Classic Southern Side Dishes for Fried Chicken and More

By Southern Living Editors
November 29, 2011
Credit: Photo by Jim Franco
Round out your meal with a little comfort food on the side. Each of these classic side dishes has its own Southern twist, from adding crispy bacon or cheese to deep-frying. From favorites like collard greens and sweet potato casserole to updates on classics like three-bean salad and dirty rice, these side dishes are like scooping up a bite of nostalgia. Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing. In Southern cuisine, a main dish is best complemented by a host of incredible side dishes.
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Southern-Style Collard Greens

Credit: Photo by Jim Franco

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

Crispy bacon, sautéed onion, ham, and garlic perfect these collard greens, making them an essential part of your traditional Southern feast.

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Tee's Corn Pudding

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding

This classic recipe has a rich, soufflé-like texture without the hassle. The result is an impressive side dish the entire family will love.

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

It doesn't get much more Southern than a plate of Fried Green Tomatoes. Great on sandwiches, in salads, or plain, this is a recipe every Southern cook should master.

Cooking Video: Fried Green Tomatoes

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Home-Style Butterbeans

Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Home-Style Butterbeans

Bacon, onion, and brown sugar pack these beans with amazing flavor.

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Fried Pecan Okra

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Fried Pecan Okra

Crushed pecans and baking mix form the crisp breading for this classic Southern-style side.

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Green Peas with Crispy Bacon

Recipe: Green Peas with Crispy Bacon

The addition of mint and orange really brightens this often underrated veggie, while the bacon lends a smoky flavor.

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Summer Squash Casserole

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole

Summer squash casserole is the most versatile Southern side dish. It pairs well with everything from fried chicken at a summertime Sunday lunch to roast turkey at Thanksgiving.

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Fresh Corn Cakes

Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Fresh Corn Cakes

Fresh corn, mozzarella cheese, and chives make up the base of this classic side dish.

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Feta-Stuffed Tomatoes

Recipe: Feta-Stuffed Tomatoes

A feta cheese, breadcrumb, and fresh herb mixture fills these large tomatoes for a tasty side.

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Okra-and-Corn Maque Choux

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Okra-and-Corn Maque Choux

Use fresh corn and okra in this Maque Choux dish for best results. If you don't like spicy food you can easily sub the hot sausage for a milder version to fit your tastes.

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Fried Confetti Corn

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Fried Confetti Corn

Cream, bacon, and sweet peppers take this dish from down-home to top shelf.

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Caramelized Spicy Green Bean Recipe

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramelized Spicy Green Beans

The great thing about cooking with fresh green beans is that they are incredibly versatile vegetables. Whether you sauté, boil, or bake, these green bean recipes are amped with flavor.

In our first recipe, salty-sweet ingredients, some caramelization, and a bit of spice give these green beans a little pep in their step.

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Twice-Baked Potatoes

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Twice-Baked Potatoes

There’s nothing like a classic twice-baked potato loaded with cheddar cheese, sour cream, bacon, and green onions.

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Best-Ever Succotash

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Best-Ever Succotash

Colorful, fresh, and bountiful during Southern summers, succotash is a staple on our tables.

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Old-School Green Bean Casserole

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

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

We’re not sure if we’ve ever attended a Southern holiday that didn’t have a green bean casserole on the menu.

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Baked Beans

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Baked Beans

An essential barbecue side dish in the south, baked beans are extremely easy to make yourself at home.

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Southern-Style Potato Salad

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Southern-Style Potato Salad

If your potato salad isn’t Duke’s mayo-laden, it might not be well-received at the church potluck.

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Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

Credit: Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

If you don’t prefer your veggies covered in melty cheese and crushed buttery crackers, are you even Southern?

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Southern Cornbread Dressing

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Southern Cornbread Dressing

If you ask most Southerners, they’ll stand by “dressing” over “stuffing.” Regardless what you call it, it sure is delicious.

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Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Recipe: Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are ideal for Southern gatherings because they’re filling and can be served cold or at room temp.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

At Thanksgiving dinners in the South, sweet potato casserole is as essential as the turkey.

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Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kaye E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad

Black-eyed peas are an essential part of a Southern diet, and this fresh salad is a beautiful summer side dish.

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Fresh Corn Spoonbread

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Fresh Corn Spoonbread

Surprise Mama with this old-fashioned recipe she’ll love.

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Chubba Bubba's Broccoli Salad

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Chubba Bubba’s Broccoli Salad

Crunchy, fresh, and with a little bacon and cheese, this broccoli salad recipe is our favorite.

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

You don’t have to worry about taking home leftover of this creamy, five-ingredient potato dish.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

Creamy, cheesy, buttery, and go-back-for-seconds good, squash casserole is a classic favorite Southern side.

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Classic Okra and Tomatoes

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Classic Okra and Tomatoes

This essential summer side is the perfect pair.

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Pineapple Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

For many Southern families, Easter just wouldn’t be the same without a pineapple casserole on the table.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

Credit: Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

Brussels sprouts and bacon are a match made in side-dish heaven.

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Hashbrown Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

There aren’t many side dishes quite as easy and delicious as a cheesy hashbrown casserole.

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Hot Water Cornbread

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Hot Water Cornbread

Although many prefer cornbread straight from the cast-iron skillet, hot water cornbread is an old-school method we love.

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