100 Ways to Cook Southern

Recipe: Bacon Pimiento Cheese

Spread homemade Bacon Pimiento Cheese on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato. Use leftover spread on crackers or celery for a snack.

Recipe:  Two-Step Pound Cake

It takes only six ingredients and two easy steps to create this buttery, from-scratch Southern staple. Simply layer the ingredients in a bowl, mix, pour, and bake.

Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea

Only Southerners understand just how sweet tea should be. Add the full cup of sugar to this recipe if you like yours extra sweet.

Watch Video: Simply Southern Sweet Tea

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

A Southern breakfast is far from complete without flaky, buttery biscuits. This simple five-ingredient recipe gets rave reviews from readers who say it can result only in perfection. Save time by making the dough in a food processor. Pulse dry ingredients six or seven times, and then slowly add liquid through the food chute while processing

Watch: Our Best Ever Buttermilk Biscuit

Recipe: Tomato Gravy

Tomato Gravy over hot grits makes a winning combination for any meal.

Recipe: Cheese Straws

If you like yours less spicy, use the smaller amount of red pepper.

Recipe:  Tennessee Caviar

Instead of fish eggs, this Southern version of caviar features down-home veggies. Make it a day ahead for the best flavor.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

Chicken thighs are seasoned with rub of dried thyme, oregano, cumin, and paprika. The versatile white sauce received our highest rating and is also good as a condiment for burgers.

Recipe: Boiled Peanuts

Southerners love shelling out these soft and salty nuts.

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin on Cornmeal Biscuits

Running out of time to assemble sandwiches yourself? Let guests make their own—serve sliced pork on a platter with chutney and biscuits on the side.

Recipe: Beer-Batter Fried Pickles

Crunchy, tart pickles get a crispy, deep-fried coating for this crowd-pleaser. We liked the recipe made with Alabama-bred Wickles-brand sweet-hot sliced pickles. Serve with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce.

Recipe: Praline Pecans

Pralines are best made when the weather is dry--humidity tends to make them grainy. Be sure to use a heavy saucepan, and work quickly when spooning the pecan mixture onto the wax paper.

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

It’s the slow cooking method that really brings out that mouth-watering smoky pork flavor and the tender texture of Southern-Style Collard Greens. But, the best part is dipping a piece of cornbread in all that leftover potlikker.

Recipe: Herb-Grilled Chicken With Watermelon-Feta Salad

Forget to marinate the chicken in advance? No problem. This rub only takes 30 minutes. Simply add the refreshing, flavorful Watermelon-Feta Salad for a quick and easy meal your family will love.

Recipe: Quick & Tasty Banana Pudding

This super easy banana pudding calls for just four ingredients: a banana, thawed whipping topping, prepared vanilla pudding, and vanilla wafer.

Recipe: Assemble-Your-Own Barbecue Stack

Have a few of these yummy Barbecue Stacks ready to go when your friends arrive. The rest can be put together by your guests.

Recipe: Shrimp Po’boys

Try this authentic shrimp po'boy recipe to get a taste of New Orleans' famous cajun cuisine.

Recipe: Crab Cakes With Lemon Rémoulade

Serve these classic crab-filled cakes atop a mixed baby greens salad.

Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake

One quick flip and this moist cake with perfectly caramelized fruit slips from a skillet.

Recipe: Warm Turnip Green Dip

It's Southern tradition to have a little hot sauce with your turnip greens, so be sure to offer guests several brands to choose from on the side.

Recipe: Luscious Lemon Bars

Classic lemon squares are always a popular dessert at teas, luncheons, and  showers.  As an added bonus, you can make them ahead and freeze for up to one month.

Recipe: Sour Cream Cornbread

Low-fat kitchen staples keep this Cheddar-topped cornbread moist and delicious. Enjoy it as a side to any meal, or use this recipe as an ingredient in our fabulous Farmhouse Eggs Benedict.

Recipe: Fiesta Brisket

Serve spicy Fiesta Brisket with a squirt of fresh lime juice and a sprig of cilantro.

How-To Cook Fiesta Brisket

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Give up the box mix, making Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese from scratch is easier than you think. Even if you have never tried to make your own mac ‘n’ cheese at home before, this simple recipe will have you enjoying a bowl of warm, creamy, cheesy goodness in a matter of minutes. Baked macaroni and cheese is rich and delicious, and this is one of our most-requested recipes. So step up to the stove and step away with a dish full of this mac ’n’ cheese delight.

Test Kitchen Tip: It’s best to shred your own block of cheese, especially if using a reduced-fat product. Pre-shredded brands don’t always melt as well or deliver that extra-sharp flavor. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a shredding device.

Step-by-Step Video: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe: Easy Brunswick Stew

Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of hearty Brunswick stew. Sop up every flavorful last bit with crusty bread or crispy cornbread crackers.

Recipe: Classic Mint Julep

The classic version is served in silver julep cups. These are filled to the rim with a refreshing concoction of the finest bourbon, simple syrup, fresh mint, and crushed ice. See our tips and techniques for stirring up a mint julep.

Step-by-Step Video: Make a Classic Mint Julep

Recipe: Ham-Stuffed Biscuits With Mustard Butter

Yeast biscuits—also called angel or bride’s biscuits—hold together well, so they’re a good choice to serve at gatherings. The so-Southern combination of ham and biscuits is always a hit!

Recipe: Pecan Bourbon Balls

Who spiked the cookies? Hardly a Christmas can pass in the South without these traditional ball-shaped, bourbon-flavored pecan cookies ending up on a dessert bar or in a gift box.

Recipe: Old-fashioned Meatloaf

Meatloaf may be one of the ultimate comfort foods, so a classic meatloaf recipe is always a reader favorite. Beginning with lean ground beef, this Southern meatloaf recipe features Creole and Greek seasonings and a hint of garlic. Celery, breadcrumbs, onion, and tomato paste all add flavor, richness, and depth to this delicious delight. A few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce—that's the fantastic taste you're trying to figure out—spice up the traditional ketchup topping which keeps this meatloaf moist, tender, and juicy. This may be called the Old-Fashioned Meatloaf, but it is one of the best-tasting meatloaves you will eat today.

Watch: How To Make Old-fashioned Meatloaf

Recipe: Hush Puppies

While these golden deep-fried gems are often paired with fried fish, Kentuckians and Carolinians think of them as natural partners to any plate of barbecue. 

Recipe: Easy Three-Seed Pan Rolls

These rolls start with frozen bread dough but taste as if they're made from scratch--perfect for no-fuss entertaining. You'll get a spectacular look and big flavor while saving time.

Recipe: The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Truly our best-ever carrot cake recipe, make this classic favorite for a crowd and you might not have any leftovers to bring home.

Step-by-Step Video: Best Carrot Cake Ever

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

The original recipe for this hearty shrimp and grits dish is from Bill Smith, executive chef at Crook's Corner, the landmark Southern restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Recipe: Pork Chops with Pepper Jelly Sauce

The sweet and spicy pepper jelly sauce creates a beautiful glaze on the pork chop and keeps the meat moist and tender.

Recipe: Cinnamon-Pecan Rolls

These rolls feature a buttery, brown sugar-pecan filling as well as a rich and creamy vanilla glaze. Better yet, the easy yeast-roll dough rises in just 30 minutes.

Recipe: Honey-Bourbon Glazed Ham

Roasting ham with cloves makes for a showstopping Southern classic. Your family and friends are sure to love the flavorful sweet glaze. For a twist, try Honey-Bourbon Boneless Glazed Ham.

Recipe: Pecan Pie

A refrigerated pie crust keeps the prep time for Pecan Pie under 5 minutes. Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream for the ultimate treat.

Recipe:  Herb-Grilled Chicken

We've concocted a simple, healthful recipe to start your season of outdoor cooking. Choose your favorite fresh herb to enhance the flavor of grilled chicken. Remove the herb sprig before serving, or leave it as a garnish.

Recipe: Banana Pudding Pie

Pie just doesn’t get much easier or better than this tasty twist on banana pudding. In fact, once you try our speedy version of homemade custard, you’ll never be tempted to make instant pudding again. If you’re a big fan of vanilla wafers like we are, pick up an extra box and tuck a few into the meringue before baking. For party-pretty slices, dip the knife blade in cold water or lightly coat with vegetable cooking spray.

Recipe: Southern-Stuffed Rosemary Chicken

This surprisingly easy recipe takes less than an hour to prepare and consistently receives top ratings from reviewers. Chicken breasts are stuffed with toasted pecans and cornbread stuffing, then topped with a creamy sauce, parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh rosemary. 

Recipe: Peach-and-Toasted-Pecan Ice Cream

This sublime ice cream is packed with two Southern favorites, refreshing peaches and nutty pecans.

Recipe: Macaroni-and-Pimiento Cheese Bites

Wow family and friends with these easy party poppers. You can also bake the mixture in a casserole dish and use the breadcrumb coating as a crispy topping.

Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish

Red pepper and garlic seal the flavor of the cornbread mixture that coats these catfish fillets. For an extra-crispy crust, use stone-ground yellow cornmeal.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Sausage Gumbo

After preparing the roux, most of the time spent making gumbo is basically hands-free. You’ll just need to stir the pot occasionally to prevent sticking. This flavorful stew recipe is worth the effort.

Recipe: Vanilla Ice Cream With Fruit Blend

Serve this soft right out of the ice-cream maker's container, or freeze it for a firmer consistency.

Recipe: Southern Shrimp Cocktails

Have the seafood market steam shrimp to save time, or follow our easy instructions in the recipe. Serve the shrimp, okra, and breadsticks on a platter around a bowl of the sauce, or make individual cocktails. Use 4-oz. votive candleholders, shot glasses, cordial glasses, or mini-martini glasses.

Recipe: Blueberry-Cinnamon Muffins

Fat-free buttermilk and a teaspoon of cinnamon take the traditional blueberry muffin recipe to the next level. Tip: To prevent berries from bleeding, toss them in flour, and then gently fold them into batter.
 

Recipe: Georgia Peach Trifle

Layers of bourbon-drizzled pound cake, creamy vanilla pudding, and juicy peaches meld together in an elegant trifle presentation that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Recipe: Italian Pot Roast

This Italian pot roast is an easy weeknight dinner. Play around with the mushroom selection; try baby portabellas or creminis.

Recipe: Roast Pork with Garlic-Onion Gravy

It's worth purchasing a meat thermometer for this recipe. We used an instant-read version, but a standard one would work equally well. Cook the roast to 180° to 185° for incredibly tender but sliceable meat, making a pretty holiday presentation.

Recipe: Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dark brown sugar adds surprising richness to this cookie dough. Bake each batch 8 minutes for soft and gooey cookies, or up to 14 minutes for crisp results.

Recipe: Watermelon Cooler 

Watermelons are a classic summer road stand fruit that sometimes goes to waste because they are so large. Make use of your leftover watermelon slices and cool down from the heat with this fresh, tangy summer sipper.

Recipe:  Spicy Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers

This burger will make you the envy of the neighborhood. Start by mixing the ground beef with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Then press two patties together, both topped with cheddar cheese. The result is a thick, spicy, and delicious cheese-filled burger.

Recipe: She-Crab Soup 

Top off a creamy bowl of this iconic Charleston soup with a spoonful of sherry at the table.

Recipe: Fresh Peach Salsa

Add fresh, fruity flavor to grilled chicken, fish, or baked pita chips for a snack with this versatile salsa. Sautéing peaches with onions and jalapeño intensifies the flavors.

Recipe: Key Lime Pie

As the weather gets warmer, cool down with a classic summer treat! These sweet-tart key lime pie recipes will have your guests diving in for another bite.

This first slice of tropical heaven offers the best of both worlds—rich, creamy texture with fewer fat grams. Don't be tempted to substitute bottled lime juice—it doesn't compare to fresh.

Recipe: Crawfish Étouffée

This recipes call for fresh crawfish because they’re readily available in Cajun country. Don’t fret if you can’t get your hands on the fresh seafood―frozen crawfish tails work very well.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits

Serve simple Sweet Potato Biscuits with golden honey for a mouthwatering snack.

Recipe: Green Barbecue Sauce

This Tex-Mex twist on traditional barbecue sauce combines tangy green tomatoes and crisp tomatillos for a tongue-tingling flavor sensation. You have to try this over your favorite recipe for barbecue chicken or shrimp. Better still, you can make this up to 1 week ahead.

Recipe: Zesty Lemon Pie

Impress your guests or family with the goodness of classic lemon icebox pie. This recipe features from-scratch buttery crust, lemony-rich baked filling, and homemade whipped cream.

Recipe: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

Impress your guests with these simple, 4-ingredient peanut butter cookies. Serve them warm from the oven with a tall glass of cold milk.

Watch: Our Easiest (Ever!) Peanut Butter Cookies

Recipe: Honey Barbecue Chicken

Try this classic barbecue chicken recipe with bone-in chicken breasts and drumsticks. You'll most likely have all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce on hand.

Recipe: Tortilla-Crusted Pork

This pork dish is a Tex-Mex lover’s dream. We recommend serving it with both the Pico de Gallo and Tomatillo Salsa.

Recipe: John's Red Beans & Rice

John's Red Beans and Rice are a favorite comfort food served throughout Louisiana. Be sure to cook this one-dish meal the entire time to allow the flavors to develop. Serve red beans and rice over hot cooked rice. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Recipe: Double Apple Pie With Cornmeal Crust

Don't skip the apple jelly in this to-die-for pie recipe—it makes the baked pie juices extra rich. It also decreases the cloudiness that sometimes occurs with a flour-thickened apple pie filling.

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

This classic creamy pasta  is pure Southern comfort. We love its made-from-scratch Mornay sauce and toasted almond-and-Parmesan cheese topping. Plus, the casserole freezes beautifully.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

Imagine the richest, darkest, most decadent chocolate dessert you’ve ever eaten. Now add some marshmallows, and you've got this decadent yet simple-to-bake cake.

Recipe: Golden Macaroni and Cheese

This homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe beats the boxed kind any day of the week.  For a divine main dish, stir in chopped cooked ham before baking, and then sprinkle top with chopped cooked bacon before serving.

Recipe: Honey Yeast Rolls

Tender, delectable Honey Yeast Rolls are a must-serve and best warm from the oven and slathered with sweet honey butter.

Recipe: Easy Blackberry Cobbler

In less than an hour you can serve up this simply divine dessert. Pop it in the oven just before you sit down to eat, and your family can enjoy it warm at meal’s end. For individual servings, bake for the same amount of time in 6 (8-oz.) ramekins on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.

Step-by-Step Video: Make Easy Blackberry Cobbler

Recipe: Bayou Fried Shrimp

For these Cajun-flavored fried shrimp, peel the shrimp but leave the tails on and coat the shrimp in fish fry mix to get a crispy brown coating.

Recipe: Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches

This is an updated version of a recipe that used ham, cheese, and mustard. Eyes lit up at our tasting table when these roast beef sandwiches came out of the oven.

Recipe: Lemonade Iced Tea

Lemonade Iced-Tea is a fun, thirst-quenching update on two classic Southern favorites.

Recipe: Garlic-Herb Roasted Chicken

Add additional moistness and flavor by replacing the wire roasting rack with a colorful rack of carrots and celery ribs. Tuck in a few sprigs of fresh herbs, some unpeeled whole shallots, and apple slices to enhance the flavor of the chicken.

Recipe: Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken

Seasoned breadcrumbs and self-rising cornmeal give Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken a crisp golden-brown crust without a skillet full of extra oil. This crispy coating is also terrific on skinned and boned chicken thighs or pork chops.

Recipe: Praline-Apple Bread

Sour cream is the secret to the rich, moist texture of this bread. There's no butter or oil in the batter―only in the glaze.

Recipe: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

With its tender homemade dumplings, this from-scratch favorite makes for luscious comfort food.

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Spiked with tomatoes and green chiles, creamy layers of chopped cooked chicken and corn tortillas make this Texas casserole too tempting to resist. It’s super-easy to fix for a crowd, and always a hit.

Step-by-Step Video: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Recipe: Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

This surprising salad combination will please your palate. The bright hues and refreshing flavors make Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad the perfect summer side dish.

Ham steak has been around for ages, but you might have never thought to put it on your grocery list. Well, add it to your cart, because it's quick to prepare and makes a great meal. Ham steak is traditionally 1/4 to 1-inch thick, fairly lean, and cooks in about 15 minutes for a speedy supper in the middle of the week. Make a fruit sauce, such as Orange Glaze, for a jazzy topping.

Recipe: Fried Pecan Okra

Crushed pecans and baking mix form a crisp breading for this Southern-style appetizer.

Recipe: Peanutty Coleslaw

This zesty Asian twist on classic slaw is wonderful with smoked chicken and pork. Wasbi paste and fresh grated ginger give this colorful mix a delightful eye-opening kick. And the surprising peanutty crunch takes it right over the edge. Don’t worry about leftovers, it’s even better the next day piled high on a leftover pulled pork sandwich.

Recipe: 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.

Recipe: Lemon Chess Pie

A simple twist in the traditional recipe plus a buttery shortbread crust give this Southern favorite a whole new look. The filling separates when baked, creating a thin golden brown cake layer on top of a delicious lemon custard.

Recipe: Fipps Family Potato Salad

One of the staff’s all-time favorite potato salads. The secret to this 6-ingredient star is Duke’s Mayonnaise (a Greenville, SC culinary institution), a touch of spicy brown mustard, and boiled eggs, which are grated on the largest holes of a cheese grater. The recipe calls for baking potatoes, but we also love it with red-skinned potatoes.

Recipe: Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy

The hardest part about making Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy is waiting for the chocolate to firm up before devouring it.

To get the marbled effect, alternate white and dark chocolate squares on a baking pan. Bake as directed, remove from oven, and immediately swirl the warm chocolate with a wooden pick.

Recipe: Chicken and Cornbread Casserole

Pick up a deli-roasted chicken if you don't have 3 1/2 cups of chopped chicken on hand. It yields just enough meat for this recipe. Also plan to make Chicken and Cornbread Casserole just one day ahead because it doesn't freeze well.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict

Chef Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill in Charleston put a delicious twist on classic Lowcountry shrimp and grits using fried grits squares, asparagus spears, and a creamy shrimp sauce.

Recipe:  Baby Hot Browns

Get your party started with mini open-faced turkey sandwiches. Pile turkey, bacon, and cheese high on pumpernickel for a guaranteed party hit.

Recipe: Fried Strawberry Pies

Garnish this decadent fruit-filled pies with fresh strawberry slices and sprinkle with powdered sugar. We like to use a tea infuser to deliver the perfect white dusting.

How To: Step-by-Step Fried Pie Guide

Recipe: Our Most Traditional King Cake

User Review: "I have been using this recipe for nearly 20 years, and it not failed me yet. The only change I have made is to the glaze recipe. I use an 8 ox. package of softened cream cheese creamed together with 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 stick of butter (room temperature), 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract. I don't like overly sweet things and this glaze is just right for this not-too-sweet pastry. Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!" --Marybeth 

Recipe: Pecan Squares

If you like the taste of pecan pie, you'll love this easy alternative. Serve the squares with vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert.

Recipe: New Ambrosia With Buttermilk-Coconut Dressing

Navel oranges and ruby-red grapefruit take center stage in this refreshing salad. Arugula adds a peppery bite to the sweet citrus, but the recipe is equally good when prepared with other salad greens.

Recipe: Layered Cornbread-and-Turkey Salad

Crumbled cornbread is layered with shredded lettuce, smoked turkey, shredded Swiss cheese, bacon, fresh tomatoes and more in this crowd-pleasing salad.

Recipe: Coca-Cola Cake

Our Coca-Cola Cake is simply one of the best sheet cake recipes on earth. The magical brew of carbonated cola is the secret to the tender texture.

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes With Bread-and-Butter Pickle Rémoulade

Recipe developer Linton Hopkins prefers to fry in peanut oil because of its higher smoke point.

Recipe: Family-Style Muffuletta

Porchetta, a seasoned boneless pork roast, can be found in the deli case, but you can use any cold cuts here. For a make-ahead twist, wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap, and chill under the weight of a heavy cast-iron skillet up to 8 hours.

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

A classic Thanksgiving side dish spread isn't complete without a delicious offering of sweet potato recipes. This Classic Sweet Potato Casserole is one of our favorites—and it is a reader favorite too. Just think of this recipe as a study in Thanksgiving comfort-food simplicity: sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, milk, eggs, and more, but for many people the pleasure is really the toppings. It is hard to beat cornflakes, marshmallows, sugar, and pecans. This classic casserole is nutty, buttery, savory, and sweet all in the same mouthful. So sometimes it truly is nice to stick with the classics, and to enjoy mouthwatering recipes like these.

Our most comprehensive cookbook ever published, 1,001 Ways To Cook Southern features 928 pages packed with the distinctly Southern recipes you love. Learn how to bake flawless fluffy biscuits and the perfect praline, straight from our test kitchen, plus so much more.

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