24 Things You'll Only Find at a Southern Supermarket

Wickles

Spicy, briny, and wonder-fully salty, Wickles pickles originated in Dadeville, Alabama. The recipe was a family secret until 1998, when brothers and co-owners Trey and Will Sims quit their day jobs to start a pickle company with their friend Andy Anderson. Once you reach the bottom of the jar, try one of our favorite ways to use up the leftover brine.

Pimiento Cheese

Homemade pimiento cheese is always best, of course, but sometimes a craving strikes and there's no cheese grater in sight. Southern supermarkets stock all sorts of regional brands, and we encourage you to find a local favorite. When drop-in guests show up at your door, you can relax knowing there's store-bought pimiento cheese in the fridge and crackers in the pantry.

Mayonnaise

We know you can find mayonnaise anywhere, but we're picky about our mayo. Southern mayonnaise brands tend to be a little tangier and looser in consistency than other brands. Whether you're a fan of Bama, Blue Plate, or Duke's, mayonnaise is a key component of many essential Southern recipes including pimiento cheese and Deviled eggs, and yes, the best chocolate cake ever.

Zatarain's Creole Mustard

This coarsely ground, spicy mustard is a New Orleans sandwich staple. Also used to make Creole-style remoulade and mustard sauce, it packs a stronger punch than a traditional grainy mustard.

Barber's Buttermilk

The Southern Living Test Kitchen swears by Barber's for any recipe that calls for buttermilk, including baked goods, marinades, and salad dressings. Our Test Kitchen pros say it has the best consistency and flavor, whether you're using whole buttermilk or low-fat.

Blue Bell Ice Cream

This Texas-based ice cream company has earned a spot in freezers across the South for its rich and creamy texture and outrageously good flavors like Pecan Pralines n' Cream and Coconut Fudge. Classic flavors have earned a devoted following as well. Once you've tried Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla, you'll never go back.

Wright Brand Bacon

There are lots of bacon brands out there, but Texas-founded Wright's bacon has a good meat-to-fat ratio, just the right amount of smokiness, and cooks up nice and straight, thanks to the even, thick-cut slices. It's a certified Southern Living Test Kitchen favorite.

White Lily Flour

Since 1883, Southern bakers, including those in the Southern Living Test Kitchen, have trusted White Lily to help biscuits rise, keep cake layers light, and perfect tender piecrusts. The company, which started in Knoxville, uses soft, low-protein red winter wheat to make all-purpose and self-rising flours that are specially milled for a fine texture. Here are a few other ways to put the all-purpose flour to use beyond baking: bread fried chicken, vegetables, and seafood; thicken gravies, stews, gumbos, and sauces; make chicken and dumplings.

Sorghum Syrup

Whether drizzled on a biscuit, mixed in a cocktail, or whisked into a salad dressing, this rich, golden syrup has made a comeback throughout the U.S. (Although, Southerners have always kept it in our pantries.) Regional varieties, which are worth seeking out, are available online and at farmers' markets and better grocery stores. We like Muddy Pond, which is made in Tennessee.

Conecuh Sausage

Made in a small Alabama town by the Sessions family since 1947, this smoked pork sausage is delicious grilled, tossed into hot pasta, or baked in a breakfast casserole. Even though the original recipe is still our top pick, there are now six different varieties of sausage available including Cajun and All-Natural Hickory Smoked.

Topo Chico Agua Mineral

Yes, we know this sparkling water is produced in Mexico. But it has a cult-like following in Texas that has slowly spread throughout the South – and now the rest of the country. Fans love Topo Chico's bracingly crisp bubbles, which are so refreshing on a hot day. Our favorite way to enjoy Topo Chico? Mixed into a classic Texas Ranch Water, of course.

Durkee Famous Sandwich & Salad Sauce

Invented in 1857 by E.R. Durkee, this creamy yet tangy blend of mayonnaise and mustard still has devoted fans in certain parts of the South. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use Durkee Sauce: replace raw eggs when breading pork chops or chicken; serve as a dip with shrimp or crudités; spice up potato salad or deviled eggs; spread over bread (instead of butter) when making grilled cheese sandwiches.

Pickapeppa Sauce

Mildly spicy and sweet yet sour, Pickapeppa Sauce has been a Southern pantry mainstay since its arrival in the U.S. through the port of New Orleans in 1982. Created in 1921 by Norman Nash in the village of Shooters Hill in Jamaica, this condiment blends onions, cane vinegar, sugar, tomatoes, mangoes, raisins, and aromatic spices. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use it: season deviled eggs and potato salad; pour over cream cheese, and serve with crackers; top burgers, hot dogs, and French fries.

Sister Schubert's Dinner Yeast Rolls

These puffy, golden, bake-and-serve rolls are the next best thing to homemade. Back in 1989, Alabama native Patricia "Sister" Barnes (formerly Patricia Schubert) sold frozen pans of her grandmother's dinner rolls at a church fair. They were such a hit that she started a business to keep up with demand. Little did she know that her family recipe would become a mainstay on tables across the South, especially during the holidays. Here are more ways to use Sister Schubert's rolls: bake a savory bread pudding; make a French toast casserole; use for leftover turkey sandwiches; cube and toast to make croutons.

Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning

If there's an all-purpose flavoring blend in your pantry, it's probably Tony Chachere's (pronounced "SA-shur-ees"). Made with salt, chili powder, dried garlic, and other spices, a little Tony's can liven up just about any savory recipe. These are a few of our favorite ways to use it: sprinkle on hot buttered popcorn or french fries; add some kick to any egg-based dish; jazz up avocado toast; stir into ground meat for burgers.

Golden Eagle Syrup

Almost 100 years later, this uniquely delicious syrup is still being made in the tiny town of Fayette, Alabama, where it was invented by Victor Patterson in his backyard in 1928. Golden Eagle Syrup is beloved by pecan pie bakers for its simple, honey-forward sweetness. Each jar is still hand-tightened to this day.

Cheerwine

This sweet Southern soft drink was born in North Carolina more than 100 years ago, and it was the first bottled cherry soda by decades. Run by the same family since its beginning, Cheerwine has a cult following and even its own festival. Southern chefs continue to find creative ways to use Cheerwine in their kitchens, including this cupcake recipe from the Southern Living Test Kitchen.

Camellia Brand

Did you know the oldest dried bean company in the country is based in New Orleans? Meet Camellia Brand, the pantry staple that homesick Southerners stock up on whenever they visit. No other brand is more trusted to make iconic Southern recipes like Hoppin' John or red beans and rice. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, Vince Hayward leads L.H. Hayward & Company, founded by his great-grandfather Lucius H. Hayward Jr., who created the brand behind the beloved beans in 1923. Hayward Jr.'s son, Gordon, named the bean brand after his mother's favorite flower, the speckled variety of camellias, which are also the oldest type of camellias in the South.

Martha White Corn Meal Mix

When it comes to cornbread, Southerners are particular. Don't believe us? Just ask, "sugar or no sugar?" and they'll know exactly what you're talking about—and will answer passionately. Southern cooks have been trusting Martha White brand with their cornbread since its Nashville founding in the 1890s.

Zapp's Potato Chips

The beloved Louisiana potato chips have quite the interesting backstory. Born from a Houston entrepreneur who was once bankrupt with four previously closed businesses, the Zapp's brand almost never made it into our grocery stores. Thankfully, we're snacking on uniquely Southern chip flavors like Voodoo and Spicy Cajun Crawtators to this day.

Cheese Straws

While homemade cheddar cheese straws are hard to top, there are many store-bought brands that you'll find in grocery stores across the South that are perfect for serving company, gifting out-of-town guests, or packing into pretty tins for holiday gifts. They also make great road trip snacks for those who enjoy munching on cheesy crackers.

The Breakup Cookie

Cookie lovers, you're in for a real treat. The Breakup Cookie is a rich and chocolatey cookie with the perfect touch of salt and a really fun story behind it. The cookie was created by Emily Nabors Hall, a local chef and food stylist for the DotDash Meredith Food Studios (which includes Southern Living). Pick up a container of frozen, ready to bake chocolate chip cookies and have the perfect batch ready whenever you need a sweet fix.

Millie Ray's Orange Rolls

This beloved Birmingham, Alabama, brand launched in 1979 in the kitchen of Millie Ray, who was famous for her delicious orange rolls. With the help and support of her two sons, Ben and Ray, Millie's story unfolded and a family business took off. While we are partial to the orange rolls, there are other delicious options as well, including cinnamon rolls, buttermilk biscuits, and yeast rolls.

Moon Pies

Launched in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Moon Pies have been a go-to Southern sweet for over 100 years. Envision a rich and gooey treat that consists of graham cracker cookies, marshmallow filling, and flavored coating, such as chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel. While the original single-decker is still our favorite, you can also find mini versions as well as double-decker varieties.