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.