15 Southern-Style Dinner Recipes

Jenny deRemer

Nov 13, 2025

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Southern-style dinner recipes are the perfect way to bring warmth and comfort to your table with dishes like Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy, Mississippi Pot Roast and the crispy goodness of Chicken Fried Steak. Whether you’re craving a hearty bowl of Red Beans and Rice or the creamy richness of Endive Gratin with Ham and Smoked Gruyere, these 15 recipes offer a delicious variety of Southern flavors to suit any craving. Each dish brings a taste of the South to your kitchen, making your meals feel extra special.

Table of Contents

Mulligatawny Soup

A bowl of vegetable soup topped with sour cream, crushed crackers, and chopped herbs, with a spoon inside. A small dish with herbs is in the background.
Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

Mulligatawny Soup brings a unique mix of spices and creamy coconut milk for a comforting bowl that fits right into a Southern-inspired dinner. Juicy chicken, rice, and apples add satisfying flavors that make each spoonful special.
Get the Recipe: Mulligatawny Soup

Endive Gratin with Ham and Smoked Gruyere

The image shows baked endives topped with a crumbly mixture of ham, tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Endive Gratin with Ham and Smoked Gruyere takes Southern dinner to a new level with layers of creamy Gruyere and tender endive. This Charleston favorite adds a smoky, savory flair to any table, perfect for a cozy evening.
Get the Recipe: Endive Gratin with Ham and Smoked Gruyere

Chicken Fried Steak

The image depicts a plate containing fried chicken with white gravy, mashed potatoes, and green peas. Beside the plate are a fork and a blue napkin.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Chicken Fried Steak serves up classic Southern comfort with a crispy, golden breading and creamy sawmill gravy. This hearty dish is a Texas favorite, loaded with flavor that’s perfect for any down-home meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Pizza Giana Rustica

A golden-brown meat pie with a grid pattern cut into its flaky top crust sits on a wooden board. Surrounding the pie are dinner rolls in a basket, a white and blue striped cloth, and a bowl of steamed broccoli.
Image Credit: xoxoBella

Pizza Giana Rustica combines savory meats and cheeses in a flaky crust for a meal that’s both hearty and unique. With its roots in Southern Italian tradition and wildly popular in Southern states due to its casserole-esque nature, this pie-style dish adds bold flavor to any Southern-style meal!
Get the Recipe: Pizza Giana Rustica

Shrimp and Grits

The image shows a bowl containing creamy grits, sautéed shrimp, crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Shrimp and Grits delivers Southern charm with creamy, buttery grits topped with seasoned shrimp. This dish brings a touch of the coast to the table, combining rich flavors with a true Southern vibe.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Honey Bourbon Dutch Oven Short Ribs

A beautifully presented photo of Honey Bourbon Dutch Oven Short Ribs
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These honey bourbon Dutch oven short ribs are so moist and tender, and the honey bourbon glaze is to die for!
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Dutch Oven Short Ribs

Red Beans and Rice

The image shows a bowl containing red beans, a scoop of white rice on top, and a garnish of chopped herbs.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Red Beans and Rice combines tender beans and seasoned rice for a dish that’s simple yet full of depth. This comforting meal is a classic in Southern kitchens, offering hearty satisfaction with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Red Beans and Rice

Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy

A plate of creamy mashed potatoes topped with succulent shrimp and a rich, savory gravy. The dish is garnished with chunks of crab meat and small pieces of red bell pepper, adding color and texture to the meal. The gravy glistens, blending the flavors together.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy adds a coastal twist to traditional shrimp and grits, topped with rich crab-infused gravy. This Southern classic pays homage to Gullah roots and is bursting with fresh, savory flavor.
Get the Recipe: Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops)

Delicious Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon are the perfect fall comfort food. We are obsessed with this Pan Fried Pork Chops Recipe with its Fall flavors and decadent comfort food appeal! These Honey Pork Chops are rubbed with fragrant herbs and are the perfect mix of savory and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops)

Mississippi Pot Roast

The image shows shredded beef on mashed potatoes, garnished with chopped green onions, accompanied by green beans and a roll on a decorative plate.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Mississippi Pot Roast brings tender beef with bold flavors from pepperoncini and seasonings, making it a go-to for Southern-inspired dinners. Slow-cooked to perfection, it’s a comforting meal perfect for any night.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

Stuffed Deviled Crab

A utensil spreading sauce on baked seafood, topped with breadcrumbs and garnished with diced red peppers and chives.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Stuffed Deviled Crab delivers rich, savory crab stuffing that captures the essence of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. This flavorful dish brings a taste of the coast and is perfect for Southern-style gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Deviled Crab

Pork Crown Roast Recipe with Whiskey Glaze

Delicious Pork Crown Roast Recipe with Whiskey Glaze ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Crown Roast of Pork recipe will wow your holiday guests! Make this beautiful Pork Crown Roast with Whiskey Glaze for Christmas & holidays!
Get the Recipe: Pork Crown Roast Recipe with Whiskey Glaze

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

An overhead shot of a wooden serving bowl filled with salad next to cornbread on a cutting board.
Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad. With mustard BBQ grilled chicken, garden fresh veggies, bacon, feta, and a homemade dressing this dish proves that summer salads make the best main course salads.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

Appalachian Soup Beans

A bowl containing baked beans and pieces of bacon, with a spoon nearby, all on a wooden surface.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Appalachian Soup Beans offers a warm, smoky flavor that’s pure Appalachian comfort. Simple yet satisfying, this dish is a staple of Southern home cooking, bringing hearty flavors to any table.
Get the Recipe: Appalachian Soup Beans

Baked Tomatoes with Cheese

Baked Tomatoes with Cheese at its finest
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Baked tomatoes with cheese are a super quick and super easy side dish or appetizer for any occasion. Loaded with cheese and fresh basil!
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Cheese

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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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