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Southern Comfort Food Done Right 17 Down-Home Recipes

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Southern cooking is all about rich flavors, hearty meals, and a whole lot of comfort. This collection of 17 Southern recipes features iconic dishes like smothered pork chops, creamy mashed sweet potatoes, and chicken dumpling soup. From crispy buttermilk onion rings and Southern fried okra to sweet treats like lemon pound cake and apple fritters, these recipes celebrate the best of Southern tradition. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a holiday gathering, these dishes bring warmth, hospitality, and plenty of deliciousness to your table.

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

These mouthwatering, tender chops are pure perfection, nestled among a bounty of maple-glazed autumn pears that taste like the essence of fall!

Get The Recipe: Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Top view of apple crumble bars with a brown sugar oat topping, arranged in a grid. Slices reveal an apple and cinnamon filling with scattered pecans. A cinnamon stick and apple sit beside, evoking warm Southern cuisine vibes perfect for an autumnal feast.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Apples and caramel – a match made in heaven, wouldn’t you agree? Go ahead and chuckle if you like, but we’re not shy about admitting it: we’re completely obsessed with homemade salted caramel. Believe us when we say, it’s an absolute game-changer!

Get The Recipe: Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Few things can rival the irresistible aroma of crispy onion rings sizzling in the kitchen. These Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings are more than just a side dish—they’re a golden, crunchy bite of Southern comfort that takes any meal to the next level.

Get The Recipe: Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

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

Lemon Pound Cake

A sliced lemon pound cake with icing and lemon zest.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This lemon pound cake sings with citrus! Infused with both lemon juice and zest, it’s incredibly moist and buttery, with a burst of sunshine in every bite. The finishing touch? A delightful lemon glaze that ties it all together.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake

Hamburger Rice

A close-up of a dish featuring rice mixed with ground meat, mushrooms, and garnished with fresh parsley. Sliced carrots and pieces of cooked vegetables are visible on a green plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty hamburger and rice recipe comes together in a flash, bursting with flavor and using just a few dishes. With tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and a sprinkle of magic (okay, fine, it’s just some yummy seasonings), this meal is sure to satisfy any busy night!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Deep Fried Pork Chops

deep fried pork chops with cabbage and sweet potato
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Take a delicious trip down memory lane with these irresistibly crispy, golden deep-fried pork chops—a classic straight from Grandma’s southern kitchen that’s sure to make your taste buds dance!
Get the Recipe: Deep Fried Pork Chops

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Green bean casserole with bacon being served with a spoon.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty Green Bean Casserole with Bacon recipe is the ultimate side dish, featuring a creamy sauce and a crunchy topping.

Get The Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A dish of mashed sweet potatoes topped with butter and ground black pepper.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These mashed sweet potatoes are a flavor explosion! Creamy, smooth, and packed with a delightful buttery taste, they’re the perfect way to elevate any meal.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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

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

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

A close-up of a creamy, baked dish of make-ahead mashed potatoes with a golden brown top. A serving spoon is scooping out a portion, revealing the smooth texture beneath the crispy surface.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are smooth, creamy, and buttery, bursting with rich flavor from Yukon Gold potatoes and real butter. They’re a great way to make any meal feel special, all without the last-minute rush!

Get The Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Hog Maws

Hog maws in a white bowl with a spoon on it and a plate with red pepper flakes next to it
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Hog maws are a true Southern comfort food! Slow-cooked to perfection with savory bell peppers and onions, every bite is tender, flavorful, and downright irresistible. Simple to make, yet bursting with homemade goodness—this is Southern cooking at its best!

Get the Recipe: Hog Maws

Smothered Pork Chops

A plate of mashed potatoes and pork chops smothered in mushroom gravy, served with a side of steamed broccoli, reminiscent of classic smothered pork chops.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

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

Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn

cooked fried corn in a slow cooker.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Whip up mouthwatering southern fried corn effortlessly in your slow cooker! With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a delicious dish ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn

Southern Fried Okra

A small plate with a pile of fried okra on it.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Fried Okra is lightly seasoned and fried to crispy, golden perfection. It’s a classic Southern favorite that’s just as great as a snack, appetizer, or side dish!

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Okra

Chicken Dumpling Soup

A creamy Southern recipe featuring artichoke hearts, carrots, celery, and strips of chicken. The ingredients are garnished with fresh herbs and immersed in a thick sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Chicken Dumpling Soup is a comforting dish featuring tender, slow-cooked chicken in a rich broth, fluffy dumplings, and hearty veggies. It’s delicious and easy to make, offering a warm and inviting meal that will nourish your heart and soul.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

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