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Recipes We Stole From the Family Reunion

Recipes We Stole From the Family Reunion

By Mary Shannon Wells

May 25, 2019

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Family reunions are about getting together with the family members you don’t see every day and catching up on old times and new. As with most Southern events, however, family reunions quickly become about something more. Kinship? Gratitude? Love? Well, yes, but we were thinking of another word—food. Like any good Southern potluck, family reunions are full of incredible homemade dishes, many of which are nostalgic for attendees. You look forward to Maw Maw’s batch of decadent fudge cut into thick squares. Everyone knows they have to take a bite of Aunt Nancy’s congealed salad to save her feelings. And Cousin Sarah who isn’t the best chef of the bunch will always have the drinks covered. Family reunion recipes are part of what make those gatherings special. As they’re passed down, tweaked, reused, and loved, family reunion recipes bring generations closer together. Even 99-year-old Grandpa and 2-year-old Baby Mae can find common ground around a batch of homemade baked mac and cheese. And we hear that a fresh peach cobbler can soften even the most heated sibling arguments. Trust us: These all-time favorite family reunion recipes will please even your pickiest relatives.

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Basic Deviled Eggs

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs

Is it even a family gathering without a plate of deviled eggs? Never.

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Sausage Balls

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sausage Balls

There always seems to be a basket of sausage balls at the family reunion, and it always seems to be empty by the end of it.

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Cocktail Meatballs

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cocktail Meatballs

Even if the family reunion is planned for the middle of summer, there’s always a batch of cocktail meatballs sitting in a slow cooker to stay warm.

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Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls

We bet you can’t find a family reunion in the South that doesn’t have a basket of warm rolls on the buffet.

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New Tuna Casserole

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: New Tuna Casserole

Tuna noodle casserole has been gracing Southern tables for decades. This recipe has all the comforting flavors you love with a lighter calorie count.

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Tee's Corn Pudding

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tee’s Corn Pudding

Corn pudding is a classic Southern side that will always have a spot on Thanksgiving and potluck tables.

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mama’s Fried Chicken

When Mama makes fried chicken, you better believe she does it well.

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Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

Classic Southern potato salad gets a welcome zip from sweet pickles.

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Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

No one would ever dare show up to the family reunion with boxed mac and cheese in tow—only a cheesy, creamy, baked version will do.

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Poppy Seed Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Poppy Seed Chicken

Poppy seed casseroles are a staple of Southern potlucks, whether filled with turkey, chicken, or ham.

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Squash Casserole

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Recipe: Squash Casserole

Fresh summer squash, butter, cheddar cheese, and buttery crackers on top taste like summer nostalgia to us.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

People get heated about what does and doesn’t belong in chicken salad (Grapes, apples, nuts? None of the above? All of the above?), but this simple, old-school recipe will keep everyone at the reunion happy.

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Skillet Cornbread

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Skillet Cornbread

Southerners know the best homemade cornbread comes straight from a cast-iron skillet.

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Tuna Pasta Salad

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad

This lightened up, brightened up version of old-school tuna pasta salad will still delight Maw Maw, we promise.

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Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

If someone is bringing fried chicken (which they will), then someone has to bring mashed potatoes to go with it.

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Home-style Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Home-style Green Bean Casserole

Of all the vegetable casseroles Southerners love to serve at holidays and beyond, green bean casserole is king.

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Baked Beans

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Baked Beans

Backyard family reunions require a piping hot dish of baked beans with bacon.

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Hashbrown Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Even novice cooks are expected to show up to the family reunion with a homemade dish in tow, and this classic is the easiest way to get a crowd-pleasing result.