Southern cooking, while delicious and full of flavour, is also very healthy and can be tailored to the needs of any individual. In this guide, we will go over the basics of southern cooking– what ingredients are most common and recommended by experts in the field. We also have some fail-proof recipes that we can use to make a Southern dinner for our family.
What is American Southern Style Cooking?
Southern-style cooking is a unique and flavourful way of cooking in the Southern United States. It is characterized by its use of spices and herbs, its reliance on fat and oil, and its use of fried foods.
Southern-style cooking can be found in restaurants throughout the region. Still, it is best enjoyed at home, where we can create recipes using the most familiar ingredients. A few vital elements to southern style cooking include fat and oil, which are used to flavour food rather than prevent it from sticking to the pan. Fried foods are a staple of southern-style cuisine, adding flavour and a crispy texture to the dish.
Overall, southern-style cooking is all about using simple ingredients in unique ways to create truly memorable dishes. Try looking for a more authentic experience than what we can find at most restaurants. Then southern-style cooking is worth exploring.
Traditional Southern Dishes
Southern cooking is known for its simple and easy-to-follow recipes that always turn out delicious. Here are some of the most popular must-try Southern-style dishes:
Grilled Ribs
In the realm of culinary traditions, grilling ribs over an open flame has been an age-old practice that yields succulent, flavorful meat. Among the numerous methods for preparing this dish, the most straightforward technique involves seasoning the ribs with your preferred barbecue blend before laying them on the grill. It’s crucial to consistently baste them with a liquid or dry rub while grilling, ensuring they retain their moisture and delectable taste.
Fried Chicken
This national classic is still one of the most popular Southern dishes, and there are several techniques for making it perfect. For starters, use fresh or frozen chicken instead of processed poultry products for the best results. Secondly, it’s crucial to ensure the oil is sufficiently hot before adding the chicken pieces; using too much oil can result in greasy rather than crispy fried snacks, detracting from their desired texture and taste. And finally, don’t forget the dipping sauce! An integral part of enjoying these crispy delights is pairing them with the right dipping sauce, which can elevate the flavor experience significantly. For those who favor a bit of heat, a hot sauce, such as spicy habanero sauce, makes an excellent accompaniment, perfectly complementing the chicken’s crunchy exterior and tender interior. Many speciality stores and online platforms offer a wide range of options where you can buy sauces that range from mild and tangy to fiery hot, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
Cornbread Dressing
Cornbread dressing isn’t just a condiment; it’s an essential part of many classic Southern dishes. This dressing can be used as a dip for vegetables or as a sauce for meats, made by combining cornmeal, butter, salt, and occasionally other spices. Try making variations by substituting different herbs and spices for the ones listed in a standard recipe.
Fried Green Tomatoes
These delicious little beauties are a popular side dish throughout the South. Typically made with green tomatoes cut into small pieces and battered before deep fried, they can also be served as an appetizer or main course. Be sure to serve them with our favourite dipping sauce or salsa to complete the meal.
Grits
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of creamy grits topped with bacon and eggs for breakfast or dinner. In fact, it is one of the two most loved breakfast cereals; the other being cream of wheat. Some interested folks may wish to look at a cream vs grits comparison. Anyway, talking about grits here, it is made from grounded-up cornmeal and is often cooked in chicken or beef stock before being served over steamed eggs or sausage. If you’re looking for a more traditional version of grits, try using old-fashioned stone-ground grits instead of instant grits. This will give them a more distinctive flavour and texture.
Must-Have Ingredients for Sothern Style Cooking
There are a few key ingredients needed to cook southern style. First and foremost is the staple ingredient of any Southern meal: butter. Other must-haves include onions, garlic, and chicken broth. Try green beans, corn on the cob, or mashed potatoes for vegetables. And finally, for flavour, we can’t go wrong with something like spicy mustard, pepper, cumin, and other spices and sauces!
Benefits of Southern Style Foods
Some of the significant health benefits of southern-style cooking include:
- High in antioxidants. Many spices and herbs used in southern cuisine have antioxidant properties, including turmeric, black pepper, ginger, and garlic. These antioxidants help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals.
- Full of vitamins and minerals. Many vegetables and fruits used in southern cuisine are sources of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, beta-carotene, fiber, and zinc. These nutrients help support overall health and well-being.
- Low in calories. Many of the ingredients used in southern cuisine are low in calories, which helps to keep the calorie count down while still providing plenty of flavour and texture.
- Low in fat. Unlike many other types of food, which are typically high in fat and calories, southern cuisine is typically low in fat and calories. This makes it an excellent option for people looking to reduce their overall caloric intake.
- High in fibre. Many vegetables and fruits used in southern cuisine are high in fibre, which helps keep digestion running smoothly and aids in preventing obesity and other chronic diseases.
Let’s Go South and Enjoy Awesome Comfort Foods
In the South, food is synonymous with comfort. The style of cooking that comes from down south is slow-cooked and hearty, with flavours that are uniquely her own. Some popular southern dishes include fried chicken, country ham, and black-eyed peas. Southern-style cooking is also known for its high amounts of butter and sugar. However, it is also a very healthy way to cook as many of the ingredients used in southern cooking contain vitamins and minerals.
Overall, southern-style cooking is a delicious and comforting way to cook. It is full of traditional flavours unique to the South and a great way to enjoy some of the region’s signature dishes.