Southern Recipes That Will Have You Coming Back for Seconds

Southern cooking is all about comfort, flavor, and tradition, and these 31 irresistible recipes bring the best of the South straight to your kitchen. These classic Southern dishes are perfect for any occasion, from crispy fried chicken and creamy mac and cheese to rich barbecue and homemade cornbread. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or just craving a hearty meal, these recipes satisfy your soul and leave you wanting more. Get ready to enjoy the comforting, bold flavors of the South with this collection of must-try dishes!

Turkey & Ham Pot Pie

A serving spoon over the turkey and Ham pie with a scoop of the pie in the spoon — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Turkey and Ham Pie combines tender turkey, savory ham, sweet leeks, and fresh herbs encased in a flaky puff pastry. Perfect for transforming leftovers into a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish.

Get The Recipe: Turkey and Ham Pie

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

Homemade BBQ Baked Beans

These Baked Beans are addictive! Tender white beans and crispy bacon get cozy in a sweet, tangy sauce bursting with flavor. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your next potluck or party!

Get The Recipe: Hom emade BBQ Baked Beans

Split Pea and Hamhock Soup

A bowl of hearty pea and ham soup featuring chunks of ham, diced carrots, and garnished with fresh parsley. The soup has a creamy consistency and a comforting appearance. Beside the bowl, slices of toasted bread are arranged on a ceramic plate—perfect for comfort food recipes. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This awesome Split Pea and Ham Soup recipe is super easy to whip up using a ham bone or ham hocks. You can cook it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop too!

Get The Recipe: Split Pea and Ham Soup

Chicken Corn Chowder

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Look no further than this Chicken Corn Chowder. This simple recipe combines juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and sweet corn in a rich and comforting broth – a delicious one-pot meal that’s sure to warm you from the inside out.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

Chili Con Carne

Dive into a pot of pure comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

A pan with brussels sprouts and bacon in a cream sauce. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Bacon makes everything better, and these Brussels sprouts are no exception! Indulge in a creamy side dish that’s bursting with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Cream of Crab Soup

A close-up of a ladle holding a creamy soup with chunks of vegetables and bacon, designed to warm your soul. The dish is garnished with chopped herbs, perhaps parsley. A bowl of this comfort food is partially visible in the background. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This creamy soup combines tender crab meat and soft potatoes, with each spoonful exploding with flavor from smoky bacon, rich seafood stock, and a hint of briny clam juice. It’s a satisfying, hearty dish that truly comforts.

Get The Recipe: Cream of Crab Soup

Easy Oven Fried Chicken

A plate of crispy, golden-brown fried chicken pieces is shown, epitomizing Southern Comfort Foods. The chicken appears to be seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, giving the exterior a textured and flavorful crust. The background is blurred out, drawing focus to the appetizing chicken. — 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

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

A hearty beef stew in a pot, featuring chunks of tender beef and braised short ribs, sliced carrots, whole mushrooms, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. The rich, dark broth adds a comforting warmth to the beautifully presented dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This outstanding recipe for Braised Boneless Short Ribs produces unbelievably succulent beef that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the epitome of comforting, heartwarming cuisine!

Get The Recipe: Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Cream Cheese Corn

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

Potato Leek Soup

Who says you need cream for a creamy soup? This recipe utilizes leeks, potatoes, and butter to create a surprisingly silky texture without any dairy. It’s a simple and wholesome option packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

Pan Seared Brined Pork Chops

A close-up view of a skillet containing juicy, seared pork chops—a classic Southern comfort food. Each chop is garnished with a sprig of fresh thyme, and the center chop has a melting pat of butter on top. The edges are browned, and whole garlic cloves are scattered around. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Savor the delightful crunch of these juicy Pan Seared Pork Chops! Crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor, they’re incredibly easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress every time.

Get The Recipe: Pan Seared Brined Pork Chops

Lemon Chicken Rice Bake

A spoonful of chicken and rice being scooped from a blue pan. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe turns your oven into a flavor factory. Juicy chicken thighs nestle on a bed of lemony garlic rice, all baking together for a stress-free and delicious weeknight dinner.

Get The Recipe: Baked Chicken and Rice

Yellow Split Pea and Bacon Soup

A bowl of soup, with Bacon and vegetables in it — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy the delicious taste of split pea soup without the meat! This recipe uses savory bacon for a smoky depth of flavor without compromising on a vegetarian diet. It’s a hearty and satisfying soup option that’s full of flavor and easy to prepare.

Get The Recipe: Yellow Split Pea and Bacon Soup

Carolina BBQ Sauce

A spoon dipping into barbecue sauce. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Unlock the secrets of authentic Carolina BBQ! This tangy sauce explodes with mustardy goodness, adding a zesty kick to anything you grill. From pulled pork to burgers, it’s the perfect flavor bomb for your next barbecue.

Get The Recipe: Carolina BBQ Sauce

Apple Upside Down Cake

A golden brown upside-down cake with neatly arranged slices of caramelized apples on top. The glossy finish indicates a sugary glaze, making it an appealing and tempting dessert. Ideal for those exploring new dessert recipes, the cake appears moist and is likely freshly baked. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty Apple Upside Down Cake recipe makes a perfect holiday centerpiece. It’s a fruity cake with a hint of cinnamon—such an indulgent treat!

Get The Recipe: Apple Upside Down Cake

Lemon Pound Cake

Lemon perfection made easy! This buttery pound cake gets a vibrant citrus twist with the addition of lemon juice and zest. Topped with a simple lemon glaze, it’s a foolproof recipe packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake

Salisbury Steak

Whip up a delightful and comforting meal with our fantastic Salisbury Steak recipe, ready in 30 minutes. Ideal for hectic weeknights, this dish is bound to become a beloved family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Texas Sheet Cake

This classic Texas sheet cake is super rich and moist, topped with a delicious chocolate frosting loaded with pecans. These tasty treats are perfect for serving a crowd and are sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake

Pork Burgers

a pork burger topped with Caramelized Onions — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Want a burger that’s bursting with flavor? Try these amazing Pork Burgers! Grill ’em up for a smoky twist, sear them on the stove for a quick fix, or toss them in your favorite appliance—these versatile patties are down for whatever your hunger throws their way.

Get The Recipe: Pork Burgers

Smothered Pork Chops

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

Super Crispy Pan Fried Fish

Golden-brown pan fried fish fillets are neatly arranged on a white plate, showcasing their crispy texture. A wedge of lemon is placed beside them, adding a splash of color to the dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in the ease of whipping up this incredible weeknight dinner featuring incredibly crispy pan-fried fish, all ready in just 20 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Super Crispy Pan Fried Fish

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

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Dive into timeless cheesy bliss! This creamy baked mac and cheese is surprisingly simple to make yet guaranteed to be a family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Homemade Potato Salad

A close up image of potato salad in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Don’t stress about side dishes this summer! This recipe for homemade potato salad is here to save the day. With its combination of creamy potatoes, tangy pickles, and a flavorful dressing, it’s a simple yet satisfying choice for any barbecue or potluck.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Potato Salad

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

Macaroni Salad

Creamy and tangy, this classic macaroni salad combines tender pasta with a flavorful dressing, making it a hearty side dish for any summer gathering.

Get The Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

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

Fried Potatoes and Onions

Tender potatoes and onions are fried until crispy in a pan infused with bacon and garlic. Simple yet incredibly satisfying.

Get The Recipe: Fried Potatoes and Onions

Smothered Chicken

Close-up of a rich, creamy curry dish with chunks of chicken, garnished with chopped green herbs. The sauce is thick and velvety, dotted with pieces of onion, evoking a hearty and flavorful appearance reminiscent of Southern food comforts. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This smothered chicken recipe can be whipped up on the stove or in a slow cooker. It’s got tender chicken thighs in a tasty gravy that’s just perfect for comfort food fans!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken