21 Soul-Warming Southern Dishes That Might Just Solve All Your Problems

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Step into the heart of Southern culinary tradition with my collection of 21 Southern Recipes that epitomize the comforting flavors and hospitality of the American South. From savory classics like gumbo, buttermilk fried chicken, and fluffy biscuits smothered in sausage gravy, to sweet delights such as peach cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie, each dish embodies the rich flavors passed down through generations. These recipes promise to transport you to front porches and family gatherings where food isn’t just sustenance, but a celebration of culture, community, and a way of life. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that not only nourishes the body but also warms the soul with every bite.

Gumbo Z’herbes – Green Gumbo with Sausage and Ham

Gumbo Z’herbes - Green Gumbo with Sausage & Ham by Gimme from Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme from Scratch

This Green Gumbo recipe, famously known as Gumbo Z’Herbes is a classic Louisiana dish. This stew features a mix of tender greens, dark roux and smoked sausage and ham. It’s simple to prepare and full of comforting flavors.

Get the Recipe: Gumbo Z’herbes – Green Gumbo with Sausage and Ham

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

As a self-proclaimed macaroni and cheese fanatic, I am excited to share my favorite cast iron skillet macaroni and cheese recipe. Tender elbow macaroni smothered in a rich, creamy sauce made from a blend of three different cheeses, perfectly seasoned with a hint of spice and topped with homemade garlic butter croutons for that irresistible crunch. This cast iron macaroni and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food – warm, gooey, and downright delicious.

Get the Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Crab Beignets with Tangy Remoulade Sauce

Southern Crab Beignets with Tangy Remoulade Sauce by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

If you’re a fan of crispy, savory bites of seafood, you’re going to love these Cajun crab beignets with a tangy homemade remoulade sauce. These delectable treats feature succulent crabmeat and cajun seasoned beer batter that is fried to perfection resulting in a light and airy beignet. Discover how to make these easy mouthwatering crab beignets at home.

Get the Recipe: Southern Crab Beignets with Tangy Remoulade Sauce

Pineapple Bread Pudding

Pineapple Bread Pudding by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

One of my all time favorite desserts is pineapple bread pudding! This delectable dish combines the rich flavors of caramelized pineapple with the comforting goodness of brioche bread, all topped off with a luscious pineapple brown sugar butter sauce. Trust me; this dessert is an absolute game-changer!

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Bread Pudding

Chicken and Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

Chicken and Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce by Gimme from Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme from Scratch

Y’all! This fried chicken and waffles recipe is a satisfying combo of savory and sweet, complete with a drizzle of homemade jalapeno honey butter sauce. The crispy fried chicken pairs perfectly with the light and fluffy waffles, creating a mouth-watering contrast of textures. Replacing a traditional sweet maple syrup, is a spicy chicken and waffle sauce that adds a touch of heat and sweetness, bringing the dish to a whole new level. This will be the BEST waffles and chicken you’ve ever made. No joke!

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and Gravy by 100 Days of Real Food
Photo Credit: 100 Days of Real Food

Biscuits and gravy is a classic Southern dish made with fluffy biscuits smothered in a rich, creamy sausage gravy! This hearty and satisfying breakfast and brunch recipe is a family favorite. It is classic comfort food!

Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Buttermilk Fried Chicken by Britney Breaks Bread
Photo Credit: Britney Breaks Bread

This buttermilk fried chicken is a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. It’s juicy, and tender chicken brined in buttermilk and seasonings, then fried to crispy perfection!

Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Southern Oxtail

Southern Oxtail by Cook With Soul
Photo Credit: Cook With Soul

Cook With Soul’s smothered oxtail recipe is a Southern dish that evokes memories of Sunday soul food dinners and family gatherings. Cooked to perfection, tender oxtail is smothered in a flavorful gravy with bell pepper and onion and served over rice.

Get the Recipe: Southern Oxtail

Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie by I Heart Eating
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

This classic southern sweet potato pie recipe turns fresh sweet potatoes and few simple ingredients into a delicious pie that’s sure to be a hit at any Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon by Britney Breaks Bread
Photo Credit: Britney Breaks Bread

Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon is a delicious side dish and classic southern recipe. Tender cabbage with crispy bacon, topped with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat – this simple side dish comes together in just 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

Banana Pudding Pie

Banana Pudding Pie by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

This banana pudding pie recipe is a comforting dessert that perfectly captures the flavor of ripe bananas and the creamy goodness of homemade vanilla pudding. This pie elevates the classic southern banana pudding (minus the meringue), incorporating a Nilla wafer and shortbread cookie crust, luscious layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas and a tantalizing cream cheese whipped cream topping.

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Pie

Tender Cajun Stuffed Turkey Wings

Tender Cajun Stuffed Turkey Wings by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

Cajun stuffed turkey wings with homemade gravy is a dish that will leave you craving for more. The dish is made by stuffing turkey wings with a holy trinity of celery, onion, garlic and green bell pepper. The wings are then baked until fork tender and served with a homemade gravy made from turkey drippings. Shall we say “yum!”? They’re a perfect addition to your holiday meals or Sunday dinner. This baked turkey wings recipe is the epitome of southern comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Tender Cajun Stuffed Turkey Wings

Gingersnap Sweet Potato Casserole

Gingersnap Sweet Potato Casserole by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

As the Thanksgiving buzz gets buzzier, I’ve got the perfect addition to your holiday table: a nut-free roasted sweet potato casserole with gingersnap streusel topping and gooey marshmallows! That was mouthful but a really delicious one. This take on a Southern sweet potato casserole is a showstopper. With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s time to gear up for those festive gatherings and scrumptious meals.

Get the Recipe: Gingersnap Sweet Potato Casserole

Sausage Cornbread Dressing with Smoked Turkey

Sausage Cornbread Dressing with Smoked Turkey by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

Are you ready to elevate your holiday feast to a whole new level? Yep, I said it. This sausage cornbread dressing with smoked turkey is like no other. It could really be a meal all its own. My dressing a.k.a. stuffing recipe combines the richness of sage sausage with the smoky goodness of turkey, making it an unforgettable Thanksgiving side dish that deserves a special spot on your holiday table.

Get the Recipe: Sausage Cornbread Dressing with Smoked Turkey

Loaded Seafood Baked Potato

Loaded Seafood Baked Potato by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

These loaded shrimp baked potatoes are a seafood lover’s dream, combining the rich flavors of perfectly baked potatoes with a decadent creamy Cajun shrimp sauce. This restaurant quality seafood baked potato recipe will be one to add to your regular menu rotation!

Get the Recipe: Loaded Seafood Baked Potato

Peach Cobbler Pound Cakes

Peach Cobbler Pound Cakes by Gimme From Scratch
Photo Credit: Gimme From Scratch

Imagine biting into a bundt cake, where the tender, moist crumb of a classic pound cake meets the sweet, fruity delight of a peach cobbler. Yep, you heard it right! We’re making Peach Cobbler Pound Cakes, and let me tell you, they are as delicious as they sound. Who can resist the allure of a peach cobbler, with its sweet, syrupy peaches? Combine that with the buttery goodness of a pound cake, and you’ve got a match made in heaven! It’s a unique twist that brings together the best of two beloved desserts. If you’re a peach lover, this one’s for you:)

Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cakes

Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans

Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans by The Peasants Daughter
Photo Credit: The Peasants Daughter

Stop throwing away your ham bone or giving it to the dog; turn it (and any leftover ham) into this delicious leftover hambone soup with beans and root vegetables instead. If you love ham and bean soups and stews, you’re going to love this.

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans

Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Pimento Cheese Sandwich by Xoxo Bella
Photo Credit: Xoxo Bella

This iconic sandwich boasts cheese, pimento and all the wonderful spices and seasonings that bring out the rich creamy filling beautifully. A pimento cheese sandwich is versatile and just as delicious served for lunch as they are at a picnic, potluck supper or any other occasion. If you love cheese, you will love this wonderful take on the classic cheese sandwich.

Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread

Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread by Sweet Tea and Thyme
Photo Credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme

This heavenly family favorite recipe brings well loved banana bread and cornbread together to make a moist, delicious, and sweet cornbread that’s fantastic as a side dish for the holidays or with brunch!

Get the Recipe: Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread

Southern Fried Catfish

Southern Fried Catfish by Simply Lakita
Photo Credit: Simply Lakita

This Fried Catfish Recipe is perfectly crispy and golden cornmeal coated fish that’s flaky and tender with each bite. You certainly want to save this recipe to make for your next family fish fry gathering. Crispy, golden, delicious!

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Catfish

New Orleans Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

New Orleans Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice by Cook with Soul
Photo Credit: Cook with Soul

Cook with Soul’s slow cooker red beans and rice is the epitome of Southern comfort food and a must-try for anyone looking to savor the essence of The Big Easy.

Get the Recipe: New Orleans Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Deviled Egg Potato Salad by Mary's Whole Life
Photo Credit: Mary’s Whole Life

This gluten free potato salad is a delicious twist on deviled eggs- healthy and filling! The perfect Whole30 side dish to serve all spring and summer long!

Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Potato Salad

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Meet Dee

I love to share recipes with real ingredients that are both sweet and savory (especially sweet:) My mission with Gimme From Scratch is to inspire you with recipes that will bring your families together in the kitchen. I'm introverted at heart but know how important socializing can be for maintaining good relationships, when writing not only am looking forward to sharing information - It's also building connections between readers who love good food as much as I do!

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