11 Essential Southern Summer Recipes

By Jennifer A. • Jul 09, 2024

Here's to fried squash, peaches galore, and BBQ parties! Summer in the South is pretty sweet. Check out these 11 Southern Summer Recipes when you're homesick or want to enjoy some sweet Southern hospitality.

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#1. Crispy Fried Summer Squash

French fries have nothing on Crispy Fried Summer Squash! These rounds are tender and juicy on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside! Better yet, each bite is seasoned with zesty and spicy Creole seasoning, so you won't even need ketchup for enjoying each Crispy Fried Summer Squash to the fullest! Munch on these with any summer main and enjoy the warm weather with a classic summer veggie prepared the Southern way!

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#2. Southern Picnic Layered Salad

Looking for a delicious and eye-catching salad for your next outdoor gathering? Well grab your lawn chair and your favorite straw hat, Southern Picnic Layered Salad is ready to be crunched on! This bowl of beauty is not only delicious, but it's also visually stunning with its layers of colorful veggies, tender hard-boiled eggs, and crispy bacon. The creamy and tangy dressing really hits the sweet spot, too! Southern Picnic Layered Salad is truly perfect for a summer picnic or a potluck, and it's guaranteed to bring the fun and the sun with it everywhere it's served!

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#3. Walking-in-Memphis Coleslaw

You'll be feeling like you're ten feet off of Beale when you taste this Southern take on a picnic favorite! The Walking-in-Memphis Coleslaw adds a little sass to the usual creamy, crunchy, fragrant cabbage mixture with some tangy Dijon mustard. It's such a simple addition to a dish that's already a breeze to make! Even in the midst of a hot summer, Walking-in-Memphis Coleslaw provides an oasis of cool culinary charm!

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#4. Perfect Peach Salsa

Salsa is a classic component in both Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines, but with the summer so beautiful outside, it could use some Southern flare as well! Perfect Peach Salsa adds the juicy, floral, sweet fruit to the classic savory-spicy dip, which makes the refreshing snack even more satisfying and relaxing. It's ridiculously easy to make and takes just 10 minutes, so your garden party or hangout just got more exciting! Perfect Peach Salsa might literally be perfect in every way!

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#5. Southern-Style Potato Salad

Southern-Style Potato Salad gets its name and distinct flavor from the addition of tangy Dijon mustard, which adds a touch of zest to this classic side. Yet this Southern-Style Potato Salad still has the fluffy, hearty, creamy texture and taste of traditional potato salad, which makes it a beloved staple of summertime picnics or backyard barbeques. This is a refreshing side dish that will tempt you to fill up your entire plate with it.

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#6. Crab Puppies

They're hush puppies stuffed with crab! Yes, really! We know... it is a great idea! Crab Puppies are golden-brown, summery sweet corn treats stuffed with smoky, melty cheese and deliciously savory crabmeat. Deep-fried for maximum satisfaction, Crab Puppies take the Southern snack favorite into something even more spectacular!

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#7. Pig Pickin' Cake

A mainstay of Southern barbecues and roasts, Pig Pickin' Cake is exactly what you'll want after a hearty meal. Made light, moist, and citrusy with mandarin oranges, Pig Pickin' Cake provides a summertime taste any time of the year. The frosting on top is sweet, floral, and tropical with a pineapple twist. You'll be flipping out for this fruity delight!

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#8. Southern Chicken Tamale Pie

Southern Chicken Tamale Pie really captures that tamale experience in each delicious bite! The tender, summer-sweet cornbread base with a little tanginess has the tamale feeling all over it. But then on top, it has the perfect tamale filling; zesty, spicy, savory chicken and peppers with melted cheese! Maybe skip Taco Tuesday and do Tamale Tuesday with this Southern Chicken Tamale Pie instead!

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#9. Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Oh, this meal goes all in on its heritage! Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches cook the chicken into extra-tender, juicy, savory shreds in its own tangy, sweet, and smokey barbeque sauce. Then, Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches doesn't just use any kind of roll, oh no. It reaches for fluffy, summery, golden cornbread instead. Oh yes, the Southern vibes from this dish are strong and scrumptious! Best grab a bib and dive right in!

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#10. Peachy Keen Lemonade

Things really are peachy keen with some Peachy Keen Lemonade in hand! The brightness and summery sparkle of lemonade get the Southern treatment with an infusion of sweet and floral peach flavor. This is the kind of cold drink that demands you enjoy it on the patio in the sun or at a picnic with friends: Peachy Keen Lemonade is an essential part of enjoying the season. So get your favorite glass and get to relaxing!

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#11. Louisiana Cornbread

Who said they don't know Louisiana Cornbread? Well, let us introduce you! The cornbread is tender and sweet, yet savory with notes of summery corn flavor and spicy jalapeño. It's perfect served-up alongside some Southern fare, or perhaps just enjoying it as a stand-alone snack with a pat of honey-butter. The Bayou State is about to impress your tastebuds and then some with this Louisiana Cornbread!

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