From Biscuits To Bourbon Pie: 8 Southern Recipes Made For Gathering

Thanksgiving may take center stage each November, but Friendsgiving has earned a well-deserved place in the holiday lineup. It’s a chance to gather with friends, swap traditions and enjoy good food without all the formalities. And when it comes to dishes made for sharing, the South knows a thing or two about comfort and flavor.

From savory casseroles to sweet pies, these regional recipes from across the South — including favorites from Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and the Carolinas — are perfect for celebrating friendship, gratitude and a table full of delicious food.

1. Buttermilk Biscuits

Flaky, buttery and irresistible, these biscuits make the perfect vehicle for butter, jam or whatever you love. The trick: cold butter, cold buttermilk and minimal handling so you get those tender layers. This version from Southern Food & Fun keeps things approachable (no rolling or fancy cutting) but still yields a glorious golden result. See the full recipe here.

2) Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs

Pimento cheese meets picnic-classic deviled eggs for a bite that’s tangy, creamy and very Southern. Homesick Texan folds sharp Cheddar, pimientos and a little cayenne into the yolks for extra depth, then finishes with paprika for color. They’re easy to make ahead and disappear fast on a grazing board. See the full recipe here.

3) Shrimp-And-Grits Casserole

Lowcountry comfort, buffet-friendly format. The Kitchen Is My Playground bakes creamy cheese-laced grits under garlicky shrimp so every scoop gets the perfect combo, and it travels well for potlucks or Friendsgiving. It’s a Carolinas nod that’s indulgent yet cozy — and great for feeding a crowd. See the full recipe here.

4) Skillet Cornbread Dressing

Cast-iron is the move for dressing: crispy, golden edges with a custardy center. Deep South Dish builds this classic with crumbled cornbread, sautéed onion and celery, sage and stock for that holiday-table flavor everyone expects. Bake and serve straight from the skillet for maximum crunch-to-soft contrast. See the full recipe here.

5) Vegan-Fried Chicken With Oyster Mushrooms

For a show-stopping vegetarian plate, Jessica in the Kitchen uses meaty oyster mushrooms for a crunchy, seasoned “fried chicken” effect that even carnivores love. The texture is spot-on — crisp outside, tender inside — and you can pair with a quick cream gravy if you want that steakhouse vibe. Serve as a side, or pile on a platter as an alt-protein. See the full recipe here.

6) Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

Louisville’s iconic Hot Brown gets crowd-ready treatment from The Beach House Kitchen: roast turkey, tomato and bacon tucked into soft rolls with a creamy mornay, then baked until melty and golden. You get all the Kentucky flavor without the knife-and-fork fuss. Ideal for grazing before pies hit the table. See the full recipe here.

7) Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan-Praline Topping

Silky mashed sweet potatoes crowned with a crackly brown-sugar-pecan praline — this Southern Bite favorite nails the sweet-meets-nutty balance that keeps people coming back for seconds. Make the topping ahead and add right before baking so it stays crisp. It’s nostalgic, simple and always one of the first dishes gone. See the full recipe here.

8) Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie

A splash of bourbon gives this pie its Bluegrass spirit and a deeper, toffee-like richness. Kate the Baker toasts the pecans and brightens the filling with a hint of zest for balance, yielding clean slices once cooled and a flavor that somehow tastes even better the next day. Serve with barely-sweetened whipped cream. See the full recipe here.

Happy feasting — after all, the best Southern gatherings aren’t just about what’s served, but who you share it with.

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