21 Classic Southern Side Dishes That Deserve A Spot On Your Dinner Table

The South is known for a long list of iconic, comforting, and delicious foods that anyone can love. The side dishes in particular are something to marvel at. And you know what? Many of them deserve a spot on your dinner table. From savory to sweet to comforting, they have what it takes to make lifelong fans of just about anyone, and if you're looking for a few to add to your cooking repertoire, we've got you covered.

We rounded up a list of some of the most popular, classic Southern side dish recipes that speak to many preferences. For the most part, they are also incredibly easy to make, so you don't have to be a seasoned home cook to create them, not even close. However, they might just up your game in the eyes of anyone you serve them to — that's how truly mouthwatering they are. So, get ready, because you are about to fall head over heels for more than one, or, at the very least, discover what true Southern flavors and textures are all about.

We are starting with a banger: mac and cheese. Possibly the most beloved Southern side dish of them all, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't hold a special place in their heart for the recipe, so it's a shoo-in for nearly every occasion. That aside, many people think making a homemade batch is quite involved, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, you can easily pull off a delicious version of the dish with just three ingredients: noodles, milk, and cheese. With that in mind, the trickiest part is ensuring you don't overcook the noodles, so al dente is your friend here. In addition, choosing premium ingredients leads to the tastiest results, so don't skimp on the nuts and bolts.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Baked Mac and Cheese

Deviled eggs are a classic party dish that also serves as a fantastic side dish, especially when you give them some Southern flair. Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs are exactly that. They boast the same tangy flavors you know from the typical recipe's mustardy, creamy filling, but also get a helping hand by way of sweet pimento peppers and sharp cheddar cheese. To make things as easy as possible, we recommend using a hand mixer to whip the filling. When done, you can garnish with paprika, fresh chives, and extra pimentos for some eye-catching appeal.

Recipe: Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs

Simple yet still a flavorful wonderland, 3-Ingredient Candied Yams are just the thing when you want a savory, buttery side dish with a bit of sweetness. The recipe only calls for three ingredients (it says it in the name, after all): sweet potatoes, coconut sugar, and butter. Once the browned butter sauce is ready, the whole thing goes in the oven, where it develops a rich caramelized flavor that's hard to beat. Think of it like a classic sweet potato casserole, but without any marshmallows, something that leads to a dialed-down sweetness and more umami goodness.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Candied Yams

Collard Greens are another iconic Southern side dish that is sure to please a crowd, so it definitely deserves a spot on your dinner table. Made with chicken stock, ham hock, onions, garlic, butter, apple cider vinegar, and some basic seasonings that are simmered for two hours, it delivers deep, layered flavors in every bite. You can also add red pepper flakes for some extra kick, or smoke salt for a more nuanced flavor. Either way, the side dish screams Southern down-home comfort and charm on every level. Just make sure you don't rush the process. The long cook time is the key to achieving bold, savory flavors throughout.

Recipe: Southern Collard Greens

Okra may not be widely popular throughout the country, but it is a Southern staple when it comes to veggies. Even so, it can easily become overly soft or slimy when it is steamed or boiled. Don't worry, though; you can avoid all that by simply coating it in cornmeal and pan-frying it. It leads to tender, crisp okra that has what it takes to make people ask for it by name. When selecting the okra, always go for brightly-colored green pods that don't show signs of bruising; this leads to the best textural results. Additionally, a dash of cayenne pepper lifts the overall flavor and lends some back-of-the-throat heat that many Southerners adore.

Recipe: Pan-Fried Okra

Old-Fashioned Potato Salad is a classic Southern side dish that has mass appeal for days, especially when you make it the old-school way (there are too many renditions to count at this point). As it turns out, potato salad doesn't have to be complicated. All you need to make a delicious rendition of the side dish is a few simple seasonings, hard-boiled eggs, celery, shallots, potatoes, and mayo, mustard, and pickle brine for the creamy dressing. When combined, the ingredients become much more than the sum of their parts, making it a fantastic recipe for picnics, BBQs, potlucks, or any type of gathering, big or small.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

Cheesy, buttery, aromatic, and creamy to boot, Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes are another classic, baked Southern dish that people swoon for. No surprises there, since the main ingredient is potatoes, a vegetable most of us can't get enough of. There are plenty of decent boxed versions on store shelves, but opting to make it from scratch is the way to go. Nothing beats a homemade creamy onion sauce and the flavors provided by premium cheese and freshly cooked potatoes. They don't hold a candle to the dehydrated stuff. Plus, once assembled, you can simply stick it in the oven for about 90 minutes (covered for the first hour) and wait for the appliance to work its magic. Easy-peasy.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes

When a quick and easy, no-cook side dish is in order, Sweet and Savory Broccoli Slaw is here for the win. Made with two heads of broccoli, carrots, red onion, purple cabbage, sliced almonds, and dried cranberries, it comes together in a matter of minutes, features an abundance of fresh veggie flavors, and delivers lots of crunch along the way. The creamy mayo-based dressing with apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper also gives it enough finishing flair to turn it into a cohesive dish, not just a bowl of raw, chopped veggies. You better believe it travels well, too.

Recipe: Sweet and Savory Broccoli Slaw

Classic Green Bean Casserole isn't just a Southern side dish; it's also a favorite on holiday tables around the country. You don't have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy it, though. After all, it's one of the easiest casseroles to pull off, especially when you make it the classic way: using a can of cream of mushroom soup mixed with milk for the sauce. You don't even have to use fresh green beans; in fact, frozen ones often lead to the tastiest results. Other than that, you just need a couple of seasonings — Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper — and a can of crispy fried onions, which are arguably the best part of the entire dish.

Recipe: Classic Green Bean Casserole

Spicy, sweet, and laden with deep flavors, Slow Cooker Baked Beans are just what the doctor ordered when you're craving a convenient Southern side dish. After all, you can easily make the recipe with canned beans, which are not only inexpensive but full of protein, and it's made in a slow cooker. While navy beans are customary, any kind of beans you have on hand will do. The flavors don't stop with the namesake ingredient, either. The dish also features a sauce made of molasses, apple cider vinegar, and barbecue sauce, plus brown sugar, bacon, and onion to bring the whole thing together.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans

With a name like Old-Fashioned Ambrosia Salad, it's easy to assume the side dish contains leafy greens or some kinds of veggies, but that isn't the case at all. It's actually a refreshing, nostalgic fruit salad featuring sweet whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut to bring it all together. Best of all, it is a cold salad, and it's traditionally made with canned pineapple, mandarin orange slices, and maraschino cherries, so making a batch is as easy as popping open a few tins, mixing all of the ingredients together, and chilling it. Considering how sweet it is, it also works as a light dessert.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Ambrosia Salad

Creamed vegetables are nothing new in the South, but Easy Crock Pot Creamed Corn might be the finest iteration of the concept. Made with canned corn, cream cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper, it's deliciously rich and satisfying. The use of canned corn and a slow cooker also makes it incredibly simple to create. If you want to dial down the richness, you can also swap out some of the full-fat ingredients for a plant-based milk and dairy-free butter and cream cheese. A touch of corn milk can also improve flavor. Either way, this is one Southern side dish that's tasty enough to serve for the holidays, but humble enough to grace your everyday table.

Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Similar to a comforting potato salad, but with noodles, 3-Ingredient Macaroni Salad is an outstanding side dish for your everyday lunch or dinner, and it also serves as a great pick for gatherings of all kinds. Additionally, it is one of those recipes that shows simplicity at its finest because all you need to make it is a bag of broccoli slaw with carrots and cabbage, elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper; although adding stuff like pickles, capers, celery, bell peppers, or protein certainly won't hurt. The leftovers hold up exceptionally well, too, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it for days to come.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Macaroni Salad

Something as simple as Basic Stovetop Steamed White Rice makes for a wonderful Southern side dish. Not only is it easy to make without any fancy appliances or tools, but it is also one of the most versatile accompaniments around. With this in mind, it is a welcome base for all kinds of sauces, proteins, and veggies. Rice is also gluten-free, so just about anyone can enjoy it. For the best results, make sure to rinse the grains for a couple of minutes and then use filtered water when boiling. For even more flavor, you can also turn plain rice into an Appalachian favorite by adding a stick of butter and sugar.

Recipe: Basic Stovetop Steamed White Rice

As the name suggests, Simple Classic Succotash is an easy side dish to make. However, it is also super yummy and a great way to add some more vegetables to a broad spectrum of meals. Interestingly, it has roots in Native American cooking as well, so enjoying it gives you a taste of history. As for the details, the bulk of it is made with onion, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, corn, lima beans, and green beans, and you can use frozen veggies for the latter three. It also features savory herbs like sage, paprika, and garlic, plus a little salt and pepper for good measure. While not needed, you can garnish with fresh parsley or add spicy red chiles to the mix as well.

Recipe: Simple Classic Succotash

Creamy Southern-Style Butter Beans are the perfect accompaniment to classic Southern dishes like fried chicken and cornbread, but they are also tasty enough to serve with a litany of cuisines. Tender, rich, and of course buttery, they take some time to make, but the effort is more than worth it. Regardless, much of the flavor is derived from pork-flavored broth, spicy andouille sausage, garlic, onion, celery, red bell pepper, and thyme. Of course, the lima beans also contribute to the mix, but they aren't the only star of the show. You can also opt for canned lima beans with some of the stock water to enhance creaminess.

Recipe: Creamy Southern-Style Butter Beans

Oh, mashed potatoes. Even in their most basic format, they are basically a perfect dish. All that butter and milk added to soft potatoes is drool-worthy, to say the least. However, adding bacon and some of the grease from the baking tray only makes them better. Our recipe for Super Bacony Mashed Potatoes is proof of that. Plus, they only take a little extra work compared to the classic recipe — cooking the bacon and adding it along with some drippings — so the payoff is huge. Salty, buttery, creamy, and comforting, they are a side dish that has what it takes to complement almost any main course.

Recipe: Super Bacony Mashed Potatoes

Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Cream Gravy are one of the most legendary Southern dishes of them all. Unlike many of the other options on this list, they make a fantastic breakfast side dish as well. Regardless, grating the butter for the biscuit dough is one pro tip that helps the mix come together quickly and easily. If you prefer a lighter biscuit, you can also use cake or pastry flour in place of all-purpose and opt for low-fat milk over buttermilk. However, we recommend you start with the original rendition and then make your decision, because, oh man, is it tasty.

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Cream Gravy

Cornbread and dressing (not to be confused with stuffing, which goes inside a bird) are great and all, but combine the two dishes and watch out — you're in for a classic Southern treat. Similar to a casserole but with lots of bready bite, it is more than worthy of a spot on your dinner table. In addition to the cast iron cornbread, which is made first and then cut into cubes and toasted, it also features bacon, chicken stock, savory herbs, and a collection of aromatic veggies all mixed together. Then, it is baked until golden brown and crisp on the outside, making for a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

Recipe: Southern-Style Homemade Cornbread Dressing

Casseroles are the name of the game in the South because they are not only convenient, but tasty too. As a result, you find many different iterations of the dish, and Creamy Carrot Casserole is another one that needs to be on your radar. Thanks to the main ingredient — carrots — it delivers a lovely sweetness, but it also boasts lots of savory deliciousness thanks to a velvety heavy cream and butter sauce. There's also some garlic and pepper to round things out, plus a crispy layer of panko breadcrumbs on top for just enough textural variation to keep you coming back for more.

Recipe: Creamy Carrot Casserole

Another Southern side dish that deserves a place on your table is Old-School Scalloped Corn. It has lots of nostalgic appeal, and it makes 12 servings, so it's an outstanding pick when you need to feed a large group. Even if you don't, leftovers are sure to be consumed rapidly. After all, who doesn't love creamy, cheesy, buttery corn? In addition, the recipe gets a serious boost in flavor and texture by way of a crunchy, crumbled Ritz cracker topping that becomes golden brown and delicious after baking. Just remember to let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving, so the flavors meld and no one inadvertently burns their mouth.

Recipe: Old-School Scalloped Corn

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