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50 Best Southern Comfort Food Recipes to Indulge in This Season

Pass the gravy, please.

Headshot of Rebekah LowinBy Rebekah Lowin
southern comfort food
Ralph Smith

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Do you know the ABCs of Southern comfort food by heart? If not, prepare to get schooled. Here, we'll walk you through the basics and share our favorite Southern comfort food recipes with you in the hopes that they'll make your menu planning a little easier—whether you need a hand with your next dinner party or just a few inspired Sunday dinner ideas for the family.

We've got everything from the classics (think cobblers, sweet rolls, biscuits, and more) to upgraded versions of your favorite dishes, like a miniature version of your grandma's pecan pie recipe and an oven-fried chicken that'll put your real fryer to shame! And because we know that few things are more truly, uniquely Southern than chicken and waffles, or cheesy shrimp grits with all the fixings, those dishes make an appearance on our list too.

Of course, you can't just have comfort food on special occasions, and we know that. So we've also managed to cover every mealtime category, from breakfast all the way through to dinner, plus lunch, dessert, and a few snacks. That way, you can enjoy your favorite dishes anytime, anywhere, any place. Don't judge us if we consider drop biscuits with gravy to be a suitable midday snack!

1

Self-Rising Biscuits

biscuits southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

Need a weekend project? These simplified Southern biscuits are a solid option.

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2

Peach-Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

peach chicken southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

Two beautifully Southern things: whiskey and peaches! Add barbecue chicken to the mix, and you've got yourself a meal to remember.

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3

Cornmeal Muffins with Blackberry Jam

cornmeal southern comfort food muffins
Bake at 350 / The Pioneer Woman

Elevate cornmeal from its usual role in cornbread and turn it into these amazing, sweet muffins.

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4

Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls

Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls
The Pioneer Woman

These sticky sweet rolls are absolutely glorious. Just be sure to make enough for seconds—and thirds.

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5

Shrimp Grits

grits southern comfort food recipes
The Pioneer Woman

Cheesy grits and spicy jalapeño are a match made in heaven. A smattering of chopped bacon adds to the appeal.

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6

Pecan Pie Bites

pecan pie southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

It's your favorite Southern comfort food—miniaturized! We can't get over these adorable pecan pie bites.

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7

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

barbecue chicken southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

You'll know the chicken in this recipe is done when it's practically falling off the bone.

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8

Cajun Chicken Pasta

cajun pasta southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

This pasta dish is exceedingly yummy. If you don't have Cajun spice, you can create your own blend.

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9

Steak Fingers With Gravy

steak gravy southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

To make this recipe, you'll need tenderized round steak or cube steak cut into strips, plus flour, seasoned salt, and a few other necessities.

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10

Pecan Pie Tart

pecan pie southern comfort food
How Sweet Eats / The Pioneer Woman

Is it a pie or a tart? That's up for debate—but one thing that's not is the delicious taste of this dessert.

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11

Blackberry Cobbler

blackberry cobbler southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

Just spoon a biscuit-y topping onto the fruit in this easy dessert, then bake. You'll have all your neighbors begging for the recipe.

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12

Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits

pineapple biscuits southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

Don't have pineapple on hand? You can also make this tasty recipe with apples.

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13

Hoppin’ John

hoppin john comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

You won't find a much easier side dish. This Southern classic comes together so, so quickly.

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14

Grilled Peaches and Pecans

grilled peaches southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

Try throwing your peaches on the grill: The result is an intense, fruity flavor unlike anything you've had before.

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15

Corn Pudding

corn pudding southern comfort food
A Spicy Perspective / The Pioneer Woman

Some dishes are just plain cozy. This creamy corn pudding is one of them.

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16

Chicken Fried Steak

chicken fried steak southern comfort food
The Pioneer Woman

"There’s nothing special about this dish," Ree writes. "Except that it’s a total miracle."

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17

Drop Biscuits

biscuits southern comfort food
Fifteen Spatulas / The Pioneer Woman

If you tend to get nervous about making traditional biscuit recipes, this is the one you've got to try. It's much easier than the roll-and-cut variety.

Get the recipe.

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18

Chipotle Honey Chicken and Waffle Sliders

chicken waffles southern comfort food
The Noshery / The Pioneer Woman

Few things are more truly, uniquely Southern than chicken and waffles. We've added some hot honey to upgrade the classic dish.

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19

Peach Dumplings

southern comfort food dumplings
The Pioneer Woman

Store-bought pastry makes this recipe a cinch to pull together...but your guests will be none the wiser.

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20

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

sweet potato pie with marshmallow meringue southern comfort food
The Noshery / The Pioneer Woman

A mile-high Southern pie is just what we all need right now. This one is as impressive as it is delicious.

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