Southern cooking is grandmother cooking at its most generous — a table that groans under fried meat and cream gravy, a sideboard of casseroles and relishes, and always, always a run of pies at the end. It's food built on thrift and hospitality in equal measure, on cornmeal and buttermilk and whatever the garden gave, made with a heavy hand of butter and an easy welcome.
This collection brings together the old-fashioned Southern classics we've tested from scratch — the sweet-as-can-be chess and buttermilk pies, the famous banana pudding and hummingbird cake, the chicken fried steak under its peppery gravy, the skillet cornbread and cornbread dressing, and the pickles and relishes that finish a plate. No shortcuts, no boxes — just the real thing, written down properly.
Whether your people are from the South or you just love the way it cooks, these are the recipes to reach for when you want a table that feels like Sunday dinner at a grandmother's house.
20 recipes in this collection
PuddingsOld-Fashioned Chess Pie
Rich, buttery custard under a crackly sugar top — the Southern classic nobody can quite name.
PuddingsOld-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie
Tangy-sweet custard with a golden crackled top — the classic Southern desperation pie from humble staples.
PuddingsGrandma's Sweet Potato Pie
Deep, spiced and silky in a buttery crust — made right, with roasted sweet potatoes.
PuddingsOld-Fashioned Banana Pudding
Vanilla wafers, ripe bananas & a from-scratch cooked vanilla custard under toasted meringue.
PuddingsOld-Fashioned Peach Cobbler
Sweet spiced peaches under a golden, buttery, self-saucing batter top.
BakingOld-Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
The legendary 1978 Southern classic — spiced banana & pineapple layers, toasted pecans and cream cheese frosting.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Chicken Fried Steak
The Southern classic — tenderized beef in a shatteringly crisp crust under a peppery cream gravy.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Hoppin' John
Smoky black-eyed peas simmered with ham hock, served over rice — the Southern good-luck classic.
BreadsOld-Fashioned Cornbread
A crackling golden crust from a screaming-hot skillet, tender buttermilk crumb inside.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Cornbread Dressing
Moist, sage-scented and baked golden — the Southern holiday classic.
PreservesOld-Fashioned Chow Chow
The end-of-garden relish of cabbage, green tomatoes & peppers in a sweet-tangy mustard brine.
PreservesOld-Fashioned Pimento Cheese
Hand-grated sharp cheddar, pimentos and just enough mayo — the Southern spread.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Deviled Eggs
Silky mustard-mayo yolks with a splash of pickle brine and a dusting of paprika — first to vanish at every potluck.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Hamburger Steak
Simply seasoned beef patties, seared hard and smothered in deep-brown onion gravy — the diner classic.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Green Bean Casserole
Crisp-tender beans in a real mushroom cream sauce under a crown of crispy fried onions.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Corn Pudding
Sweet-savory custardy corn baked golden — the holiday side everyone spoons up first, no boxed mix needed.
BakingOld-Fashioned 7UP Pound Cake
The 1950s Southern icon — raised by nothing but long creaming and a glass of lemon-lime fizz, under a sharp lemon glaze.
BakingOld-Fashioned Fudge
Proper boiled chocolate fudge, beaten by hand to a fine melt-away crumb — no condensed milk in sight.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Coleslaw
Crisp, creamy deli-style slaw — the salting trick keeps it crunchy for days.
DinnersOld-Fashioned Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy and full of crunch — the classic picnic salad, seasoned warm the way grandma did.