Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food
Caroline StankoUpdated: Feb. 15, 2024
Get a taste of the south without a ton of leftovers. Each of these amazing southern recipes makes just 4 servings or fewer.
Country Chicken and Gravy
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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
Applesauce Barbecue Chicken
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You only need a few ingredients to create this sweet and peppery chicken. The subtle flavor of apple makes this tender barbecue dish stand out from the rest. —Darla Andrews, Farmers Branch, Texas
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
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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
Southern Shrimp and Grits
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A southern specialty, sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or anytime company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Fudgy Peanut Butter Cake
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I clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia
Potato-Sausage Foil Packs
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We had these smoky campfire bundles at a friend's house for dinner and loved the simplicity of this great summer meal. Now we often make it for summer weeknight dinners. —Alissa Keith, Forest, Virginia
Best-Ever Fried Chicken
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Crispy, juicy and perfectly seasoned, this really is the best fried chicken recipe, ever. Summer reunions and neighborly gatherings will never be the same. When I was growing up, my parents had a farm, and every year, Dad would hire teenage boys to help by haying time. They looked forward to coming because they knew they would be treated to some of Mom's deep fryer recipes, including this delicious fried chicken. —Lola Clifton, Vinton, Virginia
Tasty Onion Chicken
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The secret to this French onion chicken is the yummy, crunchy coating that keeps the meat juicy and tender. Round out your meal with green beans and buttermilk biscuits. —Jennifer Hoeft, Thorndale, Texas
Zesty Grilled Ham
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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
Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers
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I love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
Chicken Spareribs
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These inexpensive chicken thighs get all gussied up in a zippy sparerib-style sauce that's irresistible —Janice Porterfield, Atlanta, Texas
Simple Marinated Grilled Pork Chops
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This pork chop marinade is so simple that I use it on all kinds of meat. For a more robust flavor, let the meat marinate in the refrigerator overnight. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Glazed Baby Carrots
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For a zippy side dish, try this recipe. These brown sugar-glazed carrots come together in no time at all. —Anita Foster, Fairmount, Georgia
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
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I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Peanut Butter Milkshakes
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You’ve got milk, peanut butter, and probably vanilla ice cream, too. Using just a few ingredients, you can whip up this peanut butter milkshake recipe in seconds. —Joyce Turley, Slaughters, Kentucky
Maple Sausage Skillet
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Maple syrup adds sweetness to this yummy stir-fry. I sometimes add a little broccoli, too, for a change of pace. Add a green salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a complete meal in minutes. —Dottie Tarlton, Malvern, Arkansas
Carolina Crab Boil
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This pot is a fun way to feed a crowd for a tailgate. You can serve it two ways: Drain the cooking liquid and pour out the pot on a paper-lined table so folks can dig in, or serve it as a stew in its liquid over hot rice. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Cajun Pecan Catfish
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This is one of our favorite recipes. It's quick, easy and delicious. Just serve with a side salad, biscuits and mixed fruit for dessert. We like it a lot for Christmas Eve. —Jan Wilkins, Blytheville, Arkansas
Chocolate Bread Pudding
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This is a fun recipe because the chocolate makes it different from traditional bread pudding. It's a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Blueberry Chops with Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
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A sweet and spicy combo is the perfect accent for meaty chops. With a fresh green veggie on the side, this is a hearty summer meal. It’s easy, yet impressive enough to serve to company. —Laura Davis, Chincoteague, Virginia
Baked Vidalia Onions
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Vidalia onion recipes are some of my favorites to whip up. Served alongside any of a variety of fish and meats, these tender onions are a nice change of pace. Folks find it a fun and flavorful side dish. —Norma Durham, Rogersville, Tennessee
Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
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When I want to serve a romantic dinner for my husband and me, I fix this elegant yet easy salad. I just add crusty French bread and a glass of wine. —Candace McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina
Sausage Squash Kabobs
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Expect a crowd to gather around the grill when these flavorful kabobs are cooking. The zesty honey-mustard glaze gives a lovely sheen to the sausage and veggies. —Lisa Malynn Kent, North Richland Hills, Texas.
Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp
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Panko crumbs give this spicy air-fryer coconut shrimp its crunch. It’s perfect as an appetizer or for your main meal. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
Southern Fried BLT
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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
Chicken-Pepper Alfredo
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When I want a lighter dinner, I use lean turkey bacon in this recipe. It gives the pasta that richness you want without all the extra fat. —Courtney Harris, Denton, Texas
Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
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This hearty stovetop entree has been a family favorite for years. The variety of vegetables makes this dish attractive. Cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Spicy Tilapia Rice Bowl
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I love healthy living and tilapia is a staple in my kitchen. Fresh vegetables are always good but take more prep time, so I use boil-in-bag rice for a shortcut. —Rosalin Johnson, Tupelo, Mississippi
Bacon 'n' Egg Gravy
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My husband, Ron, created this wonderful bacon gravy. It's home-style and old-fashioned. Sometimes we ladle the gravy over homemade biscuits. Served with fruit salad, it's a great breakfast. —Terry Bray, Winter Haven, Florida
Pressure-Cooker Cajun Pork and Rice
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I created this recipe after returning home from a trip and finding little food in the house. I used ingredients already available in the refrigerator and pantry. My husband loves this pork dish because it's tasty, and I love it because it's easy. —Allison Gapinski, Cary, North Carolina
Bananas Foster on the Grill
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Bananas Foster is my husband's favorite dessert, and this is one of the easiest recipes I've ever found. Not only is it delicious, it's a great way to use those bananas that are a little too ripe to just peel and eat. —Rebecca Clark, Warrior, Alabama
Honey Thyme Grilled Chicken
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For grilling chicken, I wanted a marinade different from barbecue sauce, so I pulled out some honey and thyme. If you have time, let the chicken marinate awhile to boost flavor. —Noel Bigelow, Alexandria, Virginia
Slow-Cooker Bourbon Pork Chops
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My dad created a baked version of this recipe years ago. Delicious as it was, when I updated his recipe, I decided to try it in the slow cooker for even more moist and tender results. Bingo! Juicy, tasty and no fuss. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Smoked Sausage and Veggie Sheet-Pan Supper
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This recipe is tasty and quick, and it can easily be doubled for last-minute dinner guests. Cook it in the oven or on the grill, and add the veggies of your choice. —Judy Batson, Tampa Florida
Baked Saucy Pork Chops
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Baked pork chop recipes are always handy to feed my hungry family. This entree brightens up the usual routine of roasted pork chops and rice. I reach for this recipe when our appetites are hearty and I feel like baking pork chops. —Dorothy Toben, Blackwell, Oklahoma
Cajun Shrimp
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These zippy shrimp bring a lot of pizazz to the table. Use as much or as little cayenne pepper as you'd like, depending on your family's tastes. We love ours served alongside rice pilaf. —Donna Thomason, El Paso, Texas
Green Tomato BLT
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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
Originally Published: December 31, 1969
Caroline Stanko
Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.