Side Dishes
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15+ Budget Friendly Southern Vegetarian Recipes
If you’re craving cozy, nostalgic meals without spending a fortune, Southern comfort food is the answer. These budget friendly Southern vegetarian recipes are known for simple ingredients, big flavor, and feeding a crowd. These recipes are perfect for stretching your grocery budget! Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week, these cheap Southern comfort food recipes are hearty, satisfying, and easy on your wallet. (In a rush? Jump straight to the cheap Southern recipes!) What Makes Southern Food So Budget-Friendly? Southern cooking has always been about the art of the “stretch.” How far can we stretch our dollar at the grocery store and how far can…
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Easy Mole Black Beans
If you love deep, slow-simmered flavors, these mole black beans are about to become a new favorite. Inspired by the warm spices and subtle chocolate notes found in traditional Mexican mole, this easy vegetarian bean dish is rich, savory, and surprisingly simple to make. These beans are perfect as a main dish over rice, on tacos or burrito bowls, or served as a hearty side. They taste like they’ve been cooking all day even though they come together with pantry staples and minimal effort. Why You’ll Love These Mole Black Beans Ingredients Pantry Tip: Most of these ingredients are vegan pantry staples I always keep on hand. Having things like…
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Vegan Butter Swim Biscuits (Southern Style, Dairy Free)
Forget everything you know about making homemade biscuits. If you love the ease of Vegan Drop Biscuits, this one pan Southern shortcut method is going to be your new obsession. These Southern Vegan Butter Swim Biscuits are baked directly in a pool of melted plant-based butter for the absolute crispiest edges and fluffiest centers you’ve ever tasted. Whether you’re topping them with vegetarian sausage gravy or serving them alongside a weeknight dinner, this foolproof, one pan recipe is about to become your new favorite biscuit recipe. Why You’ll Love These Vegan Butter Swim Biscuits What Are Butter Swim Biscuits? Butter swim biscuits are a Southern shortcut biscuit recipe where the…
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20+ Best Vegetarian Side Dishes for a Cookout
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Finding the perfect Vegetarian Side Dishes for a Cookout can be a challenge. You want something that travels well, stays fresh in the summer heat, and actually satisfies a crowd. Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or heading to a neighborhood potluck, these Southern-inspired recipes are my go-to’s. From creamy potato salads to charred corn, these summer cookout vegetarian sides are fresh, flavorful, and delicious! Let’s build the ultimate vegetarian summer cookout spread! What Makes a Great Cookout Side? The best cookout…
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Southern Cornbread Salad
If you’ve never had a true Southern Cornbread Salad, think of it as a savory layered dish somewhere between a potluck showstopper and a hearty side dish. It’s creamy, tangy, a little crunchy, and packed with flavor from seasoned cornbread, fresh vegetables, and a rich dressing. This 100% vegetarian version keeps all the traditional charm of the classic Southern recipe. Perfect for summer cookouts, holidays, or make-ahead gatherings, this is one of those dishes that gets better as it sits. Why You’ll Love This Recipe What Is Southern Cornbread Salad? Southern cornbread salad is a layered side dish made with crumbled cornbread, beans, fresh vegetables, cheese, and a creamy dressing…
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Southern Cucumber Salad
Cool, creamy, and ready in under 15 minutes this Southern cucumber salad is the refreshing side dish your summer menu is missing. This traditional recipe uses simple ingredients to create a tangy dressing that perfectly complements crisp cucumbers and red onions. It’s a budget-friendly, vegetarian-friendly classic that actually tastes better the longer it sits, making it the perfect make-ahead side for your next gathering. Why You’ll Love This Recipe Ingredients How to Make Southern Cucumber Salad 1. Slice the Vegetables Thinly slice your cucumbers and onions. For extra crisp texture, you can peel the cucumbers or leave the skin on for more color and nutrients. 2. Make the Dressing In…
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Aunt Fanny’s Summer Squash Casserole
If there is one recipe that always showed up on Southern tables in the summer, it was Aunt Fanny’s summer squash casserole. This old-fashioned casserole is the kind of recipe passed around on faded recipe cards and served at family reunions, church suppers, and Sunday dinners. Tender yellow squash is cooked down, mixed with a few basic ingredients and topped with buttery bread crumbs, then baked until golden and bubbly. It is simple, comforting, and one of the best ways to use up all that fresh summer squash from the garden. Whether you are making it for a potluck, or a holiday meal, this classic Southern squash casserole always disappears…
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Southern Potato Salad (Creamy, Classic & Crowd-Pleasing)
There’s nothing more iconic at a Southern table than a big bowl of creamy Southern potato salad. Whether it’s served at a backyard cookout, a simple Sunday dinner, or a family gathering, this dish brings comfort, nostalgia, and bold flavor in every bite. This version keeps everything you love about traditional Southern potato salad—tender potatoes, creamy dressing, tangy mustard, and just the right crunch—while staying completely vegetarian and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients. Why You’ll Love This Southern Potato Salad Ingredients How to Make Southern Potato Salad 1. Cook the Potatoes Place chopped potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and…
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Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad (Creamy, Tangy & Crowd-Pleasing!)
If you love bold, tangy flavors, this Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad is about to become your new go-to side dish. It’s creamy, crunchy, and packed with that irresistible dill pickle bite that makes every forkful pop. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, cookouts, or easy weeknight meals, this budget-friendly recipe comes together with simple pantry ingredients and gets even better as it chills. No Southern BBQ is complete without a cold pasta salad or potato salad! Why You’ll Love This Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad I love pickles! That briny vinegar flavor is the star of this Southern macaroni salad. It uses chopped dill pickles, pickled red onions, and pickle juice straight from…
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Vegan Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese (Creamy, Dairy-Free Comfort Food)
Looking for the best vegan mac and cheese that’s creamy, affordable, and made with real ingredients? This Vegan Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese with coconut milk is rich, velvety, and packed with flavor without any dairy. Made with wholesome sweet potatoes, canned coconut milk, and nutritional yeast, this recipe creates a silky smooth “cheese” sauce that’s wickedly creamy. This vegan mac can be served as the main dish or as a side dish. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, holidays, and Southern comfort food cravings. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost…
