10 Tested and Perfected Classic Southern Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most Southern food? ›

A traditional Southern meal may include pan-fried chicken, field peas (such as black-eyed peas), greens (such as collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, or poke sallet), mashed potatoes, cornbread or corn pone, sweet tea, and dessert—typically a pie (sweet potato, chess, shoofly, pecan, and peach are the most ...

Particularly in rural areas, foods like fried chicken, fried fish, sweet potato pie, red drinks, black-eyed peas and others were served during Emancipation celebrations and church gatherings.

The ingredients and cooking techniques used in Southern breakfast reflect the cultural heritage of the region, incorporating traditional ingredients like grits, biscuits, bacon, eggs, and gravy.

Meals often consisted of beef, eggs, hot biscuits, corn bread, hot cakes, porridge and seasonal vegetables and fruits. Coffee, tea, water or cocoa were consumed in “large quantities.” Whiskey, inexpensive and readily available, was the most popular alcoholic beverage, Cooper recorded, especially in the South and West.

And our tastiest superstitious tradition is eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day. This classic Southern dish, a one-pot meal of black-eyed peas, ham hock, and rice, is believed by many (not just the Sterlings) to ensure wealth and bring good luck in the upcoming year.

In the south your New Year meal must include collard greens, black-eyed peas, pork and cornbread. They're said to bring good health, wealth and good luck. Black-eyed peas in some form, always. They can be made in Hoppin' John, a salad, or just cooked like regular beans (some people add ham, bacon, or other pork.)

“Anybody from the South can make Southern food; however, soul food only comes from the Black or African American culture,” she said. Catarina Passidomo is an associate professor in Southern studies and anthropology at the University of Mississippi. She teaches, among other things, foodways.

Cowboy dinner is a hearty casserole of flavorful beef, corn and beans topped with soft, fluffy cornbread and a layer of cheese. So delicious! This easy, comfort food casserole has been a family favorite for over 20 years! After that long, you know the recipe has to be a keeper!

Southern food combines imported and locally sourced ingredients into dishes that are tasty and easy on a budget. Perhaps, the preparation technique most recognized in southern food is frying foods in some sort of fat like lard.

The six food categories are fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and dairy products.

What is a 6 course dinner meal? ›

6 course meal: A 6 course dinner menu includes an hors d'oeuvre, soup, appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert.