19 Southern Dishes Grandma Would Serve with a Smile

3 days ago 9

Southern cooking is a treasure trove of flavors, memories, and pure comfort. This collection of 19 Southern recipes is all about sharing the warmth and heart of the South, one dish at a time. From the golden crunch of fried catfish and the buttery goodness of peach cobbler cheesecake to the savory satisfaction of turnip greens and crab cakes, every recipe is steeped in tradition and love. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, celebrating with friends, or simply craving a taste of home, these dishes bring the soul of Southern cuisine straight to your table. Roll up your sleeves—it’s time to savor the magic!

Crispy Skin Chicken Thighs With Bourbon Glaze

Four pieces of glazed, crispy chicken in a white bowl, coated with a shiny, brown sauce.

Indulge in the irresistible Crispy Skin Chicken Thighs with Bourbon Glaze! Juicy, golden-crisp chicken topped with a bold, smoky bourbon sauce—perfect for a quick, flavor-packed dinner that will leave everyone craving more.

Get The Recipe: Crispy Skin Chicken Thighs With Bourbon Glaze

Turnip Greens

Dive into these authentic Southern Turnip Greens, packed with rich soul food flavor! Braised to perfection with smoky turkey meat and simmered in a savory pot liquor, they’re irresistibly tender and silky—comfort food at its finest.
Get the Recipe: Turnip Greens

Okra and Tomatoes

This classic southern dish of okra and tomatoes is bursting with flavor and makes the perfect side. It’s quick, easy, and sure to bring a taste of comfort to your table!
Get the Recipe: Okra and Tomatoes

Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia in small clear bowls with whipped cream and a cherry on top with a pink napkin in the background.

An Ambrosia Salad is a classic Southern treat that’s as delicious as it is nostalgic! Packed with juicy pineapple, sweet mandarin slices, vibrant maraschino cherries, fluffy marshmallows, and a generous swirl of creamy Cool Whip, it’s the perfect mix of fruity, fun, and indulgent. Perfect for any gathering or just because!
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad

Super Crispy Pan Fried Fish

Golden-brown pan fried fish fillets are neatly arranged on a white plate, showcasing their crispy texture. A wedge of lemon is placed beside them, adding a splash of color to the dish.

Treat yourself to the ultimate weeknight dinner with perfectly crispy, golden pan-fried fish—ready to savor in just 20 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Super Crispy Pan Fried Fish

Apple Fritters

Indulge in fluffy, crispy Apple Fritters bursting with fresh apples, aromatic spices, and a mouthwatering apple glaze! With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up this perfect homemade treat that will delight your taste buds and warm your heart. Don’t miss out on this deliciousness!

Get The Recipe: Apple Fritters

Easy Crab Cakes

Three Crab Cakes on a plate with lemon wedges and a fork next to it.

This recipe lets you whip up incredible crab cakes with fresh, flavorful ingredients at home. It’s surprisingly easy – just mix it up, pan-fry it, and enjoy a customizable, restaurant-worthy meal that’ll leave you happy and satisfied.

Get The Recipe: Crab Cakes

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Original gooey butter cake slice with a bite on it with slices in white background with powdered sugar on top

This St. Louis classic, Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, is pure dessert perfection! With a chewy blondie-like base and a rich, custardy cream cheese topping that practically melts in your mouth, it’s the ultimate indulgence you won’t be able to resist.
Get the Recipe: Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

One Pot Sausage and Rice

A vibrant one pot recipe, this sausage and rice is a feast for the senses, boasting sliced sausage, rice, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and chopped green onions. The dish is presented in a white pot with a ladle ready to serve up deliciousness.

This one-pot Sausage and Rice is a delicious symphony of flavors! Smoky, savory sausage pairs perfectly with sweet, vibrant bell peppers and tender, fluffy rice, all brought to life with a bold blend of spices that pack just the right kick of heat.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice

Salmon Croquettes

These Southern Salmon Croquettes are a soul food classic you’ll crave again and again! Tender, flaky salmon packed with bold flavors and aromatics on the inside, wrapped in a perfectly crisp, golden crust on the outside. Every bite is pure comfort and downright irresistible!
Get the Recipe: Salmon Croquettes

Fried Potatoes and Onions

Tender potatoes and onions are fried until crispy in a pan infused with bacon and garlic. Simple yet incredibly satisfying.

Get The Recipe: Fried Potatoes and Onions

Honey Glazed Ham

A close-up of a glazed ham being sliced with a serrated knife. The ham has a shiny, caramelized outer layer with a pink, juicy interior. The knife has just cut through a small portion, revealing the tender inside.

This glazed ham recipe is sweet, tangy, and savory. The ham is scored and baked with a mouth-watering glaze made with brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, mustard, pineapple juice, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and ground cloves.

Get The Recipe: Glazed Ham

Oven Fried Fish

This oven-fried catfish recipe is bursting with bold, Southern flavor and a kick of spice! Enjoy all the crispy goodness you love without the guilt of deep frying. Plus, it’s so versatile—you can use it with other types of fish too. Give it a try and bring a little Southern charm to your table!
Get the Recipe: Oven Fried Fish

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

A moist chocolate bundt cake with chocolate frosting on a plate.

Don’t let the name scare you off—this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is a game changer! Packed with deep, rich chocolate flavor and unbelievably moist, it’s no wonder this recipe is a fan favorite. One bite, and you’ll see what all the hype is about!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Cream of Crab Soup

A bowl of creamy crab soup with chunks of crab meat and slices of potato, garnished with fresh herbs, served with crackers on the side.

This creamy soup is a bowl of pure comfort, packed with tender crab meat, velvety potatoes, and a burst of flavor in every spoonful. Smoky bacon, rich seafood stock, and a touch of briny clam juice come together to create a hearty dish that warms your soul and leaves you craving more.

Get The Recipe: Cream of Crab Soup

Peach Cobbler Cheesecake

Indulge in the ultimate dessert fusion with this Peach Cobbler Cheesecake! Creamy New York-style cheesecake meets the rich, comforting flavors of Southern peach cobbler, complete with caramelized peaches and a buttery, golden crumble. It’s a slice of pure heaven!
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Cheesecake

Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Delicious Keto Shrimp and Grits with a rich sauce ready to serve

This Keto Shrimp and Grits recipe brings bold flavors to your plate with perfectly seasoned cajun shrimp in a rich, savory sauce, all served over creamy, low-carb cauliflower “grits.” Indulge in this classic southern comfort dish without compromising your goals!
Get the Recipe: Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Mississippi Pot Roast

A close-up of a savory dish featuring tender, slow-cooked beef served over creamy mashed potatoes. The beef is garnished with fresh parsley and is accompanied by a rich, flavorful gravy that seeps into the mashed potatoes - perfect for those who love slow cooker recipes.

Ready in no time, this melt-in-your-mouth Brown Sugar Mississippi Pot Roast is a perfect balance of tender, savory, and sweet flavors that will have you coming back for more! It’s not just a meal—it’s an experience calling your name!
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

Sweet Potato Pie

Every bite of this sweet potato pie bursts with warm, comforting flavors—vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of nutmeg. The filling is irresistibly rich, silky, and oh-so-creamy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

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