21 Classic Southern Recipes Everyone Needs To Make This Summer

Pick these classic recipes for summer.

By
Kaitlyn Yarborough
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
Kaitlyn Yarborough
Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.
Southern Living's editorial guidelines
Updated on August 20, 2024
Tomato, Cheddar, and Bacon Pie
Photo:

Hector Sanchez

In the South, summertime is best spent with classic Southern comfort food that makes the most of the bountiful harvest housed at the farmers' market. Tomatoes, peas, corn, squash, berries, and peaches—we're packing them into any casserole dish or cast-iron skillet we can get our hands on. These summer dishes cure our cravings for fresh and bright produce by pouring them into old-fashioned Southern favorites like creamy casseroles, fried delicacies, and gooey cobblers. Here are the classic Southern recipes we're making all summer long.

Blue Ribbon-Worthy Summer Recipes
01 of 21

Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole

Southern Living Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bound together with a creamy filling and topped with breadcrumbs and Asiago cheese, this fresh trio of zucchini, squash, and corn makes for an all-star summer dish.

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02 of 21

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

What summer picnic is complete without classic yellow potato salad? The traditional recipe always pleases a Southern crowd, especially when paired with some burgers or honey-baked ham.

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03 of 21

Fried Green Tomatoes

fried green tomatoes stacked

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Fried green tomatoes aren't just a Southern classic—these perfectly crispy slices are THE Southern classic. There are few ways we wouldn't eat them, whether on sandwiches, on top of salads, or just dipped into a tangy sauce. This recipe's not-too-heavy batter is the key to getting this dish right.

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04 of 21

Memphis Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs

Memphis Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: MindI Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Using a Memphis-style dry rub makes for a delicious crisp around the meat, leaving the ribs both savory and tender. Finishing with a vinegar wash at the end of the barbecuing process gives even more mouthwatering flavor.

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05 of 21

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

This one-pan crowd-pleaser offers a perfect summery take on classic lasagna. It uses thin, woven strips of zucchini to make it deliciously fresh.

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06 of 21

Southern Pimiento Mac And Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Hector Sanchez

We're putting two of our favorite cheesy Southern things together: pimiento cheese and classic baked macaroni and cheese. A little pimiento, Worcestershire, bacon, and hot sauce later—get ready for the most flavorful mac-and-cheese you've ever tasted.

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07 of 21

Summer Squash Casserole

Southern Living Summer Squash Casserole in the dish ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The key to making the best classic squash casserole is adding plenty of sharp Cheddar cheese and topping with fresh breadcrumbs. The creamy and crunchy notes make the fresh summer vegetable even better.

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08 of 21

Picnic Egg Salad

Picnic Egg Salad
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Every Southerner needs to have a go-to egg salad recipe. It's an essential for a summer season full of no-fuss, cold lunches. Whether served with crostinis or on sandwiches, classic egg salad provides a quick, delicious fix.

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09 of 21

Fried Okra

Southern Living Fried Okra on a platter to serve with ranch for dipping

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A seasoned cornmeal breading is all it takes to transform fresh okra into this favorite side dish. Pop them into your mouth one by one, or dip them in ranch or Comeback Sauce.

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10 of 21

Shrimp Perloo

Shrimp Perloo
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

This seafood rice dinner gives fresh flavor for summer using shrimp, fire-roasted tomatoes, and bell pepper. It's time to get in the Low-Country state of mind.

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11 of 21

The SL BLT

The SL BLT
Alison Miksch

The trick to a next-level BLT? Punch up the store-bought mayonnaise. For extra tang and heat, zest a small lemon and grind lots of black pepper into the mayo. For a hint of green, chop a small handful of tender herbs—parsley, basil, tarragon, or dill—and fold them into the mayo.

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12 of 21

Grilled BBQ Chicken

Southern Living BBQ Chicken on a platter ready to serve with coleslaw

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Grilled BBQ chicken is appropriate for any Southern summer shindig. The key to the tastiest chicken? Use a dry rub the day before, then grill the chicken low and slow.

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13 of 21

Homemade Baked Beans

Southern Living Homemade Baked Beans in the dish ready to serve

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This recipe transforms a can of pork and beans into a sweet and smoky picnic side Grandma would be proud of. You can start with dry beans, but the can makes it quicker. Add in bacon, onion, ketchup, and molasses for a medley of flavor in every bite.

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14 of 21

Skillet Cornbread

Skillet Cornbread
Jennifer Causey

Can you ever really pass up the crispy bottom and edges of skillet cornbread? This recipe tops off any supper with a buttery, bacon drippings-enhanced slice.

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15 of 21

Classic Sweet Tea

Southern Sweet Tea
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Down here, we don't even need to ask how you like your tea—and this recipe masters the sweet, ice-cold beverage. In this hot and humid weather, we expect sweet tea to be flowing all season long.

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16 of 21

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie
Jennifer Davick

This summer dessert is as cool and refreshing as a dip into the pool, and the pretty pink strawberry filling looks right at home on the cookout table. (Just keep it chilled.)

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17 of 21

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

This fun take on banana pudding will be an instant hit with your family and guests. The recipe makes delicious use of the fresh strawberries you pick up at the local farmers' market.

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18 of 21

Peach Fried Pies

Peach Fried Pies
Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

If you want to make a festive statement—Fourth of July, anyone?—these hand-held fried desserts will wow the crowd. Use canned biscuits to make easy work of the dessert, and sprinkle powdered sugar on top for an added sweet touch.

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19 of 21

Luscious Lemon Bars

Luscious Lemon Bars
Southern Living

What makes this classic confection a forever favorite at Southern luncheons, showers, and even barbecues is the refreshing, zingy taste and easy portability of the bright yellow bar. Make this recipe up to one month ahead and freeze.

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20 of 21

Chocolate Mayonnaise Sheet Cake

chocolate-mayonnaise sheet cake

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Every bite of this old-fashioned Southern cake will confirm it's the fluffiest, most moist sheet cake ever. A little Duke's goes a long way, after all.

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21 of 21

Tomato, Cheddar, And Bacon Pie

Tomato, Cheddar, and Bacon Pie
Hector Sanchez

You've never had tomato pie like this. It's not often that an update really sees a classic dish how it should be, but this version with a sour cream crust studded with bacon, layers of colorful tomatoes, and plenty of cheese and herbs does just that.

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