As someone from the North, I may not be an expert on Southern cuisine, but I can certainly appreciate its unique flavors and cooking techniques. Southern cuisine is not just about the classics like fried green tomatoes and collard greens. In fact, it’s so much more. It’s about a new generation of chefs reimagining southern-sourced ingredients in innovative ways. They have created a new foodie era, filled with creative methods of preparation that will inspire even the most novice home cook into experimenting with soul food. Come along. Bite into a perfectly seasoned chicken-fried steak or savor the rich creaminess of a sweet potato gratin assembled with a very unlikely cheese. And let’s not forget the iconic banana pudding that is a staple at every Southern wedding, funeral, cookout, and pig pickin’. Feeling adventurous? 

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

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. The best part? These mouthwatering dishes are a breeze to make from scratch. Some of my all-time favorite recipes can be whipped together in mere minutes, effortlessly pleasing every palate around the table. Amidst the daily hustle and bustle, there’s nothing quite like gathering together, taking a well-deserved break, and savoring the food and company. And, as it turns out, many of these easy-to-make delights are commonly served over biscuits right here in the heart of the South!

GET THE RECIPE: Ham Gravy

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole

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. Then, we’ll layer it with biscuits to create a mouthwatering casserole that’s perfect for brunch, weekend breakfast, or even breakfast for dinner. Quick and easy to prepare, this dish will become a family favorite. Plus, it reheats beautifully for leftovers!

GET THE RECIPE: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

Easy Po’ Boy Steak Sandwich

Sink your teeth into the grilled, chilled, and marinated Po’ Boy Steak Sandwich, dressed with mayo, Romaine, and a whole bunch of deliciousness! Got steak? You won’t need all but a pound and a half of beef to garner SIX of these gorgeous, over-stuffed poor boy steak sandwiches. Great for tailgates, cookouts, or dinner in between weeknight kid activities.

GET THE RECIPE: Po Boy

A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp

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 in an irresistible blend of Champagne vinegar and aromatic celery seed brine. And let’s not forget the star of the show – shrimp, gently poached in a fragrant bath infused with zesty lemon zest and the unmistakable kick of Old Bay Seasoning. 

GET THE RECIPE: Pickled Shrimp

Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

Check out this easy Stuffed Crab recipe, a luxurious blend of super-rich crab meat stuffing that promises to whisk you away to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Serve this quintessential Gullah dish in retro crab tins, or contact your local fishmonger to get intact crab shells for an authentic way to showcase this dish. Often referred to as Deviled Crab, this dish resembles traditional crab cakes, lovingly basted with warm butter and sherry sauce, but offers a little heat and an eye-catching presentation. 

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Crab

Best Southern Corn Pudding

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. If serving as part of a holiday meal, it compliments everything from holiday ham and turkey to a green bean casserole!

GET THE RECIPE: Corn Casserole

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

The epitome of southern comfort food might be this Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin. This rendition of potato gratin takes the beloved Southern staple sweet potato to unparalleled heights of richness with minimal effort required. This dish embodies the perfect marriage of creamy and cheesy, offering a savory counterpart to the iconic Southern sweet potato casserole. This potato bake effortlessly steals the spotlight, giving even your main course a run for its money in the flavor department.

GET THE RECIPE: Potatoes Au Gratin

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

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 THE RECIPE: Chicken Fried Steak

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

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. While this dish may not boast extravagant flavors or elaborate presentation, it captures the heart and soul of Southern American cooking in every forkful. Bringing together crispy fried chicken and American-grown rice, each element may seem ordinary. However, when plated together and paired with scratch-made pan gravy, they form a harmony that whistles Dixie.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Chicken

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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. And here’s the best part – it’s all achieved through a two-step method! Yes, you read that right – two simple steps stand between you and a delectable pound cake that rivals those crafted by any Southern baker. So why wait?

GET THE RECIPE: Pound Cake

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

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! This make-ahead, no-bake dessert is a breeze to whip up, utilizing simple ingredients sure to please a crowd. With just a few minutes of prep time, you can create a delicious masterpiece perfect for any occasion.

GET THE RECIPE: Banana Pudding