30 Simple Southern Cooking Recipes for Easy Meals

1. Southern Biscuits

Fluffy and buttery, Southern biscuits are a breakfast staple. Serve them with gravy, jam, or honey for a delightful start to your day.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¾ cup milk

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until just combined. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently. Roll out to about 1 inch thick, cut into rounds, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.

2. Shrimp and Grits

This classic dish combines creamy grits with sautéed shrimp, making a comforting meal perfect for any time of day.

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• ½ cup scallions, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a pot, bring the water to a boil, then slowly stir in the grits. Cook until thick and creamy. In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy, then add shrimp and scallions, cooking until shrimp is pink. Stir in cheese until melted, then serve over grits.

3. Fried Green Tomatoes

A Southern classic, fried green tomatoes are crispy and tart, perfect as an appetizer or side dish.

• 4 green tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Dip tomato slices in buttermilk, then coat with cornmeal seasoned with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet and fry the tomatoes until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels before serving.

4. Collard Greens

Collard greens are a nutritious side dish, often cooked with ham hocks for added flavor.

• 2 pounds collard greens, washed and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ham hock
• 4 cups chicken broth

In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add the collard greens, ham hock, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 45 minutes until greens are tender.

5. Classic Southern Cornbread

Sweet and moist, cornbread is an essential accompaniment to many Southern meals.

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients, pour into a greased cast-iron skillet, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

6. Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings

This hearty dish is a warm hug on a plate, perfect for family gatherings or chilly nights.

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup butter, melted

In a pot, boil chicken in broth until tender. Remove chicken and shred. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until combined. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling broth, cover, and cook until dumplings are fluffy. Return shredded chicken to the pot and serve hot.

7. Pecan Pie

This sweet, nutty dessert is a must-have for any Southern holiday gathering.

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into the pie crust and bake for 60-70 minutes until set. Cool before serving.

8. Barbecue Pulled Pork

Slow-cooked pulled pork is a Southern favorite, perfect for sandwiches or served with coleslaw.

• 3 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker, season with salt and pepper, and add sliced onion. Pour barbecue sauce over the top. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until tender. Shred the pork and mix with the sauce before serving.

9. Southern-Style Macaroni and Cheese

This creamy and cheesy dish is a comforting side that pairs well with any Southern meal.

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook macaroni according to package instructions. In a large bowl, mix cooked macaroni, cheese, milk, sour cream, butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

10. Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak is a classic Southern dish, served with creamy gravy for a satisfying meal.

• 1 pound cube steak
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Season cube steak with salt and pepper. Dip in egg and then coat in flour. Heat oil in a skillet and fry steaks until golden brown. For gravy, use the leftover oil, whisk in flour, and slowly add milk, cooking until thickened.

11. Sweet Tea

No Southern meal is complete without a glass of sweet tea, the perfect refreshing beverage.

• 6 cups water
• 4 tea bags (black tea)
• 1 cup sugar
• Ice

Boil water and steep tea bags for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until dissolved. Let cool, then pour over ice and enjoy!

12. Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are often served on New Year’s Day for good luck but are delicious any time of year.

• 2 cups black-eyed peas
• 4 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ham hock

In a pot, combine peas, water, onion, garlic, and ham hock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours until peas are tender. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

13. Hush Puppies

These golden-brown fried cornmeal balls are a perfect side for fried fish or shrimp.

• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup flour
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¾ cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, onion, egg, milk, and seasonings. Heat oil in a skillet and drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, then drain on paper towels.

14. Tomato Pie

This savory pie, filled with fresh tomatoes and cheese, showcases the best of summer produce.

• 1 pie crust
• 4 large tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 teaspoon basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer sliced tomatoes in the pie crust, sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, cheese, and basil. Spread over the tomatoes and bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly.

15. Peach Cobbler

Sweet and juicy, peach cobbler is a classic Southern dessert that is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• 4 cups fresh peaches, sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, mix peaches and sugar. In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk. Pour over the peaches and drizzle melted butter on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

Conclusion

These 30 simple Southern cooking recipes capture the heart and soul of Southern cuisine, bringing comfort and joy to your table. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet family dinner, these dishes are sure to satisfy and create lasting memories. Embrace the flavors of the South and let these recipes make your meal preparations simple and enjoyable!

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16. Chicken and Dumplings

This hearty dish is a staple in Southern homes, combining tender chicken with fluffy dumplings in a savory broth.

• 1 whole chicken, cut up
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter

In a large pot, boil the chicken in chicken broth until cooked through. Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and butter to form a dough. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling broth and cook for 10-15 minutes until dumplings are fluffy.

17. Biscuits and Gravy

A classic Southern breakfast, biscuits and gravy is a comforting dish that’s hard to resist.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter, cold
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pound sausage
• 2 cups milk (for gravy)
• ¼ cup flour (for gravy)

Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly, then stir in milk. Roll out and cut into circles. Bake for 10-12 minutes. For the gravy, cook sausage in a pan, then add flour, stirring to form a roux. Gradually add milk, cooking until thickened. Serve sausage gravy over warm biscuits.

18. Shrimp and Grits

This dish combines creamy grits with succulent shrimp, making it a beloved Southern favorite.

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 strips bacon, chopped
• 1 cup cheese (cheddar or pepper jack)
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, bring water to a boil and stir in grits. Cook until thickened, about 20 minutes, stirring often. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet until crispy, then add shrimp and cook until pink. Stir cheese into grits, season, and serve topped with shrimp and bacon.

19. Collard Greens

This nutritious side dish is a Southern staple, often cooked with ham hocks for added flavor.

• 2 pounds collard greens, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ham hock
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add collard greens, ham hock, and chicken broth. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until greens are tender. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

20. Pimento Cheese

This creamy spread is a Southern favorite, perfect for sandwiches or as a dip.

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 jar pimentos, drained and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, mayonnaise, pimentos, salt, and pepper until smooth. Serve with crackers or as a sandwich filling.

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