If you made a resolution to cook more and take out less this year, we think this collection of Southern recipes is the best place to start. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite dishes that will take you from breakfast to dinner, plus snacks, appetizers, and drinks that are always needed when company’s coming. Cooking your way through this list throughout 2024 will help you revisit vintage classics, such as Pineapple Casserole, Skillet Cornbread, and Fried Green Tomatoes. You might even discover new family favorites and sharpen your cooking skills. After all, we’ve never heard of a time when someone could turn town a slice of Tomato Pie or scoop of cobbler, no matter the fruit.
Whether you’re whipping something up for the next potluck or planning a dinner party, you’ll always be able to count on these classic Southern recipes for making mealtime feel more like home. It’s time for some comfort cooking, y’all!
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Just as the name implies, once you make these little bites you’ll never stop dreaming about them. These are also just the thing to make ahead because they freeze (you guessed it!) like a dream.
We took your grandmother’s tomato pie recipe and updated it with gorgeous heirloom tomatoes and a homemade Parmesan-Buttermilk Crust. It’s almost too pretty to eat. Please note that we said almost.
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This Appalachian staple is something you’ll want to add to your dinner rotation. The creamy pinto beans are best paired with some chow chow and cornbread.
Yes, you love chicken salad, but maybe this year, you’ll make it totally from scratch (no rotisserie chicken this time!). It’s many people’s go-to recipe for a reason, so get to it!
We’ve shared a whole bunch of our favorite shortcuts to recipes, but there is one recipe where anything but homemade simply won’t cut it. From the meringue topping to the pudding, everything (except for the vanilla wafers of course) is made from scratch, and that’s just how we like it.
The word “casserole” might usually fall onto deaf ears if you have a household full of picky kiddos, but that won’t be the case with this Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole. This dish uses kid-friendly ingredients like ground beef, noodles and cheese to make a comforting dinner.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This pie was inspired by a Chattanooga-favorite, the MoonPie. It’s got a perfectly sticky marshmallow meringue and a chocolate filling that is sure to bring a smile to every chocolate lovers face.
You know that Southerners have a gift for putting together dishes that never dissapoint. Mama loved this salad, and the best part is that there’s no cooking required.
Everyone will love eating their okra when it takes on a fry-like texture. Even the die-hard okra haters can’t eat just one.
We know that during certain times of year, you see this classic cake in every single grocery store and bakery, but you can make it yourself, too. We added some pecans to give that cream cheese filling a little bit of a punch.
This nostalgic recipe can be served over Texas toast or buttermilk biscuits. The best part is that you can store your Chipped Beef in the fridge for up to four days.
This classic snack requires just five ingredients, but it’s the ultimate Southern appetizer. To get the classic cheese straw look be sure to use an old-fashioned cookie press.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
We’d eat almost anything if it was covered in this creamy, peppery gravy—but this crispy-fried cube steak is a crowd-pleaser for a reason.
Just when you thought a Deviled Egg couldn’t get any better, we did this. If you want to bring Deviled Eggs to your next gathering but you want everyone to be wowed, bring these and just watch all those jaws drop to the floor.
Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, this 1960s cake offers a sweet surprise in each bite with a ribbon of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Traditionally, this cake uses a classic yellow cake mix, but we decided to give you our own recipe.
When shopping for this recipe, round roast or brisket are both good choices. This is a dinner that keeps on giving. Turn your leftovers into a delicious po-boy or just enjoy this dish again for dinner later in the week.
From a summer barbecue to Thanksgiving dinner, this nostalgic casserole belongs on your menus. You can also customize this versatile dish to your taste or diet.
Ham, cheese, and potatoes are a winning combination that can be served as a side or main dish. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
A colorful cocktail will be your new favorite way to enjoy watermelon on a hot summer day. All you have to do is find some a ripe melon at your grocery store, farmers’ market or beloved roadside stand.
Think of this decadent cake as a taste of the tropics for your cake stand. The canned crushed pineapple filling gives this recipe a true Southern flair.
This foolproof breakfast casserole recipe is a favorite in our recipe boxes. Just be sure to drain the sausage well so it doesn’t get too greasy.
Martina McBride loves making, serving, and eating soup, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s the most searched soup in the South and for good reason.
We’ve adapted the recipe for classic potato salad to fit newer kitchen appliances while still delivering the same delicious flavor. Of course, we add hard boiled eggs to give it that extra Southern flair, too.
Forgo reaching for a store-bought dip and serve this homemade recipe at your next tailgate. The hardest thing you have to do is caramelize the onions and they’re oh-so worth it.
German Chocolate Cake originated in Dallas in the 1950s and has continued to appear in Southern homes since. It’s the Coconut-Pecan Frosting that really puts this dessert into a league of its own.
If you’re in search of a kid-friendly dinner recipe, we’ve got you covered with this casserole. It’s cowboy and kiddo approved.
Your cast-iron skillet, plus ingredients like mustard and Worcestershire sauce, will give your homemade burgers more flavor than we ever thought possible. Before you put those patties down, fry some bacon and onions so the skillet’s well seasoned and ready for your burgers.
We gave old-school chicken pot pie a speedy weeknight upgrade with puff pastry and your handy skillet. It’s just as dreamy as it looks.
Iain Bagwell
We’re big on small Southern heros like the Field Pea, and this refreshing hummus is perfect for those sweltering summer nights. And yes, that’s ham hock you see as garnish.
Get acquainted with the Dutch baby, because it’s going to be your new favorite Saturday morning brunch treat. It’s one pancake that can feed your whole family, and that sounds pretty impressive to us!
Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd. These boiled peanuts will make you feel like you’re in the stadium stands, munching on your favorite ballpark snack.
Southern-favorite sorghum and pecans star in this sweet breakfast recipe that your guests will love. This recipe uses premade frozen bread dough, which makes it even more appetizing to us.
If you need a make-ahead breakfast to serve a crowd, trust us and make this one. The light, butter croissant perfectly compliments any and all the ooey, cheese goodness you throw at it.
You can enjoy this Southern classic casserole at brunch or dinner. It also comes together in just about an hour, perfect for busier weekend mornings.
Whether for a potluck or busy weeknight supper, this comforting casserole uses pantry staples that you probably have on hand. Just make sure you’re stocked up on cheese!
This vintage pie recipe is so delicious, we think it will live on forever. Originally created as a “make-do dessert” this nostalgic treat is a welcome surprise all year long.
When the holidays roll around, surprise guests with this twist on pecan pie that’s anything but boring. A swirl of cinnamon and some ground ginger really make the pecans shine.
If you like vintage recipes, this cold pasta salad is reminiscent of popular layered salads of the past. It was practically made for those hot summer days when the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove.
Your grandmother might have a recipe for classic Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake, but wait until you introduce the family to this on-the-go version. To make these cookies super easy, we used boxed chocolate cake mix.
Emily Laurae / Southern Living
Baby Red Potatoes are basically the little engine that could. The spuds can transform any everyday meal into a delicious one, but we think this will be your new favorite way to eat them.
Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel
We Southerners take our soup pretty seriously, but this easy, short-cut filled recipe has our hearts. It’s a no-fuss recipe that deserves all the praise.
Fried catfish is a Southern mainstay, but we lightened it up by oven “frying” it and pairing it with a light slaw for a tasty Southern taco. Don’t worry, we still soak the catfish in buttermilk before breading.
Cozy up on a cold winter’s night with a Southern classic (no matter where you think the recipe was born). In this version, we use a whole chicken and barbecued pork.
One you master the recipe, this classic candy will become a holiday staple. It’ll quickly become the only thing you want for Christmas every year.
Who knew only butter, milk, eggs, and sugar could taste so good thrown together in a pie? The gooey, sweet result speaks for itself.
It’s the staple on Sunday suppers for a reason. If you’ve been intimidated by this classic protein in the past, we essentially hold your hand throughout this entire recipe. We know you can do it!
There’s a high chance that a cobbler of any sort is in every Southerner’s recipe tin, but we have to say, there’s not quite anything like a warm bowl of Peach Cobbler on a summer evening.
Take this recipe up a notch by catching your own fish. The addition of yellow cornmeal is our secret to a crispy, satisfying crust. Serve with lemon and tartar sauce.
Creamy grits provide a contrast to briny shrimp and savory cheese in this beloved Southern dish—we might even say it’s comfort food at its finest.
The secret to success is an unripe tomato—while they aren’t palatable on their own, they’ll hold up much better than a ripe tomato in the fryer. The end result is a hot, crispy, and tangy tomato you won’t be able to get enough of.
It’s a staple on our tables, and no matter the claims elsewhere, we know Southerners do it best. Make sure you heat that skillet in the oven before pouring in the batter to make a crisp, flavorful crust.
With just a few ingredients, you have a sweet, cheesy, crunchy—and slightly unconventional—casserole. Yes, your mama and grandma have been making it for decades one way, but this slightly more up-to-date version is sure to win everyone over.
Trust us when you say you’ll be sipping on this all summer. It’s so simple, made with only four ingredients, and proves that you aren’t messing around when it comes to making a good drink.
Is there anything more beautiful than a rack of ribs? We sure don’t think so. Every minute of preparation for these ribs is worth the wait.
If you’ve never had a slice of our Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake before, bless your heart. This recipe requires skill, but it’s worth making at least once this year.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Dinner that’s made in just one dish is the key to happiness. This isn’t a fancy dish, but it sure is satisfying and that’s all that matters.
Frederick Hardy II; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mat Gibilisco
The secret to the best ever pound cake starts with a cold oven, we’re serious. It’s the recipe developer Ivy Odom’s method to get a more tender crumb.
Every Southerner loves a good tomato sandwich, but we decided to get a little fancy with it. You might know your favorite tomato sandwich combination by heart, but you’ll want to commit this recipe to memory, too.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
The word delight in the title should maybe give you an inkling that this recipe is just that. Erin Napier shared this recipe straight from her grandmother’s kitchen and it has to be on your to-make list this year.
Hannah Zimmerman
Mississippi Pot Roast is loved by Mississippians, but we firmly believe that love should go beyond state lines. With just the right amount of heat from the pepperoncini salad peppers and some ranch dressing mix, this recipe satisfies just about every Southern tastebud.
Yes, yes, your mama made these, but you can, too! Pickling is a big part of Southern life, and these sweet, spiced peaches are the perfect place to start.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Made in the style of the classic Mississippi Roast, chicken is the star in this slow-cooker dish instead, with peppers adding tang and texture.
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch
We upped the ante on this classic appetizer with smoky Alabama-based Conecuh-brand sausage and buttery, flaky puff pastry.
Jennifer Causey
Take your traditional sausage balls to a new level with pimiento cheese.
