Southern food covers a lot of territory.
The common denominator ingredient is Southern hospitalitythe most compelling reason that Southern food just tastes better in the south.
Here are 14 Southern foods that taste better in the South.
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Fried Chicken
There’s fried chicken and then there’s Southern fried chicken.
Why does fried chicken taste so finger lickin' good in the South?
And, yes, the buttermilk component is non-negotiable.
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Get the recipe fromThe Country Cook.
So why are they better in the South?
First, they’re prepared with proper amounts of butter, cheese, and seasonings, she says.
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Perfect partners to complement the flavors.
And, of course, shrimp and gritswe think Bubba would agree that they taste better in the South.
Get the recipe fromTaste of Home.
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She shares her family’s recipe for a low country boil to feed a crowd.
Get the recipe fromFine Foods Blog.
Pineapple souffle
Pineapple souffle is a holiday staple in the south, saysMarjory Pilleyof Dinner Mom blog.
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Reminiscent of a sweet bread pudding, she says but infused with pineapple.
“The funny thing is we eat it as a side dish in the south,” says Pilley.
“But it most certainly is a dessert.
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We can never agree at our house.”
Get the recipe fromDinner Mom.
“We would camp at Cape Hatteras every summer, right on the shore.
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I still remember the taste of those hushpuppies.
Crisp and crunchy on the outside, soft, and just a little sweet on the inside.
And of course, hummingbird cake for dessert.”
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Get the recipe fromSouthern Discourse.
“However, this isn’t the case.
There’s also a specific technique that they use in the South that adds to these complex flavors.
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These are most commonly found in dishes such as jambalaya, etouffee, and gumbo.
Get the recipe fromAsk Chef Dennis.
Get the recipe fromSugar Dish Me.
Courtesy of Life, Love and Sugar
New Orleans Muffaletta
The Louisiana dish is one of this music-loving city’s most iconic sandwiches.
Preparation of the showstopper dish is made tableside at Brennan’s as a flambe.
And it’s so popular Brennan’s flames 35,000 pounds of bananas each year.
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Get the recipe fromLife, Love and Sugar.
In fact, mesquite flour can replace all-purpose flour in most baked goods, making them gluten-free.
And Mesquite’s molasses-like flavor can add sweetness, instead of sugar.
Courtesy of Cookie and Kate
Mesquite beans are also used in wines, jelly, syrup, and coffee.
Get the recipe fromFood connection.
During his last visits, he stated, “No need to put the Ritz Crackers in the bag.
Courtesy of Southern Living
Just verify there’s a spoon!”
Hail to the cheese!
Get the recipe fromCookie and Kate.
Courtesy of McDonald’s
“It truly embodies the saying of good food and great company.
Southern eating is about sharing food with friends and family, made with a mother’s love.
It’s simple and wholesome.”
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Small shareable plates, like Andouille Rolls, are co-owner David Bader’s personal favorite.
Get the recipe fromSouthern Living.
Sweet Tea
Iced sweet tea is a cup of Southern sunshine.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Brisket
Get our recipe for aLow-Calorie Pulled Pork Sandwich.
