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  4. Southern Dishes Everyone Should Know How to Make

Southern Dishes Everyone Should Know How to Make

By Southern Living
March 16, 2018
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Skillet Cornbread
Credit: Jennifer Causey
There are some dishes that every Southerner should know how to make. From barbecue and biscuits to sweet tea and peach cobbler, these recipes are staples on our dinner tables. They’re beloved classics that have been passed down through the generations. We learned these recipes from our mothers and grandmothers—just like they did. We’ve learned from experience that it’s hard to resist these popular Southern dishes. Take a look: We have cakes. We have cocktails. We have main dishes. We have sides galore. If any of these dishes aren’t already in your repertoire, heat up the oven and get cooking asap. There’s nothing like mastering a new dish, trying it out on family and friends and tweaking the recipe until you know it’s finally time to share it with the world. That’s when you break out the bake-and-take kitchenware and whisk it off it to a luncheon, social, or to a neighbor in need. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these classic Southern dishes are bound to have a special place on the buffet table.
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Old-School Squash Casserole Recipe

Squash casserole is a staple dish found at meat-and-three diners and at church covered-dish suppers.

1 of 35

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

Watch the Video: Fried Green Tomatoes

This super-Southern dish is so popular that there have been books and films dedicated to it.

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Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits

Plenty of Biscuits and Cornbread
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuit

Watch the Video: Perfect Buttermilk Biscuits

When in doubt, whip up a batch of classic buttermilk biscuits. They’re perfect perched on the edge of your dinner plate or served for dessert alongside a warm cobbler or a scoop of jam.

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Classic Sweet Tea

Southern Sweet Tea
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Southern Sweet Tea

Watch Video: Classic Southern Sweet Tea

Do you take your tea sweet? If you arrive for a Southern-style meal, a glass of sweet tea is sure to be on offer.

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High Society Deviled Eggs

High Society Deviled Eggs
Credit: Jim Bathie

Recipe: High Society Deviled Eggs

Every Southerner should have a deviled eggs recipe. Add your own flourishes, or borrow one of our recipes and make it your own. Any backyard barbecue, shower, or luncheon should have plenty of deviled eggs on the menu.

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Southern Shrimp and Grits

Gulf Coast Shrimp and Grits
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Southern Shrimp and Grits

You don’t have to be on the Gulf Coast to enjoy shrimp and grits—but it sure helps.

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Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies

Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies

If you have seafood on the table, you need a few hush puppies too. Make a double batch of this recipe, because they’ll disappear quickly.

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Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

You just can't have an elegant Southern luncheon without an array of dainty ham salad tea sandwiches.

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Classic Mint Julep

Derby Julep
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Classic Mint Julep

Watch the Videos: How to Make a Mint Julep and Stir Up a Classic Mint Julep

Mint Juleps aren’t just for the Derby (though you’re bound to see more than a few julep cups at any Derby party you attend). They’re a refreshing cocktail choice for any and all hot summer days down South. Not a Mint Julep fan? Then the Vieux Carré must be your go-to.

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Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Banana Pudding

You can never have too many servings of this delicious dessert. It’s just indulgent enough.

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Classic Skillet Cornbread

Skillet Cornbread
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Classic Skillet Cornbread

The best way to make classic Southern cornbread? In a skillet.

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Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies

Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies

When a meal begins with a scoop of chicken pot pie—flaky on top and steaming inside—you know it’s going to be one for the books.

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Caramel Cake

Caramel Cake
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Cake

Every Southern baker needs an old-fashioned cake recipe for those occasions when they want to impress. This one does the trick. (Or try our Best Carrot Cake if that’s more your style.)

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Grilled Peach Cobbler

Grilled Peach Cobbler
Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Grilled Peach Cobbler

Once you pick peaches in the summertime, you know that peach cobbler is soon to follow.

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Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Kid-Friendly Chicken: Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Watch the Video: Our Easiest Chicken and Dumplings

Arguably the ultimate comfort food, this meal is a perennial cold-weather favorite.

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Mama's Fried Chicken
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken

Who knows fried chicken better than a Southern mama? We rest our case.

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Southern Living Bloody Mary

Southern Living Bloody Mary
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton

Recipe: Bloody Mary

Hosting brunch? Don't forget to set up a Southern-style Bloody Mary bar for your guests.

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Hugh's Southern Mac and Cheese

Hugh's Southern Mac and Cheese
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hugh's Southern Mac and Cheese

Every Southern cook knows that sometimes it just has to be mac and cheese. Sometimes nothing else will do.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Credit: Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

No one says no to pound cake. This recipe is so popular, it’s practically an heirloom.

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Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Perfect Mashed Potatoes Recipes
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is a classic for a reason. Mashed potatoes go with everything, and they’re delicious to boot. Ok, it’s a classic for a few reasons.

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Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Every Southerner should have a good gumbo recipe at their fingertips. You know, just in case.

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Tee's Corn Pudding

Tee's Corn Pudding
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding

It’s not just for Thanksgiving, though every Southerner we know has mastered a corn pudding for special occasions...and for every holiday feast, of course.

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Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens
Credit: Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

When the weather turns cool, we know that the collards are soon to follow.

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Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Baked Potato Soup

When the weather turns grey and gloomy—or when you have a sick kid in the house—a batch of baked potato soup is a must-make.

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Easy BBQ Ribs

Easy BBQ Ribs
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Easy BBQ Ribs

While every Southerner does barbecue differently, this is a great starter recipe for anyone new to the dish.

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Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Watch the Video: Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

When barbecue is on the grill, potato salad needs to be on the table. It’s practically a Southern commandment.

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Heavenly Key Lime Pie

Heavenly Key Lime Pie
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Heavenly Key Lime Pie

Watch the Video: Heavenly Key Lime Pie

Take a trip to breezy Key West with one bite of this classic Southern pie.

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Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Three of our favorite things—chicken and biscuits and cobbler—combine to create this classic Southern comfort food.

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

No Southerner can make it through autumn without running into a pecan pie or two. This skillet version is a delicious take on the classic.

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Cheese Grits and Roasted Tomatoes

Spring Vegetable Frittata
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cheese Grits and Roasted Tomatoes

Make a batch of cheesy grits and pair with a double batch of our fan-favorite Roasted Tomatoes for a stunner of a side dish any time of day. Also try our Creamy Parmesan Grits and Summer Corn Grits to fill our your roster of grits recipes.

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Peppery Grilled Okra with Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce

Peppery Grilled Okra with Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peppery Grilled Okra with Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce

How do you make your okra? Whether grilled, fried, or pickled, it is a Southern classic of the highest order.

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Pimiento Cheese

Soup Recipes: Basil Tomato Soup
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Grilled Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches

Watch the Video: How to Make Pimiento Cheese

No matter the season, pimiento cheese is an undeniable Southern classic.

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Honey Chicken Salad

Honey-Chicken Salad
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Honey Chicken Salad

There are a million and one ways to make chicken salad, but no matter the method, every Southerner should know how to whip up a batch.

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All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

You don’t have to be a Southerner to appreciate a classic chocolate chip cookie. Whether it’s Christmas Eve or a Wednesday afternoon in the middle of June, they’re always a crowd-pleaser.

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Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

No Southern celebration is complete without a slice of heavenly Hummingbird Cake.

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    1 of 35 Old-School Squash Casserole Recipe
    2 of 35 Fried Green Tomatoes
    3 of 35 Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits
    4 of 35 Classic Sweet Tea
    5 of 35 High Society Deviled Eggs
    6 of 35 Southern Shrimp and Grits
    7 of 35 Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies
    8 of 35 Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
    9 of 35 Classic Mint Julep
    10 of 35 Banana Pudding
    11 of 35 Classic Skillet Cornbread
    12 of 35 Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies
    13 of 35 Caramel Cake
    14 of 35 Grilled Peach Cobbler
    15 of 35 Easy Chicken and Dumplings
    16 of 35 Mama's Fried Chicken
    17 of 35 Southern Living Bloody Mary
    18 of 35 Hugh's Southern Mac and Cheese
    19 of 35 Cream Cheese Pound Cake
    20 of 35 Perfect Mashed Potatoes
    21 of 35 Shrimp and Okra Gumbo
    22 of 35 Tee's Corn Pudding
    23 of 35 Southern-Style Collard Greens
    24 of 35 Baked Potato Soup
    25 of 35 Easy BBQ Ribs
    26 of 35 Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad
    27 of 35 Heavenly Key Lime Pie
    28 of 35 Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
    29 of 35 Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
    30 of 35 Cheese Grits and Roasted Tomatoes
    31 of 35 Peppery Grilled Okra with Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce
    32 of 35 Pimiento Cheese
    33 of 35 Honey Chicken Salad
    34 of 35 All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
    35 of 35 Hummingbird Cake

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