Contents
Delve into the heart of Southern cuisine with our selection of the top 10 cookbooks that capture the essence of this beloved culinary tradition.
From soulful classics to inventive adaptations, these best southern cookbooks embody the flavors, stories, and cultural richness that define Southern cooking, offering a feast for both the palate and the soul.
1. I Heart Soul Food
“I Heart Soul Food” by Rosie Mayes is a USA Today recognized essential cookbook featuring over 100 Southern comfort food recipes.
From the beloved YouTuber and founder of I Heart Recipes, this collection includes classic dishes like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese, alongside creative twists such as Sweet Potato Biscuits and Fried Ribs.
Organized by meal, the book includes 30 fan favorites, 70 new recipes, and 90 photographs. With authentic, easy-to-follow recipes, this cookbook is perfect for Sunday suppers and celebrations, capturing the essence of soulful Southern cooking.
- Publisher : Sasquatch Books (October 27, 2020)
- Paperback : 256 pages
- Dimensions : 8.02 x 0.59 x 8.99 inches
2. Gullah Geechee Home Cooking
“Gullah Geechee Home Cooking” by Emily Meggett is a celebrated cookbook and New York Times bestseller, capturing the rich culinary traditions of the Gullah Geechee community.
As the matriarch of Edisto Island, Meggett shares authentic recipes and history from this culturally significant Lowcountry community, which traces its roots to West African ancestors.
Featuring dishes like Shrimp and Grits with Gravy, Okra Gumbo, and Chocolate Cream Pie, the book showcases fresh, seasonal ingredients and heirloom cooking methods.
Enhanced with family stories and color images, this cookbook is a heartfelt tribute to Gullah Geechee heritage.
- Publisher : Abrams Books (April 26, 2022)
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- Dimensions : 8.3 x 1 x 10.3 inches
3. Cheryl Day’s Treasury of Southern Baking
“Cheryl Day’s Treasury of Southern Baking” is an acclaimed cookbook celebrated as “the definitive book on Southern baking” by Bon Appétit. It has won the IACP Cookbook Award and been a James Beard Award finalist.
Cheryl Day, co-owner of Savannah’s Back in the Day Bakery, brings her rich heritage and extensive experience to this collection of over 200 recipes.
The book features Southern classics like flaky biscuits, fritters, and pies, and offers detailed guidance on baking techniques. It’s an essential resource for bakers seeking to master authentic Southern baking.
- Publisher : Artisan (November 9, 2021)
- Hardcover : 400 pages
- Dimensions : 8.38 x 1.24 x 10.5 inches
4. The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook
“The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook” by Courtney Whitmore offers a delightful collection of heirloom recipes with modern twists, perfect for any gathering.
Featuring appetizers, salads, entrees, drinks, and desserts, the book includes tips for enhancing your presentations, like using edible flower petals or mini desserts.
Courtney Whitmore, a Southern entertaining expert and founder of Pizzazzerie.com, brings her flair for party-friendly food and vibrant tablescapes to every page.
With recipes that are easy to follow and ingredients that are accessible, this cookbook is a go-to guide for hosting memorable Southern-style gatherings.
- Publisher : Gibbs Smith (September 8, 2020)
- Hardcover : 200 pages
- Dimensions : 8 x 0.79 x 10 inches
5. Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food
“Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food” by Jim Casada and Tipper Pressley delves into the rich culinary traditions of Southern Appalachia, offering a collection of recipes and stories from the region’s mountain kitchens.
The book celebrates the high country’s food culture through tales of gatherings, Sunday dinners, and everyday meals.
It reflects the deep-rooted love and devotion to the distinctive Appalachian cuisine, featuring traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.
Casada and Pressley, both natives of the region, provide a heartfelt invitation to experience the flavors and heritage of Southern Appalachian cooking.
- Publisher : The History Press (May 1, 2023)
- Paperback : 272 pages
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.31 x 9 inches
6. Still We Rise
“Still We Rise” by Erika Council is a heartfelt tribute to the Southern biscuit, celebrating its role in Black culinary culture with over 70 recipes.
Council, founder of Bomb Biscuit Company and granddaughter of renowned chef Mildred Council, presents a range of traditional and innovative biscuit recipes, from classic Buttermilk Biscuits to unique creations like Corn Milk Biscuits and Glori-Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches.
The book connects readers to stories of family, resilience, and Southern heritage, offering both delicious recipes and a deep appreciation for the biscuit’s cultural significance.
- Publisher : Clarkson Potter (July 25, 2023)
- Hardcover : 208 pages
- Dimensions : 8.06 x 0.78 x 9.01 inches
7. Southern Keto
“Southern Keto” by Natasha Newton offers over 100 low-carb recipes for traditional Southern comfort foods, demonstrating that the ketogenic diet can be flavorful and satisfying.
Newton, who has overcome personal health challenges and food addiction through keto, shares her journey alongside keto-friendly versions of classic dishes like fried chicken and cheesecake.
The book includes themed menu ideas, comprehensive grocery lists, and practical tips to ease the transition to a low-carb lifestyle. Newton emphasizes maintaining great taste while adopting a healthier, sugar-free diet.
- Publisher : Victory Belt Publishing (November 20, 2018)
- Paperback : 304 pages
- Dimensions : 8 x 0.65 x 10 inches
8. Sweet Potato Soul
In Sweet Potato Soul, Jenné Claiborne offers 100 vegan recipes that creatively adapt classic Southern soul food using plant-based ingredients.
Growing up in Atlanta, Claiborne cherished traditional dishes like fluffy biscuits and sweet potato pie but faced a challenge transitioning to veganism.
She overcame this by developing flavorful, soul-nourishing alternatives, such as Coconut Collard Salad and Peach Date BBQ Jackfruit Sliders.
The book features full-color photography and explores the health benefits of soul food staples while updating them with innovative vegan twists. Claiborne’s recipes provide a healthier take on beloved Southern classics.
- Publisher : Harmony (February 6, 2018)
- Paperback : 224 pages
- Dimensions : 7.4 x 0.58 x 9.24 inches
9. Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook
In Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook, Robbie Montgomery, renowned for her Sweetie Pie’s restaurant and reality TV show, shares beloved soul food recipes and personal anecdotes.
Growing up in Mississippi and St. Louis, she learned traditional dishes from her mother. At seventy-two, Miss Robbie offers her recipes for favorites like smothered pork chops and salmon croquettes, alongside humorous and heartfelt stories from her life.
The cookbook preserves the legacy of soul food and includes 75-100 color photos, reflecting Montgomery’s journey from a back-up singer to a celebrated chef.
- Publisher : Amistad (October 20, 2015
- Hardcover : 224 pages
- Dimensions : 7.38 x 0.8 x 9.12 inches
10. The Southerner’s Cookbook
The Southerner’s Cookbook by Garden & Gun Editors is a comprehensive guide to Southern food culture, featuring over 100 recipes and vivid 4-color photography.
This cookbook presents classic Southern dishes like biscuits and fried chicken alongside regional specialties such as sonker and Minorcan chowder. Each recipe is accompanied by stories reflecting the rich history and innovation of Southern cuisine.
The book includes contributions from top Southern chefs, a glossary of cooking terms, and essays from notable writers, making it a detailed exploration of Southern culinary traditions. It has been praised as one of the best new cookbooks.
- Publisher : Harper; Illustrated edition (October 27, 2015)
- Hardcover : 320 pages
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 1.03 x 10.88 inches
In these 10 best Southern cookbooks, discover more than just recipes—they offer a journey through history, heritage, and hospitality.
Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or everyday comfort, these books inspire with their authenticity and creativity, celebrating the diverse tapestry of Southern foodways that continue to enchant and nourish generations.
