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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Classic Southern Sides That Everyone Will Love

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 1, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Southern cuisine is known for its rich flavors and comforting dishes, and the sides are no exception. From creamy coleslaw to buttery cornbread, these classic accompaniments bring warmth and heart to any meal. Here are 19 beloved Southern sides that are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with steak, barbecue, or anything spicy. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s packed with rich blue cheese flavor and a nice mix of seasonings. This coleslaw is sure to become a go-to favorite for your meals.

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    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

    Smoked mac and cheese.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Smoked mac and cheese is rich and cheesy, packed with a delicious smoky flavor. It's a simple dish that works well as a side or even as a main course. Perfect for BBQs, holidays, or just a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Jiffy Cornbread

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

    Jiffy Cornbread is a tasty option on its own, but a few easy tweaks can enhance its flavor and texture. By adding some simple ingredients, you can elevate this classic dish to a whole new level. It's a great side to serve with your favorite meals, bringing a bit of Southern charm to the table.

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    Cornbread Salad

    Cornbread Salad.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    This southwest cornbread salad is a staple at Southern gatherings, featuring tasty layers of crumbled cornbread, fresh vegetables, crispy bacon, and cheese, all brought together with a zesty salsa ranch dressing. It's a colorful and satisfying dish that everyone loves. Perfect for potlucks or family meals, this salad is sure to be a hit.

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    Loaded Cornbread

    Loaded Cornbread.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Loaded Cornbread takes the traditional recipe and adds a delicious twist with cheese, bacon, corn, and other tasty ingredients. This side dish pairs well with just about any meal, bringing extra flavor and heartiness to your table. It's a great choice for gatherings or family dinners, adding a comforting touch to your spread.

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    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Chenee Today.

    Creamy baked mac and cheese is a favorite in Southern cooking, and this version has a little twist that makes it stand out. It's the perfect comfort food, whether you're enjoying a Sunday dinner or celebrating a holiday. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Southern Macaroni Salad

    Southern Macaroni Salad.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Southern Macaroni Salad is a classic dish that’s perfect for gatherings like picnics, potlucks, and summer barbecues. This creamy salad is a favorite in the South, bringing a comforting and satisfying side to any meal. It's easy to prepare and always a hit with family and friends.

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    Sweet Potato Biscuits

    Sweet Potato Biscuits.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Sweet Potato Biscuits are a great addition to any holiday meal. By mixing sweet potatoes into a classic biscuit recipe, they become flavorful, colorful, and soft. These biscuits pair wonderfully with holiday ham or turkey, making them a delightful side dish for festive gatherings.

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    Southern Summer Succotash with Bacon and Tomatoes

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

    This bacon succotash highlights the best of summer's fresh produce, all cooked up in a trusty cast-iron skillet. With a blend of sweet corn, lima beans, juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, and fragrant basil, this side dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It's a simple yet flavorful addition to any meal.

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    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Cowboy baked beans are a delicious and easy dish to whip up. Using a large can of baked beans, some lean ground beef, a sweet yellow onion, and a few seasonings, you can put together a hearty meal that everyone will love. This dish is great for gatherings or a relaxed dinner at home.

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    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw is quick to whip up in just 15 minutes, perfect for your next barbecue. Using store-bought mayonnaise and ranch dressing, it’s super easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It’s a great side dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is simple to prepare and perfect for any meal. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious dish made all in one pan. This version combines Cheddar and Gruyere for a rich and cheesy flavor that everyone will love.

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    Easy Baked Beans

    Easy Baked Beans.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Easy BBQ Baked Beans are a simple and popular choice that everyone loves. With just a few ingredients you probably already have at home, this dish is a great addition to any summer gathering. It's perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners, bringing a comforting touch to the table.

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    Cheesy Potatoes

    Cheesy Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Maple + mango.

    Cheesy potatoes are a side dish that everyone loves and they go quickly at the table. With three types of cheese, soft potatoes, and a creamy sauce baked until golden, this is a great addition to holiday dinners, family meals, or any gathering.

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    Southern Tomato Pie

    Southern Tomato Pie.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Southern Tomato Pie combines fresh tomatoes, rich cheese, and a flaky crust, creating a comforting dish that's hard to resist. It's an excellent way to enjoy the bounty of summer tomatoes from your garden.

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    Southern Grape Salad

    Southern Grape Salad.
    Photo Credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Southern Grape Salad is a delightful mix of sweet, juicy grapes tossed in a creamy dressing made from cream cheese and sour cream. It's finished off with a sprinkle of crunchy roasted pecans and a touch of brown sugar for added sweetness. This dish is perfect for gatherings or as a refreshing side for any meal.

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    Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk

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

    This Southern-style cornbread is a classic dish that features buttermilk and stone-ground cornmeal, giving it a rich corn flavor. The crunchy crust adds a nice texture, making it a perfect side for any meal. It's simple to prepare and brings a taste of the South to your table.

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    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is a beloved classic that everyone enjoys. This dish features a rich and creamy texture, thanks to a mix of eggs, cream, and five different cheeses. It's a comforting side that pairs well with any meal and has received countless positive reviews from those who have tried it.

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    Bisquick Cornbread without Cornmeal

    Bisquick Cornbread without Cornmeal.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Bisquick cornbread is a fantastic addition to any Southern-style meal. This cornbread is moist and doesn't require cornmeal or dairy, making it simple to whip up with just five ingredients. With a hint of sweetness and savory flavor, it pairs well with many of our favorite dishes.

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    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.

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