Even Tourists Love These Dishes The Most
Southern cooking has never stayed neatly inside the borders of the South. Recipes moved with families, restaurants introduced regional specialties to new customers, and foods that were once associated with particular states eventually became familiar across the country. Some Southern dishes have become so widely loved elsewhere that you might forget they have roots in a very specific regional food culture.
1. Biscuits And Gravy
If you're not used to having biscuits and gravy, then they will blow your mind. They were made from cheap ingredients to fill you up and became popular in diners all over the country. Many diners will have their own twist on the gravy.
2. Fried Chicken
One of the Southern foods that people know about is fried chicken. There are many types of fried chicken, but Southern fried chicken is very well known. Fried chicken became famous by traveling outside of the South through restaurant chains.
3. Barbecue
There are many different types of barbecue, and most Southern states have their own type of barbecue. People have adopted styles of barbecue from Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kansas City. Barbecue competitions and restaurants have taken off all over the country.
4. Shrimp And Grits
Shrimp and grits have made their way into restaurants all over the country. Many chefs have started using different kinds of cheese and spices. Adding vegetables or seafood to shrimp and grits is commonplace now.
5. Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is something many Southerners love. It's made with cheese, pimentos, and cream dressing. It has become very popular in other areas of the country, and whether it's used on a sandwich or burger, you'll see it all over.
6. Chicken And Waffles
Chicken and waffles have taken the country by storm. While it's not purely a Southern dish, it's become known as one. Restaurant chains outside of the South have helped popularize this dish.
7. Hush Puppies
Hush puppies were created to be eaten with seafood. They are made out of cornmeal batter that is seasoned and fried. If you're outside of the South and eat them, you may not know that they originated in the South.
8. Collard Greens
Collard greens are another Southern dish that many people enjoy. Collards have been around for a very long time and are loved by African Americans. Many restaurants now offer collard greens on their menu.
9. Cornbread
Cornbread has been around for many years. Every family or region in the South makes cornbread differently. Cornbread can be sweet or savory and is usually baked in a cast-iron skillet.
10. Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are popular in restaurants all over the country. Green tomatoes are sliced, dipped in batter, and fried. Many people enjoy fried green tomatoes as an appetizer when they visit Southern restaurants.
11. Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is a very popular dessert throughout the country. It consists of bananas, vanilla wafers, and pudding. Banana pudding is often made at family functions, and many restaurants have it on their menu.
12. Peach Cobbler
Peaches are a popular fruit that is grown in the South. Southern peach cobbler is usually baked in the oven and has a great topping. It can travel well, and people love eating peach cobbler.
13. Red Beans And Rice
Red beans and rice are very popular in Louisiana. Many Southerners eat red beans and rice at least once a week. Red beans and rice can be found in restaurants that specialize in Cajun or Creole food.
14. Chicken-Fried Steak
Chicken-fried steak is very popular in the South. It's made by breading a piece of beef and frying it just like chicken. People unfamiliar with the name sometimes expect poultry, which makes the first encounter with the dish a memorable one.
15. Biscuits
Southern biscuits have taken the country by storm. Many restaurants offer biscuits on their breakfast menu. Modern bakeries and restaurants have also turned the humble biscuit into a centerpiece rather than simply a side.
16. Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts are found mostly in the South. You can find them at gas stations and sporting events. They're still more regional than some foods on this list, but curiosity about Southern food has introduced them to plenty of people elsewhere.
17. Grits
Grits have taken the country by storm. Made from ground corn, they're served in versions ranging from simple breakfast bowls to elaborate restaurant dishes with seafood, cheese, or vegetables. Chefs outside the South have embraced them because they work as a flexible base for both traditional and modern dishes.
18. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie has become one of the country's best-known Southern desserts, particularly around Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Southern recipes traditionally showcase pecans in a sweet filling baked inside a pastry crust. The dessert's popularity has made it a familiar sight on holiday tables nationwide, even among families without any particular connection to the South.
19. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are very popular in the South. You can find them at family reunions and church events. The basic recipe is straightforward, but Southern cooks have developed countless variations involving mustard, relish, paprika, pickles, and other additions. Their popularity outside the region has made them a standard party appetizer across the country.
20. Macaroni And Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish that many Southern people enjoy. It is usually baked and made with lots of cheese. The dish has become a beloved comfort food nationwide, with restaurants and home cooks outside the South regularly putting their own spin on it.
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