28 Quick Southern Recipes We Love
Updated: May 10, 2024
When you're craving down-home comfort food, these quick Southern recipes are the way to go. Find tasty main dishes, sides, desserts and more—all ready to eat in 30 minutes or less.
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Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
The recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
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Gumbo in a Jiffy
This is a yummy dish. My husband loves the kick that the sausage gives this quick gumbo, and it’s such a cinch to assemble. —Amy Flack, Homer City, Pennsylvania
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Green Tomato BLT
I absolutely love tomatoes, any kind, any size. Being from the South, that includes fried green tomatoes. I created a special summer sandwich to show them off. —Hillian Holmgren, Del Rio, Texas
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Country Ham and Potatoes
Browned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
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Pretzel-Crusted Catfish
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
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Easy Chicken and Dumplings
If there's anything better than chicken and dumplings, it's quick and easy chicken and dumplings. This recipe fits the bill, coming together in just 30 minutes.
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Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
A classic Southern dish often served at the holidays, black-eyed peas and collard greens might just become an all-the-time meal once your family tries it.
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Cajun Shrimp and Grits
When we're craving southern comfort food, nothing hits the spot like Cajun shrimp and grits. Between the cheesy grits, spicy shrimp and smoky bacon, this dish is the very definition of full-flavored.
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Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies
The crunchy exterior of these southern-style snacks is a nice contrast to the moist cornbread. Jalapeno peppers and hot sauce add a hint of heat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Roasted Okra
Our recipe for roasted okra transforms this versatile vegetable into a crispy, flavorful treat. Perfect as a side dish or snack, roasted okra is a healthy way to enjoy this often under-appreciated veggie.
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Southern Pork & Rice
At our house, we're big on healthy eating. These ultra tender chops with colorful rice and black-eyed peas are a meal fancy enough for a dinner party. —Annie Holmes, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Bacon-Pimiento Cheese Corn Muffins
Cornbread is essential at family dinners, and with the addition of bacon and pimiento cheese, you'll have requests for more long after the get-together! —Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia
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Quick Bananas Foster
Guests are always impressed when I ignite the rum in this delicious bananas Foster dessert. Use perfectly ripe bananas for best results. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Buttermilk Cornbread
This buttermilk cornbread recipe is tangy, fluffy and filled with sweet flavor. It's an easy side dish to pair with barbecue or hearty meats, and it can be ready and on the table in just 30 minutes.
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Zesty Grilled Ham
If it's ham, my kids will eat it, but they like this kicked-up recipe best of all. Even the small ones eat adult-sized portions, so be sure to make plenty. —Mary Ann Lien, Tyler, Texas
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Southern Fried BLT
I’m really not big on tomatoes—but I do like them green and fried, so I decided to try them in a sandwich. It was a smash! If you’ve gotta have cheese, add sharp cheddar to this indulgent twist on the traditional BLT. —Stacy King, Rome, Georgia
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Upside-Down Bacon Pancake
Make a big impression when you present one family-sized bacon pancake. The brown sugar adds sweetness that complements the salty bacon. If you can fit more bacon in the skillet and want to add more, go for it! —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
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Curried Pork and Green Tomatoes
When the tomatoes are green in the garden, my husband and sons are thrilled to know this dish will appear on several weekly menus. I've passed the recipe on more times than I can count.
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Green Tomato Jam
As the tomato season draws near and you have a bumper crop of green tomatoes on your vine, reach for this one-of-a-kind jam! Everyone is pleased with its great taste.—Norma Henderson, Hampton, New Brunswick
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Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnuts
Guests will have a touch of nostalgia when they bite into one of these old-fashioned doughnuts. Accents of nutmeg and cinnamon, along with a subtle burst of lemon, make them hard to resist. —June Jones, Harveyville, Kansas
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Fried Okra
Crispy, crunchy and absolutely delightful. It’s hard to stop eating fried okra once you pop a few of these tasty bites!
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Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Treat yourself to a classic southern breakfast with our easy recipe for biscuits and sausage gravy.
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Country Chicken and Gravy
Here's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
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Shrimp Po'Boys with Pineapple Slaw
This twist on the traditional po'boy sandwich adds flavor and veggies while reducing fat and calories. For a smoked flavor, grill the shrimp. For a lower-carb option, serve the po'boy open-faced on a baguette half. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Frito Pie
Crunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
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Buttermilk Pecan Waffles
I like cooking with buttermilk. These golden buttermilk waffles are my husband's favorite breakfast, so we enjoy them often. They're as easy to prepare as regular waffles, but their unique taste makes them exceptional.
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Ham Salad
This ham salad recipe is the perfect way to use up your leftover roasted ham, as well as the rolls you served with it!
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Brunch Beignets
Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, FloridaOriginally Published: February 06, 2020
