The Southern Recipes I Reach for When I Want Pure Comfort

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

There’s something about Southern comfort food that just wraps you up in a warm hug. These are the dishes I make when I want buttery biscuits, tender meatloaf, creamy mac and cheese, or sweet treats that taste like home. Every recipe in this collection leans into rich flavor, cozy textures, and that unmistakable Southern warmth. Whether you’re craving crispy fried chicken, smothered pork chops, or something sweet like pralines or strawberry pretzel salad, this roundup brings together my favorite Southern recipes—reliable, nostalgic, and so satisfying.

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

Want to recreate that legendary crunch in your own kitchen? Get ready to bite into the golden, juicy goodness of homemade Kentucky-style fried chicken, crafted with the rumored 11 secret herbs and spices that made the Colonel famous

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

Southern Pecan Tassies

Pecan Tassies with golden crusts are arranged on a sheet of parchment paper over a wooden board. Perfect for Thanksgiving recipes, these pies are topped with chopped pecans and powdered sugar. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Treat yourself to our irresistible pecan tassies! These bite-sized delights pack all the flavor of a classic pecan pie into a golden, buttery crust with a rich, gooey pecan filling. Perfect for holiday celebrations or a little everyday indulgence, each tassie is a sweet moment of pure bliss you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: Southern Pecan Tassies

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 effortless magic of this weeknight wonder: golden, super-crispy pan-fried fish that goes from stove to table in just 20 minutes

Get The Recipe: Super Crispy Pan Fried Fish

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

Looking for the ultimate comfort dessert? Our Sock It To Me Cake is a showstopper! This buttery, sweet, and perfectly spiced Bundt cake is pure magic. Easy to make and irresistibly cozy, it’s like a warm, delicious hug in every bite. Ready to treat yourself? Let’s bake!

Get The Recipe: Sock It to Me Cake

Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

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

Forget the box mix—these Johnny Cakes are the real deal! Homemade cornbread pancakes that are quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. Think crispy, golden edges paired with a soft, fluffy, cornbread-inspired center. It’s the ultimate breakfast upgrade you didn’t know you needed!

Get The Recipe: Johnny Cakes {Cornbread Pancakes}

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

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

Calling all biscuit lovers! Get ready to indulge in the ultimate homemade buttermilk biscuits—perfectly flaky with a golden, buttery crust and an irresistibly soft, fluffy center.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Brown Sugar Cake

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

This Brown Sugar Bundt Cake offers a delightful twist. Its dense, tender crumb is packed with rich brown sugar flavor and topped with a decadent buttery caramel glaze. It’s a flavor adventure you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

Chicken Dumpling Soup

A creamy chicken and dumpling soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, celery, and herbs visible. A wooden-handled ladle scoops some of the thick soup, highlighting the tender dumplings and vibrant vegetables. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready for a cozy bowl of Chicken Dumpling Soup! Tender, slow-cooked chicken in rich broth, fluffy dumplings, and hearty veggies make this an easy, delicious meal. It’s comfort food at its best—simple, flavorful, and satisfying. Grab your ingredients and let’s make a dish that warms the heart and soul!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

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

Why settle for takeout when you can make crab cakes this delicious at home? With just a little mixing, pan-frying, and voilà—you’ve got a gourmet feast right in your own kitchen. These crab cakes are bursting with flavor, guaranteed to make your taste buds throw a party. Ready to dive in?

Get The Recipe: Crab Cakes

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

This Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese is pure cheesy perfection, bringing comfort and flavor together in one pot! Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s like a warm, gooey hug for your taste buds. Who needs a therapist when you’ve got this bowl of happiness?

Get The Recipe: Creamy Mac and Cheese

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 a breeze to whip up, whether you’re rocking the stovetop or letting the slow cooker do the work! Imagine tender chicken thighs swimming in a rich, savory gravy—it’s the ultimate comfort food hug you’ve been waiting for

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

Salisbury Steak

Craving a hearty, home-cooked meal that doesn’t take all evening to prepare? Look no further! Our Salisbury Steak recipe delivers rich, comforting flavor in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights. Get ready to win over the entire family with this new dinner-time favorite.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

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

Get ready to fall in love with these pralines—a sweet, buttery escape in every bite. Imagine rich, velvety caramel hugging crunchy pecans, melting instantly on your tongue for a moment of pure bliss. It’s not just a treat; it’s an unforgettable experience you won’t want to share.

Get The Recipe: Southern Pralines Candy

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

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

Get ready to fall in love with this Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe! It’s unbelievably moist, tender, and bursting with flavor in every bite. One taste, and you’ll be hooked—this is the kind of recipe you’ll treasure forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

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 are pure comfort on a plate—smothered in melted cheese and simmered in a rich, savory onion and mushroom gravy. Perfect for an easy, feel-good weeknight dinner!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Homemade Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A slice of Strawberry Pretzel Salad with a graham cracker crust, creamy filling, strawberry topping, and a swirl of whipped cream on top—classic comfort inspired by Southern recipes—served on a white plate with a fork. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Strawberry pretzel salad is the ultimate nostalgia on a plate—a sweet, salty, creamy masterpiece that’s been a staple of Midwestern and Southern gatherings since the mid-20th century. This beloved dessert layers a crunchy pretzel crust, tangy cream cheese filling, and a luscious, juicy strawberry topping for a flavor combination that’s downright irresistible.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Pretzel Salad