The South’s Best Kept Secrets That You Need to Taste Now

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

Ready to take a delicious detour to the South? Dive into a lineup of Southern comfort like no other, where Deep Fried Pork Chops meet the sweet crunch of Cafe Du Monde Beignets, and the creamy goodness of Southern Chicken and Waffles pairs perfectly with a side of Tomato Bacon Jam. From savory classics like Louisiana Red Beans and Rice to show-stopping desserts like Peach Cobbler Pound Cake and Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle, this slideshow has all the Southern flavors to make you want to skip straight to the table. So, why not start with a big scoop of Best Southern Corn Pudding and see where the flavor takes you?

Cafe Du Monde Beignets Recipe

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Powdered sugar pastries from New Orleans.
Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Cafe Du Monde Beignets bring the iconic New Orleans treat right to your kitchen! Soft, fluffy, and dusted with just the right amount of sweetness, these deep-fried wonders are perfect alongside a hot cup of coffee or milk—making any time of day feel like a celebration.

GET THE RECIPE: Cafe Du Monde Beignets Recipe

Deep Fried Pork Chops

Fried pork chops on a wire cooling rack.
Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Deep-Fried Pork Chops bring the taste of Grandma’s southern kitchen straight to your plate. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these golden-brown beauties are pure comfort food—timeless, satisfying, and full of flavor.

GET THE RECIPE: Deep Fried Pork Chops

How to Cook Black Eyed Peas

A bowl of black-eyed peas over rice with cornbread.
Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Black Eyed Peas with smoked neck bones, onion, bell pepper, and celery is a soulful dish that brings comfort in every bite. Whether you’re celebrating the New Year or craving a cozy meal on a chilly evening, this hearty dish paired with rice is sure to warm both your stomach and your heart.

GET THE RECIPE: How to Cook Black Eyed Peas

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Corned beef hash with a hard-cooked egg on top.
Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs is the breakfast or brunch your taste buds have been waiting for. Tender corned beef and crispy potatoes come together in perfect harmony, all topped off with a sunny-side-up egg. It’s a hearty, satisfying start to your day that’ll leave you craving more!

GET THE RECIPE: Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern Corn Pudding is the ultimate comfort food that’s always ready to impress. This golden-baked, creamy dish pairs perfectly with everything from grilled steak to holiday ham, turkey, and green bean casserole, making it the perfect side for any gathering. Warm, savory, and simply irresistible!

GET THE RECIPE: Corn Casserole

Tomato Bacon Jam

A jar with a chunky, reddish-brown mixture and a white spoon inside, resting on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: To Simply Inspire.

Tomato Bacon Jam is your new secret weapon in the kitchen! Sweet tomatoes meet smoky bacon, with a dash of onions and garlic, creating a rich, savory spread that’s perfect for jazzing up burgers, sandwiches, or even a simple cracker dip. Ready to add a burst of flavor to your next meal?
GET THE RECIPE: Tomato Bacon Jam

a red plate, piled with Butter Pecan Cookies
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Butter Pecan Cookies are a sweet trip down memory lane, with a perfect balance of buttery goodness and crunchy pecans. Fresh out of the oven, these soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are the ideal summer snack to satisfy those nostalgic cravings. Ready to bite into a classic treat that feels like home in every bite?

GET THE RECIPE: Butter Pecan Cookies

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Layers of banana pudding, Nilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding is the ultimate Southern treat that’s as simple as it is delicious. This no-bake, make-ahead dessert layers creamy vanilla pudding, sweet bananas, Nilla Wafers, and Cool Whip for a dessert that’s a crowd-pleaser every time. Whip it up in no time and enjoy the classic comfort of this timeless dish!

GET THE RECIPE: Banana Pudding

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Red beans stewed in a pot with sausage.
Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice brings the bold flavors of Creole cuisine straight to your plate. With tender red kidney beans, smoky ham hock, andouille sausage, and a medley of bell pepper, celery, and onion, this dish is packed with all the right spices. Served over fluffy white rice, it’s a hearty, soul-satisfying meal that will transport you to the heart of Louisiana.

GET THE RECIPE: Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

A cake topped with peach pieces, brown sugar crumble, and drizzled with white icing.
Photo Credit: Chenée Today.

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake is the best of both worlds, blending a rich, buttery pound cake with a topping of juicy peaches and cinnamon. This Southern summer dessert is the perfect balance of sweet and comforting—serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for a truly irresistible treat!
GET THE RECIPE: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Southern Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and waffles on a plate with syrup and fresh fruit.
Image Credit: Cooks With Soul.

Southern-Style Chicken and Waffles are the ultimate flavor duo! Crispy, seasoned fried chicken tenders meet fluffy buttermilk waffles with golden, crispy edges for the perfect bite every time. Add a drizzle of spicy maple syrup or top it with fresh fruit for a touch of extra deliciousness!

GET THE RECIPE: Southern Chicken and Waffles

Alabama White Sauce

A spoon lifting creamy, pepper-speckled dressing from a mason jar.
Photo Credit: Dishes with Dad.

Alabama White Sauce is a tangy, creamy Southern BBQ sauce that brings a whole new level of flavor to your grilled chicken or veggies. Its mayonnaise base gives it a smooth texture, while the bold kick keeps things interesting—perfect for making your next BBQ a memorable one.
GET THE RECIPE: Alabama White Sauce

Southern Strawberry-Coconut Punch Bowl Cake

A layered dessert in a glass bowl with whipped cream, strawberries, nuts, and coconut flakes, topped with fresh strawberries.
Photo Credit: The Kitchen is My Playground.

Punch Bowl Cake layers moist cake, fresh strawberries, and creamy coconut pudding for a cozy winter treat. The blend of flavors and textures makes it a perfect dessert for any January gathering, sure to satisfy a crowd craving comfort and sweetness.
GET THE RECIPE: Southern Strawberry-Coconut Punch Bowl Cake

Brown Sugar Cake

A round, glazed bundt cake with a golden brown exterior and drip glaze topping is displayed on a clear surface.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen.

Brown Sugar Cake brings all the cozy, comforting vibes of a classic pound cake. This dense, moist bundt cake is made with brown sugar, vanilla, and a touch of tangy buttermilk, then topped with a rich, buttery caramel glaze—perfect for indulging any time of day, whether for dessert or breakfast!

GET THE RECIPE: Brown Sugar Cake

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!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *