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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Must-Have Southern Potluck Dishes for Every Occasion

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 10, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Southern potluck dishes are a staple at gatherings, bringing comfort and warmth to any occasion. From classic deviled eggs to mac and cheese with a twist, these 23 must-have recipes are sure to please a crowd and make your next event memorable. Whether you're hosting a family reunion or a casual get-together, these dishes will add a touch of Southern charm to your table.

    Smoked Deviled Eggs

    Smoked deviled eggs.
    Photo credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Smoked deviled eggs put a fun spin on a classic dish. They’re packed with flavor and make a great appetizer for any gathering. These eggs are sure to impress your friends and family, adding a unique touch to your meal.

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    Smoked Boston Butt

    Smoked Boston Butt.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy,.

    Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork is a delicious and straightforward dish that turns out juicy and full of flavor. It's perfect for gatherings and can be made with minimal effort. This dish is sure to please a crowd and is great for any occasion.

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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 a fantastic way to enjoy the bounty of summer tomatoes from your garden. This pie is perfect for gatherings and will surely please everyone at the table.

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    Chicken Macaroni Salad

    Chicken Macaroni Salad.
    Photo Credit: Maple + Mango.

    Chicken Macaroni Salad combines creamy pasta with chicken salad for a delicious meal. It's easy to whip up and perfect for using leftover chicken. This dish works well for lunch or a quick weeknight dinner. It's also a great choice for summer BBQs and picnics, making it a refreshing option on warm days.

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    Sweet Cornbread

    Sweet Cornbread.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    This Sweet Cornbread is a fantastic side dish that shines during the fall and winter. It's soft, moist, and fluffy, making it a great addition to any meal. With just a few simple ingredients like cornmeal, sugar, buttermilk, honey, and butter, it comes together easily. It goes really well with a warm bowl of chili or soup.

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    Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hock

    Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hock.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Red beans and rice is a classic dish that brings the taste of New Orleans right to your table. Packed with flavor from Cajun spices, spicy andouille sausage, and smoked ham hocks, this meal is both hearty and satisfying. It's perfect for a cozy dinner and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Cajun Blackened Chicken Breast

    Cajun Blackened Chicken Breast.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    This Cajun-style blackened chicken breast is a beloved dish from Louisiana, packed with bold flavors and a bit of heat. It's a great option for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. You can easily whip it up in your kitchen and enjoy a taste of the South.

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    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw comes together 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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    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, it’s a side dish that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for gatherings or family dinners, this dish brings a taste of the season to your table.

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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 gatherings. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can create a delicious dish all in one pan. This version combines Cheddar and Gruyere for a rich and cheesy flavor that everyone will enjoy.

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     Smoked Mac and Cheese

    Smoked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Smoked mac and cheese is a quick and easy dish that you can prepare in no time. After mixing everything together, it gets a delicious smoky flavor from the grill as it cooks for about an hour. This dish is perfect for gatherings and will surely be a hit at any potluck.

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    Easy Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya

    Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar,

    This dish from Louisiana brings together the hearty flavors of chorizo, chicken, and shrimp, mixed with a variety of vegetables. It even has a hint of pineapple if you want to add a little sweetness. It's a great choice for gatherings and will surely please a crowd.

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    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 buffalo-flavored. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s packed with rich blue cheese flavor and balanced seasoning. This coleslaw is sure to become a go-to favorite for your meals.

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    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs are incredibly tender and packed with flavor. They’re easy to make, needing only a bit of effort for a meal that everyone will love. Just set them up in the morning, and by dinner, you’ll have lamb ribs that are so soft they almost fall off the bone.

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    Chicken Macaroni Salad

    Chicken Macaroni Salad.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Chicken macaroni salad is packed with flavor while keeping the dressing light, letting all the tasty ingredients stand out. It's a great side dish that works well for brunch, lunch, or dinner. This dish is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

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    Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls with Buffalo Ranch

    Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls with Buffalo Ranch
    Photo Credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    An absolutely delicious appetizer or snack!

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    Bisquick Cornbread without Cornmeal

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

    Bisquick cornbread is a fantastic choice for a Southern-style meal. This cornbread is really moist and doesn’t require cornmeal or dairy, plus it only takes five simple ingredients to whip up. With a hint of sweetness and a touch of savory flavor, it pairs perfectly with many of our favorite dishes.

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    Crockpot Potato Soup

    Crockpot Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Crockpot Potato Soup is a hearty and easy dish that’s full of flavor. It combines all the delicious toppings of a baked potato, like bacon, cheese, and green onions. This soup is ideal for cold days when you’re craving something warm and filling.

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    Blueberry Cobbler

    Blueberry Cobbler.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    This classic recipe for Easy Blueberry Cobbler is a real treat. With a homemade biscuit topping and fresh blueberries, it’s a delightful dessert that everyone will enjoy. Pair it with vanilla ice cream for a refreshing summer dessert that’s sure to please.

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    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 everyone loves. With a rich blend of sharp white cheddar and Gruyere cheese, this creamy pasta is sure to please. It's topped with crispy, buttery breadcrumbs that add a nice crunch, making it a great choice for gatherings or family dinners.

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    BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

    BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Klitchen.

    BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders bring together smoky flavors, tangy sauce, and a nice crunch. You have tender pulled pork coated in rich barbecue sauce, all served on soft buns and topped with fresh, creamy coleslaw. This dish is great for backyard barbecues, meal prep, or a quick dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

    Slow cooker country style ribs served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Cheerful Cook.

    These ribs are incredibly easy to make and turn out tender and flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish is perfect for when you're short on time. It's a great choice for gatherings or family dinners, bringing a taste of comfort to the table.

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    Banana Cream Pie

    Banana Cream Pie.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Banana Cream Pie is an easy dessert that doesn't require baking and brings together the sweet flavors of vanilla and banana. It has a crunchy crust made from vanilla wafers, topped with creamy vanilla pudding and fresh banana slices. This dessert is light and perfect for summer get-togethers.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Effortless Chicken Dinners That Cook While You Relax
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      22 Dump-And-Go Meal Prep Dinners That Are Perfect for Weeknights
    • Black forest cherry cheesecake.
      14 Heavenly Cheesecakes That Are Worth Every Bite

    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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