Southern Side Dishes like Grandma Made

Get ready to take a delicious trip down memory lane with some classic Southern side dishes that taste just like Grandma used to make! In this article, we're bringing back all the comforting flavors and soul-warming dishes that evoke memories of family gatherings and Sunday suppers. From creamy macaroni and cheese to buttery cornbread and tangy collard greens, these recipes are sure to transport you to the heart of the South with every bite. Whether you're craving a taste of nostalgia or looking to add some Southern charm to your dinner table, these tried-and-true favorites will hit the spot.

Sweet Cornbread Cast Iron Skillet

Two slices of pumpkin bread on a white plate. — Sweet Cornbread Cast Iron Skillet. Photo credit: Fit Mama Real Food.

Chilis and soups need this sweet cornbread cast iron skillet recipe! Baking in a hot skillet gives each piece of cornbread crispy edges.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cornbread Cast Iron Skillet

Buttermilk Cornbread

Close-up of golden brown squares of freshly baked cornbread. — Buttermilk Cornbread. Photo credit: Homemade Hooplah.

With a delicious blend of buttermilk, cornmeal, and sugars, this subtly sweet and spongy buttermilk cornbread is an iconic side dish for any dinner or holiday.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Cornbread

Sweet Corn Hush Puppies

Golden brown hushpuppies served with a dollop of creamy topping. — Sweet Corn Hush Puppies. Photo credit: The Soccer Mom Blog.

Hush Puppies are a southern favorite: soft balls of cornbread that's fried until golden brown. Delicious with honey butter!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn Hush Puppies

Grandma’s Potato Salad Recipe

A bowl of potato salad garnished with sliced boiled eggs and paprika, accompanied by a wooden serving spoon. — Grandma’s Potato Salad Recipe. Photo credit: An Expression of Food.

This potato salad with hard boiled eggs is a Southern classic! It makes a great side for picnics, potlucks, or BBQs!
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Potato Salad Recipe

Easy Corn Maque Choux Recipe

A vibrant dish of sautéed corn mixed with green onions, red peppers, and spices. — Easy Corn Maque Choux Recipe. Photo credit: Pinch And Swirl.

The only recipe you'll ever need for Corn Maque Choux! A delicious Cajun side dish from Louisiana that pairs perfectly with so many meals!
Get the Recipe: Easy Corn Maque Choux Recipe

Cornbread Dressing

A plate of savory stuffing garnished with thyme, accompanied by a fork and a napkin on a white table. — Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Buttery and moist with a crispy, golden crust, this Cornbread Dressing Recipe is the perfect southern side. Super easy to make with homemade sweet cornbread, Italian sausage, celery, onion, and fresh herbs.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Southern Mac And Cheese

Creamy macaroni and cheese being lifted with a spoon, showcasing melted cheese. — Southern Mac And Cheese. Photo credit: Dinner At The Zoo.

This Southern mac and cheese is a macaroni dish made with two types of cheese, eggs, milk and seasonings and baked to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mac And Cheese

Fried Okra Recipe

A close-up view of breaded and fried okra garnished with parsley. — Fried Okra Recipe. Photo credit: Dinner At The Zoo.

This fried okra recipe is fresh sliced okra coated in buttermilk and a seasoned cornmeal mixture, then deep fried until golden brown.
Get the Recipe: Fried Okra Recipe

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Freshly baked biscuits on a marble countertop with a bottle of milk in the background. — Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

Homemade buttermilk biscuits are light and fluffy biscuits that are made with just six ingredients. They make a tasty breakfast treat!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Grandma’s Coleslaw

A bowl of creamy coleslaw garnished with a sprig of parsley. — Grandma’s Coleslaw. Photo credit: Dana's Table.

Coleslaw is the perfect summer side dish! Classic coleslaw recipe with green cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy and creamy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Coleslaw

Slow Cooker Collard Greens

A bowl of collard greens with pieces of bacon, served on a table. — Slow Cooker Collard Greens. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Tender slow cooker collard greens are perfectly seasoning for a southern side dish. This comfort food classic is easy to make & delish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions

Pan-fried diced potatoes garnished with parsley. — Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Crispy pan fried potatoes & onions are a southern classic recipe that's great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. All you need is a skillet & 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions

Corn Casserole

This Corn Casserole is a simple side dish that will be a hit on your dinner table! It’s a hearty and comforting southern classic that everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Green Beans With Bacon

Green Beans with Bacon is an easy side dish that your family will love. It’s savory, flavorful, and easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Green Beans With Bacon

Perfect Seasoned Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted potatoes on a tray. — Perfect Seasoned Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are the perfect fall side dish that is full of flavor and so easy to make. Make some ahead of time and eat them all week!
Get the Recipe: Perfect Seasoned Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Southern Pineapple Casserole

A baked fruit crumble in a square dish, with a patterned spatula on the side. — Perfect Seasoned Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Simple Happy Foodie.

Southern Pineapple Casserole is a classic side dish often served on Holidays. Sweet pineapple and salty crackers make this pineapple cheese casserole yummy!
Get the Recipe: Southern Pineapple Casserole

Amish Macaroni Salad (Better Than Walmart)

A bowl of macaroni and cheese. — Amish Macaroni Salad (Better Than Walmart). Photo credit: Chocolate Moosey.

Creamy Amish Macaroni Salad recipe is a better than Walmart's Amish Macaroni Salad with tangy dressing made of mayo, mustard, and paprika.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad (Better Than Walmart)

Southern Style Green Beans

Close-up of a spicy green chili dish with onions. — Southern Style Green Beans. Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

Southern Style Green Beans are an easy to make southern comfort food that pair perfectly with meatloaf or smoked turkey and mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Green Beans

Grandma’s Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

A row of golden-brown, pan-fried tortillas seasoned with spices on a wooden serving tray. — Grandma’s Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe. Photo credit: Erhardts Eat.

This Southern Fried Green Tomatoes recipe is quick and easy and super crispy. This appetizer can be made in an air fryer or on the stove top.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

Grandma’s Macaroni Salad

A bowl of creamy macaroni salad with diced vegetables on a wooden table. — Grandma’s Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Sweetly Splendid.

There's a clear difference between a basic bland macaroni salad and a flavor packed Southern Macaroni Salad. With the creamiest flavorful dressing and crunchy veggies, this macaroni salad will be your new go-to summer side dish.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Macaroni Salad

Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe

Country style cornbread cooked in a skillet with a drizzle of honey. — Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe. Photo credit: xoxoBella

A delicious sweet skillet cornbread, perfect as a side for chili or a tasty snack. With honey, butter, and cornmeal, it's a real treat!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe

The Best Ever Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni And Cheese

Two plates of macaroni and cheese on a white background, perfect for an Instant Pot Thanksgiving feast. — Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

I LOVE comfort food pasta like this Instant Pot creamy macaroni and cheese. This is an easy Instant Pot pasta recipe that the whole family will enjoy and this mac and cheese recipe is always a hit. Don't worry about making too much, because this macaroni Instant Pot recipe is terrific as leftovers the next day.
Get the Recipe: The Best Ever Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni And Cheese

Grandma's Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968)

Grandma's Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968) is your new favorite bread. The cheesy onion flavor tastes amazing and the aroma while bread is baking is heavenly.
Get the Recipe: Grandma's Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968)

Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions

Grandma's Honey Glazed Pearl Onions recipe is a delicious side dish that's so easy to prepare. The honey glaze adds a nice balance to the pearl onions. It only takes a few ingredients to make these honey glazed onions.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions

Grandma's Old Fashioned Fruit Salad

Grandma's old fashioned fruit salad with mayonnaise is easily my favorite holiday fruit salad. This creamy fruit salad recipe comes together quickly with just some fresh fruit, chocolate chips for added sweetness, and a 2-ingredient dressing.
Get the Recipe: Grandma's Old Fashioned Fruit Salad

Southern Corn Pudding

A baked corn casserole in a white dish, garnished with herbs. — Southern Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This southern corn pudding casserole is farm-to-table fare, accompanying everything from grilled steak to the Thanksgiving dinner turkey!
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

A baking dish containing a portion of shepherd's pie, with a spoon inside the dish and visible layers of mashed potatoes and cheese on top. — Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Prepare a scrumptious Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole ahead of time for a stress-free dinner party. Simple steps, big cheesy flavor!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

American Cole Slaw

American Cole Slaw comes together quickly and easily with a few simple ingredients for a dish that is perfect for cookouts and potlucks.
Get the Recipe: American Cole Slaw

Spicy Cucumber Salad

This spicy cucumber salad is full of bold, refreshing, and Asian-inspired flavors. Serve it as a light snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Homestyle Macaroni Salad

This quick and easy homestyle macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for your spring or summer barbecues! Though you'll totally want to make it year-round!
Get the Recipe: Homestyle Macaroni Salad