This Nostalgic Southern Brunch Menu Will Be the Best Meal of Your Week

Published on Apr. 06, 2026

Taste of Home assistant art director (and native New Orleanian) Ali Sullivan shares the recipes she makes when hosting her dream southern brunch.

5 Recipes For A Southern Style Brunch — TASTE OF HOME

If you ask me, brunch is the best meal of the week! It’s an excuse to hang out with friends, eat something indulgent and have a great time. Because I grew up in New Orleans, I love the chance to whip up a meal with plenty of southern flair—and my go-to brunch menu delivers exactly that.

So many of my favorite memories took place in a kitchen or around a table with friends and family. Treating guests to this brunch menu takes me back to those special times. Invite some friends over and give my yummy menu a try. I bet it’ll help you make new memories, too.

1/5

Bananas Foster French Toast

28 Reviews

Total Time:55 min

Servings:6

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Mmm…bananas Foster for breakfast! This yummy baked French toast serves up all the taste of the spectacular dessert in fine fashion. —Laurence Nasson, Hingham Massachusetts

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 658 calories, 31g fat (17g saturated fat), 218mg cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 84g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein.

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I first tried bananas Foster French toast at a restaurant in the French Quarter. This dish reminds me of mornings spent sitting in Jackson Square watching the artists set up while the city slowly starts its day. Bananas Foster is actually a New Orleans original, so anything with caramelized bananas always feels a little nostalgic.

2/5

Million-Dollar Candied Bacon

1 Reviews

Total Time:40 min

Servings:10

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Sweet, salty, crispy and chewy candied bacon is sometimes called million-dollar bacon for a reason. It’s heavenly! —Grace Vallo, Salem, New Hampshire

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 253 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.

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Down South, a lot of our traditions revolve around food. Since every meal is a celebration, there’s no shame in a bit of decadence. This incredible bacon recipe serves up the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Although bacon is usually only savory, I’m totally comfortable bending the rules a little—after all, I am a New Orleanian.

3/5

Deep South Jalapeno Cheese Grits

1 Reviews

Contest Winner

Total Time:1 hour 5 min

Servings:8

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Grits are a true Deep South staple that warms the soul. I've made these spicy, cheesy baked grits for family, friends and church potlucks for many years. They’re always a hit! —Tamera Hazen, Daphne, Alabama

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 295 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 648mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.

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Cheesy grits and bacon go hand in hand. This creamy, savory dish is exactly what I want alongside something crunchy on my brunch plate.

4/5

Cold Brew Iced Tea

Total Time:5 min

Servings:1 cup

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Cold brew tea makes a refreshingly cold beverage that's less bitter and naturally sweeter than sun tea. Adjusting the water amount can make it as strong or weak as you like. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 2 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: Free food.

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Iced tea is a go-to for me, and my husband happily drinks it with breakfast, lunch and dinner. And since we’re talking about brunch, this is the perfect beverage to add alcohol to, if you like.

5/5

Drop Beignets

2 Reviews

Total Time:25 min

Servings:about 2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 66 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 42mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

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A sweet treat is essential to every meal, and brunch is no exception! I’d be happy if all my meals ended with this iconic New Orleans dish.