17 Soul-Warming Southern Comfort Food Recipes

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Southern cuisine is all about hearty, comforting dishes that bring people together with bold flavors and rich traditions. This collection of 17 Southern recipes includes everything from crispy chicken with Carolina gold rice and scratch pan gravy to indulgent desserts like Kentucky butter cake and apple bottom bourbon pecan cheesecake. Whether you’re making smothered pork chops, slow cooker black-eyed peas, or homemade BBQ baked beans, these dishes offer a taste of the South that’s sure to satisfy.

Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches

Indulge in the sweet, southern charm of peach cobbler made with frozen peaches and a golden lattice pie crust. This effortless dessert is bursting with flavor and pairs perfectly with a scoop of creamy ice cream. Treat yourself—you deserve it!
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A plate of breaded and fried chicken cutlet topped with brown gravy sits on a bed of white rice. The dish is garnished with chopped fresh herbs and accompanied by a sprig of parsley. A striped yellow and white napkin is placed beside the plate on a wooden table. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

There’s nothing more comforting than breaded cutlets fried to golden perfection and served with savory pan gravy. Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy is pure Southern goodness.

Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken

Meatloaf With Creamy Onion Gravy

Austin’s own Chef Andrew Curren, known for his work at the iconic 24 Diner, takes his mom’s classic Meatloaf to the next level. Paired with rich, Creamy Onion Gravy, this elevated comfort dish has food lovers coming back for more—and earning standing ovations along the way.

Get The Recipe: Meatloaf With Creamy Onion 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 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

Brown Sugar Cake

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

Tired of the ordinary bundt cake? This Brown Sugar Bundt Cake offers a delightful twist. A dense, tender crumb bursts with rich brown sugar flavor, then gets crowned with a decadent buttery caramel glaze. It’s a flavor adventure you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

Cream of Crab Soup

A bowl of creamy crab soup with chunks of crab meat and slices of potato, garnished with fresh herbs, served with crackers on the side. — 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

Ham and Egg Casserole

A slice of ham and cheese casserole being lifted with a spatula, showing the layered interior, garnished with herbs. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Creamy eggs and savory ham join forces with a rich, cheesy blend, sprinkled with fresh green onions for a delightful brunchtime treat.

Get The Recipe: Ham and Egg Casserole

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

Hamburger and Rice

This savory hamburger and rice recipe comes together quickly, packing tons of flavor without dirtying many dishes. Tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and a touch of magic (okay, maybe some delicious seasonings) make this a satisfying meal for any busy night.

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Baked Blackened Salmon and Grits

baked blackened salmon fish and grits — Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Transform your dinner with this classic Southern fish and grits recipe! Perfectly baked blackened salmon meets rich, creamy, buttery grits for a mouthwatering meal ready in under 30 minutes. Delicious comfort food made easy!

Get the Recipe: Baked Blackened Salmon and Grits

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Black eyed peas in a white slow cooker with a wooden spoon in it. — Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

These southern-style black-eyed peas are a comfort food classic, slow-cooked to perfection with smoky ham, crispy bacon, and savory onion. Packed with flavor and hearty goodness, they’re the ultimate easy meal that feels like a warm hug in every bite!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Pan Seared Pork Chops

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

Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

This Southern Kentucky Butter Cake is pure magic. With the irresistible flavor of nutty, rich browned butter, this moist and decadent pound cake is in a league of its own. Get ready to experience a dessert like no other!
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

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

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

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Get ready for a show-stopping dessert—Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake! Creamy, tangy cheesecake meets a luscious caramel apple layer, all crowned with a rich praline pecan topping. Every bite is a flavor explosion you won’t forget.

Get The Recipe: Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Smothered Chicken

A close-up of a plate with grilled chicken, caramelized onions, and white rice, garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon is drizzling a golden-brown sauce over the chicken, creating a savory and appetizing presentation. This easy chicken dinner idea is sure to impress every time on your marble-like surface. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This smothered chicken recipe is super easy to make, whether you use the stove or a slow cooker. It’s all about those tender chicken thighs swimming in a tasty gravy that’s just right for comfort food lovers!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken