The Southeastern United States is well-known for its rich, savory cuisine, and comfort-style food. In honor of
National Food Month, here are eight dishes you should be sure to try on
your next trip Southeast.
Shrimp and Grits
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Founding Farms [
CC BY 2.0], via
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A Lowcountry classic, shrimp and grits is a popular breakfast dish in various coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia. The dish usually combines a corn porridge with shrimp or other seafood in a broth-like sauce.
Biscuits and Gravy
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Pixabay
A staple of Appalachian cuisine, biscuits and gravy is a standard breakfast food throughout a large portion of the South. The gravy is often made from the drippings of cooked sausage, and traditionally includes bits of sausage as well.
Fried Green Tomatoes
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Jessica Rossi [
CC BY-SA 2.0], via
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A popular Southern side dish, fried green tomatoes originated in Appalachia, but have since spread North and South. The tomatoes are typically coated with cornmeal and then shallow fried to avoid dipping the slices in tomato or egg.
Gumbo
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jeffreyw [
CC BY 2.0], via
Wikimedia Commons
A Creole classic, gumbo is a stew prepared within Louisiana cuisine, and serves as the state’s official dish. The stew is traditionally made with a dark French roux (or thickener), stock, vegetables, and meat, which is served over rice.
Red Beans and Rice
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jeffreyw [
CC BY 2.0], via
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Another traditionally Creole food, red beans and rice were once conventionally served on Mondays as a leftover form of Sunday dinner. The food is typically prepared with red or kidney beans, vegetables, and flavored with ham bones.
Sweet Potato Pie
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F_A [
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An American holiday staple, sweet potato pie originated within the South’s soul food cuisine. The pie is traditionally made with an open pie shell rather than including a top crust, and a filling of seasoned sweet potatoes, eggs, and sugar.
Pimento Cheese
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jeffreyw [
CC BY 2.0], via
Wikimedia Commons
A relish made from cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and cherry peppers, pimento cheese is popularly served as a grilled cheese sandwich, but is also often used as a spread for crackers or chips.
Brunswick Stew
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Pseph [
CC BY 2.0], via
Flickr
Although Virginia and Georgia battle over who first invented Brunswick stew, the dish has become a Southern staple since its origination. Traditionally prepared with a tomato base, beans, vegetables, and small game meat, the stew is now mostly made with chicken.
Want to know more about the history behind these Southern staples? Check out our book
An Irresistible History of Southern Food, and learn about more than 150 traditional Southern recipes!
Do you have a favorite Southern food? Let us know in the comments below!