• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Southern Recipes Perfect for Hot Summer Days

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 28, 2025, updated June 30, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer in the South brings a bounty of fresh ingredients and flavors that are perfect for warm days. From refreshing salads to hearty fried dishes, these 18 recipes showcase the best of Southern cooking, making it easy to enjoy the season's warmth with family and friends. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or looking for a light meal, these dishes are sure to bring comfort and joy.

    Southern Coleslaw

    Southern Coleslaw.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This Southern coleslaw is a refreshing mix of tangy and crunchy flavors, with a touch of sweetness. It's a great side dish for summer gatherings, picnics, and barbecues. Whether you're serving it at a cookout or enjoying it with a family meal, this coleslaw adds a nice crunch to any plate.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the Recipe

    Tangy Fried Green Tomatoes

    Tangy Fried Green Tomatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Cagle Diaries.

    Crispy fried green tomatoes are a beloved southern dish that shines in the summer months. They serve as a delicious side or appetizer that everyone will love. This straightforward recipe allows you to prepare them with minimal effort, adding a delightful flavor to your meals.

    Get the Recipe

    The BEST Potato Salad

    The BEST Potato Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Classic Potato Salad features Russet potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and a creamy dressing that brings everything together. This dish is a staple at family gatherings and summer barbecues, loved for its simplicity and deliciousness. It's a go-to side that pairs well with just about anything, making it a favorite for many.

    Get the Recipe

    Savory Green Tomato Pie with Homemade Crust

    Savory Green Tomato Pie with Homemade Crust.
    Photo Credit: Little Black Skillet.

    Summer is the perfect time for a delicious green tomato pie. If you enjoy fried green tomatoes, this savory pie is sure to be a hit. It's tart and tangy, making it a great choice for a main dish, side, or even an appetizer.

    Get the Recipe

    Peach Cobbler

    Peach Cobbler.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Peach cobbler is a delightful dessert that really stands out in the summer when fresh peaches are available, but it’s also delicious any time of year with frozen or canned peaches. It’s warm and comforting, especially when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This dessert is perfect for get-togethers or just enjoying a cozy evening at home.

    Get the Recipe

    Southern Peach Pound Cake

    Southern Peach Pound Cake.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Southern peach pound cake is a delightful summer treat. This classic loaf cake is packed with fresh diced peaches, making it a perfect dessert for warm days. It's a simple yet satisfying way to enjoy the flavors of summer.

    Get the Recipe

    Peach and Prosciutto Salad

    Peach and Prosciutto Salad.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    This salad combines grilled peaches, prosciutto, creamy Boursin cheese, and toasted almonds for a delightful dish. It's light and refreshing, making it a great choice for summer meals or casual gatherings. The mix of sweet and savory flavors creates a satisfying experience that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Southern Summer Succotash with Bacon and Tomatoes

    Southern Summer Succotash with Bacon and Tomatoes.
    Photo Credit: Little Black Skillet.

    Warm weather brings a bounty of fresh produce, and this bacon succotash is a perfect way to enjoy it. Made in a trusty cast-iron skillet, it combines sweet corn, lima beans, juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, and fragrant basil. This side dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!

    Get the Recipe

    Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is a comforting dish that's both creamy and cheesy. With sharp white cheddar and Gruyere cheese blended into a smooth sauce, it’s a classic favorite. The crispy, buttery breadcrumbs on top add a nice crunch, making it a delightful combination of textures.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Roasted Okra and Onions

    Sheet Pan Roasted Okra and Onions.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    Roasting okra and onions really brings out their natural sweetness, creating a simple yet tasty side dish. This dish is a great way to enjoy okra, especially if you're new to it. Plus, using just one pan lined with parchment paper means there's hardly any cleanup afterward.

    Get the Recipe

    Jiffy Cornbread

    Jiffy Cornbread.
    Photo Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

    Jiffy Cornbread is already tasty on its own, but a few easy tweaks can take it to the next level. By adding some simple ingredients, you can enhance its flavor and texture. This is a great way to elevate a classic dish and make it even more enjoyable.

    Get the Recipe

    Strawberry Sweet Tea

    Strawberry Sweet Tea.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    Fresh strawberries and sweet tea come together in this delightful Strawberry Sweet Tea. It's easy to prepare and perfect for enjoying on a warm spring or summer day.

    Get the Recipe

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    A Southern staple that makes the most comforting meal ever! Melty cheese, chicken, and southwest ingredients add a lot of flavor to this easy casserole with minimal work.

    Get the recipe

    Pulled Pork Burgers

    Pulled Pork Burgers.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    Pulled pork burgers with a special sauce bring a bit of Southern BBQ flair to your meal. They have a nice kick that sets them apart from regular burgers. With just a bit of prep, the slow cooker handles the heavy lifting, making this a simple and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Southern Banana Pudding with Instant Pudding

    Southern Banana Pudding with Instant Pudding.
    Photo Credit: Wornslapout.

    Southern Banana Pudding is a delightful dessert that combines layers of Nilla wafers, fresh bananas, and smooth instant pudding, all finished off with a light and airy whipped cream topping. This classic treat is a favorite among many and is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. It's great for family gatherings or simply as a sweet indulgence at home, adding a touch of Southern charm to any occasion.

    Get the Recipe

    Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk

    Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk.
    Photo Credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Traditional Southern-style cornbread is a simple dish that brings a rich corn flavor to the table. Made with buttermilk and stone-ground cornmeal, it has a wonderfully crunchy crust that adds to its charm. This cornbread is perfect for summer meals and pairs well with a variety of dishes.

    Get the Recipe

    BLFGT Sandwich

    BLFGT Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures.

    The BLFGT Sandwich features crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and zesty fried green tomatoes. It's a delicious combination that brings together classic Southern flavors. Perfect for a summer meal, this sandwich is sure to satisfy your cravings.

    Get the Recipe

    Pimento Cheese Macaroni Salad

    Pimento Cheese Macaroni Salad.
    Photo Credit: A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures.

    Pimento Cheese Macaroni Salad brings together the classic flavors of a southern macaroni salad with the rich taste of pimento cheese. This dish is creamy and cheesy, making it a perfect side for summer gatherings or a light meal. It's a great way to enjoy a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Baked chicken pasta.
      22 Cheap Casseroles Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen
    • Pizza pasta soup.
      22 Delicious Beef Recipes That Cook Themselves While You Relax
    • Sheet pan shrimp boil.
      22 Set It and Forget It Recipes That Will Have Everyone Asking for Seconds
    • BBQ chicken.
      Easy Summer Dinners: 18 Crockpot Recipes You’ll Love

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      18 Southern Recipes Perfect for Hot Summer Days
    • Cranberry chicken.
      21 Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Dinners That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals
    • A halloumi sandwich.
      10 Avocado Recipes That Will Change Your Breakfast Game
    • White bean panzanella salad.
      22 Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Hot Days

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB