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Down-Home Delights A Roundup of 19 Southern Favorites

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Southern cooking is famous for its rich flavors, comforting dishes, and cherished traditions. This collection of 19 classic Southern recipes brings the essence of the South right to your kitchen. From savory favorites like Red Beans and Rice and Smothered Chicken to sweet treats like Apple Fritters and Brown Sugar Cake, these dishes are bursting with flavor and soul. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal like Chicken and Dumplings or a comforting dessert like Louisiana Crunch Cake, these recipes will add a touch of Southern hospitality to your table.

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and flavorful. Once you try it, you’ll cherish this recipe forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

Red Rice

A close-up of a delicious shrimp jambalaya dish featuring plump shrimp, sausage slices, rice, diced tomatoes, and green peppers. Garnished with fresh parsley, this vibrant and colorful Southern recipe sits in a white dish next to a striped towel.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Get ready to enjoy this tasty Savannah Red Rice recipe, a real Southern low country treasure! Picture white rice soaked in zesty tomatoes, packed with fragrant and spicy seasonings, plus aromatic garlic and onions. And let’s not forget the tender shrimp and crispy bacon that make it all come together perfectly! This dish will definitely tease your taste buds and keep you wanting more!

Get The Recipe: Red Rice

Country Fried Steak

Country Fried Steak topped with creamy gravy.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Craving a taste of the South? Forget the drive-thru and make this Country Fried Steak with creamy sawmill gravy right in your own kitchen in just 45 minutes! Tender, seasoned cube steak gets a golden-fried twist and is then covered in a rich, comforting white gravy that’s hard to resist. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner that packs a punch of flavor and Southern charm!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Easy Homemade Cornbread

A piece of Cornbread on a plate topped with butter and drizzled with honey
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the extra step! This recipe uses fine cornmeal, eliminating the need to soak and resulting in a light, moist, and delicious homemade cornbread that’s ready in no time.

Get The Recipe: Easy Homemade Cornbread

Easy Crab Cakes

Three Crab Cakes on a plate with lemon wedges and a fork next to it.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

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

Chicken And Dumplings

Chicken And Dumplings
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a delicious gravy and served with fluffy dumplings – the perfect comfort food for those chilly evenings!
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Dumplings

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 fun twist? Dive into this delicious Stovetop Cream Cheese Corn recipe! Creamy and bursting with flavor, this delightful take on creamed corn comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s the perfect quick and easy side dish for any occasion, especially those festive holiday gatherings that bring everyone together!

Get The Recipe: Cream Cheese Corn

Brown Sugar Cake

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

Bored of your usual bundt cake? Say hello to the Brown Sugar Bundt Cake, a delicious twist on a classic! With a dense, tender crumb that explodes with rich brown sugar goodness and topped with a luscious buttery caramel glaze, this cake is a flavor adventure you simply can’t resist! Indulge your taste buds and elevate your dessert game!

Get The Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

Dirty Rice

Close-up of a skillet filled with a savory rice dish, featuring ground meat, diced red peppers, green onions, and cooked rice. A shiny spoon is in the pan, ready to serve the meal.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Craving the star dinner of the week? Your search ends here! Dive into the deliciousness of Dirty Rice, a mouthwatering dish made with fragrant rice, tender meat, and a kick of Creole spices. It’s not just filling; it’s bursting with flavor! Don’t miss out!

Get The Recipe: Dirty Rice

Grillades and Grits

A plate of creamy grits potatoes topped with tender beef strips in a rich, savory gravy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Indulge in tender round steak, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, creamy Creole spiced gravy, all served over luscious, buttery grits. This traditional Louisiana brunch or breakfast delight, Grillades and Grits, is the ultimate Southern-inspired dish that promises to tantalize your taste buds! Enjoy a plateful of comfort and flavor that will transport you straight to the heart of the South!

Get The Recipe: Grillades and Grits

Baked Apple Slices

Caramel is drizzled over ice cream and baked apples.
Image Credit: Namely Marly

You’re going to love this tasty treat! Just top warm, baked apple slices with a big scoop of creamy ice cream and a drizzle of gooey caramel sauce. This dessert is perfect for a cozy night in, bringing together a yummy mix of flavors and textures that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.

Get the recipe: Cozy Baked Apple Slices with Caramel

Red Beans And Rice

A bowl of red beans and rice, garnished with sliced sausage and fresh herbs. A spoon is placed on the side, and a black and white checkered napkin is visible in the background.
Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

Search no more for the ultimate Red Beans and Rice recipe! This dish is a flavor explosion—rich, hearty, and totally satisfying. Picture tender beans paired with perfectly cooked rice and savory, smoky sausage. It’s not just a meal; it’s a delightful experience that will leave you craving more!
Get the Recipe: Red Beans And Rice

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

Apple Fritters

Close-up of glazed apple fritters from My Favorite Recipes, showcasing a glossy, caramelized surface with visible apple chunks and a golden-brown crust.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

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

Classic Ambrosia Salad

A close-up view of a creamy ambrosia salad, showcasing a mixture of marshmallows, mandarin orange slices, pineapple chunks, red maraschino cherries, and grated coconut, all garnished with a fresh mint sprig. A gold-colored spoon is partially visible on the left side—a true staple in Southern recipes.
Image Credit: Salt & Lavender

Indulge in this delightful ambrosia salad recipe—it’s the perfect fusion of coolness, creaminess, sweetness, and refreshing flavors! This iconic American fruit salad captures the essence of summer, whipped up effortlessly in just 15 minutes. Dive into a bowl brimming with vibrant fruits and luscious textures, and savor every delicious spoonful!

Get The Recipe: Classic Ambrosia Salad

Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Topping

A hand is lifting a piece of Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Topping from a baking pan.
Photo Credit: The Cookie Rookie

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this Cheesy, Easy Chicken Pot Pie recipe! Picture this: rotisserie chicken smothered in gooey cheese, all topped with buttery, flaky biscuits. It’s the ultimate cozy winter meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Don’t miss out on this comforting delight!

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Topping

Louisiana Crunch Cake

A close-up of a sliced Bundt cake highlights this delectable dessert with a lemon glaze. The cake is golden brown, featuring a moist, dense crumb as the white glaze drips enticingly down its sides onto the plate. A small slice is missing, revealing its irresistible texture.
Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

You won’t be able to resist diving face-first into this irresistible Louisiana Crunch Cake! With a delightful coconut sugar crust and a moist, tender crumb, this cake is nothing short of amazing! Treat yourself and savor every bite!

Get The Recipe: Louisiana Crunch Cake

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

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

Delight your family with this amazing Salisbury Steak recipe, ready in just 30 minutes! Transform your weeknights into a delicious culinary experience that everyone will love!

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

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