20 Southern Recipes to Bring the Whole Crew Together

1. Classic Southern Fried Chicken

Nothing says Southern hospitality like a plate of crispy fried chicken. This dish is perfect for family gatherings and brings the whole crew together with its irresistible flavor.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying
• Instructions:
  • Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least two hours, preferably overnight.
  • In a separate bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Dredge the marinated chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
  • Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
  • Drain on paper towels before serving.

2. Shrimp and Grits

This iconic dish combines savory shrimp with creamy grits, making it a must-serve when you want to impress your guests. It’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup bacon, diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • In a pot, bring water to a boil and add grits. Reduce heat and cook until thickened, stirring frequently.
  • Stir in cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and pepper.
  • In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy, then add shrimp and cook until pink.
  • Serve shrimp over a bed of cheesy grits.

3. Southern Collard Greens

Collard greens are a staple side dish in Southern cooking, providing a delicious and nutritious complement to any meal. They’re often seasoned with smoked meat for added flavor.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds collard greens, washed and chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 smoked ham hock or bacon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
  • Add collard greens, chicken broth, and ham hock. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about an hour until greens are tender.
  • Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4. Biscuits and Gravy

Fluffy biscuits smothered in rich sausage gravy make for a filling breakfast or brunch that your crew will love. It’s comfort food at its finest!

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 2 cups milk (for gravy)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk until just combined.
  • Roll out dough and cut into biscuits. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
  • In a skillet, cook sausage until browned. Stir in milk and simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve gravy over warm biscuits.

5. Jambalaya

This one-pot wonder is packed with rice, spices, and your choice of proteins, making it a flavorful dish that can feed a crowd. Jambalaya is a perfect dish for gatherings!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound sausage, sliced
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cups long-grain rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• Instructions:
  • In a large pot, brown the sausage. Add onion and bell pepper, cook until soft.
  • Add rice and stir to coat. Pour in chicken broth and Cajun seasoning.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until rice is tender.
  • Stir in shrimp and cook until pink.

6. Cornbread

Soft, buttery cornbread is an essential accompaniment to many Southern meals. Whether served warm with honey butter or as a side, it’s sure to please.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • In another bowl, combine milk, melted butter, and eggs. Stir into dry ingredients until just combined.
  • Pour batter into a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

7. Pecan Pie

No Southern gathering is complete without a slice of pecan pie. This sweet, nutty dessert is a favorite that everyone will want to try.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pie crust, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Fit the pie crust into a pie dish.
  • In a bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, and melted butter.
  • Stir in pecans, then pour filling into the crust.
  • Bake for 60-70 minutes until set. Cool before slicing.

8. Southern Style Green Bean Casserole

This creamy, comforting dish is a classic Southern side that pairs perfectly with any main course. It’s especially popular during holiday gatherings.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup French fried onions
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Blanch green beans in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain.
  • In a bowl, mix soup, milk, salt, and pepper. Combine with green beans.
  • Transfer to a baking dish and top with French fried onions.
  • Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

9. Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

This dessert is a Southern classic that layers creamy vanilla pudding with fresh bananas and Nilla wafers. It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 box vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 box Nilla wafers
  • 4 bananas, sliced
  • 1 cup whipped cream
• Instructions:
  • Prepare pudding mix according to package instructions. Allow to cool.
  • In a large dish, layer Nilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding.
  • Repeat layers, finishing with pudding. Top with whipped cream before serving.

10. Chicken and Dumplings

This hearty dish is a comforting favorite that’s perfect for family dinners. It features tender chicken and fluffy dumplings in a savory broth.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • In a pot, boil the chicken until cooked through. Remove and shred the meat.
  • Add chicken broth and seasonings to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
  • In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, milk, salt, and pepper to form a dough.
  • Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering broth and cook until dumplings are fluffy.
  • Add shredded chicken back into the pot before serving.

11. Sweet Tea

No Southern meal is complete without a glass of sweet tea. This refreshing beverage is a staple in Southern homes and is perfect for gatherings.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 tea bags
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups cold water
• Instructions:
  • Boil water and steep tea bags for about 5 minutes.
  • Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until dissolved.
  • Add cold water and chill before serving over ice.

12. Deviled Eggs

These bite-sized treats are a popular appetizer at Southern gatherings. They’re easy to make and can be customized with various toppings.

• Ingredients:
  • 6 hard-boiled eggs
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Paprika for garnish
• Instructions:
  • Slice eggs in half and remove yolks. Mash yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
  • Fill egg whites with the yolk mixture and sprinkle with paprika before serving.

13. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This BBQ favorite is perfect for feeding a crowd. Slow-cooked pulled pork served on a bun with coleslaw makes for a delicious, satisfying meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 pounds pork shoulder
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Hamburger buns
  • Coleslaw (optional)
• Instructions:
  • Rub pork shoulder with your favorite seasoning and slow-cook for 8 hours until tender.
  • Shred the pork and mix with BBQ sauce.
  • Serve on hamburger buns with coleslaw if desired.

14. Peach Cobbler

This classic dessert is a must-try when peaches are in season. With its buttery crust and sweet filling, it’s the perfect way to end a Southern meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups sliced peaches
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, combine peaches and sugar.
  • In a bowl, mix flour, milk, baking powder, and melted butter. Pour over peaches.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

15. Chicken and Waffles

This unique combination of savory and sweet is a Southern breakfast favorite. Crispy chicken served on a fluffy waffle is a delicious treat any time of day.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 cup waffle mix
  • Syrup for serving
• Instructions:
  • Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 2 hours. Dredge in flour and fry until golden.
  • Prepare waffles according to package instructions.
  • Serve chicken on top of waffles with syrup drizzled over.

16. Hush Puppies

These deep-fried cornmeal balls are a popular side dish, especially with fried fish or seafood. They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Oil for frying
• Instructions:
  • In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, onion, egg, and buttermilk until combined.
  • Heat oil in a skillet. Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown.
  • Drain on paper towels before serving.

17. Grits and Greens

This dish combines creamy grits with sautéed greens, making for a wholesome and filling meal that embodies Southern comfort food.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup grits
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups collard greens, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • Cook grits according to package instructions, adding salt.
  • Sauté onion in a skillet, add greens, and cook until wilted.
  • Serve greens over grits with additional seasoning if desired.

18. BBQ Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce are a must for any Southern feast. These are perfect for summer cookouts or special occasions.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 racks of ribs
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Rub ribs with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  • Wrap ribs in foil and bake for 2-3 hours until tender.
  • Brush with BBQ sauce and grill for a few minutes before serving.

19. Red Beans and Rice

This hearty dish is a staple in Southern cooking, especially in Louisiana. It’s comforting, filling, and incredibly flavorful.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound red beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • In a pot, sauté onion and bell pepper until soft. Add drained beans and chicken broth.
  • Simmer until beans are tender, about 1-2 hours. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve over cooked rice.

20. Key Lime Pie

This tart and creamy dessert is the perfect ending to a Southern meal. With its refreshing lime flavor, it’s a favorite during the warmer months.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pie crust, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup key lime juice
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • Whipped cream for topping
• Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix lime juice, condensed milk, and egg yolks.
  • Pour mixture into the pie crust and bake for 10-15 minutes.
  • Cool before topping with whipped cream.

These 20 Southern recipes are sure to bring the whole crew together, whether for a casual family dinner or a festive gathering. With their rich flavors and comforting textures, each dish tells a story of Southern tradition and hospitality. Embrace the warmth of Southern cooking and create lasting memories around the table with these delightful meals.