19 Southern Dishes That Taste Like Grandma’s Kitchen Perfected

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Southern cooking is more than just food—it’s a warm hug, a trip down memory lane, and a celebration of flavors all in one. This collection of 19 Southern recipes is packed with the rich, comforting dishes that make every gathering feel special. From crispy buttermilk fried chicken to creamy baked mac and cheese, each recipe brings a touch of nostalgia and a whole lot of love to your table. Perfect for Sunday suppers with the family, festive celebrations, or simply treating yourself to some soulful indulgence, these recipes are sure to make every bite unforgettable. Let’s dig in, y’all!

Smoked Oxtail

This smoked oxtail recipe brings together the rich, soulful flavors of Southern barbecue and soul food, delivering melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s tender, smoky, and bursting with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Oxtail

Southern Oxtail Recipe (Authentic Soul Food)

a bowl of ox tails smothered in gravy and rice — Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Southern oxtails are the ultimate comfort food, featuring melt-in-your-mouth tender oxtail simmered in a rich, flavorful brown gravy packed with bell peppers and onions. Served over a bed of fluffy rice, this classic soul food dish is a hearty, delicious staple that warms the soul with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Oxtail Recipe (Authentic Soul Food)

Smothered Chicken

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

One Pot Sausage and Rice

A plate of sausage and rice featuring Southern Recipes flair, with rice, sausage, peppers, tomatoes, and green onions garnished with herbs. A fork is placed to the side on a white surface. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This one-pot Sausage and Rice is a flavor-packed masterpiece! Smoky, savory sausage meets sweet, colorful bell peppers and fluffy, tender rice in a dish that’s bursting with bold spices and just the right amount of heat. Every bite is a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice

Southern Style Chicken and Waffles

Three plates of waffles with fried chicken and a small dish of maple syrup and hot sauce. — Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Southern-style chicken and waffles bring the perfect combo of crispy, juicy buttermilk fried chicken tenders and fluffy, golden buttermilk waffles. It’s comfort food at its finest—simple, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible!
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken and Waffles

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 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

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread with Pecan Caramel Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate treat: sweet, sticky, pull-apart cinnamon roll monkey bread made with soft, buttery canned cinnamon roll dough, all smothered in a rich, homemade pecan caramel sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread with Pecan Caramel Sauce

Slow Cooker Chicken Dumpling Soup

A close-up of Chicken Dumpling Soup in a pot showcases chunks of chicken, dumplings, sliced carrots, and chopped parsley in a creamy broth. A ladle and spoon are artfully placed inside the pot. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready for a cozy bowl of Chicken Dumpling Soup! Picture tender, slow-cooked chicken in a rich, flavorful broth, paired with fluffy dumplings and hearty veggies. It’s the perfect comfy meal that’s not only delicious but super easy to make. This recipe is like a warm hug in a bowl, inviting you to dig in and enjoy all those delightful flavors. So gather your ingredients, and let’s whip up a comforting dish that’ll warm your heart and soul!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Southern Fried Okra

A small plate with a pile of fried okra on it. — Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Crispy, golden, and downright irresistible—Fried Okra is a Southern classic that’s seasoned to perfection and fried to crunchy, golden-brown bliss. Whether you’re serving it up as an appetizer or a side, this delicious dish is guaranteed to steal the spotlight!
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Okra

Apple Fritters

Indulge in fluffy, crispy Apple Fritters bursting with fresh apples, aromatic spices, and a mouthwatering apple glaze! With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up this perfect homemade treat that will delight your taste buds and warm your heart. Don’t miss out on this deliciousness!

Get The Recipe: Apple Fritters

Southern Smothered Chicken Thighs with Gravy and Rice

These smothered chicken thighs are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Slow-cooked in rich, savory brown gravy and served over fluffy white rice, they’re the ultimate comfort food—perfect for turning any Sunday dinner into a feast to remember.
Get the Recipe: Southern Smothered Chicken Thighs with Gravy and Rice

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

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

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

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

A basket filled with crispy fried chicken pieces, reminiscent of the finest chicken cutlet recipes, and golden French fries on patterned paper. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Craving the ultimate Buttermilk Fried Chicken? This recipe doesn’t just compete—it dominates. Think juicy, flavor-packed meat thanks to a tangy buttermilk marinade, wrapped in a golden, perfectly spiced crust that shatters with every bite. This isn’t just fried chicken; it’s the fried chicken that leaves all the others in the dust.

Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken

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

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

A thick slab of praline cheesecake with an apple pie bottom. — Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake is a versatile masterpiece, blending smooth bourbon flavors with crunchy pecans. Perfect for any occasion, it impresses guests and satisfies your sweet tooth, epitomizing Southern charm and elegance.

Get The Recipe: Praline Cheesecake

Homemade Banana Pudding

Three mason jars filled with banana pudding, topped with meringue, are surrounded by ripe bananas. The jars include layers of pudding and wafers, and the meringue is lightly toasted. A striped cloth napkin is partially visible. — Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Indulge in the timeless charm of Homemade Banana Pudding—a classic Southern dessert that layers sweet, ripe bananas, creamy homemade custard, crunchy Nilla wafers, and a cloud of light, fluffy meringue. It’s comfort food at its finest!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Banana Pudding