20 Southern Inspired Recipes to Try This Week

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Southern cooking is all about warmth, comfort, and flavor that sticks with you. This collection brings together everything I love about Southern-inspired recipes—from crispy fried chicken and smoky barbecue to sweet, buttery desserts that feel like home. Whether you’re craving hearty mains, cozy sides, or something sweet to finish, each recipe brings that signature Southern touch with simple ingredients and big flavor. These dishes are made for sharing, savoring, and enjoying around the table with people you love.

Pickle Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich

A hand holding a crispy fried chicken sandwich with lettuce and creamy white sauce on a shiny, golden bun, against a plain white background. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Crispy, juicy, and utterly crave-worthy, this pickle-brined fried chicken sandwich is a flavor explosion! Imagine the perfect balance of tangy, crunchy, and satisfying—all in one glorious bite.

Get The Recipe: Pickle Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich

Sock It to Me Cake

A close-up of a bundt cake with a cinnamon swirl inside, topped with thick white icing. A slice is being lifted, revealing its moist, golden interior—a delicious twist on classic fruit desserts. The cake sits on a white plate. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ready to bake a cake that’s pure comfort? Our Sock It To Me Cake recipe is the perfect blend of buttery, sweet, and spiced perfection. This easy-to-make Bundt cake is so cozy and delicious, it’s like getting a warm hug with every bite.

Get The Recipe: Sock It to Me Cake

Chicken Dumpling Soup

A creamy Southern recipe featuring artichoke hearts, carrots, celery, and strips of chicken. The ingredients are garnished with fresh herbs and immersed in a thick sauce. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Cozy up with some Chicken Dumpling Soup! This isn’t just any meal—it’s a big hug in a bowl, packed with flavor. Imagine tender, slow-cooked chicken in a super rich broth, plus fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings and loads of hearty veggies. It’s comfort food at its best, totally delicious, and way easier to make than you’d think. Get ready to feed your soul, one spoonful at a time!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Southern Pralines Candy

Seven pecan pralines with a creamy, caramel-colored coating are grouped together on a white surface. These classic 1980s desserts have a rough, chunky texture with visible pecan pieces throughout. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in these irresistible pralines, a symphony of sweet, buttery perfection. Each bite delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, where luxurious caramel swirls around crunchy pecans, creating an unforgettable treat.

Get The Recipe: Southern Pralines Candy

KFC Fried Chicken Recipe

A plate of golden-brown fried chicken pieces, garnished with sprigs of rosemary, placed on a white rectangular platter. The chicken looks crispy and seasoned, with a glass bowl partially visible in the background. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Craving that legendary KFC crunch from the comfort of your own kitchen? This homemade Kentucky-style fried chicken brings you the irresistible flavor of the Colonel’s famous 11 herbs and spices—straight from the secret recipe!

Get The Recipe: KFC Fried Chicken Recipe (the leaked recipe)

Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs

Barbecue ribs with a shiny glaze, inspired by top bbq recipes, served with grilled asparagus, cherry tomatoes, corn on the cob, and a cup of barbecue sauce on a white surface. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready to wow your taste buds with these Sticky Glazed Ribs! Whether you fire up the grill or let the oven do the work, this recipe delivers tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection. Get your napkins ready—this finger-licking, crowd-pleasing meal is sure to steal the show!

Get The Recipe: Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs

Smothered Pork Chops

A plate with a pork chop crowned with sliced mushrooms and gravy, garnished with herbs. Served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and broccoli, this family favorite is sure to be one of those incredible recipes you'll want to make again. A fork and knife are placed beside the steak. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These pork chops, topped with cheese and cooked in a rich onion and mushroom gravy, make for an easy and comforting weeknight dinner.

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

A close-up of barbecue ribs being brushed with a thick layer of glossy sauce, with a corn on the cob in the background—a mouthwatering scene for anyone who loves bbq recipes. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This BBQ sauce brings the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and bold flavors. With honey, bourbon, and molasses working their magic, every bite is coated in a rich, sticky-sweet finish that’ll have you licking your fingers and coming back for more.

Get The Recipe: Homemade BBQ Sauce

Jambalaya

This timeless Southern recipe is packed with three proteins – succulent shrimp, juicy chicken, and savory sausage. Combined with wholesome rice and a vibrant mix of nutritious veggies, it’s a flavor fiesta seasoned with zesty Cajun spices!

Get The Recipe: Jambalaya

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

A moist chocolate bundt cake with chocolate frosting on a plate. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Don’t let the name fool you – this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is full of rich chocolate flavor! It’s also the most moist cake we’ve ever made, which is why it remains a fan favorite!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Chili Con Carne

Dive into a pot of pure comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

Chocolate Pudding Pie

Craving a textural adventure? This Chocolate Pudding Pie delivers! A symphony of creamy pudding, fluffy whipped cream, and a flaky pie crust awaits. Topped with delicate chocolate curls, this pie is a celebration of all things chocolate.

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Pudding Pie

Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

A close up image of a biscuit filled with whipped cream and sliced strawberries. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This easy recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits is made completely from scratch. Once you try it you’ll never have store bought again!

Get The Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Chicken And Waffle Sliders Recipe

Love fluffy waffles, crispy fried chicken, and sweet maple syrup? Try this easy Chicken and Waffle recipe by Easy Chicken Recipes!
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Waffle Sliders Recipe

Orange Raspberry Pound Cake

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Orange Raspberry Pound Cake is a delightful dance between tangy citrus and sweet, juicy berries. The moist cake is bursting with vibrant orange flavor, while pockets of fresh raspberries add a burst of sweetness in every bite. It’s a perfect anytime treat!

Get The Recipe: Orange Raspberry Pound Cake

Oatmeal Apple Crisp

Close-up of a serving of apple crisp, featuring baked apple slices topped with a golden, crispy oat and sugar mixture. The dessert is swimming in a caramel-like sauce, delivering those delicious fall flavors. A fork is placed to the right, partially visible on a white plate—a must-try for apple recipes lovers. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Oatmeal Apple Crisp is just the perfect autumn treat! Picture this: a classic apple filling topped with a crispy, buttery oatmeal layer that takes you right back to your childhood.

Get The Recipe: Oatmeal Apple Crisp

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

Old Fashioned Apple Spice Pie

A close-up of a slice of peach pie, showcasing golden-brown lattice crust and juicy peach filling, served on a white plate with a gold-colored fork.

A delicious apple pie made with light and dark brown sugar, vanilla, and butter for a filling that’s just too good to resist.

Get The Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Spice Pie

Corn on The Cob

Craving juicy, perfectly cooked corn on the cob, but intimidated by boiling? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! We’ll walk you through the simple steps to boiling delicious corn on the cob, guaranteed to become a summer staple.

Get The Recipe: Boiling Corn on The Cob

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

A plate of golden-brown biscuits covered in creamy sausage gravy, garnished with black pepper. The flaky biscuits and rich gravy with chunks of sausage embody the essence of Southern recipes, presented on a blue dish with a detailed rim. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Enjoy Biscuits and Gravy – the epitome of breakfast comfort! Picture this: buttery, flaky homemade biscuits crowned with a luscious, creamy, and oh-so-simple sausage gravy.

Get The Recipe: Biscuits and Sausage Gravy