Love or Loathe? Where Do You Stand on These 21 Southern Foods?

Alright, I need to know—are you team “can’t get enough” or more like “hard pass” when it comes to some classic Southern dishes? Because honestly, some of these foods spark serious debate, and everyone seems to have their own love-it-or-loathe-it favorites. Let’s see where you fall on this list of 21 Southern eats that people either crave or totally avoid. Ready to pick your side?

Crustless Tomato Pie With Farro

A baking dish of tomato pie with a serving spoon. — Crustless Tomato Pie With Farro. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A non-traditional Tomato Pie recipe with zucchini and farro is a great way to showcase summer tomatoes and it’s crustless.
Get the Recipe: Crustless Tomato Pie With Farro

Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows

ambrosia salad in a white bowl. — Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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A nostalgic Ambrosia salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, and coconut, topped with creamy whipped cream and a touch of sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows

Southern Boiled Peanuts In A Dutch Oven

A bowl of boiled peanuts. — Southern Boiled Peanuts In A Dutch Oven. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Boiled Peanuts are a classic Southern snack made with raw peanuts, salt, and water. Simmered for hours, they’re tender and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Southern Boiled Peanuts In A Dutch Oven

Southern Pineapple Cheese Casserole With Ritz Crackers

A spoon full of pineapple cheese casserole. — Southern Pineapple Cheese Casserole With Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A sweet and savory side dish with buttery Ritz crackers, cheese and pineapple. It’s a Southern tradition you’ve got to try.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pineapple Cheese Casserole With Ritz Crackers

Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet. — Southern Candied Yams Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You can’t beat these super simple, 3-ingredient Candied Yams. Tender and sweet with a caramelized sauce, ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Southern Cheese Straws With Sharp Cheddar Cheese

A basket of cheese straws next to glassesof wine. — Southern Cheese Straws With Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cheesy, buttery, and with a spicy kick—these cheddar cheese straws are easy to make and perfect for snacks or parties.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cheese Straws With Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Kentucky Spoon Bread

A serving spoon full of spoon bread. — Kentucky Spoon Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Kentucky spoon bread recipe bakes up moist with a dense custardy texture creamy flavor, and the perfect golden, buttery color.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Spoon Bread

Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

A glass baking dish filled with chocolate sheet cake topped with rich chocolate frosting and chopped pecans, with a cake server nearby on a gray surface. — Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This chocolate Coca-Cola cake is made with the iconic soda, mini marshmallows, and unsweetened cocoa powder for extra rich chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

Best Southern Corn Pudding Recipe

A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion. — Best Southern Corn Pudding Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A Southern Corn Pudding with fresh corn is an easy side that you can prep in 10 minuets. Make it ahead of time for an easy Holiday side.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding Recipe

Southern Shrimp And Grits

A platter of shrimp and grits with two glasses of wine. — Southern Shrimp And Grits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern Shrimp and Grits are a classic with andouille sausage and shrimp added to a wine and cream sauce served over cheesy grits.
Get the Recipe: Southern Shrimp And Grits

Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings. — Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This seven-layer salad gets even more delicious after sitting overnight! It’s stacked with layers of peas, bacon, mayo, romaine lettuce, and cheddar cheese.
Get the Recipe: Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

Southern Deviled Eggs With Sweet Pickle Relish

A platter of deviled eggs, each topped with a sprinkle of paprika, is arranged neatly on a clear glass tray—a classic touch from beloved southern recipes. Fresh parsley sits in the center as garnish. — Southern Deviled Eggs With Sweet Pickle Relish. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy deviled eggs made with mayo, mustard, and sweet pickle relish for the perfect tangy-sweet bite. A party-ready Southern classic.
Get the Recipe: Southern Deviled Eggs With Sweet Pickle Relish

Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

A spoon full of homemade rice pudding. — Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This comforting and creamy rice pudding is more like a rich vanilla custard that’s topped with next level bourbon-soaked raisins.
Get the Recipe: Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger. — Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These easy baked beans with ground beef are a perfect side dish for cookouts. Smoky with a sticky sweet sauce, they’re a classic.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

Southern Cincinnati Chili

A close-up of a hearty chili recipe served over pasta, topped with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped red onions, sliced jalapeños, and fresh parsley. — Southern Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern Cincinnati Chili has a unique flavor and it’s served over pasta. Add toppings your “way” and enjoy chili the way the Buckeyes do or add pimento cheese for a Southern flare.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cincinnati Chili

Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe

A rack of hot water cornbread with butter and honey. — Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This heavenly hot water cornbread recipe has the creamiest texture with a perfectly crisp exterior. An easy pantry staple favorite.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe

Southern Lobster Corn Fritters

Cook up a batch of lobster corn fritters as an enticing appetizer or main course. Easy to make southern corn fritters with fresh corn are certain to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Southern Lobster Corn Fritters

Southern Turkey Salad Recipe

Southern Turkey Salad sandwiches are one of my favorite ways to use up turkey leftovers. So easy and ready in 15 minutes or less!
Get the Recipe: Southern Turkey Salad Recipe

Southern Collard Greens Recipe

A plate of cooked leafy greens, topped with seeds, nuts, and shredded coconut, served on a white hexagonal-patterned plate—an elegant option for your Thanksgiving dinner ideas. — Southern Collard Greens Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Southern Collard Greens Recipe has a hint of maple sweetness & a punch of vinegar sourness for delicious collards.
Get the Recipe: Southern Collard Greens Recipe

Baked Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti Pie

A slice of spaghetti pie casserole being removed from a skillet. — Baked Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

The easiest way to make spaghetti pie! Thin spaghetti baked in a cheesy sauce with even more cheese on top! Best recipe for pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti Pie

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