33 Southern Recipes That Would Make Nanna Proud and Maybe a Little Suspicious of Your Technique

There’s Southern cooking, and then there’s the kind that gets passed around on index cards and whispered like a family secret. These 33 recipes land squarely in the second category. Big flavors, no fuss, and just enough kick to keep things interesting without scaring off the cousins. Even grandma might raise an eyebrow at how you pulled it off without calling her.

Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes

Every Southern meal needs something that plays well with the heavy-hitters, and this does just that. Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes comes in light, sharp, and full of the kind of flavor that gets noticed. It won’t compete with the fried stuff, but it doesn’t get lost either. Easy to throw on the table, even easier to polish off. Even grandma might pretend she invented it once she tastes it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peach Salad with Tomatoes

Steak & Potato Soup

Some bowls just know how to quiet down a room, and this one handles that job with ease. Steak & Potato Soup doesn’t just warm you up—it shuts down all other dinner plans. It lands somewhere between a full plate and a hug, without trying too hard. Not flashy, not complicated, just exactly what you want when everything else feels like a chore. Even nanna might keep her spoon moving long enough to stop asking questions.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Potato Soup

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy

This is one of those dishes that makes people hover in the kitchen pretending to help. Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy hits like a home-cooked memory, only easier to pull off. It’s thick, savory, and the kind of thing that makes extra bread disappear fast. Perfect for when the mood calls for comfort but the clock’s got other ideas. Just hope grandma doesn’t ask if you used her old recipe—she might not like the answer.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy

Smoked Mac & Cheese

Most side dishes don’t know how to act like a main, but this one does. Smoked Mac & Cheese brings the kind of smoky bite that sticks around longer than expected. Creamy, sharp, and built to stand up next to anything off the pit. It’s not subtle, and it’s not trying to be. Even grandma might ask for the pan instead of just a serving.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese

Texas Corn Succotash

Some sides end up stealing the spotlight, and this one walks in ready to take over. Texas Corn Succotash doesn’t ask for attention—it just earns it. It brings plenty of boldness and shows up like it belongs next to anything from the grill or the oven. Doesn’t matter what else is on the plate, it’s not getting overlooked. Even grandma might quietly scoop seconds without saying a word.
Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Not everything has to be fancy to be good, and this proves it fast. Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs deliver the kind of comfort that fills the house before anyone even sits down. They’re familiar in the best way, like something you forgot you loved until now. Just enough old-school charm to make it feel like Sunday dinner, even if it’s Tuesday. Nanna might not believe you made them without standing at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Soup doesn’t always get the spotlight, but this one makes a strong case. Oven Roasted Tomato Soup hits with more depth than expected and doesn’t need much else to make its point. It’s warm, bold, and not afraid to show up alone. Perfect for sandwiches, sure—but fine all by itself. Grandma might say hers was better, but she’ll still empty the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

Weeknight meals don’t usually earn compliments, but this one changes that fast. Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken covers the table with half the effort and all the reward. It’s clean, sharp, and full of the kind of flavor people think took longer. Simple enough to keep in rotation, solid enough for company. Nanna might ask for the recipe—just don’t tell her how easy it was.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Some casseroles keep it humble, but this one walks in like it owns the place. Million Dollar Spaghetti stacks comfort, flavor, and a little bit of attitude without overcomplicating things. Feels like something you grew up with, even if you didn’t. It’s loud in a good way and leaves nothing behind but a clean plate. Grandma might think it’s too much—until she goes back for thirds.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Some vegetables act like a side, and some pull their weight like a main. Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans aren’t trying to be light—they’re here to make an impression. They’ve got depth, heat, and just enough kick to remind everyone who’s cooking. Throw them down with anything and watch them hold their own. Even grandma might skip the meat for another helping.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Oven Baked Ribs

These show up looking like trouble and deliver on every bit of it. Oven Baked Ribs skip the smoke but still land with all the fire you’re hoping for. Tender, messy, and impossible to ignore, they’ll turn a quiet dinner into a full-on cleanup operation. No grill, no problem—they’ve still got backbone. Even nanna might admit they’re worth the stack of napkins.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs

Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl

Not all comfort comes in casserole form, and this bowl proves it fast. Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl feels like a shortcut to something you didn’t realize you missed. It’s rich without being too much and simple without being boring. Great for colder nights or lunch that pretends to be dinner. Nanna might raise an eyebrow at the bread bowl, but she’ll finish it anyway.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

This one’s so easy it almost feels wrong, but nobody’s complaining. 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken pulls off a full meal with the kind of effort that barely qualifies as cooking. Still, it comes out like you spent hours thinking about it. Big payoff, low input, and plenty to go around. Just don’t tell nanna how little time it took—she might not forgive you.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Creamed Corn

This one doesn’t whisper from the side of the plate—it shows up ready. Creamed Corn brings more than just comfort; it’s rich, smooth, and just enough to make you forget the main dish. It’s familiar, sure, but it doesn’t coast on memory. Everyone grabs a scoop, then circles back for more. Nanna might accuse you of buying it from a store—it’s that good.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn

Roast Pork with Apples

Some pairings don’t make sense until they hit the fork. Roast Pork with Apples plays sweet and savory without one overpowering the other. It walks that line and keeps the plate interesting the whole way through. Makes for a solid dinner and even better leftovers. Grandma might say it’s bold—but clean her plate anyway.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs

You can call them trendy, but they’ll still get eaten first. Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs are messy, bold, and built for grabbing. They crunch loud and disappear faster than anything else at the table. Good luck keeping extras for later. Even nanna might laugh—and then ask for napkins.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs

Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

This one looks polite but comes in strong. Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup is thick, earthy, and filling enough to count as dinner. It’s smooth, with just enough edge to keep it from going flat. Not too fancy, not too simple—just right for quiet nights. Even grandma might ask how you got it that silky.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

It’s not a steak, but it doesn’t need to be. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips land on the plate ready to handle business. Juicy, deep, and full of everything that makes people stay at the table longer than planned. Weeknight-friendly, weekend-worthy. Nanna might suspect you ordered takeout, but she won’t argue with results.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

Fried Tomatillos

This snack doesn’t ask for permission before stealing the spotlight. Fried Tomatillos walk the line between crispy and bold without breaking a sweat. They come in fast, go down faster, and leave a little bit of a bite behind. Not your usual side, but they’ll hold their own against anything hot from the skillet. Even grandma might admit they’ve got attitude.
Get the Recipe: Fried Tomatillos

Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle

Some bowls are quiet, but not this one. Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle makes a big entrance and keeps it rolling with heat, smoke, and richness that fills the room. Every spoonful pulls its weight and then some. Feels like a weekend dish, but works any night of the week. Nanna might fan herself and ask if you toned it down—just smile and keep ladling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle

Smoked Brisket Chili

This is the kind of chili that takes no shortcuts and makes no apologies. Smoked Brisket Chili brings depth, heat, and that kind of stick-to-your-ribs power that shows up like a full meal. There’s no hiding behind toppings here—it carries itself just fine. Every bowl feels like it belongs at a tailgate or next to cornbread. Even grandma might say it’s too strong—then ask for more.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brisket Chili

Southern Ham Salad

Sandwich filler? Sure. Center of the plate? Also yes. Southern Ham Salad doesn’t just sit there—it holds its own with a salty punch and a texture that makes people look twice. It’s the kind of thing you start out spreading but end up scooping straight. Grandma might raise an eyebrow at the shortcut, but not a single bite gets left behind.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Regular cornbread might not want to stand next to this one. Sweet Potato Cornbread walks in sweet, sturdy, and with just enough heft to anchor the whole meal. It plays nice with beans, chili, or nothing at all. Doesn’t need butter, but it’ll take it anyway. Even nanna might trade in her cast iron recipe for this batch.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread

Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

This one walks in cold but with confidence. Southern Style Pickled Shrimp is sharp, punchy, and ready to stand out at any gathering. It’s a little unexpected and a lot more popular than you’d think. It vanishes fast and leaves people wondering what just happened. Grandma might ask if it’s new—then ask for the jar.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits

Feels like comfort food and a cheat meal shook hands. Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits walks in loud and proud, without caring about subtlety. It’s rich, salty, and stacked like someone dared you to make a meal out of pure comfort. Not shy, not polite—just good. Even nanna might go back for seconds, then ask what you’re doing next week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits

Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

Nobody walks away from this one hungry. Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe brings the same kind of flavor you’d expect from a crowded booth and a roll basket. Thick, deep, and made to sit in your bowl with confidence. Doesn’t need toppings, but it’ll take them anyway. Grandma might say it’s too much—then scrape the pot clean.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

Skillet Stroganoff Pie

Feels like a weeknight shortcut, tastes like something that took three pots. Skillet Stroganoff Pie comes out creamy, savory, and packed like it’s trying to prove something. One dish, full plate, zero regrets. It’s hearty without being fussy. Nanna might not understand it, but she’ll ask for more.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Stroganoff Pie

Smoked Beef Stew

This stew doesn’t play it safe—and doesn’t need to. Smoked Beef Stew hits deep with smoky flavor and enough punch to make bread mandatory. Built for cold days, long hours, and big appetites. Every bite tastes like someone had a plan and stuck to it. Even grandma might stay quiet while she chews.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Stew

Sloppy Joe Casserole

This one skips the bun and brings it all straight to the dish. Sloppy Joe Casserole feels like childhood but built for grownups who actually know how to season things. It’s saucy, rich, and refuses to behave like just another weeknight dinner. Clean-up might be a mess, but no one’s complaining. Grandma might call it chaos—but she’ll eat every bite.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Smoked Sweet Potatoes

These don’t need marshmallows to make a point. Smoked Sweet Potatoes roll in with depth, heat, and enough backbone to sit next to brisket without getting lost. They’re earthy, rich, and leave behind a little something extra in every bite. Easy to forget they’re technically a vegetable. Even nanna might think you used magic on them.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Southwestern Chili

It’s not the kind of chili that blends into the background. Southwestern Chili shows up bold, with enough heat to get attention but enough balance to keep things going. It hits hard without overdoing it, and every bowl feels like it belongs with cornbread and cold drinks. Not your average pot—this one’s got legs. Grandma might argue about beans, but she’ll still finish the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Southwestern Chili

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Classic meets casserole in a way that makes sense after one bite. Shrimp and Grits Casserole pulls off comfort and flavor without needing a stovetop. Creamy, sharp, and rich enough to get silence at the table. It’s the kind of dish that gets passed twice before anyone speaks. Even grandma might admit she’s impressed.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Garlic Chicken Skillet

No one wants to wash extra dishes, but everyone wants something good. Garlic Chicken Skillet gets that right—it’s all flavor, no hassle. Comes together fast, eats like it took all day. Sharp, full-bodied, and made for those nights when you can’t think but still want to eat. Nanna might call it clever cooking, even if she side-eyes your shortcuts.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Skillet