21 Southern Side Dishes That Make the Meal

In the South, side dishes are more than just accompaniments—they are often the star of the table. From buttery biscuits and skillet cornbread to creamy casseroles and slow-simmered greens, these recipes bring comfort, tradition, and irresistible flavor to any meal. Whether you are serving Sunday dinner, a holiday feast, or a backyard cookout, these sides will make the meal unforgettable.

Spicy Collard Greens and Rice

Spicy Collard Greens and Rice
Spicy Collard Greens and Rice. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

These zesty collard greens come alive with a perfect kick of spice, complemented by bright lemon and hearty brown rice. It’s a complete side dish that effortlessly elevates any protein on your plate, turning an ordinary meal into something special.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Collard Greens and Rice

Southern Dill Potato Salad

Southern Dill Potato Salad
Southern Dill Potato Salad. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This creamy red potato salad combines tender potatoes with fresh dill for a classic side dish that steals the show. Perfect for summer gatherings, its rich texture and bright flavor will have everyone asking for your recipe!
Get the Recipe: Southern Dill Potato Salad

Southern Walnut Pie (The Affordable Pecan Alternative)

Southern Walnut Pie (The Affordable Pecan Alternative)
Southern Walnut Pie (The Affordable Pecan Alternative). Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This wallet-friendly alternative to pecan pie delivers all the gooey, caramelized goodness you crave. Walnuts bring a rich, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet filling, creating a dessert that’s equally impressive but easier on your budget.
Get the Recipe: Southern Walnut Pie (The Affordable Pecan Alternative)

Cracker Barrel Smoky Southern Grilled Chicken

Cracker Barrel Smoky Southern Grilled Chicken
Cracker Barrel Smoky Southern Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Savor the taste of the South with this juicy chicken, kissed by the grill and seasoned to perfection. Our healthier take on a Cracker Barrel favorite delivers all the smoky, savory goodness without the guilt. Your family will be asking for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Smoky Southern Grilled Chicken

Southern-Style Deviled Ham Cheese Ball

Southern-Style Deviled Ham Cheese Ball
Southern-Style Deviled Ham Cheese Ball. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Elevate your next gathering with this irresistible cheese ball that combines savory ham, tropical pineapple sweetness, and buttery pecans in every bite. The perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, sweet and savory will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Deviled Ham Cheese Ball

Roasted Turnips with Honey

Roasted Turnips with Honey
Roasted Turnips with Honey. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Transform humble turnips into a mouthwatering side dish with this simple roasting technique. The natural sweetness emerges as they caramelize, perfectly balanced with honey, aromatic thyme and a kiss of salt and pepper. A surprising vegetable revelation awaits!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turnips with Honey

Southern Fried Corn

Southern Fried Corn
Southern Fried Corn. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Savor the rich flavors of Southern comfort with this classic fried corn recipe. Buttery, sweet kernels are seasoned to perfection, creating a homestyle side dish that complements any dinner table. Learn the simple secrets to this beloved Southern staple that keeps families coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Corn

Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Southern Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Savor the ultimate comfort dish with our hearty Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. Tender chicken and fluffy dumplings swim in a rich, velvety broth that warms the soul with each spoonful. A beloved Southern classic perfect for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Crockpot Collard Greens

Crockpot Collard Greens
Crockpot Collard Greens. Photo credit: Stetted.

Indulge in the ultimate Southern comfort food with these effortless crockpot collard greens. Slowly simmered with smoky ham hock, they deliver melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor that perfectly complements any main dish. A true taste of Southern tradition made simple.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Collard Greens

Southern Squash Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping

Southern Squash Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping
Southern Squash Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in the ultimate Southern comfort with our velvety yellow squash casserole. Each bite delivers creamy, cheesy goodness topped with a buttery, crisp Ritz cracker crust. This perfect summer side dish transforms garden-fresh squash into a family favorite that disappears fast at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Southern Squash Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This indulgent southern classic combines creamy sweet potatoes with a delectable brown sugar pecan topping that creates the perfect textural contrast in every bite. A beloved holiday tradition that always earns rave reviews at the Thanksgiving table!
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Southern Green Beans

Southern Green Beans
Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Stetted.

Southern green beans simmer to perfection with smoky bacon and sweet onions, creating a mouthwatering side dish that elevates any meal. This classic comfort food brings homestyle flavor to holiday tables, summer cookouts, and family dinners alike.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans: A Savory Southern Side Dish With Secret Ingredients

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans: A Savory Southern Side Dish With Secret Ingredients
Texas Roadhouse Green Beans: A Savory Southern Side Dish With Secret Ingredients. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Savor the homestyle flavor of these Texas Roadhouse-inspired green beans. Simmered with smoky bacon and sweet onions, this easy side dish brings steakhouse quality to your dinner table in minutes. The perfect balance of flavor and simplicity!
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Green Beans: A Savory Southern Side Dish With Secret Ingredients

Southern Jezebel Sauce Recipe Easy Recipe

Southern Jezebel Sauce Recipe Easy Recipe
Southern Jezebel Sauce Recipe Easy Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This irresistible Southern classic delivers a perfect balance of sweet pineapple and apple with fiery horseradish and mustard. Serve this versatile Jezebel Sauce over cream cheese with crackers for an appetizer that will have guests begging for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Southern Jezebel Sauce Recipe Easy Recipe

Crispy Southern Fried Okra

Crispy Southern Fried Okra
Crispy Southern Fried Okra. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Discover the secrets to irresistibly crispy Southern fried okra with our foolproof recipe. We’ll guide you through selecting fresh okra and creating that perfect cornmeal coating that shatters with each bite. Your summer cookouts will never be the same!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Southern Fried Okra

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea
Sweet Tea. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Craving that iconic McDonald’s sweet tea? Skip the drive-thru! Our perfect copycat recipe delivers that same refreshing sweetness with simple ingredients right from your kitchen. Brew a pitcher today and enjoy this beloved southern classic anytime.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Tea

Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits
Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: Stetted.

These flaky, homemade buttermilk biscuits are irresistible comfort food at its finest. With buttery layers that pull apart perfectly, they complement any meal from morning eggs to hearty stews. Quick to make and impossible to resist – your family will beg for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

The Ultimate Hush Puppies Recipe

The Ultimate Hush Puppies Recipe
The Ultimate Hush Puppies Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

These crispy, golden hush puppies are incredibly simple to make at home and pair perfectly with your favorite fried dishes. Whip up a batch tonight for a Southern-inspired side that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Hush Puppies Recipe

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes: Crispy 15-Minute Recipe

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes: Crispy 15-Minute Recipe
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes: Crispy 15-Minute Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These golden-crisp Southern treats transform tangy green tomatoes into irresistible appetizers with just minutes of effort. The perfect blend of cornmeal, panko and spices creates a crowd-pleasing crunch that’ll disappear fast at any gathering or potluck.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Green Tomatoes: Crispy 15-Minute Recipe

Stewed Tomatoes

Stewed Tomatoes
Stewed Tomatoes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Savor the rich flavors of this classic homemade side dish. Our stewed tomatoes recipe combines garden-fresh tomatoes with hearty bread for a comforting addition to any meal. A taste of nostalgia that’s surprisingly simple to prepare and absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Stewed Tomatoes

Cracker Barrel Sawmill Gravy: Southern Comfort in Minutes

Cracker Barrel Sawmill Gravy: Southern Comfort in Minutes
Cracker Barrel Sawmill Gravy: Southern Comfort in Minutes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of Cracker Barrel’s iconic Sawmill Gravy. This Southern classic transforms ordinary biscuits into a heavenly breakfast and elevates chicken fried steak to perfection. Simple to make yet packed with homestyle flavor that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Sawmill Gravy: Southern Comfort in Minutes

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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