20 Unforgettable Southern Dishes You Need to Try

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Forget everything you thought you knew about Southern food. It’s no longer just about classics like fried green tomatoes and collard greens. A new generation of chefs is taking center stage, reimagining traditional ingredients with innovative twists. Buckle up for a culinary adventure with creative techniques that inspire even the most novice home cook.

Cream Cheese Corn

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Craving a familiar favorite with a delightful upgrade? Look no further than this Stovetop Cream Cheese Corn! This recipe transforms classic creamed corn into a luxuriously creamy side dish with a touch of cheesy goodness. It comes together in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect quick and easy addition to any meal, especially holiday gatherings where everyone will be begging for seconds.

Get The Recipe: Cream Cheese Corn

Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

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Cornbread bliss awaits! These Easy Homemade Corn Muffins are a textural dream. Golden-brown, crusty exteriors give way to moist and tender crumb, all bursting with irresistible cornbread flavor. They’re so simple to make, you’ll be enjoying them warm from the oven in no time!

Get The Recipe: Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

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Forget fancy desserts – down South, nothing spells comfort quite like Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding. This layered masterpiece features creamy, homemade vanilla pudding, Nilla Wafers for a delightful textural contrast, and a cloud of fluffy whipped cream.

Get The Recipe: Banana Pudding

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

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Dinnertime hero alert! This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Moist, tender, and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect centerpiece for any occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – dress it up with your favorite glazes or sauces, or keep it classic for a timeless taste.

Get The Recipe: Traditional Meatloaf

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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Take a trip down memory lane with this Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake! It’s a timeless recipe delivers a stunning, moist cake perfect for any celebration. Don’t be intimidated by the name – with just a handful of everyday ingredients, you’ll be whipping up the BEST old-fashioned pound cake you’ve ever tasted. This easy batter transforms into a masterpiece that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Pound Cake

Best EVER Chicken Wings

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Get ready for wing night – redefined! This recipe unlocks a world of flavor possibilities for your favorite finger food. Choose from oven-baked, air-fried, or grilled – each method delivers crispy perfection with a unique twist. So grab your favorite dipping sauce and prepare to experience chicken wings like never before!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Wings

Carolina BBQ Sauce

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Ditch the boring bottled stuff! Authentic Carolina BBQ sauce boasts a complex, tangy flavor with a hint of mustard, perfect for serious grill masters. This isn’t just a sauce, it’s the missing ingredient that unlocks the full potential of your grilled creations.

Get The Recipe: Carolina BBQ Sauce

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole

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Calling all gravy lovers! Prepare to be amazed by this easy recipe for Bob Evans’ famous sausage gravy. Packed with rich, savory flavor, it’s the perfect topping for your breakfast casserole. And the best part? You only need a few ingredients and minutes to create this breakfast game-changer.

Get The Recipe: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

One Pot Sausage and Rice

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This one-pot Sausage and Rice is a flavor-packed masterpiece! Smoky, savory sausage meets sweet, colorful bell peppers and fluffy, tender rice in a dish that’s bursting with bold spices and just the right amount of heat. Every bite is a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice

Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

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Ditch the bland, embrace the grand! Johnny Cakes are a Southern staple – homemade cornbread pancakes bursting with flavor. Savor the delightful contrast of crisp edges and a fluffy, cornbread-like center. It’s a taste sensation that’s been passed down for generations, perfect for a breakfast that’s both delicious and satisfying.

Get The Recipe: Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

Grilled Corn On The Cob

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Craving summer’s sweet kiss? Look no further than grilled corn on the cob! This guide unlocks all the secrets to achieving juicy, flavorful perfection, whether you love it on or off the cob.

Get The Recipe: Grilled Corn On The Cob

KFC Fried Chicken Recipe

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Craving that iconic KFC crunch at home? This homemade Kentucky-style fried chicken is the leaked Colonel Sanders’ original 11 herbs and spices recipe.

Get The Recipe: KFC Fried Chicken Recipe (the leaked recipe)

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

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The quintessence of southern comfort food might be this Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin. This cheesy twist on potato gratin takes sweet potatoes to new heights. It’s creamy, rich, and effortlessly steals the spotlight at any table.

Get The Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Legs

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These juicy chicken thighs and legs aren’t your average barbecue fare. Packed with flavor from a delicious marinade, they grill to perfection and get finished with a scrumptious sauce. Get ready to wow your taste buds – this recipe is a must-try for any grilling enthusiast!

Get The Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs and Legs

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer/Not Entirely Average

Craving a taste of the South? Skip the drive-thru and whip up this Country Fried Steak with creamy sawmill gravy – all in your own kitchen in just 45 minutes! Tender, seasoned cube steak gets a golden-fried makeover, then smothered in a rich and comforting white gravy you won’t be able to resist. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that delivers big on flavor and Southern charm.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

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Skip the fancy – sometimes comfort food reigns supreme. This Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy is pure home cookin’ magic. Forget elaborate presentations – every bite bursts with the soul of Southern cooking. Golden-brown, crispy chicken pairs perfectly with fluffy Carolina Gold rice tossed in fresh herbs, all tied together with a rich, satisfying pan gravy. It’s a down-home classic that never goes out of style.

Get The Recipe: Fried Chicken

Pork Burgers

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Sizzle up summer with these smoky, juicy Pork Burgers! Ground pork and crumbled bacon come together for a flavor explosion on a bun. They’re the perfect way to add some variety to your grilling repertoire this season.

Get The Recipe: Pork Burgers

Crispy Skin Chicken Thighs With Bourbon Glaze

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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

Mint Julep Cocktail

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This Mint Julep Cocktail is the perfect way to add a touch of elegance to any gathering, from relaxed barbecues to sophisticated soirées.

Get The Recipe: Mint Julep Cocktail

Smothered Pork Chops

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Weeknight dinners don’t get much better than this! These juicy pork chops practically cook themselves, bathed in a luxuriously rich caramelized onion and mushroom gravy. A quick sprinkle of melted cheese adds the finishing touch to this simple yet satisfying comfort food classic.

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops