eggs and biscuits smothered in southern ham gravy.
Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Southern breakfast is a delightful affair, with the rich flavors of smoky Ham Gravy drizzled over cheesy biscuits, perfectly complemented by velvety soft scrambled eggs.

Get This Recipe: Ham Gravy

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole

A plate of scrambled eggs and hot sausage biscuit and gravy casserole.
Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Prepare for breakfast casserole deliciousness as we recreate Bob Evans’ famous Sausage Gravy recipe! With just a bag of all-purpose flour and a skillet, we’ll whip up a batch of this savory delight.

Get This Recipe: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

a red plate, piled with Butter Pecan Cookies
Butter Pecan Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Indulge in a sweet blast from the past with these classic Butter Pecan Cookies, fresh from the oven! Soft, buttery, and nutty, these tender treats are perfect for satisfying your snack cravings.

Get This Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

The 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe That Changes Everything

A glazed roast with rosemary is on a tray, accompanied by roasted potato wedges and orange slices. Three knives rest on a checkered kitchen towel.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Take your holiday ham to the next level with a sweet and tangy 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe that’s incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect way to add a little extra something special to your ham dinner!

Get This Recipe: Ham Glaze

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A pound cake with sugar glaze.
Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake. Image Credit: 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!

Get This Recipe: Pound Cake

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
Best Southern Corn Pudding. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Southern Corn Pudding is farm to table fare, accompanying everything from grilled steak to the Thanksgiving dinner turkey! Baked until gorgeously golden brown, spoonsful of ‘creamy corn pudding bliss’ grace the dinner table in this classic southern dish.

Get This Recipe: Corn Casserole

Chicken on the Ritz Casserole

A spoonful of chicken casserole with a Ritz cracker topping.
Chicken on the Ritz Casserole. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

With just a handful of straightforward ingredients, you can create a rich and creamy sauce that takes this scrumptious ‘Chicken on The Ritz’ Casserole to the next level – perfect for hectic evenings.

Get This Recipe: Ritz Chicken 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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