Traditional Easter Dishes | Southern Living Style

Easter in the South is more than just a religious holiday—it’s a time for family, fellowship, and, of course, a spread of incredible food. The South is known for its rich culinary traditions, and Easter celebrations are no exception. From savory meats to decadent desserts, Southern Easter dishes bring people together, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that celebrates the season of renewal. This guide highlights some of the most beloved Southern Easter dishes that are sure to make your celebration unforgettable.

1. Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Mustard

In the South, a glazed ham is often the centerpiece of the Easter meal. The sweetness of brown sugar combined with the tang of mustard creates a flavorful glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it roasts, giving the ham a rich and savory finish.

Ingredients:

• 1 bone-in ham (about 8-10 lbs)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, and ground cloves. Heat over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly.
3. Place the ham on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Brush the ham with the glaze and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
4. Roast the ham for 1.5–2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with more glaze.
5. Once the ham is caramelized and golden, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the remaining glaze.

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2. Southern Biscuits with Sausage Gravy

No Southern Easter brunch is complete without biscuits and sausage gravy. Fluffy, golden biscuits smothered in creamy, savory sausage gravy are a Southern staple and an absolute must for Easter morning.

Ingredients for Biscuits:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
• ¾ cup buttermilk

For the Sausage Gravy:

• 1 pound breakfast sausage
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the buttermilk and stir just until the dough comes together.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently roll it out. Cut into rounds with a biscuit cutter and place them on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown.

For the gravy:

1. In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up into crumbles. Once browned, sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.
2. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Serve the biscuits hot, topped with sausage gravy.

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3. Southern Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic Southern dish and are a must-have on any Easter spread. Creamy, tangy, and full of flavor, they’re the perfect appetizer to kick off your meal.

Ingredients:

• 12 large eggs, hard-boiled
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and slice them in half lengthwise.
2. Remove the yolks and place them in a bowl. Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
4. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish and serve chilled.

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4. Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is a classic Southern dessert that adds sweetness and warmth to your Easter table. With its rich, gooey filling and crispy pecans, it’s a treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups pecan halves

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a pie dish with the pie crust and set aside.
2. In a bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and scatter pecans on top.
4. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
5. Let the pie cool before serving. It’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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5. Collard Greens

Collard greens are a quintessential Southern dish, and they’re a perfect side for any Easter meal. Simmered with smoked ham hocks or bacon, these greens are tender, flavorful, and full of rich, savory goodness.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds collard greens, washed and chopped
• 1 smoked ham hock or 4 slices bacon
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion in a bit of oil until softened. If using bacon, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy.
2. Add the ham hock (or bacon) and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the collard greens and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until the greens are tender.
4. Stir in the vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

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6. Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits are a Southern delicacy that’s perfect for Easter brunch or dinner. The combination of plump shrimp, creamy grits, and a flavorful sauce creates a comforting dish that’s sure to please.

Ingredients for the Shrimp:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Grits:

• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 cups water
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the grits according to package instructions. Once cooked, stir in heavy cream, cheese, and season with salt and pepper.
2. For the shrimp, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Serve the shrimp on top of the creamy grits and garnish with fresh parsley.

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7. Southern Potato Salad

Potato salad is a Southern picnic favorite, and it’s a perfect side dish for Easter. Creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor, this dish pairs wonderfully with ham, fried chicken, or roast lamb.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups boiled potatoes, peeled and diced
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup chopped celery
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine boiled potatoes, onion, and celery.
2. In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and stir to combine.
4. Garnish with paprika and chill before serving.

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8. Hummingbird Cake

This Southern dessert is a showstopper. Hummingbird cake is a moist, spiced cake filled with bananas, pineapple, and walnuts, and topped with cream cheese frosting. It’s sweet, tropical, and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients for the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add eggs, oil, vanilla, bananas, pineapple, and walnuts. Mix until just combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. For the frosting, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Frost the cooled cake and serve.

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9. Southern Sweet Tea

No Southern meal is complete without a glass of sweet tea. It’s a refreshing, iconic beverage that pairs perfectly with any Easter dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 black tea bags
• 1 quart boiling water
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cups cold water
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Steep the tea bags in the boiling water for about 5 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and stir in sugar until dissolved.
3. Add the cold water and refrigerate until chilled.
4. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.

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10. Cornbread

Cornbread is a Southern classic that pairs beautifully with ham, fried chicken, or any Easter spread. It's golden, slightly sweet, and buttery.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup melted butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a cast-iron skillet or baking dish.
2. In a bowl, mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the egg, milk, and melted butter, stirring until just combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. Serve warm with butter.