Southern Recipes & Cooking Tips

Cook Like Paula with Authentic Southern Recipes

Discover Paula Deen's treasured Southern recipes and cooking tips, perfected over decades in her own kitchen. From classic fried chicken to comfort food favorites, learn the secrets to creating unforgettable meals that bring your family together. Updated with new recipes for September 2026.

Paula's Signature Southern Recipes

These beloved recipes have been passed down through generations and perfected in Paula's kitchen. Each one is designed to create memories and bring smiles to your dinner table.

Paula Deen's Classic Southern Fried Chicken
Paula's Favorite

Classic Southern Fried Chicken

45 mins
Serves 6
Medium

There's nothing quite like perfectly fried chicken with a crispy, golden-brown crust and juicy, tender meat inside. This recipe uses Paula's secret buttermilk marinade and special seasoning blend to create the most flavorful, crispy fried chicken you've ever tasted.

Recommended Cookware

Paula Deen 11-Inch Deep Sauté Pan (Signature Collection) - For the perfect crust on your chicken, we highly recommend using the Paula Deen 11-Inch Deep Sauté Pan because of its exceptional even heat distribution and deep sides that prevent oil splatter. The heavy-gauge aluminum construction maintains consistent frying temperature, ensuring every piece cooks evenly to golden perfection.

The dual-layer non-stick coating makes cleanup incredibly easy, while the speckled porcelain enamel exterior adds vintage Southern charm to your kitchen. The deep sides hold plenty of oil and accommodate multiple chicken pieces at once.

Ingredients

  • • 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs), cut into pieces
  • • 2 cups buttermilk
  • • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • • Vegetable oil for frying
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Crowd Pleaser

Not-Yo-Mama's Banana Pudding

30 mins + chill
Serves 12
Easy

This isn't your traditional banana pudding—it's even better! Paula's famous twist on the classic Southern dessert features layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and fluffy whipped cream. It's the dessert that disappears first at every family gathering and potluck dinner.

Recommended Cookware

Paula Deen 3-Quart Saucepan (Signature Collection) - The Paula Deen 3-Quart Saucepan is perfect for making the homemade pudding base. Its superior heat distribution prevents scorching and ensures your pudding cooks evenly without lumps. The non-stick interior makes stirring effortless and cleanup a breeze.

The speckled porcelain enamel exterior adds a pop of color to your stovetop, while the comfortable silicone handle stays cool during cooking. The transparent glass lid lets you monitor your pudding without lifting the cover.

Ingredients

  • • 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding
  • • 3 cups cold whole milk
  • • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • • 1 container (12 oz) whipped topping, thawed
  • • 1 box (12 oz) vanilla wafers
  • • 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced
  • • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Paula Deen's Not-Yo-Mama's Banana Pudding
Paula Deen's Savannah Pot Roast
Sunday Dinner

Savannah Pot Roast

3 hours
Serves 8
Easy

This tender, fall-apart pot roast is the epitome of Southern comfort food. Slow-cooked with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and rich beef broth, it creates its own delicious gravy as it cooks. Perfect for Sunday dinner or any time you want to fill your home with the incredible aroma of a home-cooked meal.

Recommended Cookware

Paula Deen 6-Quart Covered Stockpot (Riverbend Collection) - The Paula Deen 6-Quart Covered Stockpot from the Riverbend Collection is ideal for this pot roast recipe. Its heavy-duty construction and tight-fitting lid lock in moisture and flavor, ensuring your roast comes out tender and juicy every time. The pot is large enough to accommodate a roast plus all your vegetables.

The copper-accented handles provide a secure grip when transferring from stovetop to oven. Oven safe up to 350°F, this versatile pot transitions seamlessly between cooking methods. The elegant speckled exterior looks beautiful enough to bring straight to the table.

Ingredients

  • • 1 beef chuck roast (3-4 lbs)
  • • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • • 1 onion, quartered
  • • 4 carrots, cut into chunks
  • • 4 potatoes, quartered
  • • 3 cups beef broth
  • • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • • Fresh thyme and rosemary
  • • Salt and pepper to taste
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Paula's Southern Cooking Tips & Techniques

Learn the secrets behind Paula's most beloved dishes. These time-tested tips will help you master Southern cooking and create restaurant-quality meals at home.

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Perfect Fried Chicken Every Time

The secret to crispy fried chicken is maintaining oil temperature at exactly 350°F. Use a deep pan with thick bottom for even heat distribution. Always let chicken come to room temperature before frying, and never crowd the pan—fry in batches for the crispiest crust.

Best Pan: Paula Deen 11-Inch Deep Sauté Pan

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One-Pot Meal Magic: Gumbo & Jambalaya

The best pan for gumbo is a heavy-bottomed pot that distributes heat evenly, preventing your roux from burning. Start with a dark roux for authentic flavor—cook flour and oil until it's the color of chocolate. A good gumbo pot should have enough capacity for all ingredients and a tight-fitting lid.

Best Pan: Paula Deen 6-Quart Stockpot

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Breakfast Perfection: Pancakes & Eggs

For picture-perfect pancakes, use a non-stick griddle or large skillet heated to medium heat. The pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles and evaporates. Use a ladle for consistent sizing, and only flip once when bubbles form on the surface. The right pan makes all the difference.

Best Pan: Paula Deen 12-Inch Griddle Pan

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Slow-Cooked Comfort: Stews & Braises

Southern-style stews and braises require low, steady heat and a pot with excellent heat retention. Brown your meat first to develop deep flavors, then add aromatics and liquid. A heavy pot with a tight lid keeps moisture in and flavors concentrated. Let it simmer gently for hours until fork-tender.

Best Pan: Paula Deen Covered Stockpot

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Cast Iron Cornbread Secrets

The key to perfect cornbread is a screaming hot cast iron skillet. Preheat your skillet in a 425°F oven, add butter to coat, then pour in the batter—it should sizzle immediately. This creates an irresistibly crispy, golden crust. Cast iron's heat retention ensures even baking throughout.

Best Pan: Paula Deen 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

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Sautéing Vegetables Like a Pro

Great sautéed vegetables start with a hot pan and dry ingredients. Heat your pan before adding oil, then add vegetables in a single layer. Don't overcrowd or stir too much—let them develop a nice caramelized exterior. A wide sauté pan with excellent heat distribution is essential for even cooking.

Best Pan: Paula Deen 10-Inch Sauté Pan

One-Pot Meal Ideas for Busy Weeknights

Simplify your weeknight dinners with these delicious one-pot meals. Less cleanup, more family time, and all the flavor of traditional Southern cooking.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

A complete meal cooked in one pot—tender chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and vegetables all simmered together in savory broth. Season with Paula's House Seasoning and bake until golden. The Paula Deen 5-Quart Covered Casserole is perfect for this dish, with its even heating and beautiful presentation.

55 mins
Serves 6

Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya

Bold Cajun flavors come together in this satisfying one-pot wonder. Andouille sausage, plump shrimp, the "holy trinity" of vegetables, and perfectly seasoned rice create a meal that tastes like it took hours. Use the Paula Deen 6-Quart Stockpot for authentic results with plenty of room for stirring.

45 mins
Serves 8

Beef Stroganoff

Creamy, comforting, and ready in under 30 minutes. Tender beef strips in a rich mushroom and sour cream sauce served over egg noodles—all cooked in one pan. The Paula Deen Deep Sauté Pan with its non-stick surface makes this classic dish incredibly easy to prepare and clean up.

30 mins
Serves 4

Vegetable Soup with Cornbread Dumplings

Hearty vegetables in savory broth topped with fluffy cornbread dumplings that steam right in the pot. This soul-warming soup is perfect for cold evenings and uses whatever vegetables you have on hand. The Paula Deen 8-Quart Stockpot accommodates everything beautifully with room for dumplings to expand.

50 mins
Serves 6

Explore More Southern Recipes

Browse our complete collection of authentic Southern recipes organized by category

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Breakfast

Start your day right

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Main Dishes

Hearty entrees

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Sides

Perfect accompaniments

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Desserts

Sweet endings

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