22 Southern-Inspired Recipes for Amazing Comfort Food

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There’s something truly magical about Southern cooking—it’s like a warm hug from the kitchen. This collection of 22 Southern-inspired recipes brings all the charm, comfort, and bold flavors straight to your table. From buttermilk biscuits and golden hush puppies to decadent peach cobbler and tangy chess pie, these dishes capture the heart of Southern tradition. Grab your apron and get ready to enjoy a little Southern hospitality, one bite at a time!

Banana Cream Pie

This Banana Cream Pie is dessert heaven! Think layers of sweet bananas, creamy pastry filling, and fluffy whipped topping, all on a buttery homemade crust. It’s the perfect cool, creamy treat that’s equal parts nostalgic and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Banana Cream Pie

Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Homemade Corn Muffins on a cooling rack — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

These Easy Homemade Corn Muffins are a simple recipe that delivers a delightful balance of textures. Enjoy the crusty exterior and the soft, tender interior of these homemade muffins. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side!
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Don’t let the name fool you, this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is incredibly moist and delicious! The mayonnaise creates a light texture and rich flavor that’s enhanced by a decadent ganache drizzle. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Homemade Potato Salad

This creamy potato salad is packed with zesty flavor from pickles, celery, and onions, making it a crowd-pleasing side dish. The addition of hard-boiled eggs and a creamy dressing makes it a classic dish perfect for any occasion. It’s a guaranteed hit at potlucks, barbecues, and family gatherings!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Potato Salad

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

This Green Bean Casserole with Bacon is the ultimate comforting side dish! Fresh green beans are coated in a creamy sauce, topped with a cheesy panko topping, and baked to bubbly perfection. This family-friendly recipe is perfect for any holiday or weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Old Fashioned Apple Spice Pie

This Old Fashioned Apple Spice Pie is a decadent dessert that’s perfect for the holidays. The filling is made with light and dark brown sugar, vanilla, and butter to create a caramel sauce that’s simply delicious. It’s sure to be a family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Spice Pie

Brown Sugar Cake

a brown sugar bundt cake with caramel icing — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Brown Sugar Cake recipe is a moist and flavorful dessert, perfect for any occasion. The buttery caramel glaze adds a touch of decadence to this already heavenly cake. Enjoy a slice with your afternoon coffee or serve it as a show-stopping dessert at your next gathering.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

KFC Fried Chicken Recipe

Fried Chicken on a plate with mashed potatoes — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Craving that classic crispy fried chicken? This KFC-style recipe uses the famous leaked spice blend to create a truly finger-lickin’ experience at home. Get ready for a family-friendly meal that rivals the original!
Get the Recipe: KFC Fried Chicken Recipe

Grilled Corn On The Cob

This grilled corn on the cob recipe provides a complete guide on how to grill corn perfectly. Learn tips and tricks for buying, cleaning, and grilling corn on the stove, grill, or in foil. This recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn On The Cob

Shrimp Boil

A colorful spread of a seafood boil on a tray, featuring shrimp, sausage slices, corn on the cob pieces, and red potatoes. Garnished with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and a sprinkling of seasoning—truly one of the finest Southern recipes. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Shrimp Boil! A beloved Southern dish with tender shrimp, hearty potatoes, tasty sausage, and sweet corn all boiled together in one big pot. Simple, tasty, and a total classic!

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Boil

Southern Tomato Pie

Looking down on several chocolate cookies sitting next to it. One is tilted up and has a bite taken out of it. There are mint sprigs around the cookies. — Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Southern Tomato Pie serves up a buttery crust packed with fresh tomatoes, a velvety custard, and just the right spices. It’s so delicious that you’ll be tempted to dig in with a spoon straight from the pan – but we suggest a plate and a fork for the full experience!

Get the recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

Chess Pie

A slice of custard pie with a golden-brown crust is served on a white plate. The pie, reminiscent of classic Southern recipes, has a lightly browned, crumbly topping and is dusted with powdered sugar. A fork rests next to the slice on the plate, which sits on a gray cloth with green leaves in the background. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

A deliciously rich Southern pie made with simple ingredients, but here’s the kicker – we brown the butter to take the flavor up a notch!

Get The Recipe: Chess Pie

Blackened Shrimp

A white oval plate filled with seasoned, grilled shrimp garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges. A green napkin is partially visible on the left side, and additional lemon wedges are on the right. The background surface appears to be marble—a true delight from Southern recipes. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Tasty Blackened Shrimp – A cajun dish with flavorful shrimp coated in spicy blackened seasoning, pan-fried until lightly charred. Finish it off by drizzling melted butter for a rich, enhanced touch.

Get The Recipe: Blackened Shrimp

Fried Hush Puppies

Close-up of golden brown hush puppies, with one showing a bite taken out, revealing a soft, crumbly inside. The hush puppies are slightly irregular in shape, highlighting their crispy, fried exterior—a classic touch in Southern recipes. — Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

These homemade deep fried hush puppies are such a tasty treat! Using ground cornmeal, the batter is fried until perfectly crispy.

Get The Recipe: Fried Hush Puppies

Lemon Pound Cake

This lemon pound cake sings with citrus! Infused with both lemon juice and zest, it’s incredibly moist and buttery, with a burst of sunshine in every bite. The finishing touch? A delightful lemon glaze that ties it all together.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake

Easy Peach Cobbler

A closeup of peach cobbler with ice cream on top. — Image Credit: Namely Marly

Summer vibes are all about this simple peach cobbler recipe. Picture a crispy crust baked to golden perfection atop fresh peach slices in a sweet, simmering sauce. Enjoy a slice with your fave ice cream – it’s a treat!

Get The Recipe: Easy Peach Cobbler

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Dinnertime hero alert! This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Moist, tender, and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect centerpiece for any occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – dress it up with your favorite glazes or sauces, or keep it classic for a timeless taste.

Get The Recipe: Traditional Meatloaf

Easy Crab Cakes

Three Crab Cakes on a plate with lemon wedges and a fork next to it. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe lets you whip up incredible crab cakes with fresh, flavorful ingredients at home. It’s surprisingly easy – just mix it up, pan-fry it, and enjoy a customizable, restaurant-worthy meal that’ll leave you happy and satisfied.

Get The Recipe: Easy Crab Cakes

Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

A pile of johnny cakes with butter and syrup. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the bland, embrace the grand! Johnny Cakes are a Southern staple – homemade cornbread pancakes bursting with flavor. Savor the delightful contrast of crisp edges and a fluffy, cornbread-like center. It’s a taste sensation that’s been passed down for generations, perfect for a breakfast that’s both delicious and satisfying.

Get The Recipe: Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

Banana Pudding Recipe

A close-up of a dessert bowl containing banana slices, vanilla pudding, round wafer cookies, and whipped cream. This Southern recipe is topped with a garnish of crushed nuts or cookie crumbs. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the dessert's textures and layers. — Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

This yummy old-school banana pudding recipe is great for any occasion! It’s homemade, super creamy, and a breeze to whip up. Your guests will totally dig it when you dish out this dessert!

Get The Recipe: Banana Pudding Recipe

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

A close up of a freshly baked Buttermilk Biscuits in a basket. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Biscuit lovers rejoice! This recipe makes flaky homemade buttermilk biscuits with a golden exterior and a fluffy interior.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Jambalaya

Jambalaya! This awesome southern dish is packed with three proteins – juicy shrimp, chicken, and sausage, all mixed with hearty rice and a colorful mix of veggies. Plus, it’s seasoned with tasty cajun spices.

Get The Recipe: Jambalaya