48 Southern Side Dish Recipes

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

From the Recipe Creator: Mom would prepare home-grown green beans using this recipe, and boy did they ever taste good. The bacon provides rich flavor and the brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness. This is one irresistible side dish. —Willa Govoro, St. Clair, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addictive! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: Being from California, my family has always been big veggie eaters. I wanted to share a little taste of home with my in-laws so I created this dish for Thanksgiving. You don't have to let it sit overnight, but it's a nice make ahead Thanksgiving option and the flavors mesh more that way. —Patricia Broussard, Lafayette, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: Grilling the tomatoes and corn makes this side dish feel special and it's so simple to do. I like to serve it with French bread, but it's "killer" dished up on its own. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

From the Recipe Creator: Collard greens are a staple vegetable of southern cuisine. This side dish is often made with smoked or salt-cured meats, such as ham hocks, pork or fatback. —Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: The recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: Green beans and apricots have become a family tradition. Enhanced with balsamic vinegar, this dish will make your taste buds pop. —Ashley Davis, Easley, South Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: Spending time in the kitchen with my late aunt was so much fun because she was an amazing cook and teacher. This black-eyed pea salad was one of her specialties. It is easy to make and is a nice alternative to pasta or potato salad. Add cooked cubed chicken breast to make it a meal on its own. —Patricia Ness, La Mesa, California

From the Recipe Creator: When I was growing up on Cyprus, my mother would often make this side dish to have with roast lamb. Although I hated lima beans when I was a kid (who didn't?), I love them now. They always remind me of home. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California

From the Recipe Creator: Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Grits were a breakfast staple when I was growing up. Even today, we still have them about three times a week. The trick with grits is the more you whisk, the creamier they'll be. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: Lemon-pepper seasoning and garlic make these crisp-tender sugar snap peas flavorful and an ideal accompaniment to a variety of entrees. You'll come to rely on this five-ingredient dish. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California

From the Recipe Creator: When I'm left with green tomatoes at the end of summer, I reach for this recipe. Friends and family are so happy to receive the sweet-sour relish that they often return the empty jar and ask for a refill! —Mary Gill, Florence, Oregon

From the Recipe Creator: After trying different ways to make biscuits without being completely satisfied, I decided to incorporate sour cream. Success! Split while warm, butter and enjoy. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, ON

From the Recipe Creator: These savory greens are a hit at every church dinner I take them to. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make this recipe your own. —Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: This dish is for lovers of red and green tomatoes. When I ran across the recipe, I just had to try it and it proved to be so tasty! —Barbara Mohr, Millington, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: In Mexico, grilled corn sometimes comes slathered in mayonnaise, rolled in grated cheese, and served with lime and chili powder. This is my family’s take on the dish, with our own flavor enhancements. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California

From the Recipe Creator: My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado

From the Recipe Creator: My grandmom’s long-cherished chowchow recipe has Pennsylvania Dutch roots. The pickled relish of cabbage, onions and peppers is tart and sweet with a smidge of spice. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: When my garden comes in, I harvest the veggies for potluck dishes. I live in the South, and we think bacon and cornbread make everything better—even salad! —Rebecca Clark, Warrior, Alabama

From the Recipe Creator: Brown sugar, bacon and cider vinegar season this simple side. I often make it for family and friends, and it never fails to please!—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland

From the Recipe Creator: Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for her legendary tacos, and this chile-lime grilled corn turned out to be just right. —Ashley Crainshaw, Shawnee, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: A real southern favorite, black-eyed peas are traditionally served on New Year's Day to bring good luck. The bacon and thyme in my mom’s recipe make them extra special. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: My two grown sons actually eat this as a salad, but that's a bit too hot for me! The recipe is from my late husband's mother, and I haven't varied it over the years. I usually make a batch as soon as the first tomatoes of the season are ready. —Lela Baskins, Windsor, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: Green beans with bacon and onions makes such an easy side dish. Fresh beans lend a crisp, bright flavor to any meal. They're best when served hot. —Mari Anne Warren, Milton, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Everyone asks for these cheesy corn biscuits, especially when I serve soup. If you're lucky and have leftovers, rewarm them and pass the butter and jam. —Susan Braun, Swift Current, Saskatchewan

From the Recipe Creator: You won't miss the salt in this refreshing tomato salad! It's well-seasoned with cayenne pepper, mustard seed and vinegar but not the least bit spicy. This dish is always a hit at potlucks. —Nan Rickey, Yuma, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe produces zippy little pickled green beans, preserving my veggies for months to come ... if they last that long. I crank up the heat a bit with cayenne pepper. —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe evolved from a need to use the bumper crops of delicious cherry tomatoes we grow. It's one of my favorite cherry tomato recipes, especially at cookouts. —Sally Sibley, St. Augustine, 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: Just one bite of these fritters takes me back to when my kids were young. Nowadays for our get-togethers, I sometimes triple the recipe. Serve fritters with maple syrup or agave nectar. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California

From the Recipe Creator: These green beans travel so well because they can either be served at room temperature or reheated at the party. —Christine Bergman, Suwanee, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: Cornbread is a staple of Cajun and Creole cuisine. This version is an old favorite, and it really tastes wonderful. I found the recipe in the bottom of my recipe drawer. —Enid Hebert, Lafayette, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: For extra zip, crumble feta over the top of this artichoke salad. Add shredded rotisserie chicken for a beautiful main dish. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. —Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

From the Recipe Creator: Fresh green beans are the stars of this healthy side. Serve with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin or seafood for a delicious end to a busy day. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: We make the most of tomatoes when they are in season and plentiful, and I love an old-fashioned homemade dressing with summery taste. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: I didn't eat southern-style collards until a friend gave me a recipe for greens with bacon and pinto beans. Now I’m delighted to make them. —April Burroughs, Vilonia, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: The tattered recipe card for this buttermilk cornbread proves it's been a family favorite for years. It's my daughter's top request. —Judy Sellgren, Grand Rapids, Michigan