Southern Bite

When I was growing up, we sat down at the table every night. Now, that doesn’t mean every supper was fancy. It certainly wasn’t. Sometimes it was simple. Sometimes it was stretched. Sometimes it may very well have included a blue box of macaroni and cheese. But no matter what was on the plate, we sat down together. And that mattered. That table was where we ate, of course, but it was also where we talked, laughed, listened, learned, and just plain did life together.

This big batch chicken salad is simple, classic, and perfect for feeding a crowd. With tender shredded chicken, crunchy celery, sweet onion, and creamy mayonnaise, it’s the kind of dependable recipe that shows up at potlucks, family gatherings, and church luncheons again and again. Some recipes are fancy. Some are impressive. And then there are the ones that quietly save the day. This one falls squarely in that last category.

Need an easy chicken supper idea? These Hot Honey Chicken Thighs cook up crispy and juicy in the air fryer and finish with a buttery, sweet-heat glaze that the whole family will love. Somewhere between “we need supper fast” and “I still want it to taste like I tried” lives the humble chicken thigh. Bless it. Thighs are forgiving, they stay juicy, and they’re usually cheaper than breasts.

Let’s pause for a second helping to celebrate the most-loved recipes of 2025 from Southern Bite – the ones y’all made on repeat, shared with friends, and came back to again and again. If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked me, “Stacey, what’s everybody been cooking lately?” I’d have enough money to buy the fancy butter I keep telling myself I don’t need. So here it is: the recipes y’all cooked, shared, saved, and came back to again and again in 2025.

Make your Thanksgiving turkey extra juicy with my buttery Homemade Turkey Injection Marinade. Water, butter, chicken base, white wine vinegar, garlic, and seasoned salt blend into a smooth, flavorful injection to keep your turkey super moist and crazy flavorful. I’m a big fan of turkey injections. They’re one of my favorite tricks for keeping a bird juicy and adding real-deal flavor where it counts, right down in the meat.

This Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel Topping is smooth, creamy, and perfectly spiced. It’s just like the classic you love, just taken up a notch with a sweet, crunchy pecan topping. I was recently scrolling through my own site and realized something shocking: I didn’t have a pumpkin pie recipe. How on earth does a Southern boy who has shared everything from fried green tomatoes to sweet potato pie not have a good old-fashioned pumpkin pie on the blog?

If you’re craving a rich, moist, buttery pound cake with a little something extra, this Chocolate Chip Pound Cake is the answer. It’s my classic buttermilk pound cake with a sweet twist—chocolate chips baked into a buttery, tender crumb. Perfect for Sunday supper, holiday gatherings, or just when the craving hits, it’s sure to be a hit at your house every time. I always get asked about where my inspiration comes from for new recipes. And honestly, sometimes the best ideas come out of nowhere.

This easy Shrimp and Grits recipe is loaded with bold Southern flavor—smoky bacon, garlicky shrimp, and creamy, slow-cooked grits. It’s a comforting classic made simple enough for busy weeknights. There are few dishes that scream Southern comfort quite like shrimp and grits. It’s rich, creamy, smoky, a little tangy, and downright soulful. And while there are tons of versions out there—some fancy, some not-so-much—this one right here is the one I keep coming back to.

This Fresh Strawberry Pie features only 5 simple ingredients but is packed with sweet strawberry flavor. Y’all, this pie is one of those desserts that’s been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. My mom’s been making it for decades, and it’s one of those recipes that instantly takes me back. If you ever loved those strawberry pies from Shoney’s, you’re gonna fall head over heels for this copycat version.

Confused about the differences between cornmeal, self-rising cornmeal and cornmeal mix? Learn how these ingredients differ and how to substitute one for another in your recipes. Find helpful tips and more! When it comes to Southern cooking, cornmeal is a pantry staple as essential as sweet tea on a hot summer day. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of cornbread, dredging some catfish, or making hush puppies, the type of cornmeal you grab can make a world of difference.