The South Knows How to Feed You Right

Jenny deRemer

Dec 12, 2025

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Ready to indulge in the kind of Southern comfort food that’ll have you loosening your belt and going back for seconds? From Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits that will make you rethink your breakfast game to a Coca Cola Cake so sweet it’ll make you weak in the knees, we’ve got every craving covered. Imagine dipping into Cracker Barrel’s Country Fried Steak, sinking your teeth into crispy Southern Fried Okra, and enjoying the perfect bite of Southern Skillet Cornbread. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy—it’s like a Southern hug for your soul. Whether you’re here for sides like Fried Catfish and Creamy Butter Beans or desserts like Southern Caramel Cake, you’re about to feast on all the classics with a little extra sass. Ready to dig in? We’re about to take you on a flavor-filled journey you’ll never forget!

Table of Contents

Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits

A crispy fried chicken fillet sandwiched between two flaky biscuits, topped with a pickle, and a layer of red sauce visible below the chicken. The focus is on the texture and color contrast of the sandwich.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Meet the ultimate Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits: crispy, golden fried chicken breasts nestled in buttery, flaky biscuits, all with a touch of zesty red pepper jelly for just the right kick.

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits

Coca Cola Cake

A piece of chocolate cake with glossy frosting sits on a black plate. A small bite is taken from the corner. In the background, there is a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry. A red and white box is partially visible.
Image Credit: House of Nash Eats

Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake is a moist, old-school Southern dessert that’s made a sweet comeback, thanks to Cracker Barrel and nostalgic home bakers. With Coca-Cola baked into both the rich cake and the fudgy icing, it’s pure vintage indulgence.

Get the Recipe: Coca Cola Cake

Sausage and Gravy Recipe with Best Homemade Biscuits

A plate of biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy. The fluffy biscuits are split open, revealing a generous serving of thick gravy with visible sausage bits, creating a comforting, savory breakfast dish.
Image Credit: Cooks with Soul

Start your morning with a Southern classic: old-fashioned Sausage and Gravy Recipe with Best Homemade Biscuits. Flaky, buttery biscuits meet rich, creamy gravy for the ultimate breakfast comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Sausage and Gravy Recipe with Best Homemade Biscuits

Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Close-up of crispy fried chicken smothered in creamy white gravy, garnished with chopped herbs. The golden, crunchy texture of the chicken contrasts with the smooth, rich sauce.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Country Fried Steak, or chicken-fried steak as we call it in the South, is tender cube steak fried to golden perfection and smothered in creamy sawmill gravy. One bite, and you’ll be lickin’ your plate clean!

Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Southern Hummingbird Cake

A slice of layered cake with visible chopped nuts and creamy frosting is placed on a white plate. The cake has a light brown color, indicating a nutty or spice flavor, and the background shows more slices on a white dish.
Image Credit: House of Nash Eats

This classic Hummingbird Cake is a showstopper for any celebration! Moist layers of pineapple, banana, cinnamon, and pecans are crowned with luscious cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of pecans for the perfect finish.

Get the Recipe: Southern Hummingbird Cake

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A plate of crispy fried chicken smothered in creamy gravy, resting on a bed of fluffy rice garnished with herbs. A striped napkin is visible beside the plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy might not sound flashy, but it’s pure Southern soul on a plate. Simple on their own, together these classic elements embody the heart of Southern cooking: chicken and rice done right.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

Southern Fried Okra

A baking tray filled with crispy fried okra pieces, seasoned and golden brown. Fresh okra and a striped cloth are nearby on a white surface.
Image Credit: House of Nash Eats

Savory Southern Fried Okra features bite-sized pieces of this unique vegetable, perfectly coated in seasoned cornmeal and fried to golden, crispy perfection. Whether as a snack, appetizer, or side, this Southern classic never disappoints!

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Okra

Southern Style Chicken and Waffles

A plate of crispy fried chicken resting on two golden waffles, drizzled with syrup. A small bowl of additional syrup is nearby, and a fork and knife are placed on a blue napkin to the side.
Image Credit: Cooks with Soul

These Southern Style Chicken and Waffles are the ultimate combo! Crispy, perfectly seasoned buttermilk fried chicken tenders are paired with simple, golden waffles that have just the right crispy edges.

Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken and Waffles

Fried Catfish

A plate with a crispy fried fish fillet, two hush puppies, and a serving of coleslaw. Garnished with lemon wedges and sprinkled with herbs. A striped napkin and part of a second plate with fish are visible in the background.
Image Credit: House of Nash Eats

This Southern Fried Catfish boasts a perfectly seasoned, crispy breading with tender, flavorful fish underneath. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s as satisfying as a fish fry—without leaving home!

Get the Recipe: Fried Catfish

Southern Skillet Cornbread

A slice of cornbread topped with a swirl of butter and drizzled with honey, placed on a blue-gray plate. The cornbread has a golden, crumbly texture, and the honey adds a glossy sheen.
Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Homemade Southern Skillet Cornbread is rich, buttery, and incredibly moist, thanks to its buttermilk base. Baked in a preheated cast iron skillet, it emerges with golden crispy edges and a perfectly tender crumb—an irresistible classic side that’ll disappear in no time!

Get the Recipe: Southern Skillet Cornbread

Charleston Red Rice

A plate of vibrant jambalaya with shrimp, sausage, and bell peppers, garnished with fresh parsley. A fork is placed on the side. Fresh parsley leaves are visible in the background.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Charleston Red Rice is a true Southern Lowcountry treasure! White rice absorbs tangy tomatoes, bold spices, garlic, and onions, then gets topped with tender shrimp and crispy bacon for a dish that’s packed with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Charleston Red 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

Here it is—a true-to-original Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy recipe anyone can whip up at home. No need to worry if you’re not a Southerner or Gullah; this comforting dish is simple enough for everyone to make and enjoy!

Get the Recipe: Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Crab Gravy

Pork Chop Casserole

A white casserole dish filled with creamy mushroom and herb sauce, topped with three baked pork chops garnished with fresh parsley.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Seasoned pork chops, creamy mushroom soup, and a bed of fluffy long-grain white rice that soaks up all the savory goodness—this Pork Chop Casserole is easy to make, serves plenty, and will have you counting down the days until leftovers!

Get the Recipe: Pork Chop Casserole

Creamy Butter Beans (Southern Soul Food)

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes with chunks, accompanied by a spoon, on a white surface.
Image Credit: Cooks with Soul

This Southern, soul food-style Creamy Butter Beans recipe features hearty lima beans simmered in a flavorful broth with smoked turkey and the “holy trinity” of bell pepper, celery, and onion—pure comfort in a bowl!

Get the Recipe: Creamy Butter Beans

Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

A red baking dish filled with golden-brown, baked cheddar biscuits garnished with chopped green onions.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

What makes this Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole even better than fluffy eggs, cooked sausage, and cheddar bay biscuits alone? The melty cheddar cheese, of course! For a little extra kick, throw in some shredded pepper jack cheese to take it up a notch.

Get the Recipe: Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

Southern Fried Corn

A skillet filled with creamed corn, surrounded by fresh corn on the cob, with kernels showing some yellow and some white. A striped cloth is partially visible beside the skillet.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This is hands-down the best Southern Fried Corn recipe you’ll find. Fresh corn is shucked, scraped, and fried in a cast iron skillet with rich bacon drippings and a touch of sugar for a side dish that’s simply irresistible!

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Corn

Grillades and Grits

A plate of creamy mashed potatoes topped with tender strips of beef in a rich, savory gravy. The dish is garnished with fresh parsley, adding a touch of color and freshness.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Tender round steak slow-cooked in a rich, creamy Creole gravy and served over buttery grits—Grillades and Grits is a classic Louisiana dish that makes for the perfect Southern-inspired brunch or breakfast.

Get the Recipe: Grillades and Grits

Southern Caramel Cake

Two slices of yellow cake with caramel frosting on speckled plates, set on a marble surface. The cake appears moist and creamy, with a dense texture.
Image Credit: House of Nash Eats

This Southern Caramel Cake features layers of homemade, moist yellow cake topped with rich, from-scratch caramel icing. It’s indulgent, delicious, and perfect for any special occasion!

Get the Recipe: Southern Caramel Cake

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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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