16 Southern Side Dishes So Good, They’ll Upstage the Main Course!
Get ready to elevate your dinner table with these 16 Southern side dishes that are bursting with flavor and charm. From buttery biscuits to creamy casseroles and zesty collard greens, these recipes bring all the comfort and soul of Southern cooking straight to your plate. They’re so good, your main course might just take a backseat!
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
This homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food. The cheese sauce is thick and creamy, and perfect for transporting you to a cheesy bliss. Plus it comes together in about 25-30 minutes from start to finish on the stovetop, and under 10 minutes in the Instant Pot!
Corn Pudding
Decadent homemade Corn Pudding is a savory souffle that can be made with fresh or frozen corn. You’ll love this rich casserole side dish recipe.
CAST IRON SKILLET CORNBREAD RECIPE
Dense and moist with just a touch sweetness, this Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread is an old-fashioned recipe that’s the best of the best! Serve it alongside your favorite BBQ pulled pork or by itself with pats of softened butter and a drizzle of honey.
Southern Cheese Straws
Move over goldfish crackers and Cheez-Its. These Cheddar Cheese Straws are a wonderfully savory appetizer or snack that are perfect for parties, cocktail hour, or any other gathering! They are satisfyingly crunchy with a robust cheddar flavor and irresistible!
Southern Collard Greens
Silky, smoky Southern Collard Greens are a classic side dish that taste amazing with a big chunk of cornbread! They are great delicious anytime, but are also a popular addition to your Thanksgiving menu!
Southern Fried Okra
Savory Southern Fried Okra has a perfectly seasoned crisp cornmeal coating on the outside of each poppable bite of one of nature’s most unusual vegetables. Fried in hot oil until golden brown and crispy, this Southern staple makes a great snack, appetizer, or side dish!
Best Hush Puppy Recipe
Southern Hush Puppies are deceptively delicious bites of slightly sweetened cornmeal batter flavored with a little onion and fried until golden and crisp on the outside and fluffy and light on the inside. They are a must for your fish fry and make a fantastic appetizer or side dish for almost any meal!
Moist Cottage Cheese Cornbread
There is a not-so-secret ingredient to this Cottage Cheese Cornbread recipe that sets it apart from others and makes it extra delicious! The cottage cheese actually melts into the cornbread and you would never know it is there, but it adds a wonderful dimension and, along with buttermilk, helps keep this cornbread extra moist and delicious!
Southern Fried Corn
Fried Corn is a country southern classic. Of course everyone’s Nana and Momma have their own spin on to put on southern fried corn, but overall, it isn’t even actually “fried,” it is caramelized. The base is of course, corn.
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Black Eyed Peas made with tender shredded pork roast and vegetables are quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot. No soaking is required and this recipe is so flavorful! You can enjoy this Southern black-eyed peas recipe any time of the year, but it’s always a favorite on New Year’s Day.
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Nothing comes close to simple joy of flaky Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits with fluffy, buttery layers and plenty of honey, sausage gravy, or jam to go with them! These easy, from-scratch biscuits are the best way to start out a weekend!
Habanero Pepper Jack Cornbread Recipe
Spice up your taste buds with this Habanero Pepper Jack Cornbread recipe! This delightful twist on traditional cornbread is a flavor-packed sensation that will ignite your senses. With a perfect balance of heat from jalapenos and creamy richness from pepper Jack cheese, this cornbread is a delightful accompaniment to any meal or a standalone snack. Prepare to savor the irresistible blend of Tex-Mex flavors in every fluffy, golden slice.
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Fried Green Tomatoes
Golden brown cornmeal crust, firm yet tender center, Fried Green Tomatoes are a wonderful appetizer with incredible flavor and crunch. This classic Southern dish is a summer staple as iconic as sweet tea, porch swings and fireflies.
Southern Sweet Onion Casserole
Easy Southern Sweet Onion Casserole features caramelized Vidalia onions paired with sour cream and two types of cheese. Topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, this decadent, creamy onion casserole melts in your mouth.
Baked Pineapple Cheese Casserole
A quintessential holiday side dish in the South, this Baked Pineapple Cheese Casserole is the epitome of a quick and easy dump-and-bake recipe!
Fried Pickles
Fried Pickles are a delicious appetizer that can be found at many restaurants. This fried pickle recipe is simple to follow and only requires a few ingredients, so why not make them at home instead?
