When you're craving down-home comfort food, these quick Southern recipes are the way to go. Find tasty main dishes, sides, desserts and more—all ready to eat in 30 minutes or less.
28 Quick Southern Recipes We Love
Updated on May 10, 2024
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
The recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
1/28
2/28
Gumbo in a Jiffy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a yummy dish. My husband loves the kick that the sausage gives this quick gumbo, and it’s such a cinch to assemble. —Amy Flack, Homer City, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 279 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 1197mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein.
3/28
Green Tomato BLT
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I absolutely love tomatoes, any kind, any size. Being from the South, that includes fried green tomatoes. I created a special summer sandwich to show them off. —Hillian Holmgren, Del Rio, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 623 calories, 37g fat (7g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 1329mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
4/28
Country Ham and Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Browned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 261 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1337mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
5/28
Pretzel-Crusted Catfish
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 610 calories, 31g fat (4g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1579mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
6/28
Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Using precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 420 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 1443mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein.
7/28
Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Time to gather round the table, y'all! This dish has special meaning on New Year's Day, when Southerners eat greens for future wealth and black-eyed peas for prosperity. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 177 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 412mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein.
8/28
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was born and raised in the South. A few years ago I moved temporarily to Pennsylvania, where good southern comfort food was hard to find. So I created this creamy, smoky Cajun shrimp and grits dish to remind me of home. —Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 560 calories, 34g fat (17g saturated fat), 215mg cholesterol, 968mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
9/28
Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The crunchy exterior of these southern-style snacks is a nice contrast to the moist cornbread. Jalapeno peppers and hot sauce add a hint of heat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 hush puppy: 56 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
10/28
Roasted Okra
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. —Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 115 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 302mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
11/28
Southern Pork & Rice
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At our house, we're big on healthy eating. These ultra tender chops with colorful rice and black-eyed peas are a meal fancy enough for a dinner party. —Annie Holmes, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 1-1/4 cups rice mixture: 484 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 764mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 42g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat, 3 starch, 1/2 fat.
12/28
Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar Filling
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m an Iowa gardener and I like to feature sweet corn in my recipes. These cute, easy-to-eat bites are a fun change from the usual appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 67 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
13/28
The Best Bananas Foster
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests are always impressed when I ignite the rum in this delicious bananas Foster dessert. Use perfectly ripe bananas for best results. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 567 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (72g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
14/28
Buttermilk Cornbread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The tattered recipe card for this buttermilk cornbread proves it's been a family favorite for years. It's my daughter's top request. —Judy Sellgren, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 390 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
15/28
Zesty Grilled Ham
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If it's ham, my kids will eat it, but they like this kicked-up recipe best of all. Even the small ones eat adult-sized portions, so be sure to make plenty. —Mary Ann Lien, Tyler, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 180 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 845mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 14g protein.
16/28
Southern Fried BLT
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m really not big on tomatoes—but I do like them green and fried, so I decided to try them in a sandwich. It was a smash! If you’ve gotta have cheese, add sharp cheddar to this indulgent twist on the traditional BLT. —Stacy King, Rome, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 634 calories, 45g fat (8g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 985mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.
17/28
Upside-Down Bacon Pancake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make a big impression when you present one family-sized bacon pancake. The brown sugar adds sweetness that complements the salty bacon. If you can fit more bacon in the skillet and want to add more, go for it! —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece (calculated without syrup and butter): 265 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
18/28
Curried Pork and Green Tomatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When the tomatoes are green in the garden, my husband and sons are thrilled to know this dish will appear on several weekly menus. I've passed the recipe on more times than I can count.
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 275 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 879mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
19/28
Green Tomato Jam
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 cups
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 81 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
20/28
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnuts
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests will have a touch of nostalgia when they bite into one of these old-fashioned doughnuts. Accents of nutmeg and cinnamon, along with a subtle burst of lemon, make them hard to resist. —June Jones, Harveyville, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 doughnut with 1 doughnut hole: 184 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 232mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
21/28
Fried Okra
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addictive! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 200 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
22/28
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 337 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein.
23/28
Country Chicken and Gravy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half with 2 tablespoons gravy: 274 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 569mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
24/28
Shrimp Po’Boys with Pineapple Slaw
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This twist on the traditional po'boy sandwich adds flavor and veggies while reducing fat and calories. For a smoked flavor, grill the shrimp. For a lower-carb option, serve the po'boy open-faced on a baguette half. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 420 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 1430mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein.
25/28
Frito Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and fabulously cheesy. Here’s my take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 718 calories, 40g fat (14g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1719mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein.
26/28
The Best Buttermilk Waffle Recipe .Updated by AQA
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 waffles (4 inch)
From the Recipe Creator:
You won't get any complaints from family or friends when you stack up these golden waffles for breakfast! —Kim Branges, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
2 waffles: 223 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
27/28
Ham Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made this ham salad recipe for a shower, and everyone raved about it. Now when I go to a potluck, I take it—along with copies of the recipe. —Patricia Reed, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup ham salad: 229 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 1023mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
28/28
Brunch Beignets
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 66 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 42mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
