The Heart and Soul of Southern Cooking
Jul 30, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.
Nothing captures the taste of the South quite like a table full of time-honored favorites and bold, comforting flavors. From Alabama White Sauce and Lowcountry Boil to Sweet Potato Biscuits, Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy, and Coconut Cake, this roundup serves up classic Southern goodness with soul. Whether you’re after buttery sides, coastal seafood, or heirloom sweets, these recipes bring the charm and heart of Southern kitchens straight to yours.
Table of Contents
- Alabama White Sauce
- Lowcountry Boil Recipe
- Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip
- Peach Cobbler in a Jar (Gluten Free + Vegan)
- Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
- Coconut Cake
- Hummingbird Poke Cake
- Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew
- Jiffy Corn Casserole Recipe
- Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs
- Slow Cooker Collard Greens
- Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole
- A Recipe for Charleston Pickled Spiced Shrimp
- Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic
- Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole
- Sweet Potato Biscuits
- Best Southern Corn Pudding
- Chicken Potato Casserole
- Vegan Southern Pineapple Casserole
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy
- The Best Fresh Savory Tomato Pie
- Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Best Dang Shrimp Creole
- Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle
Alabama White Sauce
Alabama White Sauce is a unique, tangy Southern mayonnaise-based BBQ sauce that’s a must-try for any grilling enthusiast. It’s perfect for drizzling over grilled chicken or using as a dipping sauce for veggies. Its creamy texture and bold flavor make it a standout at any BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Alabama White Sauce
Lowcountry Boil Recipe
This Lowcountry Boil is a seafood lover’s dream with shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes all in one pot. The seasoning mix of Old Bay and Cajun spices makes it a flavorful hit at any gathering. Plus, it’s as simple to clean up as it is to cook!
Get the Recipe: Lowcountry Boil Recipe
Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip
Experience the transformative power of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where a visit can shift your perspective on, well, everything! And what better way to accelerate this newfound enlightenment than with a refreshing cold beer and a decadent bowl of Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip? Trust us, clarity has never tasted so good!
Get the Recipe: Coosaw Island Creamy Cold Crab Dip
Peach Cobbler in a Jar (Gluten Free + Vegan)
Enjoy the essence of the South with this Peach Cobbler in a Jar. This dessert combines juicy peaches with a crumbly, gluten-free, and vegan topping, making it perfect for anyone at your gathering. It’s easy to make and even easier to share!
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler in a Jar (Gluten Free + Vegan)
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
These aren’t your average Mashed Potatoes! Brown butter and fresh thyme add a touch of gourmet to this creamy and comforting dish. With just 4 ingredients, it’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but special enough to grace your holiday table.
Get the recipe: Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Coconut Cake

Coconut Cake features three stunning layers, each filled and frosted with a light, marshmallow-like cream and generously sprinkled with heaps of sweet, shredded coconut on top. Oh-so-SOUTHERN!
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cake
Hummingbird Poke Cake

Indulge in this irresistibly tender Hummingbird Poke Cake, perfect for the blossoming seasons of spring and summer. In this rendition, we enhance the ease factor by transforming it into a poke cake, infusing each crumb with an extra layer of lusciousness courtesy of a velvety, sweet sauce. Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, its flavors and textures are bound to captivate your senses!
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Poke Cake
Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew
Brunswick Stew is a Southern classic that’s sure to warm your soul. This slow cooker version uses chicken, pork, and beef, combined with corn, lima beans, and tomatoes in a rich, flavorful broth. A touch of barbecue sauce adds a sweet and smoky note, making this stew a true crowd-pleaser and perfect for comforting meals.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew
Jiffy Corn Casserole Recipe
Jiffy Corn Casserole is a classic southern-inspired dish, perfect for Thanksgiving. Made with just a few pantry staples, it’s a simple and delicious side that complements any holiday meal. The creamy, corny goodness of this casserole will bring comfort and warmth to your table, making it a must-have for festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Jiffy Corn Casserole Recipe
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!
Get the Recipe: Ham Gravy
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
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 the Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens
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!
Get the Recipe: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole
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 Deviled 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.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Crab
Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole
Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole offers a nostalgic taste of comfort with tender egg noodles, a creamy sauce, and crunchy onions. This dish captures the essence of southern-inspired casseroles, bringing warmth and satisfaction to your table.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole
Sweet Potato Biscuits

These airy, tender Sweet Potato Biscuits are incredibly easy to whip up and are sure to become a staple on your autumnal menu, evoking the cozy comforts of a Southern style gathering. Perfectly balanced with a hint of tanginess from real buttermilk!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits
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.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Chicken Potato Casserole
Chicken Potato Casserole combines diced potatoes, tater tots, or frozen hashbrowns with creamy chicken for a comforting and versatile dish. This southern-inspired casserole is perfect for satisfying any cheesy, cozy potato cravings. It’s a hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and loved by everyone.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Potato Casserole
Vegan Southern Pineapple Casserole
Southern Pineapple Casserole offers a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors. This vegan and gluten-free version includes tangy pineapple, dairy-free cheddar cheese, and a buttery cracker topping, providing a nostalgic taste of southern comfort.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Southern Pineapple Casserole
Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars mean you get to enjoy all the flavors of traditional pecan pie in a convenient grab-and-go bar. These treats feature a rich, caramel-like pecan filling atop a buttery shortbread base, all crafted without any corn syrup!
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars
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!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak
Sweet Potato Pie

The flavors in this Southern Sweet Potato Pie recipe are perfectly balanced! Enjoy the earthy taste of roasted sweet potatoes mixed with brown sugar and spices, all encased in a delicate, flaky crust.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie
Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch 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.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken
The Best Fresh Savory Tomato Pie
This Savory Tomato Pie features a flaky crust, layers of ripe tomatoes, and a cheesy filling. It’s a Southern classic that’s perfect for using up your garden’s bounty. Enjoy it warm from the oven or at room temperature for a delicious summer meal.
Get the Recipe: The Best Fresh Savory Tomato Pie
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!
Get the Recipe: Pound Cake
Best Dang Shrimp Creole
This Shrimp Creole is a spicy, flavorful seafood dish that’s a true taste of Louisiana. The shrimp are simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, and plenty of Cajun seasoning. It’s a quick and delicious dinner option that’s sure to satisfy.
Get the Recipe: Best Dang Shrimp Creole
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!
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding


