20 Southern Christmas Dishes That Are All-Time Favorites

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Every family has its own Christmas traditions, but if you’re from the South, there are a few traditional holiday foods that are an absolute must: homemade cookies, chili cheese, and cornbread dressing, to name but a few. name just a few! These seasonal dishes are typically Southern, of course, but everyone can add them to their own Christmas recipe menu. If you want to host a festive feast with Southern hospitality, check out this list of classic Southern Christmas dishes.

Here you’ll find traditional Southern comfort foods like stews, candied sweet potatoes, and mac and cheese, plus a big glazed ham for the main event. Add some nostalgic Christmas appetizers like a make-ahead cheese ball and festive deviled eggs to complete the celebration. Then you can complete your vacation with a Southern-inspired dessert like pecan pralines, red velvet cookies, or chocolate chess pie. They are all downright delicious! You’ll even find some Christmas brunch ideas with Southern accents: hello oatmeal casserole! But whatever Southern holiday recipes you choose, don’t forget to create a playlist of country Christmas songs to make the holidays truly complete. You will say “Merry Christmas everyone!” in a trice.

Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits

Angel Biscuits are light and chewy, but they go the extra mile by adding herbaceous ranch seasoning. Don’t forget to serve them with extra ranch butter!

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Slow Cooker Ham

This crowd-pleasing holiday centerpiece features a sweet and tangy frosting made with Ree’s favorite soda: Dr Pepper! Once the ham is finished cooking, you’ll want to brush it with even more of this sticky glaze.

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Chili cheese

This Southern staple gets a smoky twist thanks to adobo sauce made from canned chipotles. This would be a tasty appetizer when served with sliced ​​vegetables, toasted bread wedges, or even chips.

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Green cabbage

The quest for a Southern side dish ends here: collard greens are as classic as they come! The smoky meat and flavorful broth will keep everyone coming back for more.

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Christmas stuffed eggs

For the Drummond family, it wouldn’t be a party without deviled eggs! But instead of the traditional variety, this festive version looks like cute little Christmas trees.

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Sausage balls

Whether you’re opening presents on Christmas morning or singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, these savory sausage balls can be served day or night, making them the perfect pop-out snack.

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Slow Cooker Green Beans

Let your green beans braise low and slow to soak up all that tomato and bacon flavor. Since they’re made in a slow cooker, you won’t even need to keep them!

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Candied sweet potatoes

These sweet potatoes are everything you want in a holiday side dish: butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, spices, and a touch of bourbon!

Get the recipe for Candied Sweet Potatoes.

Pecan pralines

It’s easy to make your own Christmas candy with this classic Southern candy. They’re nutty and sweet, and they can even double as a homemade gift!

Get the recipe for pecan pralines.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

It doesn’t matter if your main dish is ham, turkey, or prime rib, you can’t go wrong with a pile of fluffy mashed potatoes on the side! The best part? You can prepare them in advance.

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Apple Cranberry Sauce

The vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor of this seasonal sauce are perfect for a holiday meal. You can make it ahead of time and put it in the freezer for up to three months.

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Ambrosia salad

Prepare this delicious dish for Christmas brunch or even for dessert! It’s made with fluffy marshmallows, crunchy coconut flakes, and lots of juicy citrus.

Get the recipe for Ambrosia Salad.

Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Apples

In the South, this dish is often called vinaigrette rather than stuffing. Either way, it’s a holiday classic made with savory sausage, sweet apples, and your favorite cornbread.

Get the Sausage and Apple Cornbread Dressing recipe from Ree’s.

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

Red velvet cakes are popular in the South and this twist on the classic flavor features them in cookie form! They will look so pretty at your annual Christmas cookie exchange.

Get the recipe for Ree’s Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies.

Fried turkey with chicken

To play on Southern chicken fried steak, this recipe uses turkey cutlets instead. Don’t worry, they’re still crunchy, tender and topped with a succulent sauce!

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Oatmeal Casserole

Cheese grits made with bacon drippings will be your new family favorite! If you like spicy food, simply add chopped jalapeño and a generous dash of hot sauce.

Get the recipe for Oatmeal Casserole.

Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls

These rolls are made with three ingredients that all Southerners can agree on: bacon, butter, and maple syrup. They will set up your bread basket any day of the week!

Get the recipe for Maple Butter and Bacon Fan Rolls.

Chocolate Chess Pie

This old-fashioned tart is very festive when prepared with melting chocolate. To get this cute decoration, simply use a round doily as a stencil and sprinkle the top with powdered sugar.

Get the recipe for Chocolate Chess Pie.

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

This fun twist on a classic party appetizer is made with lots of ranch flavor and crispy bacon. Serve it with buttered crackers on the side.

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Macaroni and cheese

It’s a gooey family dish that will please cowboys, kids, and everyone at the table. Make this mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort food.

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