10 Tested and Perfected Classic Southern Recipes

There's something deeply satisfying about Southern cooking. From red velvet cupcakes to buttermilk biscuits, these classic recipes won't disappoint!

1. Red Velvet Cupcakes

With their subtle chocolate flavor, deep mahogany color and lavish swirl of cream cheese frosting on top, who could possibly resist a red velvet cupcake? GET THE RECIPE

2. Cheddar & Herb Cheese Straws

They may look like bread sticks, but these crispy and flaky cheese straws taste more like savory pie crust or pastry. They're wildly addictive, and just plain fun to serve. GET THE RECIPE

3. Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon, Cheddar & Almonds

In this classic Southern salad, broccoli marries beautifully with bits of salty bacon, tangy cheddar cheese and crunchy almonds. GET THE RECIPE

4. Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce

This gourmet twist on chicken tenders will make the entire family happy. The chicken is breaded in a mixture of pecans and panko, pan-fried until crispy and golden, and then served with a creamy whole grain honey mustard sauce. GET THE RECIPE

5. New Orleans Style Barbeque Shrimp

Despite its name, this shrimp dish has actually very little to do with barbecue. If you keep shrimp in your freezer, it's a delicious weeknight dinner you can throw together at a moment's notice. GET THE RECIPE

6. Pecan Shortbread Squares

If you're a fan of Southern pecan pie, you'll love these pecan squares with a buttery shortbread crust and rich caramel-pecan topping. GET THE RECIPE

7. Cornbread Muffins

These tender and sweet cornbread muffins are a must at any Southern barbecue. My kids love them so much that I'm constantly swatting their little hands away from the bread basket so they don't fill up. GET THE RECIPE

8. Banana Pudding Parfaits

This is a fun twist on the old-fashioned Southern dessert traditionally made with layers of Nilla wafers, instant vanilla pudding and sliced bananas. It's a bit more gourmet but still tastes wonderfully nostalgic and delicious. GET THE RECIPE

9. Blackened Tilapia

This is a healthy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Tilapia fillets are dusted with a bold Cajun spice rub, then sautéed in olive oil until crisp outside and flaky inside. GET THE RECIPE

10. Best Buttermilk Biscuits

With a fluffy inside and a toasty crust, these rich and buttery biscuits are the best to ever come out of my oven. They're easy to make: you can throw the dough together in ten minutes and enjoy the biscuits with your meal less than fifteen minutes later. GET THE RECIPE