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Home » Side Recipes

25+ Must-Have Southern Side Dishes to Complete Any Meal

A collage of four images showing southern side dishes, with text overlay for Pinterest.

Published: Mar 3, 2025 · Modified: Mar 3, 2025 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

Hey y'all! When it comes to Southern cooking, it's not just about the main dish, it's about the sides! A true Southern meal is loaded with delicious, comforting sides that make your tummy happy and your heart full. Whether it's creamy mashed potatoes, savory collard greens, or sweet cornbread, these Southern side dishes are the unsung heroes of our cuisine.

A collage of four images showing southern side dishes.

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On The Cagle Diaries, we believe that great sides can make or break a meal, so I wanna share my favorite ones with you! Each of these will bring that little piece of Louisiana into your household.

This collection of must-have Southern side dish recipes has something for everyone! From quick and easy weeknight sides to more elaborate dishes perfect for holidays and gatherings, I've got you covered.

These are easy to understand and the whole family can enjoy! Whether you're looking for a classic or a new way to spice up your menu, you're sure to find inspiration in this roundup. I really do believe we should all be able to cook authentic recipes, these are must-have's for any household.

Potato Recipes

1
A bowl full of mashed potatoes with brown gravy on top.
Popeyes Mashed Potatoes
This copycat recipe for Popeyes Mashed Potatoes is the perfect side. Creamy, smooth and so flavorful - it'll be hard not to eat the whole bowl.
Check out this recipe
2
Close up of a corner of a dish of sweet potato casserole with a scoop missing.
Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole
A copycat recipe for Cracker Barrel's Sweet Potato Casserole that gives a deliciously smooth and silky sweet potato filling with a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping.
Check out this recipe
3
Overhead image of slow cooker mashed potatoes made with chicken broth, and pats of butter on top.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Chicken Broth
Making Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Chicken Broth gives these creamy mashed potatoes an even better flavor!
Check out this recipe
4
Side shot of a bowl of amish mashed potatoes cropped square.
Amish Mashed Potatoes
Wholesome Amish Mashed Potatoes Recipe! Easy to follow, and it uses ingredients you most likely have at hand. Great for those big family dinners!
Check out this recipe
5
a close up image of a large bowl of Cajun potato salad with green onions sprinkled on top
Cajun Potato Salad Recipe
This Cajun Potato Salad Recipe is a deliciously creamy, full of flavor version that is typically made to accompany a good bowl of gumbo.
Check out this recipe
6
close up of a spoon digging into a hash brown casserole.
Crockpot Cracker Barrel Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
This crockpot Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole recipe is cheesy perfection. It's creamy, full of flavor and addictive.
Check out this recipe
7
Close up shot of a pot of stewed potatoes.
Stewed Potatoes
This old fashioned recipe for stewed potatoes has been passed down generations. A simple, creamy and flavorful way to cook down potatoes.
Check out this recipe

Vegetable Dishes

8
Overhead shot of a southern tomato pie.
Southern Tomato Pie
Easy Southern Tomato Pie! Fresh summer tomatoes, creamy cheese, & flaky crust. A taste of Southern comfort! 
Check out this recipe
9
Close up shot of a spinach madeleine dish in a pan with a scoop missing.
Spinach Madeleine
The freshness of spinach, the depth of cheeses, the slight kick of spices—all coming together in a divine union that leaves you craving another bite even before you've finished the first. Spinach Madeleine is a southern masterpiece.
Check out this recipe
10
Close up of a dish full of mirliton dressing, with a scoop missing.
Mirliton Dressing
Mirliton dressing is a Creole dish with savory, herb-infused flavors, showcasing Louisiana's culinary charm.
Check out this recipe
11
Close up of an eggplant casserole in a baking dish, with a piece missing.
Eggplant Casserole
Looking for the perfect comfort food dish? This eggplant casserole recipe is not only easy to make, but also incredibly flavorful and satisfying. Give it a try and taste the deliciousness for yourself!
Check out this recipe
12
A stack of fried green tomatoes with the one on top having a bite out of it.
Tangy Fried Green Tomatoes
Crispy on the outside, soft and tangy on the inside, fried green tomatoes are so popular for good reason. Let me show you how to make the perfect fried green tomato.
Check out this recipe
13
Close up of a bowl of southern black eyed peas and collard greens.
Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
Earthy, smoky and delicious this southern black eyed peas and collard greens recipe is a new year's day tradition.
Check out this recipe
14
An image of a plate full of old fashioned pan fried okra with one or two cut in half to see the inside.
Old Fashioned Pan Fried Okra
Crispy and lightly seasoned this old fashioned pan fried okra is a southern classic.
Check out this recipe
15
Close up of some cajun corn maque choux with a big spoon digging in.
Maque Choux
Maque choux is a tasty cajun side dish made by smothering bell peppers, onions and corn into a heavenly mixture of perfectly spiced goodness.
Check out this recipe
16
close up of some smoked mushrooms in a cast iron pot.
Smoked Mushrooms
Delicious and easy, this smoked mushrooms recipe is one you'll love. Tasty flavors of garlic and Creole mustard soaked with butter and drizzled all over the button mushrooms.
Check out this recipe
17
Close up of a skillet with Texas Roadhouse Sauteed Mushrooms inside.
Texas Roadhouse Sauteed Mushrooms Recipe
A delicious copycat Texas Roadhouse Sauteed Mushrooms Recipe that tastes just like you picked it up from the famous restaurant.
Check out this recipe
18
A scoop of loaded green bean casserole being lifted out of the dish.
Loaded Green Bean Casserole
A loaded green bean casserole recipe that's easy to make and 'loaded' with tasty ingredients. Bacon, cheese, crispy fried onions, sour cream to name a few...
Check out this recipe
19
close up of a ceramic bowl full of cajun green beans with bacon
Cajun Green Beans
Cajun Green Beans are a perfect side dish for any meal, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Perfectly cooked Green Beans with Bacon and Creole Seasoning makes this a dish full of flavor.
Check out this recipe

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Fabulous Beans

20
close up of kielbasa and baked beans with a wooden spoon taking some.
Kielbasa and Baked Beans Slow Cooker Recipe
Tangy and sweet this kielbasa and baked beans slow cooker recipe is great for tailgating, or as a quick weeknight side dish.
Check out this recipe
21
a close up of a spoon full of baked beans with bacon
Southern Baked Beans Recipe
These Southern Baked Beans are so tangy, sweet and meaty they are the perfect accompaniment to any barbecue!
Check out this recipe
22
Overhead shot of a pot of pinto beans, cropped square.
Pinto Beans Recipe
Smoky, seasoned to perfection and comforting on a cold day, this pinto beans recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Check out this recipe
23
Bowl of southern great northern beans.
Southern Great Northern Beans Recipe
A classic southern great northern beans recipe that is super simple, yet really delicious.
Check out this recipe
24
white beans on a spoon over an instant pot
Instant Pot White Beans
Delicious southern style white beans cooked in the instant pot are even more delicious and creamy with all the flavors of the ham and the seasonings used.
Check out this recipe
25
Close up of a slow cooker cajun red beans and rice recipe.
Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Rice
Creamy, Cajun spiced Red Beans and Rice cooked low and slow in the slow cooker make for a delicious comforting meal.
Check out this recipe
26
Close up of some pinto beans and sausage on a spoon over a crock pot.
Crock Pot Pinto Beans
Deliciously meaty and creamy - Southern cooking at it's best. These crock pot pinto beans are a meal all unto itself.
Check out this recipe
27
A pot of red beans and rice with ham hocks, cropped square.
Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hocks
New Orleans favorite, this red beans and rice with Ham Hocks is a great version- giving a smoky, slightly spicy full of flavor taste to these popular beans.
Check out this recipe

Bread Recipes

28
A few square pieces of sour cream cornbread on a wooden board.
Sour Cream Cornbread
This easy sour cream cornbread results in soft, moist delicious cornbread every single time. It's fool-proof.
Check out this recipe
29
slice of cornbread having honey drizzled on top
Cajun Cornbread
This Cajun Cornbread is so simple to make you'll be making it for every meal! It is such a perfect accompaniment to so many dishes - it has just the right amount of sweetness with a yummy crunchy buttery crust. A cornbread recipe for everyone.
Check out this recipe
30
Close up shot of a dish of cornbread pudding with a wooden spoon resting.
Cornbread Pudding
Soft and flavorful this cornbread pudding is the perfect side dish for any meal.
Check out this recipe
31
A corner of a piece of southern spoon bread being lifted out of the pan.
Southern Spoon Bread
Simple yet delicious, an old fashioned southern spoon bread is a great way for using up some leftovers too.
Check out this recipe
32
A very close up shot of a cheddar biscuit.
Fluffy Cheddar Biscuits
Learn how to make homemade cheddar biscuits with this simple and scrumptious recipe. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish for dinner.
Check out this recipe
33
Close up shot of an old fashioned southern biscuits recipe with butter brushed.
Old Fashioned Southern Biscuits
Delicious old fashioned southern biscuits, made with just a handful of ingredients - yielding fluffy and soft biscuits when glazed with salted butter fresh out the oven is heaven on a plate.
Check out this recipe

Gravies and Sauces

34
Close up of a dish of southern tartar sauce.
Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe
This southern tartar sauce recipe is an old fashioned dip that is perfect next to any fried seafood.
Check out this recipe
35
close up of a bowl of cajun butter sauce.
Cajun Butter Sauce
Delicious and tasty this Cajun Butter Sauce is the perfect accompaniment to any seafood or chicken wings. Buttery, spicy and oh so flavorful - the best part is it's super easy to throw together.
Check out this recipe
36
Overhead shot of southern white gravy poured over a pork chop.
Southern White Gravy Recipe
A deliciously creamy, homestyle southern white gravy recipe that is old-fashioned but has stood the test of time.
Check out this recipe
37
Close up of southern giblet gravy in a gravy boat.
Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe
An Old Fashioned Southern Giblet Gravy recipe is full of deliciously tasty flavors and comforting warmth.
Check out this recipe
38
A bowl of seafood sauce with some boiled crabs in the background
Seafood Sauce Recipe
A delicious southern inspired Seafood Sauce Recipe that is full of flavor and pairs perfectly with any seafood.
Check out this recipe

If you like this Roundup Post for southern side dishes or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!

More Side Recipes

  • A scoop of loaded green bean casserole being lifted out of the dish.
    Loaded Green Bean Casserole
  • a close up image of a large bowl of Cajun potato salad with green onions sprinkled on top
    Cajun Potato Salad Recipe
  • Square shot of an italian cheese bread with one taken out.
    Italian Herb Cheese Bread
  • Close up of a bowl of Ruby Tuesday ham and pea pasta salad with a spoon digging in.
    Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
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I'm Melanie, I am mom to two beautiful children and married to James - my American sweetheart (I'm British).  A transplant in Houma, South Louisiana I have found a love for all Cajun and Creole food.
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