Data from Tastewise’s 2025 trends report shows a significant rise in interest around regional Southern dishes, with consumers craving authentic, heritage-rich recipes that tell a story beyond just flavors.
The South is home to a wide culinary variety, with regional offerings such as Appalachian mountain and coastal Lowcountry food being served with commonly locally sourced products cooked in different fashions. This consumer behavior increase has signified a larger movement towards accepting new food traditions and at the same time embracing the past.
Although classically loved dishes such as fried chicken and biscuits tend to hog the limelight, there are also several lesser-known Southern foods with just as rich a history and packed with just as rich a flavor.
Savory Southern Fried Chicken Livers
Consider fried chicken liver as the lowly in Southern kitchens. Coated in seasoned flour, deep-fried, and disguised in views of gold, they have a crispy coating but a soft and creamy interior. They are as cost-effective as they are tasty; they are loved and frequented because of their nostalgic appeal.
With a side of that vinegary hot sauce or creamy gravy, they provide that actual Southern comfort food with every bite.
Appalachian Fried Dandelions
To them, the garden might see it as weeds, but mountain people see it as a kind of delicacy. Fried dandelions are battered and fried to crispy perfection. They are earthy, slightly bitter, and crunchy, making a surprising, but heavenly snack that will transport you to the frugal traditions of Appalachian cooking that made users resourceful.
Carolina Red Slaw
If you need a pucker-up version of traditional coleslaw, the Carolina Red Slaw is the one that you desire. It is a vibrantly colored side dish that will hit you with its bold vinegar and tomato-based dressing. It is a must-have side with any barbecued meat and has the tangy essence of Southern food.
Ozarks Potato Salad
Forget the mayo-heavy versions you’re used to. The Ozarks’ approach to making potato salad gets a bit of mustard, but is countered with other add-ins such as bacon bits, pieces of hard-boiled eggs, and a touch of pickle juice. Served warm or cold, it’s hearty, tangy, and unforgettable.
Southern-Style Chocolate Gravy
Yes, you read that right. Chocolate gravy may not seem familiar, but pour this hot chocolate-textured syrup on some fluffy biscuit and, bam! It is a game-changer. Save this one for breakfast or dessert (or both). The recipe is a lovely nod to Appalachian ingenuity.
Candied Pecans
Pecans are practically royalty in the South kitchen, and when they are candied, they are magic. They should be cooked in sugar and spices until they become crunchy so that they can be used as a snack or salad garnish. Their sweet, nutty flavor is irresistibly Southern.
Pimento Cheese
This creamy, tangy spread is no ordinary cheese dip. Known fondly as “the caviar of the South,” pimento cheese blends shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos to create a spread that’s equally at home on crackers, sandwiches, or spoons straight from the jar.
Candied Yams
Maximize the sugar cookies with candied yams, a southern-style dish that is both a side dish and dessert. Also consisting of sweet potatoes covered in a rich glaze of buttery, spiced brown sugar (occasionally, there are marshmallows on top as well), this dish is as close as it comes to being full of holiday vibes.
Boiled Peanuts
Forget roasting. Boiled peanuts are salty, tender, and surprisingly addictive. They are a favorite road trip snack all across the South, bringing an earthy flavor and serving up a touch of authentic Southern tradition right out of the shell.
Black-Eyed Peas
New Year’s Day? Sure, they are known to be the food of choice on New Year’s Day, yet they are good on any other day of the year, too. They are cooked low and slow with ham hocks and greens, making them hearty and protein-rich, richly flavored with smokiness.
Added to that, they have history as the symbol of strength itself, which speaks for itself in every single spoon.
Southern Greens with a Smoky Twist
Greens’ game is incomplete without a pot of collard, mustard, or turnip greens cooked to a simmer with smoky ham hocks. Saturated, tasty, and full of nutrition, they are part of soul food and make plain, average vegetables into something special.
Brunswick Stew
It is a heartwarming tomato stew of sorts. Brunswick Stew is loaded with tender meats (most often chicken or pork) partnered with a mix of corn, lima beans, and potatoes, an all-American, homey, and satisfying meal to serve on a cold evening.
Gulf Shrimp and Grits
No Southern list is complete without shrimp and grits. Dressed up with fresh and juicy Gulf shrimp sautéed with butter and spices and seasoned grits, the most adorable comfort food deserves the right hint of sophistication.
Red Beans and Rice
There is no way to talk Southern food without mentioning Louisiana cuisine, and one of the dishes at the top of the list is red beans and rice. Simmered with sausage, onions, and spices, it’s both a traditional dish and a one-pot wonder.
Key Takeaway
There is great southern food, and a great deal of it is as diverse as the land that it inhabits. These decidedly lesser-known recipes offer a tasty glimpse into the region’s diverse food culture, revealing that there is indeed much more to the South than just fried chicken. You may be frying up some dandelions or dipping a biscuit into some delicious chocolate gravy, but whatever you choose, these are the foods that will make you feel the heart and soul of Southern cuisine. It may be just a recipe away from your next culinary adventure.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Disclosure: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.
12 laws and rules about food in other countries
12 Laws And Rules About Food In Other Countries
Food is more than just nourishment; it’s a reflection of culture, tradition, and, in many cases, the law. Around the world, various countries have established distinct food regulations that may surprise travelers and food enthusiasts alike.
These laws reveal how deeply societies value what ends up on their plates. Here are 12 fascinating food laws and rules from around the globe that show just how diverse and sometimes unexpected our relationship with food can be.
16 grocery staples to stock up on before prices spike again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the same things I always do, but my bill keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly, eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
