Lighten Up! Southern Classics

We cut the the calories—but not the flavor—in your favorite dishes.

Home-style Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Home-style Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole gets a much-needed makeover from fresh veggies and a lightened (but super-rich!) homemade sauce. And the best part: It's under 200 calories!

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

We cut more than half the fat and sugar in our favorite Thanksgiving side, and we like it better than the original!

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

This delicious mac and cheese is light on butter and cheese yet still melts in your mouth. Change the flavor profile of the recipe with combinations such as sweet peas and proscuitto or ham and broccoli.

Chocolate Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Pudding

This chocolate pudding is everything you dream of—chocolaty rich, silky smooth, and light on calories!

Shrimp and Grits

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Shrimp and Grits

Enjoy this Lowcountry favorite without the guilt! We reduced the calories to 235 a serving. It seems too good to be true!

Sage-and-Pecan Pork Tenderloin Cutlets

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Sage-and-Pecan Pork Tenderloin Cutlets

Instead of fried pork chops, try these pork tenderloin cutlets. Tenderloin is low in fat, and this recipe is "fried" with just enough heart-healthy oil for the crispy crunch you crave!

Cornbread Crab Cakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Cornbread Crab Cakes

Enjoy a guilt-free serving of these hearty crab cakes with a rich dollop of cilantro-jalapeño sour cream. Add fresh greens to your plate for extra goodness.

Turnip Greens Stew

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Turnip Greens Stew

Lean ham and fat-free broth offer the good flavor of the original dish minus the added saturated fat. Beans add extra fiber too!

Roasted Vegetable Pizza

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Roasted Vegetable Pizza

If you're craving a loaded-out pizza, give this veggie pizza a try! A whole wheat crust topped with roasted sweet potatoes and other colorful veggies ups the good-for-you-factor without skimping on flavor.

Layered Carrot Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Layered Carrot Cake

For this healthier version of carrot cake, we reduced the fat in the batter by using less vegetable oil and sugar, yet it is still as moist as traditional cakes. We also reduced the butter and used reduced-fat cream cheese for the frosting, without losing the flavor!

Lightened Squash Casserole

Photo: Becky-Luigart Stayner

Lightened Squash Casserole

Take advantage of this golden veggie in a lightened version of squash casserole. A combo of cornflakes and French fried onions add an irresistible crunch, but without adding too many calories.

Key "Light" Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Key "Light" Pie

If you love Key lime pie, you'll hear angels sing (Jimmy Buffett tunes) when you taste how rich this version is without all the fat!

Slow Cooker Recipes: Slow-Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Photo: Howard Lee Puckett

Slow-Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Red beans and rice doesn’t get any easier than this slow-cooker version. Just chop everything in advance, and the slow cooker will do the rest of the work.

 

Lightened Baby Hot Browns

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Lightened Baby Hot Browns

Grab a knife and fork, and dig in. There's no guilt behind these hot browns--they're lightened and full of flavor. Typically, this open-faced Kentucky classic is made with a heavy cheese sauce, but we found a way to deliver the same richness without all the saturated fat.

Lightened Hummingbird Cake

Lightened Hummingbird Cake

You won’t have to destroy your diet in order to enjoy Southern Living’s most requested recipe. The Lightened version makes simple substitutions such as using applesauce for some of the oil and light rather than regular cream cheese. Your whole family will love the sweet pineapple and banana cake topped with delicious Cream Cheese Frosting.

Grilled Burgers and Sanwiches Recipes: Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

Photo: Van Chaplin; Styling: Buffy Hargett

BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Make tasty barbecue pork sandwiches with a lean tenderloin. Top the burgers with your favorite leafy greens like arugula, spinach, or romaine for an extra crunch and some added nutrients.

Light King Ranch Casserole Recipes

Light King Ranch Casserole

If you think cutting calories means giving up the foods you love, think again. This top-rated makeover is every bit as creamy and satisfying as the full-fat original.

Layered Lima Bean Dip recipe

Layered Bean Dip

Here’s a healthy version of the all-time party favorite. A hearty serving of Layered Lima Bean Dip weighs in at only 172 calories. Top lightly with shredded cheese and bacon. You’ll be surprised at how fast it’ll disappear.

Low Fat Potato Salad Recipe

Beth Dreiling Hontzs / Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Herbed Potato Salad

This updated Southern classic is made with a creamy herb mixture that has fewer fat grams but still all the flavor of the heavier traditional recipes.

Crispy Oven-Fried Drumsticks

Crispy Oven-Fried Drumsticks

Feel good about feeding this cornflake-coated chicken to your loved ones; unlike fast food, you choose the ingredients and the portion sizes.

Southern Living Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing with Sweet Potato and Squash

Cornbread Stuffing with Sweet Potato and Squash 

This hearty stuffing has a hint of sage and is packed with nutrients.

Slightly Sweet Tea

Slightly Sweet Tea

Serve refreshing sweet tea to guests without a tinge of guilt. This green tea version is sweetened with honey and flavored with orange and lime. At 68 calories per cup, you may find a new summer favorite.

Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread Recipes

Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread

Nutrient-filled pecans and fiber-packed whole wheat flour make this traditional bread better for you.

For a delicious topping, stir together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. orange zest, and 2 Tbsp. fresh orange juice to drizzle over this tasty bread while its still warm.

Healthy Desserts: Banana Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Banana Pudding  

This pudding delivers a velvety rich custard, ripe banana flavor,  vanilla wafers so soft they melt in your mouth, and an irresistible golden-baked meringue topping. All this, and it's lower in fat and calories than traditional versions. These make great individual party desserts, or make it in an 8-inch square pan. We love it with extra wafers.

Fourth of July Recipes: Succotash Salad

Photo: Van Chaplin; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Succotash Salad

Put a summertime spin on this traditional Southern dish of beans and corn by mixing with lemon juice and chives and serving cold. It’s easy to prepare in advance and pull out of the fridge to serve with meat hot off the grill.

Fresh Vegetable Lasagna

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Fresh Vegetable Lasagna

Make this version of a family favorite to cut calories, but not taste. If you're in a hurry, use your favorite store-bought low-sodium marinara sauce.

Stovetop Red Beans and Rice

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Stovetop Red Beans and Rice

Here's a low-fat version of the Louisiana favorite with all the classic, cue-the-trombones flavor you'd expect in this hearty dish.

Mixed Fruit Chicken Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Mixed Fruit Chicken Salad

Serve Mixed Fruit Chicken Salad over dark greens for extra fiber and a boost of antioxidants. Drizzle salad with Orange-Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Greek Chicken Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Greek Chicken Salad

Add crunch to this healthy indulgence by serving on toasted pita bread wedges.

Lemon-Basil Chicken Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Lemon-Basil Chicken Salad

This Southern staple gets a lightened up makeover but doesn't lose any flavor or taste. Serve on whole grain flatbread.

Curried Chicken Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Curried Chicken Salad

Serve this lightened version of chicken salad on baked egg roll wrappers, which is perfect for picnics or parties. Sprinkle with almonds right before serving.

Lighten Up Fried Green Tomatoes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Fried Green Tomatoes

Get that familiar golden crunch of fried green tomatoes with heart-healthy oil and a nonstick pan.

Classic Pimiento Cheese

Photo: Erin Adams

Classic Pimiento Cheese

To all you pimiento cheese purists, we dare you not to love this healthier twist.

Roasted Vegetable Loaded Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Roasted Vegetable Loaded Potatoes

Replace the restaurant-size scoops of butter and sour cream with these good-for-you toppings.

Fried Pork Chops with Caramelized Onion Gravy Recipe

Photo: Melina Hammer

Fried Pork Chops with Caramelized Onion Gravy

Pound chops into thin cutlets to create more surface area, then pan-fry them, rather than deep-fry, to crispy perfection.Try this versatile technique with chicken, beef, or veal cutlets.

Roasted Cherry Hand Pies Recipe

Photo: Melina Hammer

Roasted Cherry Hand Pies

No need to fry these pies! Vodka enhances the crusts' flakiness, so you can use less butter. Chill the dough to help it hold its shape as it bakes.

Gumbo Gravy Over Stone-ground Grits Recipe

Photo: Melina Hammer

Gumbo Gravy Over Stone-ground Grits

Browned flour makes a low-fat gravy, while the slow cooker creates the creamiest grits without cheese or butter. And with a light gravy, you can indulge in andouille sausage.

Vegetarian Enchilada Pies Recipe

Photo: Melina Hammer

Vegetarian Enchilada Pies

Dried hibiscus flowers and black beans give these vegetarian enchiladas their meaty texture. Find dried hibiscus flowers (Flor de Jamaica) at Hispanic markets and amazon.com. You can omit them if desired.

Chicken and Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe

Photo: Melina Hammer

Chicken and Sweet Potato Dumplings

Sweet potato creates pillowy, gnocci-like dumplings and adds Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Calcium, and Potassium. Start with a whole chicken to create a flavorful, refined broth.

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