35 Southern Recipes So Good, They’ll Have You Making Them Every Weekend

Some recipes try to be clever. These just try to be good. With 35 Southern staples in one place, this lineup covers every excuse to gather, whether it’s Sunday supper or just Wednesday with better lighting. Nothing fancy, just full-flavored dishes that don’t apologize for being the best part of the day. Fair warning: after a few rounds of these, someone will start referring to you as “the one who makes that thing.”

Steak & Potato Soup

Some meals come with a built-in excuse to sit back and ignore your phone. That’s the vibe Steak & Potato Soup brings to the table—simple, filling, and worth slowing down for. It’s one of those bowls that makes people rethink what soup can be. Expect second helpings and quiet appreciation between spoonfuls.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Potato Soup

Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes

Don’t let the word “salad” fool you—this one shows up to make a statement. The real magic in Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes is how it straddles that line between backyard cookout and something that makes people raise an eyebrow in a good way. It’s bright, unexpected, and harder to stop eating than you’d think. Salad night just got competitive.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy

There’s something about a dish that keeps the kitchen quiet except for the sound of forks. Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy isn’t fancy, but it doesn’t have to be when it tastes like this. It’s the kind of thing that turns a regular weeknight into the one people keep asking to repeat. If comfort food had a greatest hits album, this would be Track One.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy

Southern Ham Salad

This is the kind of dish that makes people nostalgic—even if they’ve never had it before. Southern Ham Salad keeps things simple and straight to the point, and that’s exactly what makes it work. It’s as welcome on a sandwich as it is straight from the bowl with a fork. Once it’s in the fridge, it won’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Not every great meal requires a full grocery run. 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken proves you don’t need to get fancy to get something worth repeating. It’s the type of recipe that turns first-timers into regulars and makes last-minute dinners feel planned. You’ll be surprised how many requests this one gets.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle

When dinner feels like it should come with a warning label for how filling it is, this is the dish. Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle brings serious flavor and just the right kick to make you pause between bites. It feels like something you’d expect in a restaurant, but better because you don’t have to share. Serve it once, and suddenly you’re in charge of chowder season.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle

Smoked Mac & Cheese

It’s not trying to be edgy—it just knows it’s the best side dish in the room. Smoked Mac & Cheese pulls off the impossible: comforting and bold without turning into something complicated. It’s the kind of dish that disappears before you’ve even grabbed your plate. At this point, you might as well just double it.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese

Smoked Brisket Chili

Nobody needs convincing to try this one. Smoked Brisket Chili doesn’t mess around—it brings all the flavor of a slow Sunday cookout without dragging the process into Monday. There’s something satisfying about a bowl that can hold its own without needing extra flash. Be warned: people will want the recipe, and they will not stop asking.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brisket Chili

Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs

When a side dish gets this much attention, you know it’s doing something right. Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs bring a little crunch and a whole lot of flavor without needing much fuss. They’re easy to eat, hard to share, and always a crowd favorite. Plan on making extras—you’re going to want them around for snacking.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs

Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

This soup manages to feel both familiar and special at the same time. Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup fits right into the rotation when you want something warm without overthinking it. It’s smooth, comforting, and a reminder that simple can still impress. You’ll want a bowl every time the weather drops.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Oven Baked Ribs

Ribs are a weekend staple, and these are the kind that don’t need a whole toolbox of sauces to make you smile. Oven Baked Ribs come through with straightforward flavor and enough tenderness to make anyone happy. They’re reliable, easy to share, and exactly what you want when the craving hits. Just be ready for the mess and the praise.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Don’t let the name throw you off; these meatballs pack a punch in every bite. Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs are the kind of comforting meal that sticks around in your mind long after dinner’s done. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, leaving you with something worth planning ahead for. Expect leftovers to disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

You don’t need a lot of extras when something’s been doing it right for generations. That’s exactly the story with Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans, the dish that knows what it’s doing and doesn’t ask for much. It’s the quiet star of the table, showing up ready to earn its spot. One scoop and you’ll understand the hype.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

This isn’t your average pork chop situation—it’s the version that’s been slow-cooked into something you’ll want every week. Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops somehow feel nostalgic and like a discovery at the same time. They don’t need fanfare; the flavor does all the work. Expect clean plates and maybe a few arguments over who gets the last one.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

Fried Tomatillos

Some dishes sound simple but sneak up on you with flavor. Fried Tomatillos are the kind of crispy treat that make you rethink what’s possible with a quick fry. They show up as a side but quickly become the main event for anyone who tries them. Don’t be surprised if they vanish before dinner is even served.
Get the Recipe: Fried Tomatillos

Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl

There’s something satisfying about soup served in a bread bowl, especially when it’s loaded with flavor. Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl feels like a hug on a plate without the awkwardness. It hits that perfect balance between creamy and comforting without trying too hard. This one has “repeat performance” written all over it.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl

Texas Corn Succotash

This dish shows up to keep things fresh but still grounded in Southern tradition. Texas Corn Succotash has enough flavor to stand on its own while playing nicely with whatever else is on your plate. It’s a smart side that balances bold and familiar without overdoing it. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash

Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

Pickled shrimp isn’t just a party trick—it’s a genuine crowd pleaser when done right. Southern Style Pickled Shrimp brings a tangy twist that surprises in the best way possible. It’s one of those dishes people talk about long after the party ends. Once you try it, there’s no going back.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

This recipe nails the flavor that makes you wish every restaurant plate came home with leftovers. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips are hearty, straightforward, and perfect for those nights when you want something that feels like a treat. It’s the kind of dish that makes people ask how you made it. Bonus: you don’t have to wait for a table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

Sweet Potato Cornbread

This isn’t just any cornbread—it’s the side dish that’s guaranteed to disappear first. Sweet Potato Cornbread manages to feel both classic and just different enough to keep things interesting. It’s perfect for pairing with everything on the table and sneaking a piece before dinner. Heads up: you might need to bake two batches.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread

Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Some soups don’t mess around, and this one is no exception. Oven Roasted Tomato Soup has enough depth to feel special without any extra fuss. It’s the kind of bowl you want on hand for those days when comfort food is the only plan. Chances are, you’ll be making it more than once a month.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Million Dollar Spaghetti

When spaghetti gets a makeover without losing what makes it great, you know it’s worth trying. Million Dollar Spaghetti is the kind of meal that makes busy weeknights feel a little more special. It’s hearty without being complicated, and it somehow hits all the right notes. Be ready for second servings—you’re going to need them.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Garlic Chicken Skillet

When simple gets the job done better than you expected, you’re looking at Garlic Chicken Skillet. It’s the kind of recipe that feels homey and satisfying without demanding a lot of time or attention. Perfect for nights when you want something quick that still tastes like you planned ahead. Plates will be clean, guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Skillet

Creamed Corn

There’s a reason this dish is a Southern table staple—it’s that good. Creamed Corn manages to be rich and comforting while staying familiar enough for everyone to agree on. It pairs with just about anything and makes you want to dig in for more. Don’t underestimate its staying power on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn

Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

You don’t have to drive far to enjoy the kind of chili that sticks with you. This Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe hits the mark with straightforward flavor and just enough kick to keep it interesting. It’s a bowl that fills the room with good vibes and even better smells. Once you try it, you’ll be making it often.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Smoky and sweet come together in this side dish that’s easy to make but hard to forget. Smoked Sweet Potatoes add a smoky edge to something familiar, making it a natural pairing for any Southern meal. They’re the kind of dish that might even convince people who usually skip sides to dig in. Prepare for compliments.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Southwestern Chili

This chili brings bold flavor without needing to be complicated or flashy. Southwestern Chili is the kind of bowl you’ll want on hand for game day, weeknight dinners, or whenever a little heat sounds good. It’s straightforward, filling, and consistently a crowd pleaser. Once it’s in rotation, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
Get the Recipe: Southwestern Chili

Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

The kind of recipe that simplifies dinner without sacrificing flavor. Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken makes clean-up easy and keeps things straightforward while still impressing. It’s perfect for when you want a no-fuss dinner that hits the right notes without extra effort. Expect this one to become a regular for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

Smoked Beef Stew

When stew gets smoky, it’s a whole new level of satisfying. Smoked Beef Stew is hearty without being overcomplicated, making it perfect for chilly nights or weekend slow meals. It’s the kind of dish that invites second helpings and maybe thirds. Once it’s on the table, expect quiet appreciation.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Stew

Roast Pork with Apples

Pork and apples might sound classic, but this recipe makes it feel fresh again. Roast Pork with Apples brings familiar flavors together in a way that feels balanced and inviting. It’s a great choice when you want something comforting without extra fuss. This one will have the table talking.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits

Comfort food meets clever in this recipe that combines two favorites in one. Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits is perfect when you want a no-fail meal that hits all the right notes. It’s a dish that looks like effort but tastes like pure comfort. Plan on making it again soon.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

A casserole that pulls together the flavors people keep asking for. Shrimp and Grits Casserole is a crowd-friendly dish that fits just as well on a weeknight table as it does at a weekend gathering. It’s easy to share and even easier to love. This recipe turns a classic into something that feels fresh every time.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Skillet Stroganoff Pie

This dish takes comfort food up a notch without getting fancy. Skillet Stroganoff Pie blends hearty and homey in a way that feels like a hug for your stomach. It’s an easy meal to make and even easier to enjoy, especially when leftovers get in the picture. Expect this one to show up when you want something dependable.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Stroganoff Pie

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe gets an upgrade without losing what makes it great in this casserole. The recipe hits the right balance of casual and comforting, perfect for nights when you want to keep things simple. Sloppy Joe Casserole comes together easily and disappears fast. It’s the kind of meal everyone can get behind.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Southern Tomato Pie

This pie is proof that simple ingredients can come together to steal the show. Southern Tomato Pie brings just the right amount of savory with a texture that makes it easy to keep eating. It’s perfect for lunches, dinners, or anytime you want something a little different. Expect compliments and requests for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie