15 of The South’s Best Dishes You Should Make Immediately

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Well, buckle up because we’re about to serve up some Southern comfort that’ll have you laughing all the way to the dinner table. Get ready to devour a bowl of Shrimp and Corn Chowder, then wipe your mouth and grab a bite of Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs—it’s like breakfast and dinner had a baby and named it “pure bliss.” Need more? How about Fried Chicken Recipe that’ll make your grandma proud, or Stuffed Deviled Crab that’ll have you asking, “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?” Oh, and don’t forget the Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle—because life’s too short to say no to dessert. You’re gonna need a bigger plate… and probably a nap afterward.

Ambrosia Salad

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A glass bowl filled with ambrosia salad, featuring marshmallows, cherries, orange segments, pineapple, and whipped cream, sits on a light tablecloth. Plates, glassware, and a pink napkin are arranged around the bowl.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Ambrosia Salad is the kind of fruit salad that goes beyond the basics, packing in pineapple, mandarin slices, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, and a cool whip that’s so creamy it could almost be a dessert on its own. Perfect for potlucks, this sweet treat is more than just a salad—it’s a crowd favorite you’ll want at every gathering!
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Southern breakfast is all about comfort and flavor, where Smoky Ham Gravy drizzles over buttery biscuits and soft scrambled eggs bring it all together. And guess what? These dishes are so simple, you can whip them up in no time, making every breakfast feel like a celebration. In the midst of life’s chaos, there’s nothing better than slowing down to enjoy these easy, biscuit-topped delights that are a Southern staple!

GET THE RECIPE: Ham Gravy

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

A bowl of creamy corn chowder garnished with shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and herbs. The soup is sprinkled with paprika. Surrounding the bowl are a corn cob, fresh thyme, a dish of paprika, and wooden-handled cutlery on a white cloth.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Shrimp and Corn Chowder is a light yet satisfying twist on Southern comfort food—packed with flavor but easy on the waistline. With the perfect balance of sweet corn, tender shrimp, and creamy goodness, it’s the cozy dish you crave, minus the guilt. Enjoy the best of Southern flavors without any of the heaviness!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Corn Chowder

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Get ready to dive into breakfast casserole bliss with Bob Evans’ Famous Sausage Gravy! Using just a bag of all-purpose flour and a skillet, we’ll bring this savory, creamy masterpiece to life. Layer it up with biscuits for a brunch dish that’s as easy as it is mouthwatering—perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

Fried Chicken Recipe

A basket filled with crispy, golden-brown fried chicken pieces, placed on white parchment paper. The background features wooden utensils and a glimpse of mashed potatoes in a dish.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

My Big Mama’s Southern Fried Chicken Recipe is a flavor-packed masterpiece, thanks to its perfectly seasoned flour and that golden, crispy crust. Fried to crunchy perfection, every bite is a mouthwatering reminder of how Southern comfort food should taste—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Recipe

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Po’ Boy Steak Sandwich is the ultimate handheld feast, with marinated, grilled steak nestled between crispy Romaine and slathered with mayo, making each bite a savory experience you’ll crave. With just a pound and a half of beef, you’ll have enough to stuff six of these over-the-top sandwiches, perfect for tailgates, cookouts, or even those chaotic weeknight dinners between soccer practice and homework.

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp is a showstopper! Grilled rye bread, smothered with sherry aioli, gets topped with tangy pickled veggies and poached shrimp, all bursting with Old Bay and lemon zest. Perfect for impressing at any gathering or satisfying your cravings for something flavorful.

GET THE RECIPE: Pickled Shrimp

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Stuffed Crab brings the flavors of South Carolina right to your plate! This rich crab meat stuffing, nestled in crab shells or retro tins, offers a delicious mix of heat and buttery goodness. It’s like crab cakes but with a twist, boasting a touch of sherry and spice for that perfect Lowcountry touch.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Crab

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A creamy casserole dish topped with grilled corn, herbs, and spices. The mixture appears to have a variety of ingredients, including visible corn kernels and green herbs. The dish is set on a wooden board.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Southern Corn Pudding is the ultimate side dish, equally at home with a grilled steak or your holiday turkey. This golden-brown, creamy corn pudding is pure bliss on a plate, making it the perfect complement to everything from ham to green bean casserole. If you’re aiming for a crowd-pleaser, this classic Southern dish is the way to go!

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin is the Southern comfort food dream come true. It takes the humble sweet potato and transforms it into a rich, creamy, cheesy masterpiece, without breaking a sweat. A savory twist on the classic sweet potato casserole, this dish has the power to outshine even the star of your dinner table.

GET THE RECIPE: Potatoes Au Gratin

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Country fried steaks on a platter smothered in white gravy.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak Recipe brings the flavor of the South right to your kitchen in under 45 minutes! This Southern classic—also known as chicken-fried steak—features a crispy, golden crust on seasoned cube steak, topped with a luscious white sawmill gravy that will have you going back for more.

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy is the epitome of homey Southern comfort food. Breaded cutlets fried to golden perfection, paired with savory pan gravy, and served alongside fragrant herbed Carolina Gold rice—this dish might not be fancy, but it hits all the right notes. It’s simple, soulful, and as comforting as a Southern lullaby.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Chicken

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.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake is the ultimate slice of nostalgia that will have you coming back for more. With just a few basic ingredients and a two-step method, you can bake up the most moist, flavorful cake that rivals any Southern bakery. This simple yet irresistible treat is perfect for every occasion, making it your go-to recipe for a crowd-pleaser every time.

GET THE RECIPE: Pound Cake

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Layers of banana pudding, Nilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding is the quintessential Southern comfort dessert that no gathering is complete without. This scratch-made trifle, layered with velvety vanilla pudding, crunchy Nilla Wafers, and fluffy Cool Whip, is so easy to prepare yet delivers big flavor. It’s a no-bake, make-ahead treat that’s sure to impress and delight, turning any occasion into a celebration with minimal effort!

GET THE RECIPE: Banana Pudding

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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