100 Ways to Cook Southern

Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Share the love of tried-and-true Southern recipes with our collection. For even more recipes for classics and new twists on old favorites, pick up a copy of our 1,001 Ways to Cook Southern.The South is known for its rich culinary heritage, and there is a growing interest in how to cook traditional Southern food. This selection of Southern recipes includes all-time favorites such as pimiento cheese, fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, and pound cake. Creating great Southern food incorporates many ways to cook, such as grilling outside for a picnic, utilizing fresh seasonal produce from the garden for an easy summer meal, or creating hearty breakfasts or indulgent sweet desserts for special occasions. Southern food is synonymous with comfort food; just the delicious aroma from a bowl of chicken and dumplings can evoke fond memories of Grandma’s kitchen. It is no wonder that great Southern recipes, passed down from one generation to the next, are cherished and protected.  Find a new favorite Southern food, or renew an acquaintance with an old favorite, in this collection of classic Southern recipes.
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Bacon Pimiento Cheese

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

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Two-Step Pound Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

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Southern Sweet Tea

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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

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Buttermilk Biscuits

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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

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Hot Grits With Tomato Gravy

Jennifer Davick / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey / Food Styling Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Recipe: Tomato Gravy

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

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Cheese Straws

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Cheese Straws

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

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Tennessee Caviar

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.

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Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

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.

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Best Boiled Peanuts

Jennifer Davick / Styling Rose Nguyen / Food Styling Lyda Jones Burnette

Recipe: Boiled Peanuts

Southerners love shelling out these soft and salty nuts.

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Pork Tenderloin on Cornmeal Biscuits

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.

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Beer-Batter Fried Pickles

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

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Praline Pecans

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.

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Southern-Style Collard Greens

Photo by Jim Franco

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.

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Herb-Grilled Chicken With Watermelon-Feta Salad

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.

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Quick & Tasty Banana Pudding

Photo: Van Chaplin; Charles Walton IV

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.

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Assemble-Your-Own Barbecue Stacks

Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

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.

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Shrimp Po’boys

Recipe: Shrimp Po’boys

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

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Crab Cakes With Lemon Rémoulade

Recipe: Crab Cakes With Lemon Rémoulade

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

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Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake

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

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Warm Turnip Green Dip

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.

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Luscious Lemon Bars

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Sour Cream Cornbread

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

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Fiesta Brisket

Photo Jennifer Davick / Styling Sissy Lamerton, Caroline Murphey / Food Styling Marian Cooper Cairns, Angela Sellers

Recipe: Fiesta Brisket

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

How-To Cook Fiesta Brisket

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Photo by Beth Dreiling Honztas

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

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Easy Brunswick Stew

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.

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    Classic Mint Julep

    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

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    Ham-Stuffed Biscuits With Mustard Butter

    Photo: Tina Cornett

    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!

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    Pecan Bourbon Balls

    Photo: Iain Bagwell

    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.

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    Old-fashioned Meatloaf

    Southern Living

    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

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    Mississippi Hush Puppies

    Southern Living

    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.

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    Easy Three-Seed Pan Rolls

    Jennifer Davick / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey / Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

    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.

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    The Ultimate Carrot Cake

    Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

    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