Old School Southern Food Recipes for Home Cooks

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

Whether looking to recreate grandma’s deviled eggs or master fluffy biscuits, these Southern food recipes ensure success every time. From crispy and golden cornmeal biscuits to sweet and creamy praline cheesecake, these classic dishes are staples of southern living and celebrations. They represent more than just food; they embody a way of life that’s warm and welcoming. Southern cuisine is known for its comforting dishes that bring hospitality and warmth to any gathering. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a home cook looking for easy and delicious recipes, southern cooking has something for everyone. These recipes are crafted for those who want to bring the taste of the South into their kitchen. They offer a delicious view into the heart of southern cuisine and are perfect for anyone looking to expand their comfort food repertoire.

Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
A stack of buttermilk biscuits beside a spoon covered with jelly.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

For starters, hone your baking skills with this no-fail Southern recipe for 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits from Not Entirely Average. Using only butter, self-rising flour, and buttermilk, you can bake a batch of fluffy, golden biscuits that are the perfect addition to any southern meal. These biscuits are ideal for anyone looking for simple yet delicious comfort food recipes. They offer a taste of southern living in every bite and are perfect to be served as a side dish, baked into a sausage gravy and biscuit casserole, or enjoyed with your favorite honey or jam. Make them at home and savor a piece of the South.

GET THE RECIPE: Homemade Biscuits

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. It’s a perfect blend of flavors that encapsulates innovative Southern cooking. Whether serving it up for breakfast or as a grab-and-go on the run, watermelon preserves will leave you with one question: how have you never tasted these before? I share a link to purchase the preserves, too!

GET THE RECIPE: Breakfast Biscuits

Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese

A deviled egg assembled with southern pimento cheese spread.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

If there is a single food guaranteed to appear at every Southern gathering, it is surely the Deviled Egg. Add pizzazz to your tailgate or cookout with this variation on the classic. Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese incorporate bold and creamy pimento cheese and the typical ingredients for which these two-bite handhelds are famous. So, if you are ready to steal the spotlight at your next event, these deviled eggs are a sure bet.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Eggs

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

A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze

A spoon drizzling a sticky bourbon glaze into a pot.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Taste the recipe with well over 100 5-Star reviews! Then unleash the bold flavors of this Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze over ribs, chicken, or shrimp to add a deliciously complex layer of flavor. It’s a must-have method for any barbecue enthusiast. Infused with the rich taste of bourbon and a harmonious blend of sweetness and spice, this glaze is perfect for transforming simple grilled dishes into gourmet creations.

GET THE RECIPE: Bourbon Sauce

Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy

A bowl of shrimp and grits with crab gravy.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for 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. Perfect for brunch or a luxurious dinner, this recipe is a staple and beloved Southern favorite!

GET THE RECIPE: Shrimp and Grits

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

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

A bowl of shrimp and cheese grits with garlic honey butter.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Grits masterfully blends the rich, savory flavors of garlic butter shrimp with the smooth, hearty texture of stone-ground grits. Each bite is a celebration of classic Southern comfort, elevated by a luxurious touch of garlic and butter. Perfect for an elegant brunch or a comforting dinner, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an exquisite taste experience. Ready to create a new favorite at your dining table?

GET THE RECIPE: Garlic Butter Shrimp

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 thick slab of praline cheesecake with an apple pie bottom.
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

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!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *