15 Southern recipes that belong somewhere between the ceiling fan and the sound of cicadas

Long, warm evenings call for food that suits a relaxed Southern supper. These recipes range from crisp fried favorites and smoky pots of chili to corn sides, casseroles, and tender ribs, with familiar regional ingredients throughout. Pick a main dish for the table, add a side or two, and keep the menu easy to share as the evening stretches on. Fried Chicken Thighs with Milk Gravy Golden, craggy coating and creamy pepper gravy give Fried Chicken Thighs with Milk Gravy a place in a Southern supper lineup. The recipe takes 50 minutes and serves four, with boneless chicken thighs dipped in milk and egg, coated in seasoned flour and cornstarch, then fried until crisp. A quick milk gravy with butter and black pepper goes over the top. Serve with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or corn when a full plate is welcome. Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Thighs with Milk Gravy Texas Corn Succotash Colorful corn and a little jalapeño heat make Texas Corn Succotash a lively side for a Southern-style meal. It takes 25 minutes and serves eight, combining corn niblets, bacon, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and jalapeño in one skillet. Fresh or frozen corn both work, so it fits different seasons and shopping lists. Set it beside grilled meat, seafood, or fried chicken when the menu needs a quick vegetable dish. Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash Smoked Brisket Chili A smoky pot that can turn leftover brisket into supper, Smoked Brisket Chili brings beef, tomatoes, dark beer, and beans together with chili spices. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and makes eight servings. Kidney and black beans add substance, while masa thickens the broth near the end. Keep the spice level adjustable and serve bowls with familiar toppings for a relaxed evening meal on the porch. Get the Recipe: Smoked Brisket Chili Bacon Fried Corn Sweet kernels with crisp-edged bacon give Bacon Fried Corn a quick Southern side-dish feel. The recipe takes about 15 minutes and serves four, with corn, bacon, garlic, and green onions cooked together on a griddle or in a skillet. Fresh or frozen corn can go straight into the pan, which makes this an easy option when the meal needs one more dish. Spoon it alongside ribs, chicken, or a bowl of chili. Get the Recipe: Bacon Fried Corn Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Bubbling garlic Alfredo sauce and a cheese-filled center make Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells a hearty pasta option for a Southern supper spread. The recipe takes 50 minutes and serves six, filling jumbo pasta shells with ricotta, Parmesan, and Italian blend cheese. The shells bake in a creamy sauce made with milk, cream, butter, and garlic. Add a crisp salad or serve the casserole on its own when a filling main dish is wanted. Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe Deep tomato color and a gentle jalapeño kick mark Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe as a sturdy bowl for a relaxed evening. It takes about 1 hour and serves six, combining ground beef, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, and masa harina. The seasoning builds a familiar Texas-style profile, and the thick texture holds up to shredded cheese or other toppings. Pair it with cornbread when supper calls for a one-bowl main. Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe Cowboy Cornbread Casserole A cornbread layer over seasoned beef and vegetables makes Cowboy Cornbread Casserole a filling one-pan supper. It serves eight and takes 4 hours 10 minutes, including slow-cooker time. Ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, green chiles, and red bell pepper build a flavorful base, with cornbread mix on top. Set it out for a family meal when a hearty casserole can carry the table without extra sides. Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole Mississippi Salisbury Steak Pepperoncini and a rich onion gravy bring a Mississippi-style twist to Mississippi Salisbury Steak . The recipe takes 30 minutes and serves four, using ground beef, egg, sliced onion, ranch seasoning, beef stock, and tangy peppers. The patties cook in the flavorful sauce, making a good match for mashed potatoes or rice. This is a practical main dish for a weeknight supper when you want familiar skillet food with a little Southern tang. Get the Recipe: Mississippi Salisbury Steak Fried Green Tomatoes Crisp cornmeal coating around tart tomato slices gives Fried Green Tomatoes their place among classic Southern sides. They take 25 minutes and make four servings, using fresh green tomatoes, beaten egg, yellow cornmeal, and an optional pinch of cayenne. The slices fry until their coating turns golden while the centers stay pleasantly firm. Serve them warm as an appetizer or alongside a bigger supper when tomatoes are still green on the vine. Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes Sweet Potato Hash with Pulled Pork Tender sweet potatoes and pulled pork make Sweet Potato Hash with Pulled Pork substantial enough for supper or a hearty brunch. It takes 30 minutes and serves six, with red onion, green bell pepper, garlic, and optional eggs joining the pork and potatoes in the skillet. The mix brings sweet, rich, and smoky notes to one pan. Serve it when leftover pulled pork needs a fresh direction and a filling Southern-style plate. Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Hash with Pulled Pork Southwestern Chili Poblano, corn, and black beans give Southwestern Chili its rounded mix of smoky and earthy flavors. It serves six and takes 4 hours 15 minutes in the slow cooker, with ground beef, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and chili spices in the base. Adjust the heat to suit the table, then offer bowls with cheese or other toppings. It is a helpful choice for an evening when supper can simmer while the rest of the meal comes together. Get the Recipe: Southwestern Chili Oven Baked Ribs Sticky, tender ribs make Oven Baked Ribs a centerpiece for a slow Southern-style supper. The recipe serves six and takes 2 hours 10 minutes, using pork ribs with sliced onion, garlic, and a simple seasoning blend. Baking gives the meat time to soften while the flavors settle in. Bring the rack to the table with corn, beans, or slaw for a generous meal that suits a long evening at home. Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs Shrimp and Grits Casserole Creamy grits beneath a shrimp-and-bacon topping bring the flavors of a Southern staple to Shrimp and Grits Casserole . It takes 1 hour 10 minutes and serves six, combining chicken broth, milk, cheddar, pepper jack, shrimp, bacon, bell pepper, and garlic. Baking turns the mixture into a shareable casserole with a rich, full-flavored finish. Serve it as the main dish when a seafood supper needs to feed a table without individual plating. Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole Tini’s Mac & Cheese with a Twist Smoked sausage tucked into a bubbling cheese sauce gives Tini’s Mac & Cheese with a Twist its hearty spin on a familiar casserole. It takes 50 minutes and serves 12, pairing cavatappi with mozzarella, Colby Jack, cheddar, evaporated milk, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard. The pasta shape catches plenty of sauce, and smoked paprika adds another deep note. Bring it to a potluck-style supper or serve it as a filling side with ribs or chicken. Get the Recipe: Tini’s Mac & Cheese with a Twist Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits Golden cheddar biscuits over a creamy chicken filling make Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits a substantial dish for supper. It takes 35 minutes and serves eight, with cooked chicken, carrots, mushrooms, onion, chicken broth, cream, and thyme beneath the biscuit topping. The mix bakes until the filling bubbles and the biscuits turn golden. Serve it as the main dish on an evening when a warm casserole can cover both meat and bread. Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits The post 15 Southern recipes that belong somewhere between the ceiling fan and the sound of cicadas appeared first on Foo