Southern Cooking Was Made For Sharing
There's something special about a Southern potluck, especially when everyone has seemingly spent decades perfecting the delicacies. You'll find plenty of fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, but the real excitement comes from regional specialties and family recipes that rarely appear on menus. You won’t find them just anywhere else in the country, either! These are 20 dishes you'll only sink your teeth into at a good old-fashioned Southern gathering.
1. Pineapple Casserole
Combining canned pineapple with sharp cheddar cheese probably sounds like a science experiment, but this Southern favorite has a surprisingly delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors. We’re talking the best of both worlds, with crushed buttery crackers on top. You’re left with a golden crust that contrasts with the soft fruit underneath, and it’s perfect for sharing.
2. Chicken Bog
South Carolina's chicken bog combines tender shredded chicken, white rice, and smoked sausage in one big pot. You really can’t ask for anything else to warm your belly! Unlike a traditional rice casserole, the finished dish also has a wonderfully moist consistency; everything cooks together in chicken broth.
3. Squash Casserole
Yellow summer squash isn’t a one-and-done ingredient to reserve for fall. It actually gets a lot more exciting when it's baked with onions, cheddar cheese, and a creamy mixture of eggs and sour cream. Some Southern cooks even add crushed Ritz crackers to the topping. Either way, you'll have a comforting vegetable dish that's tough to resist.
4. Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
A proper Southern potluck just isn’t complete without a platter of these little guys! It’s really just sandwiches filled with sharp cheddar, mayo, and diced pimentos—but you can make it your own all the same. The filling usually gets a little kick from cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, or a dash of hot sauce, depending on who's preparing it.
5. Cornbread Salad
Cornbread salad is one of those Southern creations that proves leftovers can actually be something exciting. It doesn’t require a ton of prep, either; it’s just crumbled cornbread layered with pinto beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, bacon, and ranch. Do yourself a favor and serve it in a large glass bowl so you can enjoy all the colors!
6. Mississippi Sin Dip
Despite its name, there’s nothing sinful about this one! This indulgent appetizer combines cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, diced ham, and chopped green chilies for something you can enjoy without spoiling the main event. Guests tear off pieces of bread to scoop up the filling, although crackers are just as effective when the loaf starts running low.
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7. Tomato Pie
Fresh tomatoes take center stage in this savory Southern pie, which is especially popular during the summer. After all, what are you supposed to do with your crop? Luckily, you have an option right here with thick slices layered inside a pastry crust. Add a pinch of basil, some onions, and a mixture of mayo and shredded cheese to tie it all together.
8. Southern Deviled Eggs
You'll rarely have trouble locating the deviled eggs at a Southern gathering—someone always brings a tray. It’s a good thing too because hardly anyone can resist! The creamy yolk filling is often just mayo, mustard, and sweet pickle relish, with paprika sprinkled across the top. Though there’s no shortage of ways to make this dish all your own.
9. Cajun Dirty Rice
Louisiana brings plenty of bold flavors to Southern potlucks, but dirty rice is a notch above the rest. White rice is cooked with ground meat, finely chopped chicken livers, onions, celery, bell peppers, and Cajun seasonings. The result has a deeply savory flavor, with the veggies providing just enough freshness to balance the richness.
10. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Despite its name, strawberry pretzel salad is a far cry from salad. This one’s planted firmly in dessert territory, and Southern families have been serving it at gatherings for decades. A salty pretzel crust supports a sweet cream cheese layer, followed by strawberry gelatin filled with sliced strawberries. It has everything you want when you just can’t choose between something crunchy, creamy, and fruity.
11. Chicken Spaghetti
Southern chicken spaghetti takes ingredients we know and love and turns them into a baked dish that can feed an impressive number of people. Shredded chicken, spaghetti noodles, diced tomatoes, and a cheesy sauce tie this whole thing together. The mild heat from the chilies also stops the filling from sitting in your gut.
12. Southern Pear Salad
Don't be surprised if you encounter a plate of canned pear halves topped with mayo, cheddar, and maraschino cherries. Again, we know it sounds nuts, but don’t shy away from trying it! The juicy pears provide plenty of sweetness, but the cheese adds a salty finish that makes the whole arrangement unexpectedly pleasant.
13. Corn Pudding
Corn pudding has a softer, more delicate texture than cornbread, so it’s the best way to balance out a table full of casseroles. Sweet corn kernels are baked in a mixture of eggs, milk, and butter until the center gets nice and tender. Some recipes even add a dash of sugar to emphasize the corn's sweetness.
14. Kentucky Benedictine Spread
Say hello to a refreshing cucumber spread made with finely grated cucumber, cream cheese, onion, and seasonings! It’s all mixed into a smooth, pale-green mixture that you'll see served in small tea sandwiches or alongside crackers. If you’re just planning to graze, you can get something with a cool, delicate flavor that works beautifully between richer dishes.
15. Broccoli Salad With Bacon
Raw broccoli might not sound exciting, but the Southern-style stuff has enough to change your mind. All you’re looking at is bite-sized florets tossed with bacon, cheddar, red onion, and sunflower seeds. A creamy dressing gives the salad its distinctive balance of tanginess and sweetness, too, allowing the whole bowl to come together.
16. Squash Dressing
Cornbread dressing gets all the attention around the holidays, but some families make their own variation with cooked yellow squash. It’s mixed with crumbled cornbread, sautéed onions, broth, and seasonings before everything goes into the oven. You’re left with a soft interior and lightly browned surface!
17. Seven-Layer Salad
When you’re at a potluck, it just doesn’t get any better than a glass bowl filled with scrumptious layers. Though you can easily whip up your own creation, typical ingredients include lettuce, peas, red onion, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and shredded cheese, all finished with a thick mayo-based dressing.
18. Chicken and Pastry
You might have to travel to the Carolinas for this one, but it’s a small price to pay for tender chicken served with thin strips of dough. It’s also cooked directly in seasoned broth, so you’ll get all the flavor with every bite. Just be mindful that you’ll sometimes find generous amounts of black pepper in the broth, so prepare yourself for a bit of a kick.
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19. Hoppin' John
Black-eyed peas, rice, and smoky pork? You just learned the foundation of Hoppin' John, a particularly beloved dish in the Carolinas! Recipes also add onions, bacon, and a little hot pepper for a satisfying blend of earthy and savory flavors. The only problem? It’s often reserved for NYE celebrations rather than being a year-round treat.
20. Coca-Cola Cake
Southern potluck desserts don't get much richer than Coca-Cola cake, which is pretty much what it sounds like! It’s a moist chocolate sheet cake made with the famous soft drink and topped with a warm chocolate frosting. If you really want to throw caution to the wind, you can add chopped pecans, too.
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