25 Best Southern Recipes for a Cozy Family Gathering

These classic Southern recipes bring the warm and comforting taste of home cooking to your table. You will find everything from main dishes to sweet desserts that are full of tradition. They are perfect for a big family dinner or a simple meal any day of the week. Each dish is made to be satisfying and delicious. Get ready to enjoy some real down-home cooking that everyone will love.

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Ultimate Southern Fried Chicken

A plate of crispy fried chicken drumsticks garnished with herbs and coarse salt, served with a lemon wedge on the side. — Southern Fried Chicken. Photo Credit Curry Trail

This Ultimate Southern Fried Chicken has a super crispy coating and juicy meat inside. It is a classic meal that is always worth the wait.
Get the recipe: Ultimate Southern Fried Chicken

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Pumpkin Chocolate Chipe Bread sliced and on a cooling rack. — Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Moist and full of flavor, this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is a tasty snack. It is great when it is fresh from the oven or lightly toasted.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Country-Style Potato Salad with Eggs

A bowl of creamy potato salad garnished with parsley and sprinkled with paprika, placed on a white surface next to a plaid napkin, a silver spoon, and a gray plate. — Country-Style Potato Salad with Eggs. Photo credit: Sense and Edibility

Country-Style Potato Salad with Eggs is loaded with tender potatoes and a creamy dressing. The pickles and herbs give it a tangy flavor that is perfect for cookouts.
Get the recipe: Country-Style Potato Salad with Eggs

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread is a moist and delicious treat packed with ripe bananas. The melty chocolate chips make it a great snack for breakfast or anytime.
Get the recipe: Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Sweet Potato Pie

A pumpkin pie on a white plate with three slices cut out. The pie is topped with swirls of whipped cream and sprinkled with chopped pecans. A pie server is partially visible next to the plate. — Sweet Potato Pie. Photo credit: I Heart Eating

Sweet Potato Pie is a smooth and creamy dessert with warm spices like cinnamon. It is a classic Southern treat that tastes like home.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

A glass mug filled with a creamy dessert topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. The dessert appears to contain raisins and is placed on a wooden board with some scattered cinnamon powder around. — Arroz con Leche. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Arroz con Leche is a sweet and comforting rice pudding made with milk and cinnamon. It is a simple dessert that is even better when served warm.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Leche

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

A close-up of several golden-brown biscuits stacked on a white marble surface. The biscuits look fluffy and have a slightly crisp, textured exterior. — Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: I Heat Eating

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits are light, fluffy, and have a rich, buttery taste. They are perfect with jam, gravy, or just a pat of butter.
Get the recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Wedding Cookies (or Pecan Sandies)

Mexican wedding cookies served on a white plate with out cut in half. — Mexican Wedding Cookies. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Mexican Wedding Cookies are buttery and crumbly and rolled in powdered sugar. The chopped pecans inside add a nice little crunch to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Wedding Cookies

Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken

A plate lined with white paper holds several pieces of golden-brown, crispy fried chicken, showing a variety of drumsticks and breasts. — Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken. Photo credit: CopyKat

Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken has a golden and crispy outside with juicy meat. The buttermilk marinade keeps it tender and full of flavor.
Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry is a flaky treat filled with sweet strawberries and creamy cheese. It is a delicious choice for breakfast or for dessert.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry

Oyster Chowder

A pot of creamy soup with herbs and croutons sits next to a bowl of the same soup, garnished with croutons and served with a slice of bread. A dark plaid napkin is beside the plate on a wooden table. — Oyster Chowder. Photo credit: Art of Natural Living

Oyster Chowder is a rich and creamy soup with tender oysters and potatoes. A splash of sherry gives it a special depth of flavor.
Get the recipe: Oyster Chowder

Southern Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

A black skillet filled with cooked shrimp in a reddish, saucy mixture garnished with herbs, surrounded by small bowls of salt and sliced green onions on a light surface. — Southern Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe. Photo credit: Curry Trail

Southern Style Shrimp and Grits features plump shrimp over a bed of creamy, cheesy grits. This dish is quick to make but tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Get the recipe: Southern Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Southern Pecan Pie

A baked pecan pie with a golden crust sits on a white cloth. The pie is topped with neatly arranged pecans in a circular pattern. Pieces of pecan and a handwritten note are nearby on a light-colored surface. — Southern Pecan Pie. Photo credit: In Kristas Kitchen

Southern Pecan Pie is a sticky-sweet dessert packed with toasted pecans. The flaky crust holds the gooey filling for a perfect slice every time.
Get the recipe: Southern Pecan Pie

Pound Cake

A golden bundt cake arranged on a white plate, garnished with fresh strawberries and blackberries around the edge. Forks and a red-striped napkin are visible in the background. — Pound Cake. Photo credit: A Farm Girls Kitchen

Pound Cake is a dense, buttery, and simple dessert that always satisfies. A slice tastes great with a cup of coffee or some fresh berries.
Get the recipe: Pound Cake

Pecan Cobbler

Pecan Cobbler is a gooey and nutty dessert that is full of rich flavor. The buttery crust soaks up the sweet syrup, making it hard to resist.
Get the recipe: Pecan Cobbler

Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies are little fried cornmeal bites that are crispy outside and soft inside. They are a great side for seafood or barbecue meals.
Get the recipe: Hush Puppies

Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans

A black plate filled with a hearty bean stew garnished with fresh green herbs. A slice of brown bread rests on the edge of the plate. A metallic spoon is placed on the left side of the plate. The plate is set on a woven placemat. — Old-Fashioned Ham Bone Soup with Beans. Photo credit: The Peasants Daughter.

Old-Fashioned Ham Bone Soup is a hearty and smoky soup made with leftover ham. The beans and vegetables make it a filling and cozy meal.
Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans

Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad

A molded gelatin salad with pineapple chunks and orange pieces sits on a white plate, surrounded by a ring of shredded carrots, with a peach-colored cloth and green leafy garnish nearby. — Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad. Photo credit: Jellojoy

Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad is a cool and refreshing mix of sweet pineapple and shredded carrots. This fun side dish is always a hit at gatherings.
Get the recipe: Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad

Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

A plate of cooked black-eyed peas mixed with leafy greens and chunks of ham, served in a savory broth. — Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens. photo credit: Savory with Soul

Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens are slow-cooked with smoky seasoning. This classic combo is a tasty side dish that is especially popular for New Year’s.
Get the recipe: Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are soft, buttery, and lightly spiced for a sweet and savory side. They go great with roasted meats or can be enjoyed on their own.
Get the recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Apple Hand Pies

Apple Hand Pies are little pockets of flaky crust filled with spiced apples. They are a perfect on-the-go snack that tastes just like apple pie.
Get the recipe: Apple Hand Pies

Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls

Seven golden-brown, fluffy dinner rolls topped with herbs and coarse salt are arranged on a wooden board. In the background, a bowl of butter with a knife sits on a white marble surface. — Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester

Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls are pillowy soft and have a light, buttery taste. They are a must-have with any meal for sopping up gravy.
Get the recipe: Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls

Oven Baked Ham With Potatoes And Carrots

A plate with slices of glazed ham, roasted potatoes, and a sprig of rosemary, set on a wooden table with a fork and knife. — Oven Baked Ham With Potatoes And Carrots. Photo credit: The Peasants Daughter

Oven Baked Ham With Potatoes And Carrots makes a complete meal in one pan. The juicy ham and vegetables are tied together with a sweet glaze.
Get the recipe: Oven Baked Ham With Potatoes And Carrots

Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Fluff

A sweet potato pie with a slice missing sits on a wooden table next to a white plate holding the removed slice. A blue-and-white striped cloth is nearby. — Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Fluff. Photo credit: Cuisine Travel

Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Fluff has a creamy filling topped with fluffy marshmallow. The mix of textures and flavors makes it a special dessert.
Get the recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Fluff

Black Eyed Peas and Rice

A bowl of white rice topped with black-eyed peas stew, garnished with chopped green onions, and served with a slice of cornbread. A fork and a plate of bread are in the background. — Black Eyed Peas and Rice. Photo credit: Sense and Edibility

Black Eyed Peas and Rice is a simple but flavorful and filling dish. Smoky bacon or ham hock adds that classic Southern taste everyone loves.
Get the recipe: Black Eyed Peas and Rice