25 Southern Recipes That Stick to Your Ribs and Stay in Your Heart

Get ready to dig into the comforting flavors of the South with these old-fashioned Southern recipes! From crunchy fried chicken to sweet, gooey pecan pie, every dish brings a taste of tradition right into your kitchen. They’re perfect for family get-togethers, holidays, or anytime you want a little extra comfort on your table.

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Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies are crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and so easy to make at home that you’ll skip the restaurant version.

Get the recipe: Hush Puppies

Mexican 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 little treats rolled in powdered sugar, making them look like sweet little snowballs that melt in your mouth. Also called Pecan Sandies.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Wedding Cookies

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 a flavorful Southern tradition, especially popular on New Year’s but great anytime.

Get the recipe: Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

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 Recipe is a quick and comforting dish that’s packed with rich flavors and perfect for an easy weeknight meal.

Get the recipe: Southern Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

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

Rice Pudding is creamy, sweet, and full of cozy cinnamon and vanilla flavors, making it a classic dessert everyone will love.

Get the Recipe: Rice Pudding

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 lucky and tasty dish often eaten on New Year’s Day and perfect anytime you want a comforting Southern meal. A must add when talking about classic Southern recipes.

Get the recipe: Black Eyed Peas and Rice

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread is so moist, soft, and delicious that you’ll want to bake two loaves because the first one disappears fast.

Get the recipe: Banana 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 a creamy, flavorful side dish made even better with fluffy potatoes, pickles, and fresh herbs.

Get the recipe: Country-Style Potato Salad with Eggs

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 is extra crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a seasoned buttermilk flavor that’s unforgettable.

Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry is a crispy, sweet treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert when you’re craving something special.

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, creamy stew packed with oysters, potatoes, and a little sherry to make it extra cozy for cold nights.

Get the recipe: Oyster Chowder

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 fluffy and light, made with just six simple ingredients, and perfect with butter, jam, or gravy.

Get the recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

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 crisp, refreshing blast from the past that’s still a potluck favorite for dessert or a sweet side.

Get the recipe: Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad

Pecan Cobbler

Pecan Cobbler has that perfect mix of crunchy pecans and rich, buttery pastry that makes every bite taste like pure comfort.

Get the recipe: Pecan Cobbler

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 packed with toasted pecans and sweet filling, making it a must-have dessert for holidays and special family dinners.

Get the recipe: Southern Pecan Pie

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 Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans is a hearty, comforting way to turn holiday leftovers into a delicious, cozy meal.

Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans

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 been perfected over time, with a special ingredient that makes it extra delicious.

Get the recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Fluff

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 soft, fluffy, and easy to make, perfect for soaking up gravy or enjoying with a little butter.

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 is a hearty meal where juicy glazed ham meets roasted root veggies for a family favorite.

Get the recipe: Oven Baked Ham With Potatoes And Carrots

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 turns simple ingredients and fresh sweet potatoes into a rich, delicious dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any day. Be sure to add this one to your collection of Southern recipes.

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are rich and creamy thanks to a simple trick of simmering them with cream and butter before mashing.

Get the recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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 that classic, buttery dessert that’s dense, soft, and full of rich flavor, just like grandma used to make.

Get the recipe: Pound Cake

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

Ultimate Southern Fried Chicken is the kind of crispy, golden goodness with juicy meat inside that makes it the best weekend treat ever. Perfect for those looking for classic Southern recipes.

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.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is the perfect fall snack, full of warm pumpkin flavor and sweet chocolate chips, great for chilly mornings.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Apple Hand Pies

Apple Hand Pies are adorable little pockets of sweet apple pie filling wrapped up in flaky crust, perfect for grabbing and going. This dessert makes a great addition to your collection of Southern recipes.

Get the recipe: Apple Hand Pies