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17 Southern Recipes for Comfort Food Lovers

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Southern cooking is all about comfort, flavor, and tradition, and these 17 classic recipes bring those elements right to your kitchen. From savory BBQ Glazed Chicken Thighs and Easy Oven Fried Chicken to indulgent desserts like Coca Cola Cake and Sweet Potato Pie, this collection has something for every Southern food lover. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal like Salisbury Steak or a sweet treat like Brown Sugar Cake, these dishes are packed with the rich, comforting flavors the South is known for. Get ready to enjoy a true taste of Southern hospitality with these irresistible recipes!

BBQ Glazed Chicken Thighs

Image Credit: The Savory Cipolla

These BBQ Glazed Chicken Thighs are marinated with a tasty dry rub of spices and then brushed twice in the oven with a sweet, savory, and totally addictive glaze. You can grill them outside or cook them in the oven for a quick, easy, and super delicious dinner!

Get The Recipe: BBQ Glazed Chicken Thighs

Coca Cola Cake

A close-up of a slice of moist, chocolate cake with a smooth chocolate frosting, being lifted from a tray. A red soda can is partially visible in the background.

Pop open a can and whip up this Coca Cola Cake! It’s a soft, chocolatey treat topped with rich, fudgy icing—a classic southern dessert made with a not-so-secret ingredient.

Get The Recipe: Coca Cola Cake

Cornbread Casserole

A close-up of a bowl filled with a mixture of bulgur wheat, corn kernels, and small cooked chickpeas. The dish appears grainy and textured, showcasing the different ingredients' yellow and light brown shades.
Image Credit: Noshing With the Nolands

This Cornbread Casserole is a must for any holiday table! Its sweet corn flavor goes great with ham, turkey, chicken, and even roast beef. Plus, it’s a breeze to make ahead, making it the ultimate comfort food!

Get The Recipe: Cornbread Casserole

Salisbury Steak

Close-up of a savory Salisbury Steak covered in a rich mushroom and onion gravy, served in a cast-iron skillet. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs, and the sauce glistens, highlighting the tender meat's juicy texture.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whether you’re following a Keto Diet or simply reducing carbs, this recipe for Low Carb Italian Meatballs offers a delicious gluten-free option.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Easy Tomato Pie

A homemade tomato and basil quiche with two slices missing, topped with fresh basil leaves, displayed on a white plate. The background includes a blue napkin and small wooden bowl with chopped herbs.

This classic Southern tomato pie is a delicious summer staple, stacked with fresh tomatoes, basil, green onion, garlic, and melty cheese, then baked until it’s bubbly and golden.

Get The Recipe: Easy Tomato Pie

Cream Cheese Corn

a close up image of cream cheese corn scattered with chopped fresh herbs.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Craving classic comfort food with a twist? Look no further than this Stovetop Cream Cheese Corn recipe. This creamy twist on creamed corn comes together in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect quick and easy side dish for any occasion, especially holiday gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Cream Cheese Corn

Brown Sugar Cake

A brown sugar bundt cake with caramel icing.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Tired of the ordinary bundt cake? This Brown Sugar Bundt Cake offers a delightful twist. A dense, tender crumb bursts with rich brown sugar flavor, then gets crowned with a decadent buttery caramel glaze. It’s a flavor adventure you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

Oatmeal Apple Crisp

Close-up of a serving of apple crisp, featuring baked apple slices topped with a golden, crispy oat and sugar mixture. The dessert is swimming in a caramel-like sauce, delivering those delicious fall flavors. A fork is placed to the right, partially visible on a white plate—a must-try for apple recipes lovers.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Oatmeal Apple Crisp is just the perfect autumn treat! Picture this: a classic apple filling topped with a crispy, buttery oatmeal layer that takes you right back to your childhood.

Get The Recipe: Oatmeal Apple Crisp

Easy Oven Fried Chicken

A plate filled with crispy, golden-brown southern fried chicken pieces garnished with chopped parsley. The background shows a white marble surface with plates and bowls, suggesting a dining setup.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Craving crispy, delicious fried chicken but short on time and patience? This recipe is your answer! It delivers all the flavor and crunch you love, minus the hassle of deep frying.

Get The Recipe: Easy Oven Fried Chicken

Jambalaya

Image Credit: Cooking Classy

This timeless Southern recipe is packed with three proteins – succulent shrimp, juicy chicken, and savory sausage. Combined with wholesome rice and a vibrant mix of nutritious veggies, it’s a flavor fiesta seasoned with zesty Cajun spices!

Get The Recipe: Jambalaya

Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Freshly baked corn muffins cooling on a cooling rack.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This classic recipe is just the beginning! Easily customize it to your taste with a few simple ingredients. Add a touch of honey for sweetness or a sprinkle of cheese for a savory twist.

Get The Recipe: Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

A moist chocolate bundt cake with chocolate frosting on a plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Don’t let the name fool you – this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is full of rich chocolate flavor! It’s also the most moist cake we’ve ever made, which is why it remains a fan favorite!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Crock Pot Pot Roast

A plate containing shredded sirloin tip pot roast served on top of mashed potatoes, garnished with baby carrots and fresh parsley. The dish is accompanied by a savory brown gravy.

This Crock Pot Sirloin Tip Roast is a delicious slow-cooked meal featuring tender beef, carrots, and onions, all smothered in a rich homemade gravy. It’s perfect for cozy family dinners!

Get The Recipe: Crock Pot Sirloin Tip Roast

Sweet Potato Pie

A close-up of a slice of pumpkin pie being held up with a silver spatula. The pie has a smooth, orange filling and a golden-brown crust, set against a soft-focus background.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Sweet Potato Pie recipe has a rich history of over 100 years, passed down through generations, and it’s so delicious that you’ll find yourself licking the pie tin clean! With its creamy texture and perfectly spiced filling, this pie is a true comfort food that captures the essence of tradition and homemade goodness.

Get The Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Turnip Greens

A close-up of a pot filled with cooked collard greens and pieces of smoked turkey. The greens are dark green and wilted, while the turkey is tender and pink, suggesting a savory, home-cooked dish.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

These tasty Soul Food Turnip Greens are braised in a delicious pot liquor flavored with smoked turkey meat and just the right spices, giving them an incredibly tender and silky texture that’s absolutely amazing.

Get The Recipe: Turnip Greens

Smothered Chicken

A close-up of a plate of smothered chicken covered in a creamy brown sauce with sliced onions, garnished with chopped herbs, and served over a bed of white rice. A fork is partially visible on the right side of the plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This smothered chicken recipe is super easy to make, whether you use the stove or a slow cooker. It’s all about those tender chicken thighs swimming in a tasty gravy that’s just right for comfort food lovers!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

urkey Gumbo with Sausage

A bowl of gumbo featuring shredded chicken, sliced sausage, okra, and a scoop of white rice. The dish is garnished with herbs, set in a savory broth, capturing a hearty and comforting meal.

Turkey Gumbo is a delicious and hearty stew packed with tender turkey and sausage, all served over rice. It’s a great way to use up leftover turkey from the holidays!

Get The Recipe: Turkey Gumbo

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