Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes Christmas Main Dishes 35 Holiday Dishes You Only Find At Southern Gatherings And yes, that means a lot of "salads." By Cameron Beall Cameron Beall Cameron Beall is a writer, marketer, photographer, and creative with over a year of experience with Southern Living in the realm of homes and home building. She was infatuated by home design from a young age, credit to her mother and grandmother. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 1, 2024 Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling There are certain iconic Southern dishes, like gumbo, that have made their way beyond the South, while others like fluff salads and pineapple casserole have stayed a little closer to home. These unique and nostalgic recipes have been prepared in Grandmother's kitchen for as long as we can remember, and for many Southerners it wouldn't be the holidays without them. From vintage recipes like molded salads and corn pudding to new favorites that call for Alabama-made Conecuh sausage and handcrafted desserts like a buttermilk pie, love them or hate them, these holiday dishes are ones you'll only find on a Southern table. 58 Christmas Dinner Recipes For A Menu That Suits Your Style 01 of 35 Southern-Style Lima Beans Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Lima beans are a humble side dish but when cooked properly, with lots of aromatics, a little (or a lot) of spice, and finished with butter, they're practically irresistible. Get The Recipe 02 of 35 Turnip Greens Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Collard greens tend to get all the love, but earthy and tender turnip greens are just as Southern (and just as delicious). This recipe uses turkey, bacon, garlic, and red pepper to thoroughly season the greens. Get The Recipe 03 of 35 Lime Gelatin And Cottage Cheese Salad Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling This retro salad might not be for everyone, but some folks look forward to the lime green concoction each year. It includes lime Jell-O, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and more. Don't question it, just try it. Get The Recipe 04 of 35 Sweet Potato Biscuits Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Sweet potatoes lend these biscuits a gorgeous orange color and supple texture. Serve warm with lots of butter and a drizzle of honey. Get The Recipe 05 of 35 Southern Buttermilk Pie Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Apple and pumpkin pies are holiday staples all over the country, but buttermilk pie is a Southern speciality. The stir-together filling couldn't be easier to make either. Get The Recipe 06 of 35 Pimiento Cheese Cornbread Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Cornbread is already a Southern staple, but pimiento cheese makes it even more Southern, if that's possible. Get The Recipe 07 of 35 Nana's Marinated Pea Salad Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Ivy Odom's Nana is famous for her tangy relish that packs the crunch of fresh veggies and the sweetness of canned petite peas. It goes with just about every holiday dish at the buffet. Get The Recipe 08 of 35 Cranberry Fluff Salad Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley During the holidays, there's always a place for a retro fluff salad—even though it might only be true Southerners who will appreciate when this smooth, creamy dish graces the table. You can't go wrong whether you serve it as a side or dessert. Get The Recipe 09 of 35 Savory Corn Pudding Emily Laurae / Southern Living Some might only associate corn pudding with Thanksgiving, but Southerners know it's a staple side dish at any holiday gathering from potlucks to Christmas dinner. While some recipes are sweeter, this one leans on garlic, chives, and thyme for a more savory version. Get The Recipe 10 of 35 Pear Salad Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox We can't let the holidays pass by without serving this nostalgic five-ingredient dish. At Ivy Odom's house you're guaranteed to find pear salad on the menu, just without the cherry on top. Get The Recipe 11 of 35 Punch Bowl Cake Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster We love anything in a punch bowl—and dessert is no exception. Similar to a trifle, this layered dessert transforms boxed cake mix and instant pudding into a party-ready treat. Get The Recipe 12 of 35 Scalloped Oysters Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall A seafood casserole might send some running, but not in the South. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, you'll see this beloved dish gracing more than one table. Layers of crushed cracker-butter mixture and fresh oysters ensure every bite is delicious. Get The Recipe 13 of 35 Southern-Style Collard Greens Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman No wintertime holiday table in the South is truly complete without some form of greens, but collards will always be a staple whether you make them with bacon, a ham hock, or sans-meat. Get The Recipe 14 of 35 Little Layer Chocolate Cake Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley While this impressive, height-defying cake often makes appearances throughout the year at bridal showers, birthdays, and potlucks, many reserve the tedious 18-layer assembly for the holidays. Get The Recipe 15 of 35 Cheddar Cheese Straws Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox While these delicacies can truly be found at any gathering across the South no matter the time of year, no holiday fête is complete without their buttery, cheesy goodness. Get The Recipe 16 of 35 Kentucky Bourbon Balls Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Straight from the Bluegrass state, these confections are sure to make an appearance at any Southern holiday party. From gifting to serving, these no-bake candies are a classic. Get The Recipe 17 of 35 Pineapple Casserole Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall The secret to many Southern casseroles starts in the pantry—and this classic is no exception. With just five ingredients and canned pineapple as the star of the show, this dish proves why anything served in a casserole dish and smothered in cheese will always be a hit. Get The Recipe 18 of 35 Watergate Salad Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Made with pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, whipped cream, canned pineapples, toasted nuts, and mini marshmallows, this vintage salad is served interchangeably as a sweet side dish or dessert at holiday gatherings. Get The Recipe 19 of 35 Savory Sweet Potato Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Traditional sweet potato casserole gets an extra Southern twist with a crunchy pecan topping. As a modern take on a classic dish, our Savory Sweet Potato casserole is a gorgeous addition to any holiday meal. Get The Recipe 20 of 35 Pecan Pralines Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Torie Cox Be prepared for these authentic Texas pecan pralines to melt in your mouth. Though pecan pralines are enjoyed as a year-round treat, their make-ahead and pop-in-your-mouth characteristics make them ideal for holiday gatherings and gifting. Get The Recipe 21 of 35 Pineapple Fluff Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Grandma says you can never have too many fluff salads. She also doesn't specify if they should be enjoyed alongside your main course or as dessert. This retro tropical treat is made with pineapple gelatin, crushed pineapple, coconut, and macadamia nuts. Get The Recipe 22 of 35 Classic Deviled Eggs Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Some might say deviled eggs are reserved for specific times of year, but in the South these bite-sized favorites are welcome by the dozen anytime. Though they're especially prized during the holidays. Get The Recipe 23 of 35 Mama Mae's Ambrosia Salad Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood While there are slight variations of this retro cold salad—some use canned fruit while others call for fresh—the beauty of ambrosia salad is its simplicity. This recipe only requires three ingredients: oranges, pineapple, and shaved coconut, plus pomegranate seeds for garnish as desired. Get The Recipe 24 of 35 Classic Sweet Potato Pie Rob Culpepper; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Assistant Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle When sweet potatoes are in abundance in the region, we're eager to trade pumpkin pie for a sweeter version that uses roasted spuds. For an extra decadent finish, top with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Get The Recipe 25 of 35 Oyster Casserole Greg DuPree Oyster casserole might not be your first choice on the holiday buffet table, but once you try a bite you'll see why it's a Southern household staple. It's hard to beat fresh oysters served in a creamy Parmesan sauce with crispy breadcrumbs. Get The Recipe 26 of 35 Old-School Squash Casserole Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman Cheesy, crunchy, and full of goodness, you can't go wrong with adding this dish to your menu. Best of all, it can be prepared the night before serving, then baked fresh. Get The Recipe 27 of 35 Cherry Delight Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle This cool and creamy church cookbook classic starts with a graham cracker crust and only requires 20 minutes of hands on time. The fluffy middle layer is topped with a can of cherry pie filling that gives the treat its holiday-worthy coloring. Get The Recipe 28 of 35 Southern Cornbread Dressing Photographer: Brittany Conerly; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin Around here, dressing isn't just for Thanksgiving. The classic dish gets an extra Southern touch using cornbread instead of bread. Get The Recipe 29 of 35 Giblet Gravy Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox This isn't your average gravy and you definitely won't find giblets in gravy outside of the South. This meaty gravy uses the bag of giblets stuffed inside the holiday bird. Get The Recipe 30 of 35 Old-Fashioned Apple And Cheese Casserole Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox If you like pineapple casserole, then you'll love this cinnamony apple cobbler version. Layers of gooey Cheddar cheese, sweet and crunchy apples, and a buttery cracker topping make this a Christmas casserole must. Get The Recipe 31 of 35 Chocolate Gravy Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox While chocolate gravy might not be a true Christmas main dish, it isn't everyday that you can drown your buttermilk biscuits in chocolate. Get The Recipe 32 of 35 Rosemary-Brown Butter Pecans Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely With pecans hailing from Georgia, you'll hardly find a cheese board or bowl of nuts without them in it around the South. For an extra celebratory take on roasted pecans, we dressed these up with nutty brown butter, rosemary, and sea salt. Get The Recipe 33 of 35 Fruitcake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox When it comes to fruitcake—you either love it or hate it. For those who can't imagine their Southern Christmas without the iconic dessert on the table, we love this flavor-packed recipe. Get The Recipe 34 of 35 Molded Cranberry Salad Hector Sanchez A holiday in the South is bound to have a molded salad on the table. This version adds to the festivities with its bright color and bold cranberry flavor. Get The Recipe 35 of 35 Conecuh Sausage Pigs In Blankets Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch You're bound to find this Alabama-based Conecuh sausage in some form on any Southern table around the holidays—roasted, grilled, pan-fried, baked, diced as is or added to another dish like these pigs in a blanket. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit