17 Classic Southern Recipes That
All Good Cooks Know How To Prepare

Nothing is more southern than slow cooked black eyed peas served with some fried chicken, collard greens, and corn bread.

From fried chicken to black-eyed peas, we've assembled 17 comforting classic southern recipes that represent and were voted best in the south.

Since you're already looking for southern recipes, you're probably ready to try your hand at cooking some good old fashioned, real, and authentic southern food.  

I'm always ready to roll up my sleeves, put on an apron and get in the kitchen to prepare home cooking for my family.  How about you?

That said if you are up for some fun and excitement I invite you to put on your favorite apron to.  Then head into your kitchen and try out some of the easiest southern food recipes around.

What I like best is the traditional recipes that follow are the same ones you have grown to love and have enjoyed eating the most while growing up. The recipes below are grouped into several different categories, to assist you in finding the exact recipe of your liking.  We invite you to look through the list to find you favorite recipes, then head to your kitchen to cook up some delicious homemade foods.

Living down South you will a full line of of classic comforting home cooked meals and if you're lucky they'll taste just like food prepared in grandma's kitchen.  So the next time you get that craving for a taste of southern food just try one of the 17 classic southern cooking recipes above.

Voted 17 Best Southern Cooking Recipes

1 / 17

Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken
Crunchy and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the
inside is the only way to prepare and eat fried chicken. Break
the hot sauce out the cabinets for some good eating. Just can't get enough.

2 / 17

Black-eyed Peas

Black-eyed Peas
Cooked separately or with rice as hoppin' john, black eyed peas
is a popular soul food dish. Plenty of southern folks, especially us
blacks eat this dish on New Year's day to bring good luck.

3 / 17

Collard Greens

Collard Greens
Now collards are a soul food staple to a lot of people. These greens are
usually cooked with ham hocks. Please pass the vinegar, hot sauce and
give me a piece of corn bread. Don't forget to eat with your hands.

4 / 17

Country Fried Steak

Country Fried Steak
For some good eating try deep fried beef steak cooked to perfection
in flour or batter. Then serve this up with the best tasting gravy you'll
ever eat. And don't forget your side dishes.

5 / 17

Fried Catfish

Fried Catfish
This fried fish dish is an icon of soul food and southern cooking. Most
often the fish is dredged in seasoned cornbread and then deep fried. You can see
this dish being served on Friday nights with coleslaw and hush puppies.

6 / 17

Creamed Corn

Creamed Corn    
This southern staple, is one of the easiest, riches, and most
creamiest side dish you will ever make. This is a must try
recipe favorite.

7 / 17

Salmon Croquette Patties

Salmon Patties
Perfect salmon patties are golden and crispy on the outside and
tender and flaky on the inside. They are quick and easy to prepare and I've had
many a meal that includes these little delicious patties.

8 / 17

Fried Fish and Grits

Fried Fish and Grits
Fish and grits are the ultimate breakfast foods on a Sunday morning
before heading out the door for a few hours of church. This meal
will get and keep you full so you're not thinking about eating.

9 / 17

Homemade Meatloaf

Grandma's Meat Loaf
As soul food, meatloaf is typical served with brown gravy. Like what's
pictured above. However, I prefer my meatloaf cooked and topped with ketchup
sauce. If you like yours prepared this way too try the recipe.

10 / 17

Lima Beans

Lima Beans
You can find a pot of Lima beans cooking in the kitchen on Sunday
all across America. We like the prepared with ham hocks for additional
flavor. When it's time to eat we reach from corn bread and hot sauce.

Lima Beans

11 / 17

Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops
Lightly breaded pork chops smothered in a rich and savory gravy
(served over rice or mashed potatoes) is a real treat and one of
my favorite soul food and southern cooking dished.

12 / 17

Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie
This is one of my most favorite soul food desserts and it
could be yours too. There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked sweet
potato pie straight from the oven

13 / 17

Smothered Chicken

Smothered Chicken
It's all about perfectly tender and juicy fried chicken smothered in
a rich, savory, and creamy gravy...cooked to perfection. Served
with homemade mashed potatoes, this recipe is a MUST try.

14 / 17

Hog Head Cheesewww.cupofzest.com

Hog Head Cheese
Although most people absolutely love hog's head cheese they
really have no idea exactly what part of the pig they are eating. 
After trying this recipe you will know.

15 / 17

Chitterlings

Chitterlings
Some folks call chitterlings, the cleaned and prepared
intestines  of hogs is a southern delicacy.  Chitlins are slow-cooked
and often eaten with vinegar and hot sauce. 

16 / 17

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is probably one of America's most favorite
comfort foods. Tender noodles with rich and creamy cheese is
browned in the oven for some homemade crispy goodness.

17 / 17

Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding
This dessert classic is an all-time family favorite for ease of preparation
and its great taste. But don't expect any leftovers. Your family will eat
all the banana pudding up.

More Southern Recipes

Beverages

Homemade Lemonade
Homemade Pink Lemonade
Southern Sweet tea
Sweet Sun tea

Breads

Corn Bread
Fried Hush Puppies
Homemade Biscuits

Main Courses

Barbecue Pigs Feet
Basic Meat Loaf
Boiled Pigs Feet
Chitterlings and Hog Maws
Deep Fried Chicken
Fried Chicken
Southern Fried Chicken

Side Dishes

Baked Beans
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Basic Potato Salad
Buttered Mashed Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Potato Salad
Southern Potato Salad
Stuffed Bell Pepper

Desserts

Banana Pudding
Peach Cobbler
Pecan Pie
Sweet Potato Pie

In case you are wondering our all time favorite recipes are fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, and banana pudding.  Whenever we get the chance this is a meal we will often prepare and serve to our family and friends.  Be sure to come back to see us soon, for more old southern food recipes like these.  Also before you leave check out our TOP 3 southern fried chicken recipes.