Southern Cooking at Its Best 20 Recipes for Every Occasion

Southern cuisine is all about bold flavors, comforting dishes, and recipes that bring people together. This collection of 20 Southern-inspired recipes features everything from savory classics like Smothered Pork Chops and Jambalaya to sweet treats like Sweet Potato Pie and Butter Pecan Cookies. Whether you’re in the mood for hearty fare like Biscuits and Sausage Gravy or something lighter like Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets, these recipes showcase the best of Southern cooking. Perfect for family meals or special occasions, these dishes deliver warmth and soul in every bite.

Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Chicken

This Oven Fried Chicken is a healthier and simpler twist on the famous Nashville Hot Chicken. Coated in cornflakes, baked in the oven, and topped with a deliciously sweet and spicy honey butter sauce, this chicken dinner is sure to be a hit with everyone!

Get The Recipe: Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Chicken

Southern Double Crusted Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler

ie-canva_free__studio_philippines-chapati_flour-2655979 — Image Credit: Half Baked Harvest

Southern Double Crusted Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler: inspired by Abby Fisher, one of the first Black cookbook authors… here’s my friendly twist on her classic recipe!

Get The Recipe: Southern Double Crusted Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler

Spicy Southern Style Shrimp

Spicy Southern Style Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo…made all in one skillet, simple, quick cooking, and so delicious!

Get The Recipe: Spicy Southern Style Shrimp

Brown Sugar Cake

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

Feeling a bit bored with the usual bundt cake? Let me introduce you to this Brown Sugar Bundt Cake that’s sure to shake things up! With its dense, tender crumb bursting with rich brown sugar flavor, it’s a warm hug for your taste buds. And don’t forget the buttery caramel glaze on top—it’s the perfect finishing touch! This cake is a delightful adventure that you definitely don’t want to miss out on. So grab your apron and get ready to make something truly special!

Get The Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

Sweet Potato Pie

You’re going to love this southern sweet potato pie recipe! It brings together the earthy goodness of roasted sweet potatoes, all sweetened with brown sugar and warm spices, all tucked into a flaky, buttery crust. It’s a delightful treat that’s perfect for gatherings or just a cozy night in. Give it a try and let your kitchen fill with those amazing aromas!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Smothered Chicken

This smothered chicken recipe is so easy to whip up, whether you choose the stove or a slow cooker! It’s all about those tender chicken thighs swimming in a delicious gravy that’s perfect for all you comfort food lovers out there!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

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 trick you – this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is packed with rich chocolate goodness! Plus, it’s the moistest cake we’ve ever made, which is why it’s a total fan favorite!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

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

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Legs

Grilled Chicken Thighs & Legs on a serving dish — Image Credit: Mypointofview

Craving some delicious grilled chicken without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place! Chicken thighs and legs are budget-friendly cuts that pack a punch of flavor. This recipe is super easy, featuring a simple marinade and a tasty sauce that will leave your taste buds singing. Get ready to enjoy juicy, mouthwatering results—perfect for any day of the week! Dive in and savor the goodness!

Get The Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs and Legs

Cream Cheese Corn

Feeling the urge for some classic comfort food with a fun twist? Dive into this Stovetop Cream Cheese Corn recipe! This luscious take on creamed corn whips up in just 20 minutes, making it the ideal quick and easy side dish for any occasion—especially holiday gatherings. Your taste buds will thank you!

Get The Recipe: Cream Cheese Corn

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: Easy Crab Cakes

Close-up image of pecan cookies stacked on each other. The cookies are golden-brown and studded with whole pecans, displaying a crunchy texture and some coarse sugar sprinkled on top. The photo highlights the delicious, freshly baked appearance of the cookies. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This classic Butter Pecan Cookie recipe whips up 18 melt-in-your-mouth treats, perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying all by yourself!

Get This Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Country Fried Steak

Three pieces of fried chicken topped with creamy white gravy and garnished with parsley are served on a rustic brown plate. The chicken appears crispy with a golden-brown coating, and the gravy adds a rich, smooth texture to the dish. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak recipe brings a taste of Southern comfort right to your kitchen in just 45 minutes! Often called chicken-fried steak, it combines seasoned cube steak with a crispy crust and creamy sawmill gravy for a meal that’s sure to hit the spot.

Get This Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets

A foil packet filled with a shrimp boil, featuring plump shrimp, savory sausage slices, chunks of corn on the cob, and pieces of red potato. The contents are garnished with chopped parsley, bringing a touch of Southern recipes to your meal. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Get ready for a mouthwatering experience with these Shrimp Boil Packets! They’re not only super easy and delicious for summer dinners, but they’re also grilled to keep the heat outside. Picture this: tender shrimp, flavorful sausage, sweet corn cobs, and baby potatoes bursting with seasoning, all cooked together for fantastic flavor and easy cleanup. Dive in and enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets

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

Get ready for a warm bowl of comfort with this Chicken Dumpling Soup! Imagine tender, slow-cooked chicken swimming in a rich, flavorful broth, paired with fluffy dumplings and hearty veggies. It’s the perfect cozy meal that’s not just delicious but also super simple to whip up. This recipe is like a hug in a bowl, inviting you to explore and enjoy the delightful flavors. So grab your ingredients and let’s make a comforting dish that will warm your heart and soul!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with these Shrimp Boil Packets! They’re the summer dinner dream team—easy, delicious, and grilled to keep your kitchen cool while the heat stays outside. Imagine this: succulent shrimp, zesty sausage, sweet corn cobs, and baby potatoes packed with flavor, all mingling together for a taste explosion and zero cleanup drama. Dive in and savor the flavor—your taste buds will thank you!

Get The Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Apple pie bars lined up on a counter top. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

You can tell it’s peak apple season in the South when Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars start popping up in bakeries and coffee houses!

Get This Recipe: Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

A plate of golden-brown biscuits covered in creamy sausage gravy, garnished with black pepper. The flaky biscuits and rich gravy with chunks of sausage embody the essence of Southern recipes, presented on a blue dish with a detailed rim. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Dive into Biscuits and Gravy – the breakfast comfort that gets you out of bed faster than an alarm clock! Imagine this: buttery, flaky homemade biscuits topped with a creamy sausage gravy that’s so simple, even your morning coffee is jealous!

Get The Recipe: Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

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 just got better! These juicy pork chops are easy to make—practically cooking themselves! Picture them soaking up a rich onion and mushroom gravy. A sprinkle of melted cheese ties it all together. This comforting classic is perfect for busy nights, offering a delicious homemade meal with little fuss. Get ready to savor every bite!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Jambalaya

This timeless Southern recipe is a protein party featuring plump shrimp, juicy chicken, and sassy sausage! Toss in some wholesome rice and a colorful array of veggies, and you’ve got a flavor fiesta that’ll have your taste buds dancing to the zesty Cajun beat!

Get The Recipe: Jambalaya