Southern Kitchen Essentials: 23 Recipes You’ll Love to Make

Southern cooking is all about comfort, tradition, and bold flavors that stick with you. From crispy fried chicken to creamy shrimp and grits, these dishes are staples that have been passed down through generations. They bring people together, whether it’s a big family dinner or a simple weekday meal. Each recipe is packed with the kind of taste that makes you want seconds. These 25 Southern favorites offer a little bit of everything, so you can enjoy a full spread of classic flavors anytime.

Southern Collard Greens With Bacon

This Southern Collard Greens with Bacon recipe is an easy and healthy side dish that will bring you good luck on New Year’s Day and all year!
Get the Recipe: Southern Collard Greens With Bacon

Buttermilk Cornbread

This buttermilk cornbread has a soft and tender crumb that is slightly sweet. Southern style cornbread is easy for everyday or holidays meals.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Cornbread

Cracker Barrel Copycat Country Style Green Beans

If copycat restaurant recipes could get awards for being dead ringers, this recipe for Cracker Barrel Copycat Country Style Green Beans would take the prize. Canned green beans simmered with smokey bacon and onion until they are super tender make an awesome addition to any holiday table, weeknight dinner, or weekend feast!
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Copycat Country Style Green Beans

Speckbohnen (German Green Beans)

You’d be surprised a couple simple additions brighten up plain beans, but that’s exactly the case with these speckbohnen, German green beans. A tasty, easy side.
Get the Recipe: Speckbohnen (German Green Beans)

Crispy Crunchy Mustard Fried Chicken Wings

Crispy Mustard Fried Chicken Wings: Zesty marinade meets golden crunch. The ultimate game day treat, bursting with tang & unforgettable flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Crunchy Mustard Fried Chicken Wings

Southern Tomato Pie

This savory southern tomato pie is layered with fresh sliced tomatoes, topped with a cheesy herb mayonnaise mixture and baked to perfection!
Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe

If you love Shrimp Creole, you need to try this easy and delicious recipe! You’ll be sitting down to eat in less than 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe

Seriously Tasty Classic Coleslaw (10 Minutes!)

Creamy and crunchy classic coleslaw makes a great salad side dish for a party or a crunchy topping for sandwiches. Make it in 10 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Seriously Tasty Classic Coleslaw (10 Minutes!)

Seafood, Chicken And Sausage Gumbo

This authentic gumbo recipe uses a traditional roux with shrimp, oysters, chicken and sausage for a Louisiana gumbo recipe you’ll love. Classic Cajun food.
Get the Recipe: Seafood, Chicken And Sausage Gumbo

Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice

Enjoy a taste of New Orleans in under an hour with Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice with zesty andouille sausage, red beans, Creole Trinity and Cajun spices.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice

Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops: iconic soul food dish of flavorful pork chops braised in a rich & savory onion gravy until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. (GF)
Get the Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Southern Pot Roast

If you’ve been looking for a Southern Pot Roast recipe that’s well seasoned and produces a meaty, melt-in-your-mouth dish. You’ve found it.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pot Roast

The Best Cheese Grits Recipe

Take your traditional grits recipe up a notch with these easy and creamy Cheese Grits that are secretly so easy to make!
Get the Recipe: The Best Cheese Grits Recipe

Sausage and Bean Soup

Craving soup to warm your bones this winter? Try this easy Sausage and Bean Soup for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes. It’s full of protein, spices, and vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Bean Soup

Two Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

This easy Two Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef Brisket will be a dinner home run. Cooking brisket in the slow cooker with salsa verde makes the meat tender and juicy.
Get the Recipe: Two Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

The Best Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

With a perfectly seasoned, golden brown coating and mouthwatering toppings, this fried chicken sandwich is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more. Don’t settle for ordinary, elevate your sandwich game with this finger-licking deliciousness! Once you’ve tried this crispy chicken sandwich, you might will definitely prefer it to the fast food version.
Get the Recipe: The Best Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole

It’s filled with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and topped with a sweet, crunchy oatmeal topping. Drizzle it with maple syrup, and you have a winning side dish. 

Get the recipe: Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole

Gluten Free Corn Casserole

You don’t have to give up classic comfort food just because you are gluten free. This Gluten Free Corn Casserole is a simple side dish that will be a hit on your Thanksgiving or Christmas table and no one will know it’s gluten free.  

Get the recipe: Gluten Free Corn Casserole

Mississippi Pot Roast 

This Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe is the most tender, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth beef roast recipe and is made with only five ingredients. This is the best beef pot roast recipe ever and is slow cooked in a crockpot.

Get the recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast 

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This White Grilled Chicken Chili recipe is adapted from my sister-in-law’s recipe. She made her version of this soup for us when we were visiting years ago. It’s easy, comforting and full of flavor.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Saucy shredded Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is fall-apart tender with minimal effort. This easy recipe is a weeknight favorite whether plated or on a bun. So get out the CrockPot, a few ingredients, & in 3 hours dinner is done!

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Delicious Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

This air fryer honey mustard pork chops recipe is the latest recipe I’ve made and it’s so good! This 30 minute meal is perfect after a busy day at work. Making a tasty honey mustard pork chop sauce is super-easy too!
Get the Recipe: Delicious Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Air Fryer Bacon Loaded Cornbread Pudding – Corn Casserole

Bacon loaded cornbread pudding pairs with everything from chicken to ham or steaks. It’s a wonderful potluck dish and this is the best corn casserole I’ve made. It’s easy to put together this air fryer cornbread pudding made with Jiffy cornbread mix.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Loaded Cornbread Pudding – Corn Casserole