Holiday feasts in the South are incredibly special — after all, Southern comfort is built on a love of food. Maybe you’re looking to connect to your Southern roots. Maybe you’re sick of all your current holiday traditions. Whatever your reason is for looking toward the South this holiday, it’s going to be delicious. Here are 10 recipes to help bring Southern flair to the table.
1. Oyster Dressing
You already know about cornbread stuffing (correctly referred to, when unstuffed into a turkey, as dressing). This low-country-style recipe for oyster dressing can help you be far more Southern than that.
Recipe: Allrecipes
2. Hoppin’ John
Southerners are usually eating Hoppin’ John (a simmery mix of black-eyed peas and rice) on New Year’s Day. Like most “vegetable” recipes from around this area, it contains a big, fat ham hock.
Recipe: The Pioneer Woman
3. Sweet Potato Pie
In my humble opinion, pumpkin pie pales in comparison to a good sweet potato pie. Sweet tater pie is alive with all the warming autumnal and winter spices you could imagine. No better way to end a big meal.
Recipe: I Heart Recipes
4. Corn Pudding
Somewhere between a dessert and savory side dish, Southern corn pudding is beautifully decadent. Add a little cheese in there, if you’re feeling yourself.
Recipe: Not Entirely Average
5. Red Velvet Cake
For something as universally loved as red velvet cake, its origins are widely debated. Despite the famous Waldorf-Astoria hotel’s claim that they invented it, the South also says it’s theirs. Wherever it comes from, you can trust in Food Network for this recipe.
Recipe: Food Network
Trending on Cheapism
6. Coca-Cola Ham
Three of the best words in the English language, right there. You can glaze a holiday ham in just about anything, but that Coke’s root-flavored sweetness really works wonders. Dr. Pepper is an option, too.
Recipe: Heidi’s Home Cooking
7. Boiled Custard
This is a pretty unappealing name for a drink, but Southerners are wild. This “beverage” is just milk, sugar, and five eggs. There’s a whole lot of Paula Deen energy going on here. Careful with this one.
Recipe: Brownie Bites
8. Frogmore Stew
Don’t worry: no frogs. The main ingredients for this crawfish boil-esque tradition are shrimp, scallops, and hot sausage. Load ’er up with potatoes and corn and enjoy.
Recipe: Epicurious
Sign up for our newsletter
9. Lane Cake
There’s a lot of wackiness going on with lane cake, a booze-soaked dessert eaten during the holiday in the South. With all the rum and the maraschino cherries, this thing isn’t that far off from a cocktail.
Recipe: A Woman Cooks in Asheville
10. Hogshead Cheese
This one is for the advanced class! If head cheese is your thing, the South is known for it, and hogshead cheese is a classic.
Recipe: Forager Chef
For more great meal ideas and grocery tips, sign up for our free newsletters.
