Top Southern recipes of all time (2024)

Barbecues. Cajun. Fried foods. Okra. Corn. The cuisine of the American South is iconic and, like other cuisines of the United States, blends together a myriad of flavors that reveals its heritage and cultural past. A number of elements of Southern cooking even borrow from southeast American Indian tribes like the Seminole. Other aspects of the cuisine, like the focus on breakfast, take from the British full breakfast.

Bring a taste of the South to your kitchen this week with our top Southern recipes below. Be it fried chicken, corn, or barbecue, explore and take in all the South has to offer. Whether you are a novice Southern cook or a seasoned one, our recipe list has something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Southern-style chicken and waffles

Very few things in life are better than Southern-style chicken and waffles. Let me tell you why. First, it's a texture thing. The waffles are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, just like a good piece of fried chicken. Then, there are all the flavors. The waffles soak up all the sweetness from the maple syrup, which presents a stark contrast to the super savory flavors of the fried chicken.

When it comes to breakfast showdowns, waffles might just win over pancakes. Fluffy cakes drenched in sweet syrup are great, but waffles provide that extra special something -- a crispy crunch giving way to soft cake and perfect little wells for holding all that sweet maple syrup. For this chicken and waffles recipe and other waffle recipes, be sure to check out these top Southern waffle recipes.

2. Southern blueberry kolaches

Kolache (pronounced ko-LAH-chee) are a Texas specialty with Czech origins. Brought to the American South by Central European immigrants in the late 1800s, they combine a soft, yeasted dough, slightly sweet and a bit tangy, with savory or sweet fillings ranging from sausage and cheese to sweet cream cheese and fruit preserves.

This recipe gives them a sweet blueberry filling. If you love blueberries and the tastes of the South, you are in for a treat. Be sure to check out these top Southern blueberry recipes.

3. Dr. Pepper chicken wings

If you’re going to go for bad, you might as well go all the way. Pop open a can of Dr. Pepper to provide a pop of flavor to these sweet and sticky wings. The wings get an incredible charred flavor from the grill, and then there's that glaze. This glaze is something else; it's sweet, savory, and very addicting.

Top Southern wings recipes are chock-full of flavor. Who doesn't love piles of delicious wings saturated with sticky, finger-licking deliciousness? They're perfect for tailgating, parties or just at home with the family. For Dr. Pepper chicken wings and other wing recipes, be sure to check out these top chicken wing recipes.

4. Southern peach crumb cake

A multilayered Southern peach crumb cake is a delicious treat to enjoy with coffee, and this recipe is incredibly easy. The sour cream cake base is topped with a layer of fresh sweet peaches and a spiced layer of buttery crumbs.

There's nothing better to remind you of the delicious tastes of summer than baking some Southern peach desserts. The aroma that will fill your kitchen will be nothing short of heavenly. It's time to head to the kitchen. For this Southern peach crumb cake recipes and other peach recipes, be sure to check out these top Southern peach recipes.

5. Southern crab mac and cheese

The sweet flavor of the crab complements the salty bacon and savory cheese sauce really well. It's truly a dish worthy of celebration. Try using fun types of pasta shapes (such as the cavatapi used in this recipe), but don't worry if you don't have them around. It will taste just as good with regular elbow macaroni.

Most people can agree that mac and cheese is pretty delicious all on its own. Our Southern recipes kick up the traditional version with new variations. If crab doesn't suit your fancy, what about pimento or mac and cheese fried bites? The possibilities are endless. Read on for 5+ Southern mac and cheese recipes, including the Southern crab mac and cheese featured above.

6. Chicken sausage fennel apples

Onions and peppers are a classic combination for sausage dishes, but it's nice to be able to mix it up. Use fennel in this dish instead. Fennel has the same great texture as onions, but it bursts with fresh anise flavors. Add apple chicken sausage because it's so much healthier than pork sausage, and the flavor of apples goes so well with fennel.

Southern cooking is diverse, generous, and delicious. One of the many ingredients that Southern cooks know how to handle exceptionally well is the good ol' sausage. Seriously, who doesn't love sausage? They feature spiced, herby, meaty deliciousness that can be cooked in so many different ways. For this chicken sausage fennel apples recipes and other sausage recipes, be sure to check out these top Southern sausage recipes.

7. Southern roadhouse ribs

Even if you've never been to a Texas roadhouse, chances are you've had roadhouse ribs. They're hearty and juicy, and like all good ribs, they fall right off the bone almost as soon as you pick them up. Thanks to this recipe, you can enjoy them at home anytime you want! They do take a little bit of time, so they may be more of a weekend meal for some. But that won't stand in the way of how delicious they are!

In the South, you don't enjoy ribs unless they're falling off the bones. What's not to like about ribs? They're delicious and economical, and they're great for barbecues or slow cooked in the oven. For these roadhouse ribs and other rib recipes, be sure to check out these top Southern rib recipes.

8. Southern upside-down pineapple cake

This cake is both kitschy and classic. A topping of sweet, oven-caramelized pineapple rings and bright red maraschino cherries gives it a look that hearkens back to the last century. Nearly 100 years since the first recipe for it was published, you can find any number of modern versions like this recipe, but none quite like our Cooktop Cove version.

Who doesn't love a delicious, moist slice of cake? Whether you're at a summer picnic or birthday party, a cake is a tasty addition to any meal. So many cake recipes exist that it would be next to impossible to bake them all -- why not consider a Southern cake, or what about a Southern upside-down cake? For this pineapple upside-down cake recipe and other cake recipes, check out our favorite Southern upside-down cake recipes.

9. Southern milk and honey corn on the cob

Boiling corn with milk and honey is actually nothing new. It's something that's very popular in the South, but it comes with some caveats. One of those is that you have to be very careful about boiling milk: If it comes to a full boil, that milk will curdle. And curdled milk will cling to the cobs when you take them out.

Southerners are especially fond of corn on the cob. It's delicious in barbecues and picnics. You can boil it, grill it, bake it, or enjoy it cut fresh from the cob. For this milk and honey corn on the cob recipe and other corn recipes, be sure to check out these 6+ Southern ways you can cook corn on the cob.

10. Hobo stew

This is the recipe that treads the line between “I barely know how to cook” and “incredible memories of summers camping and tailgating.” For me, it’s this -- or hot dog kebabs. The good news is you can make new memories with this dish almost anywhere; it’s so easy and requires so few ingredients and dishes, you can almost always bring it along.

Stew is warm and comforting -- a delicious addition to any chilly day. Serve it up with some fresh warm bread and you have yourself one of the best meals around. The stews on this list are anything but traditional. These stews have just the right amount of Southern taste and are sure to suit any meal, any day of the week. For this hobo stew recipe and other stew recipes, check out our favorite Southern stew recipes.