49 Southern Comfort Foods for Winter

From the Recipe Creator: This is a quick and easy side dish that will become a favorite of your family.—Anne Creech, Kinston, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: Rich and creamy pimiento cheese is a southern favorite. It makes this grilled pimiento cheese sandwich shine, especially when sweet hot pepper jelly is added. —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: After living where Cajun cooking is common, we rely on this staple dish. Even If you’ve never tried red beans and rice, you’ll like this recipe! —Jackie Turnage, New Iberia, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: Pancakes are always tops in my book. But stir in bacon and corn, and they become the best breakfast-for-dinner option. I always cook gluten-free, but you can easily use regular all-purpose flour to make these corn fritters. —Anne-Marie Nichols, Watkinsville, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: I couldn't find a recipe, so I took it upon myself to devise this amazing dessert that combines the ease of a cobbler and the rich flavor of pecan pie. It tastes even better with ice cream or whipped topping. —Willa Kelley, Edmond, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: This gravy is a specialty among the country folds in our area. It’s the best sausage gravy recipe, especially when served over fresh hot, biscuits. It makes a real “stick to the ribs” dish that we always enjoy and carries a traditional flavor that can showcase locally produced sausage. —Mrs. J. N. Stine, Roanoke, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: This delicious red velvet pound cake is the perfect combination of flavors. Make sure the cake has cooled before icing it; for extra crunch sprinkle some roasted pecans on top. —Robin Smith, Old Fort, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: I find pork the secret to a good black-eyed pea recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow and gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: My family loves pumpkin pie flavor, but this is a delicious, creamy, healthier alternative—and we don’t miss the crust at all. It firms up as it cools. —Abby Booth, Coweta, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: When I make pineapple casserole, I double the amount —because guests frequently request a second helping for dessert! Sweet-tangy fruit is even better combined with savory cheddar cheese and buttery cracker crumb topping. —Catherine Ann Goza, Leland, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: Chicken bog is a South Carolina tradition with lots of variations (think herbs, spices and fresh veggies), but the standard ingredients remain: sausage, chicken and rice. This slow-cooked rendition is a simple take on the classic. — Anna Hanson, Spanish Fork, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed ham recipe. Be prepared to serve seconds! —Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: When I first made the original recipe for this bourbon-splashed pie, I added some vanilla extract and eliminated the flour. We loved the result. —Paul Falduto, Efland, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: At chili suppers, this one always disappears first! It's nice at home, too, since the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the better the flavor seems to get. —Janie Turner, Tuttle, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the ever-popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk cornbread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: I love the excellent texture of this easy cinnamon coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma’s! Make it the night before a holiday to save time in the morning. —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: Legend has it that the recipe for country captain chicken was brought to Georgia in the early 1800s by a British sea captain. Although it's traditional to serve this over rice, it's also delicious with noodles or mashed potatoes. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: I had no choice but to learn to cook many years ago while my wife recuperated from surgery. But I found I really enjoyed trying different recipes and adapting them to my own taste—that’s how my now-famous venison stew recipe came to be! —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama

From the Recipe Creator: Yep, Southerners love the combo of peanut butter and mayo. The mayonnaise flavor disappears into the peanut butter, just making it creamier and more delicious. I add cheddar to mine because, hey, I'm from Wisconsin. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: There’s nothing like juicy meat served over creamy grits. And the pumpkin in these grits makes them taste like a spicy, comforting bowl of fall flavors. Your family will come running to the table for this one. —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to normal cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Berkeley, California

From the Recipe Creator: A southern specialty, sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or anytime company’s coming. This recipe is perfect for winter dinners as it’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: This salad is a welcome alternative to the usual post-Thanksgiving fare. It's a tasty main dish loaded with good-for-you protein. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state’s famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee

From the Recipe Creator: I call this America’s best-loved air-fryer chicken. The secret is in the herby, golden brown breading that makes the chicken super moist, flavorful, herby and golden brown. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

From the Recipe Creator: I just love this southern-style dessert, and so do dinner guests. With pecans, cherries and raisins in the filling and topping, this version reminds me of a fruitcake—only so much better! —Mabel Parvi, Ridgefield, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: This hearty meal in one takes just 10 minutes to assemble before you can pop it into the oven. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: This cookie recipe from my 91-year-old grandmother was my grandfather's favorite. She still makes them and sends us home with the dough so that we can make more whenever we want, I love to make a fresh batch when company drops in. —Chris Paulsen, Glendale, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: There’s nothing quite like cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving. —Drew Weeks, Edisto Island, South Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

From the Recipe Creator: This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: I am a healthy eater most of the time, but this apple spice cake is worth the splurge! Every year I treasure the opportunity to make my own birthday cake, and I choose this. You can add a cup of raisins to the batter before baking if you'd like. —Jennifer Owen, Louisville, Kentucky

From the Recipe Creator: This dish is well suited to my lower-carb way of eating. It’s definitely soul food, and I love that it’s very simple to prepare. —Paula Diaz, Billings, Montana

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is a hit with guests and family. It’s sweet, simple and delicious, and someone always asks for the recipe. —Elliot Wesen, Arlington, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is as hearty as it gets. Part barbecued pork, part potatoes, the taters are as wholesome as they are delicious. My family can't get enough of this comforting dish. —Shannon Harris, Tyler, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: This historic pie has been in our family for many generations and is always served at our get-togethers.—Suzette Pruit, Houston, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: A fish dinner isn’t complete without a side of hush puppies, and my mom is well-known for this recipe. It's the best! —Mary McGuire, Graham, NC

From the Recipe Creator: When I visited my grandmother in summer, I always looked forward to the comforting pudding she'd make. With its crusty golden top, custard-like inside and smooth vanilla sauce, this bread pudding is a real homespun dessert. Now I make it for my grandchildren. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It’s even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Don’t forget to check out these recipes you can cook on a cold day.

From the Recipe Creator: As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York

From the Recipe Creator: My family lines up seconds of this hearty main dish from my mother-in-law, Mary Lou Baumert—a great cook! In this easy tasty recipe, the chicken bakes to a beautiful golden brown.—Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: My stepmom, Polly, would often place bowls of this creamy potato soup in front of us, along with salad, homemade bread and orange slices for dessert. Always perfectly seasoned, this recipe never disappointed.—Teresa Ambord, Anderson, California

From the Recipe Creator: I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: Jalapeno pepper adds an extra kick to this bacon mac and cheese, giving it great grown-up taste. I serve this comforting dish throughout the year.—Shelly Boehm, South Bend, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: This cornmeal fried chicken dish perks up the dinner table. Its flavorful cornmeal/bread-crumb coating is a good variation from the usual. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona