Summer Recipe Ideas, Southern-Style

Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, summer side dish, or delicious dessert, here are my favorite Southern summer recipe ideas.

Hey friends!

This morning I got to thinking about the things that, when I think about folks going their whole lives without ever trying them, just make my heartache. From that list, I came up with a few that would be perfect to make right now. And thus, this summer recipe ideas blog post was born!

There’s an easy summer Southern food recipe for everyone below, whether you’re searching for sensational summer side dishes, a refreshing and light lunch, or a delicious Southern dessert.

Summer Recipe Ideas

Old-Fashioned Butter Rolls

This is one of those nearly forgotten Southern recipes from days of old. Scraps of flaky biscuit dough were spread with butter, sugar, and a bit of cinnamon (sometimes), then rolled up and cut cinnamon roll-style and cooked in a sweet milk sauce. My grandmother used to make these for me and they are unlike anything I have ever had before. Think cinnamon roll but without so much cinnamon and an amazingly sweet, creamy sauce.

I have two versions of the recipe. The one above is a shortcut, every bit as good, that uses canned crescent rolls. The “from scratch” version can be found by clicking here.

Peach Cobbler

I think just about every family I know makes this cobbler and for good reason. It’s simply the best and it makes your stomach happy when you eat it. I am pretty sure it could bring about world peace. It’s so good you might even end up getting a free pony or winning the lottery, or just feel like you did.

Grilled Chicken Tenders (No Grill Needed)

Firing up the grill is a summer rite of passage. But spoiler: there’s no grill needed to make these grilled chicken tenders. They’re a copycat version of Cracker Barrel’s grilled chicken tenderloins, marinated in a zesty flavoring to make tender and juicy chicken tenders the family will love.

My Great Grandmother’s Fried Peach Pies

Peach pie is a wonderful thing. But when you make a real old-fashioned fried peach pie, using dried peaches that have been “cooked up” with sugar and butter, most folks aren’t prepared for the huge difference in flavor it has. Take peaches and magnify their taste times ten and that is about what these are. My great-grandmother, Lela, used to make them for us. She always hummed a quiet tune when she cooked. I swear I can hear her soft voice whenever I stand over a frying pan of these pies.

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Melts

It is summer, tomatoes are coming in, and that is the ideal time to partake of their tomato-y goodness. This is what I make for lunch several times a week making my summer mozzarella expenditures rival our electricity bill.

Another dish to make with fresh tomato is this tomato, okra, and bacon recipe.

Crockpot Creamed Corn

I love to make corn-based Southern side dishes every summer and this crockpot creamed corn recipe is a winner! It has the same rich and creamy old-fashioned flavor you know and love but is so easy to make with just 5 ingredients and a hands-off cooking method. We love hands-off cooking in summer, right? A similar recipe without the crockpot is my easiest ever creamed corn. Take your pick and enjoy!

Zucchini and Squash

Another side dish that screams summer is this simple but sensational zucchini and squash recipe. It’s quick, easy, and the perfect healthy summer side dish for any meal. All you need is zucchini, yellow squash, butter, salt, and pepper. Enjoy it with the main dish below or my Southern fried chicken recipe, the ultimate soul food and summer dinner option.

Crockpot Pulled Pork, Southern-Style

It’s not summer down South without some scrumptious barbecue. This recipe includes a mix of interesting ingredients to make the juiciest and most flavorful meat for pulled pork sandwiches. Trust me, you’re gonna want to give it a go. To make pulled pork burgers, serve them with coleslaw, vinegar slaw, or burger slaw, and some Alabama white bbq sauce. SO tasty!

Southern Fried Catfish

We all gravitate towards seafood over summer, so why not try some Southern fried catfish? Even if you’re not a seafood person, I guarantee you’re still going to want to give this a try. Catfish is a “clean” and delicious tasting fish, and this recipe is simple, inexpensive, and so easy to make.

Summer Corn Salad

When you’re looking for something cool and refreshing to take to a barbecue or picnic, check out this summer corn salad. It has a blend of great flavors that work together perfectly, including fresh corn, onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, and Italian dressing. Plus, it’s so easy to make and you can make it up to two days in advance. Are you sold? 

Strawberry Poke Cake

Strawberries and summer go hand in hand. There are many scrumptious strawberry recipes on my blog, like fresh strawberry pie, strawberry cream pie, and fresh strawberry jam. But this strawberry poke cake includes a tender and moist white cake filled with flavorful strawberry jello. It’s then topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It’s so refreshing and so easy to make.

Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Pair any of these summer recipe ideas with a glass of refreshingly sweet and tart old-fashioned lemonade. This is a summer staple in the South along with iced sweet tea. Fortunately, all you need is three ingredients: sugar, water, and lemon juice. It will be ready for you to enjoy in 10 minutes. I just know your family will love it as much as mine! Another fun, fruity and non-alcoholic drink to try this summer is this tropical pink recipe.

More Summer Recipe Ideas

But wait, there’s more! For more summer recipe ideas, check out these posts:

12 Summer Pie Recipes

The Fantastic 7 Summer Barbecue Sides

5 Freezer-Friendly Summer Desserts

So these are your cooking assignments for the weekend. Let me know how many you get to make. Each one counts as 25% of your grade, but you get a bonus of 25 points if you invite me :).

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.

~Walt Disney