21 Homemade Southern Dinners You’ll Want to Make Every Sunday

Sunday dinners in the South are more than just meals—they’re a weekly tradition built on comfort, flavor, and heart. These 21 homemade Southern dinners bring that feeling to your own kitchen with recipes that are bold, familiar, and worth sitting down for. From slow-cooked favorites to one-pan classics, every dish here has the kind of flavor that makes it feel like Sunday no matter what day it is. If you’re craving dinners that bring people together, these recipes belong on your table.

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Grilled maple mustard chicken brings sweet and tangy flavors to the kind of backyard meal that Southern summers are built on. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for those Sundays when the grill is calling. The glaze caramelizes just enough to bring a bit of crunch to every bite. This one belongs next to corn on the cob and a big glass of iced tea.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops on a plate with oranges and limes. — Citrus Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These citrus glazed pork chops bring just enough sweetness to cut through the richness of the meat. They cook up fast but don’t skimp on flavor, making them perfect for a relaxed but still memorable meal. The glaze gives them a glossy finish that feels right at home on a Sunday plate. Pair them with greens and cornbread, and dinner’s done.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

A serving of chicken pot pie with golden crust, diced chicken, peas, and potatoes on a black plate—an ideal choice for budget recipes and cheap meals. — Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Chicken pot pie with tarragon gravy is everything Sunday dinners are supposed to be: creamy, hearty, and wrapped in flaky crust. The tarragon adds a subtle touch that makes this version stand out without changing what makes it classic. It’s a sit-down kind of meal that feels earned at the end of a long week. This is what comfort looks like when it’s baked golden and bubbling.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

An up-close shot of bacon-avocado ground beef burger on a flat white surface. — 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This bacon-avocado burger isn’t just for cookouts—it’s hearty, stacked, and packed with flavor worthy of a Sunday dinner. The bacon brings salt, the avocado brings creaminess, and together it all just works. It’s the kind of meal that feels a little over-the-top, in the best way. Serve it up with fries or slaw, and you’re all set.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

An overhead shot of a wooden serving bowl filled with salad next to cornbread on a cutting board. — Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Carolina BBQ chicken salad is built on the bold, mustard-based barbecue flavor that defines parts of the South. Paired with bacon and crisp vegetables, it turns salad into a dinner that doesn’t feel like a compromise. It’s fresh, quick, and still packed with the comfort Southern meals are known for. This one’s for the nights you want barbecue flavor without turning on the smoker.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

One-Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner

Cooked seasoned pork surrounded by diced vegetables in a black skillet on a wooden table. — One-Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This garlic pepper pork dinner is proof that big Southern flavor doesn’t have to mean complicated cooking. Pork and peppers cook up together for a bold dish that’s quick to prep and even easier to clean up. It’s hearty without being heavy, and it gets dinner on the table fast. Some Sundays just call for a one-pan meal that still feels like a classic.
Get the Recipe: One-Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner

Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

A bowl of chicken and cabbage soup is shown on a rustic wooden cutting board with parsley and a red linen. — Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Chicken and cabbage soup may not be flashy, but it checks every box for a quiet Sunday meal. The broth is soothing, the ingredients are simple, and it all comes together fast. It’s a light but comforting dish that still feels like something your grandma might’ve kept on the stove. This soup is a reminder that Southern dinners don’t always have to be heavy to feel like home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Grilled pork pieces with brown gravy served on a bed of mashed potatoes, presented on a decorative plate with a colorful floral pattern. A meal even the most picky eaters will enjoy, making moms' lives easier at dinnertime. — Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlic herb pork and potatoes brings together two Southern dinner staples in a single, easy pan. The pork is seasoned simply, and the potatoes roast up tender with just the right amount of crisp. It’s the kind of no-nonsense comfort food that feels right for any Sunday. This dish tastes like something that’s been on the table for generations.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Buttermilk Brined Turkey

A buttermilk brined roasted surrounded by festive holiday side dishes. — Buttermilk Brined Turkey. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Buttermilk brined turkey brings a Southern classic to life with tangy, herb-infused flavor in every bite. The buttermilk helps keep the meat juicy, and the herbs add depth without being overpowering. It’s a great choice when Sunday calls for something a little bigger than usual. This is the kind of turkey that doesn’t need a holiday to shine.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Brined Turkey

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bone in pork chop topped with hollandaise sauce and shrimp, on a white plate next to green beans. — Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork chops and shrimp come together in this surf and turf that leans into Southern coastal flavor. It’s a little fancy, a little casual, and great for when you want a Sunday dinner that feels extra. The hollandaise adds richness without going overboard. It’s like Sunday supper with a bit of sunshine on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Lamb shepherd’s pie may have roots across the pond, but its hearty, comforting nature fits right into a Southern kitchen. Rich gravy, tender meat, and mashed potatoes layered on top make this dish a one-pan meal worth repeating. It’s filling, familiar, and just formal enough for a sit-down dinner. When the weather cools off, this one’s waiting.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy

A plate with sliced pork topped with creamy mushroom sauce, a fork holding a piece above, and a wine bottle in the background. — Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork chops with mustard shallot gravy deliver deep flavor with pantry basics and straightforward cooking. The sauce brings tang, the pork stays juicy, and together they feel like something made with care. It’s a dish that doesn’t try too hard but still impresses. When you’re ready to cook something from scratch that tastes like Sunday, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

A white plate with a serving of shredded meat topped with sauce and garnished with herbs, perfect for movie night snacks. A fork rests on top, and a blurred dish is in the background. — Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Slow cooker pork shoulder is a Southern staple, especially when bathed in a mustard-based BBQ sauce. It cooks low and slow until it falls apart, making it just right for feeding a hungry group. Serve it on buns, next to slaw, or over grits—whatever the table calls for. This is the kind of dinner that smells right the second you walk in the door.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted chicken and vegetables is simple, reliable, and about as Southern as it gets. The chicken browns beautifully in the oven while the vegetables soak up all the flavor. It’s a full meal in one pan, and there’s nothing fussy about it. This is the kind of dish you make when you don’t need a recipe to tell you it’s the right choice.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Buttermilk chicken and potatoes on a plate. — Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Buttermilk chicken and roasted potatoes make a strong case for keeping things classic on Sunday. The marinade tenderizes the chicken while the potatoes roast up with crispy edges and soft centers. Everything cooks in the same dish, which means less cleanup and more comfort. This dinner feels like it belongs on a table covered in checkered cloth and iced tea.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast with Vegetables

A plate with pieces of roasted chicken seasoned with herbs and spices, garnished with parsley. A checkered cloth is partially visible beside the plate. — Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast with Vegetables. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cajun turkey breast is bold, juicy, and cooked with just enough heat to keep things interesting. The vegetables roast alongside it, picking up all the flavor and making it a complete meal. It’s a smart way to get Sunday dinner on the table without a ton of work. This dish turns the volume up on comfort without going over the top.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast with Vegetables

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

A dish in a black baking pan filled with baked casserole. The top is golden brown with crispy edges and garnished with sliced green onions. A portion has been removed, revealing a creamy interior. — Chicken Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken hash brown casserole checks all the Southern boxes—cheese, cream, and a crispy topping you’ll want to pick at before serving. It’s quick to throw together and always hits the mark with both kids and adults. You can serve it as a main or a hearty side, and it always fits. This is one of those dishes that disappears before the second round of plates.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Easy Beef Pot Pie

A close-up of a beef and vegetable pie with a golden, flaky crust. A triangular segment is removed, revealing chunks of beef and vegetables in a savory sauce inside the pie. The crust is lightly seasoned with herbs. — Easy Beef Pot Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Beef pot pie is comfort in a crust, baked until golden and filled with a savory mix of beef and vegetables. It looks like something that took all day but comes together without too much effort. The filling is hearty and the crust seals in all the flavor. This is the kind of recipe that feels like it should be served on Sunday with extra napkins and a big spoon.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Pot Pie

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots. — Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cracker Barrel meatloaf brings diner-style comfort straight to your own kitchen, with a glaze that locks in every ounce of flavor. It slices clean but stays juicy, and it holds up next to any side you throw at it. It’s easy to make but feels like a sit-down meal. When you’re going for something that tastes like tradition, this meatloaf fits the bill.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

A casserole dish with chicken and vegetables in it. — Shrimp and Grits Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Shrimp and grits casserole turns a Southern favorite into something bakeable, sharable, and full of flavor. Creamy grits form the base while the shrimp sits right on top, seasoned and ready. It feels like brunch and dinner met halfway, and nobody complained. It’s one pan, but it brings big Sunday energy.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

A bowl of homemade chicken soup with dumplings. — Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Chicken and dumplings is a Southern favorite that doesn’t need much introduction. It’s thick, hearty, and loaded with chicken and soft dumplings that soak up every bit of the broth. Whether made for guests or just for family, it always feels right. This is a Sunday dinner that doesn’t ask for attention—it earns it.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken and Dumplings