Recipes for Southern Style Lunch Classic Dishes and New Twists

Recipes for Southern Style Lunch: Classic Dishes and New Twists

1. Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches: This spicy Recipes for Southern Style Lunch sandwich features crispy fried chicken coated in a fiery blend of spices, served on a buttery brioche bun with pickles and slaw.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
4 brioche buns
Butter, for toasting buns
Pickles, for topping
Coleslaw, for topping

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of the hot sauce.

Add the chicken breasts to the buttermilk mixture and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess, and dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Fry the chicken for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.

While the chicken cools, toast the brioche buns in a skillet with butter until lightly browned.

To assemble the sandwiches, spread some of the remaining hot sauce on the bottom of each bun. Top with a piece of fried chicken, pickles, and coleslaw.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Nashville hot chicken sandwiches!

2. Low Country Boil: A classic Recipes for Southern Style Lunch seafood dish, low country boil is made with shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes, all boiled together in a spicy broth.

Low Country Boil Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 quarts of water
1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning
1 lemon, halved
1/2 cup salt
2 pounds of red potatoes
1 pound of smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
4 ears of corn, shucked and broken in half
2 pounds of large shrimp, deveined and shell-on
Melted butter, for serving

Instructions:

In a large stockpot, bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Add the Old Bay seasoning, lemon halves, and salt to the pot, and stir to combine.

Add the red potatoes to the pot and let them cook for 10 minutes.

Add the sausage and corn to the pot, and let them cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are pink and cooked through.

Remove the pot from the heat and drain the water.

Dump the contents of the pot onto a large serving platter or sheet pan.

Serve the low country boil with melted butter on the side.

Use tongs or a slotted spoon to grab individual portions of the boil and enjoy!

Note: You can also add other seafood, such as crab legs or mussels, to this recipe if you’d like. Simply add them to the pot in the last few minutes of cooking.

3. Cajun Jambalaya: This spicy rice dish is packed with smoked sausage, shrimp, and Cajun seasonings, and is a hearty and flavorful main course for any Southern lunch.

Cajun Jambalaya Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups uncooked long-grain rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped green onions, for garnish

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.

Add the smoked sausage to the pot and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute.

Add the rice to the pot and stir to coat with the vegetable and sausage mixture.

Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.

Simmer the jambalaya for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Add the shrimp to the pot and stir to combine.

Cover the pot with the lid again and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Enjoy your delicious Cajun Jambalaya!

4. Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy: A staple of Southern breakfasts, biscuits and gravy can be enjoyed any time of day. Flaky buttermilk biscuits are topped with a creamy sausage gravy that is rich and satisfying.

Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the biscuits:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
3/4 cup buttermilk
For the sausage gravy:

1 pound ground breakfast sausage
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions:

For the biscuits:

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the cold butter to the bowl and use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Add the buttermilk to the bowl and mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 30 seconds, until the dough comes together.

Roll the dough out to 1/2 inch thickness, and use a biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter to cut out biscuits.

Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown.

For the sausage gravy:

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground breakfast sausage until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked sausage and stir until the sausage is coated.

Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens.

Add the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.

Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

To assemble:

Split the warm biscuits in half and place them on a plate.

Spoon the sausage gravy over the biscuits, dividing it evenly.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy!

5. Shrimp and Grits: This classic Recipes for Southern Style Lunch dish features creamy grits topped with sautéed shrimp and a spicy tomato sauce. It’s a delicious and hearty lunch that’s sure to satisfy.

Shrimp and Grits Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the grits:

1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the shrimp:

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped green onions, for garnish

Instructions:

For the grits:

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil over high heat.

Gradually whisk in the grits, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

Reduce the heat to low and let the grits simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, until they are tender.

Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and butter until the cheese is melted and the grits are creamy.

For the shrimp:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.

Add the diced tomatoes, garlic, cayenne pepper, and paprika to the skillet and stir to combine.

Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, until they are pink and cooked through.

Season the shrimp and vegetable mixture with salt and pepper, to taste.

To assemble:

Spoon the warm grits into bowls.

Top the grits with the shrimp and vegetable mixture, dividing it evenly.

Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Enjoy your delicious Shrimp and Grits!

6. Southern-style Potato Salad: Creamy and tangy, this potato salad features boiled potatoes, mayo, mustard, hard-boiled eggs, and pickles. It’s a perfect side dish for any Recipes for Southern Style Lunch

Southern-style Potato Salad Recipe:

Ingredients:

3 pounds potatoes (russet or red), peeled and cubed
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add salt to the water and bring to a boil over high heat.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the potatoes simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.

Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and sweet pickle relish.

Add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and parsley to the bowl and stir to combine.

Add the cooled potatoes to the bowl and fold them into the mixture until they are fully coated.

Season the potato salad with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until chilled.

Serve the potato salad cold and enjoy as a delicious side dish for any Southern-style lunch or barbecue.

Note: You can adjust the amounts of mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle relish to your personal taste. Some people prefer their potato salad to be creamier, while others prefer it to be more tangy.

7. Fried Green Tomatoes: A Southern favorite, fried green tomatoes are made by coating slices of unripe tomatoes in a mixture of cornmeal and flour, then frying until crispy. Serve with a side of remoulade sauce for a delicious and tangy recipes for Southern Style Lunch.

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe:

Ingredients:

4-6 green tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
Remoulade sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

In another shallow dish, beat the eggs.

Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Working in batches, dip the tomato slices in the beaten eggs, then dredge them in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Place the coated tomato slices in the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.

Transfer the fried green tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.

Repeat with the remaining tomato slices, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.

Serve the fried green tomatoes hot, with a side of remoulade sauce for dipping, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Fried Green Tomatoes!

Southern cuisine is known for its rich and bold flavors, often incorporating ingredients like smoked meats, cornmeal, and vegetables like okra, collard greens, and sweet potatoes.

Some popular Southern-style lunch recipes include fried chicken, pulled pork, barbecue ribs, shrimp and grits, and jambalaya. These dishes are often accompanied by sides like macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and coleslaw.

Southern cuisine also has a strong tradition of comfort food, with dishes like chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and fried catfish. Desserts like pecan pie and peach cobbler are also staples of Southern cuisine.

Recipes for Southern Style Lunch offer a diverse range of flavors and textures, and are sure to satisfy anyone looking for a hearty and delicious meal.