Delicious Southern Breakfasts: Traditions to Enjoy Anytime
Introduction
When you think of delicious Southern breakfasts, what comes to mind? Well, if you are from the South, it may be warm, flaky biscuits slathered with homemade gravy or the crisp, golden edges of fried eggs cooked in a cast-iron skillet. Perhaps it’s the sizzling sound of country ham hitting the pan or the unmistakable sweetness of fresh peach preserves. Whatever your favorite Southern breakfast memory might be, one thing is certain: it’s about more than just the food. It’s about family, tradition, and love.
This breakfast spread holds a special place in my heart. There are certain people who leave an imprint on your heart, no matter how life unfolds. For me, one of those remarkable souls is a woman who came into my life decades ago and never truly left, even though her son and I went our separate ways many years ago. She has been, and will always be, a cherished part of my life, a woman I still lovingly think of as my mother-in-law, Glenda Faye Coon.
Now 88 years old, she remains the epitome of grace, resilience, and love. Born into humble beginnings, she carried herself with a quiet dignity that made everyone she welcomed into her home feel valued and special. Whether she was serving cornbread and beans or a full Sunday feast, she had a way of turning even the simplest meal into an act of love. She taught me that hospitality isn’t about extravagance; it’s about making people feel cared for. That’s a lesson I carry with me to this day.
Even now, when our paths cross, we effortlessly pick up right where we left off, sharing stories about recipes, family, and life as if no time has passed at all. Her unwavering devotion to her church and family, paired with generosity and kindness that words can scarcely capture, has always inspired me. As I write this blog post, I find myself reflecting on her legacy, the love she poured into her family, and the joy she created through her cooking. This post is dedicated to her and the rich Southern cooking traditions she instilled in me.
The Charm of Delicious Southern Breakfasts
For many Southerners, breakfast isn’t just the first meal of the day, it’s a celebration of togetherness. It’s the warm, inviting scent of fresh coffee drifting through the house, the promise of something special waiting in the kitchen. It’s gathering around the table, swapping stories, sharing laughs, and passing plates piled high with pure comfort. In the South, breakfast isn’t confined to mornings either. Just last Christmas, I hosted a holiday breakfast blowout on a Sunday evening, and my best friend Angie couldn’t help but reminisce about the magic of our hunting camp breakfasts. She talked about those mornings after a hunt when we’d all gather around to share stories of what we’d seen and heard in the woods. At this table was always a feast: hot biscuits drenched in tomato gravy, a steaming pot of creamy, buttery grits, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, savory sausage, and, of course, a strong cup of hot coffee or a tall glass of sweet iced tea. It wasn’t just the food, it was the way it brought us together, turning simple meals into unforgettable moments. This hearty breakfast carried us through until after the afternoon hunt, well into the evening at times until we gathered one more time around a hot meal to discuss our hunt.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most beloved Southern breakfast dishes and how you can enjoy them anytime. From buttermilk biscuits to creamy grits, from crispy bacon to sizzling ham, we’ll dive into the recipes, stories, and tips that make Southern breakfasts so special. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let’s celebrate the flavors, the memories, and the love that make Southern breakfasts an experience to savor anytime.
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The Charm of Delicious Southern Breakfasts
There is something uniquely comforting about Southern breakfasts. The aroma of freshly baked biscuits, the sizzle of sausage in a cast-iron skillet, and the hearty flavors of grits and gravy evoke a sense of home and hospitality. A delicious Southern Breakfast is more than just a meal in the South.
The Historical Roots of Hearty Southern Breakfasts
In the heart of the South, mornings began with a feast. Farmers, rising with the sun, faced grueling days in the fields. Their solution? Breakfast! It’s both hearty and practical. Eggs gathered at dawn. Pork cured on the farm, bacon, sausage, or ham. Grits milled from local corn. Biscuits, a nod to English and Scottish settlers, baked to perfection. Preserves from the orchard. Each meal is a testament to resourcefulness. But more than sustenance, these breakfasts were the day’s first gathering. Families united before the toil began. Building bonds over biscuits. Hospitality wasn’t just a practice; it was a way of life. Today, the tradition endures. Biscuits and gravy, country ham, grits, dishes that tell tales of resilience and community. Understanding this legacy deepens our appreciation. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the stories, the people, the history. So, let’s savor these traditions, honoring the past with every bite.
Delicious Southern Breakfast Traditions Today
Why Delicious Southern Breakfasts Stand Out
Delicious Southern breakfasts are renowned for their rich flavors, generous portions, and the use of fresh, local ingredients. These meals reflect the region’s agricultural heritage and the tradition of Southern hospitality, making them stand out from other breakfast cuisines.
Evolution Through the Generations
Over the years, hearty delicious Southern breakfasts have changed, but the heart of the tradition remains. Let’s be honest most of us have traded sweaty, sunup-to-sundown work for air-conditioned office chairs. If we ate the same hearty breakfasts our ancestors relied on, we’d all be waddling to work. That’s what makes a traditional Southern breakfast so special today. It’s not an everyday meal, it’s an experience. A rare chance to slow down, indulge, and savor the flavors that built the South. And trust me, once you’ve had fluffy biscuits drowning in gravy or grits cooked just right, you’ll be back for more.
Staple Ingredients in Delicious Southern Breakfasts
The Role of Biscuits
Biscuits are a cornerstone of Southern breakfast. These fluffy, buttery delights are perfect for sopping up gravy or enjoying them with syrup or homemade jellies and preserves. The key to a good biscuit lies in using cold butter and not overworking the dough.
The Art of Biscuit Making
Mastering the art of biscuit-making involves using cold ingredients, handling the dough gently, and baking at a high temperature. These techniques ensure light, fluffy biscuits every time.
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
Equipment
- 1- grater
- 1- wooden spoon
- 1- spatula
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 5 tsps baking powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 8 tbsp butter (grated cold)
- 1-1¼ cup buttermilk (may need a little more or less) I always use whole-fat buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450℉ Butter the bottom and sides of your cast iron skillet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the frozen stick of butter into the flour mixture. Then, using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles cornmeal.
- Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and gradually add the buttermilk. Using a large wooden spoon or spatula, slowly combine the flour and the buttermilk. The dough will be sticky. Lightly flour your countertop and turn the dough out on the floured surface. I recommend dusting both hands with flour before gently rolling the dough in the flour. Do Not Overwork the Dough. Roll it out to about 1-inch thickness. Using a 2 ½ inch biscuit cutter, cut out each biscuit and place them in a buttered 12-inch cast iron skillet. Gather the scraps of dough, roll them out to 1-inch thickness, and place them in the buttered skillet. Continue this process until you have used all the dough. Brush melted butter over and down to sides of the biscuits.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and brush melted butter over the top and down the sides of the biscuits. Serve hot with butter and jelly or with gravy.
Notes
Nutrition
The Role of Eggs in a Delicious Southern Breakfasts
Eggs are the unsung heroes of a Southern breakfast, tying the whole plate together with their rich, versatile flavor. Whether scrambled soft and fluffy, fried with crispy edges and a golden yolk, or whipped into a creamy omelet, eggs bring balance to the meal. They’re the perfect complement to buttery biscuits, smoky bacon, or savory sausage. And let’s not forget their role in classic dishes like eggs and grits or as the base for a hearty breakfast casserole. In the South, eggs are more than a side, they’re a staple, bringing warmth and comfort to every breakfast table.
Perfect Scrambled Eggs
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 8 tbsps milk
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 grinds black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together 8 large eggs add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 grinds of black pepper. Whisk in 8 tablespoons of milk, whisking until light and foamy.
- I like to keep my eggs warm until served, so I place an oven-proof serving dish in a low-heated oven to heat while I am prepping and cooking the eggs.
- Heat a non-stick fry pan over medium heat then add 3 tablespoons of butter. Swirl the butter around the pan and up the sides until the butter is melted. Once the butter is melted pour eggs into the middle of the pan. Eggs should push butter to the sides of the pan.
- Using a silicone spatula, move the eggs around the pan, stirring slowly. As soon as eggs start forming big soft lumps, turn the heat to low and shift from stirring to folding eggs over themselves while gently shaking the pan with the other hand.
- When there are no liquid eggs running around the pan, turn the heat off and gently transfer the scrambled eggs to the warmed serving dish.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. If you desire, add garnish at this time.
- Let eggs rest for one minute to finish cooking before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
The Role of Meat at the Southern Breakfast Table
Meat holds a place of honor at the Southern breakfast table, bringing bold, savory flavors that anchor the meal. Whether it’s crispy strips of smoky bacon, a slice of salty country ham, or a juicy sausage patty, meat adds that hearty, satisfying element that Southerners love. Fried chicken and steak even make appearances, paired with flaky biscuits or creamy gravy. For generations, meat has symbolized a meal made with care, meant to fuel the day ahead. At a Southern breakfast, meat isn’t just a side; it’s the centerpiece that brings everything together.
The Importance of Gravy
Gravy is another essential component, often served atop biscuits. Whether it’s creamy sausage gravy, rich red-eye gravy made with coffee and ham drippings, or tomato gravy from bacon drippings, my personal favorite, this awesome sauce adds depth and flavor to the meal.
Southern Tomato Gravy
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp bacon drippings (from 1/2 lb of sliced bacon cooked) Don't cook bacon often? Try keeping Bacon UP on hand for recipes calling for bacon drippings.
- 1 small onion chopped (or 1 tsp of onion powder)
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 – 14.5 oz. can of diced tomato (or 2-21/2 cups fresh ripe tomatoes)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 Pinch black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato juice
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the bacon drippings or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Saute the chopped onion and garlic until tender, about 3-5 minutes. If using onion and garlic powder, stir in and go to the next step..
- Sprinkle the flour, salt, and pepper over the hot bacon drippings whisking constantly over low heat to create a smooth, night brown or caramel-colored roux. This should take about 2-3 minutes, Make sure not to burn roux.
- Stir in the tomatoes, tomato juice, and chicken broth, whisking with each addition.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to stir or whisk often and reduce the heat to a simmer leaving uncovered until thickened around 10-15 minutes. .
- Once thickened, add chopped cooked bacon at this time if you wish. Serve over split hot biscuits.
- Note: Don't always have tomato juice on hand.? Sometimes I may only have chicken broth when making this gravy. Not to fret, use what you have. Just leave out tomato juice and increase chicken broth to 3 cups. This gravy will still be great.
Notes
Nutrition
The Role of Grits in a Delicious Southern Breakfast
Creamy Buttery Versus Cheesy
Cooking grits takes a little patience, but the payoff is worth it. The first and most important step? Season your water before adding the grits. If you’re sticking to water and salt, aim for ¼ teaspoon of salt per cup of water. I always taste the salted water—it should remind you of the light saltiness of hot broth. For extra flavor, swap the water for chicken broth, or use a ham or chicken seasoning packet like Goya. Just follow the box instructions for the right water-to-seasoning ratio based on how many servings of grits you’re cooking. I like to add a dash of onion and garlic powder too—simple, flavorful, and pantry-friendly.
Some folks swear by using milk instead of water, but no matter what your choice, season it first. Grits cooked in bland liquid can’t be saved later. Whisk often as the grits cook to keep them creamy and lump-free. Then it’s decision time: creamy, buttery grits or creamy, cheesy grits? Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Both are Southern comfort in a bowl.
Grits in a Slow Cooker Recipe
You can’t ever go wrong cooking grits on the stovetop. But if you are looking for another way to get great results, use a slow cooker. Slow cookers provide a steady moist heat and will produce creamy grits with less stirring.
Recipe:
- Stir into your slow cooker 3 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of old-fashioned grits. Let stand 1 or 2 minutes just long enough to allow the grits to settle. Skim off any floating solids with a fine mesh strainer.
- Add your seasonings at this time and stir again. Since I use chicken broth, it is usually salty enough, however, I like to add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder. Optional of course.
- Turn the slow cooker to High and cook covered for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until grits are creamy and tender. Stir with a whisk every 45 minutes.
- Once grits are cooked then add butter and cheese depending on which you desire.
If your grits are thicker than you want, thin with a little chicken broth then stir. Keep adding broth until you get the consistency you want. You could also add milk, but I would warm the milk before using it as thinner.
If you’re preparing a big family breakfast, this is an excellent cooking option that lets you focus on other dishes without worrying about your grits drying out.
The Role of Hashbrowns
Hashbrowns are a breakfast classic, loved for their golden, crispy exterior and soft, tender center. Made from grated or diced potatoes, they’re seasoned to perfection and fried until irresistibly crunchy. Whether served alongside eggs and bacon or topped with cheese and onions for a heartier twist, hashbrowns are the ultimate comfort food. Simple yet satisfying, they bring a little extra joy to every breakfast plate.
Southern breakfasts make excellent use of fresh, local produce. Seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms enhance the flavors and nutritional value of the dishes, reflecting the region’s agricultural bounty.
Classic Delicious Southern Breakfast Dishes
Biscuits and Gravy
This iconic dish features soft, fluffy biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that exemplifies Southern comfort food.
Shrimp and Grits
Living on the coast of Florida myself with fresh shrimp readily available, this is one of my favorite meals any time of the day. Shrimp and grits combine with creamy, buttery cheese grits and are often flavored with bacon or sausage, making this dish a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Shrimp and Grits
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
Grits
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups 2% milk
- ⅓ cup butter, cubed
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup uncooked old-fashion grits
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Shrimp
- 8 thick sliced bacon strips, chopped, cooked, and drained
- 4 tsps bacon drippings (reserved from cooked bacon)
- 1 lb fresh large shrimp (31-40 count per pound)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Cajun or blackened seasoning
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 ea. green onion, chopped
Instructions
Grits
- In a large lidded saucepan, bring the broth, milk, salt, and pepper to a boil. Slowly whisk in grits. Reduce heat to a medium low and cover. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until done. Stir in butter and whisk together followed by the cheese. Set aside and keep warm.
Shrimp
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. With a slotted spoon remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain. Using the reserved 4 teaspoons of hot bacon drippings, add the shrimp, garlic, and cajun seasoning and saute until the shrimp have turned pink, usually 2-3 minutes per side. Add 1 tbsp butter and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice over the shrimp stir, Add chopped cooked bacon, mixing well. Serve over hot grits. Sprinkle with chopped green onions. Serve immediately with hot toasty bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Delicious Southern Breakfast Casseroles
Breakfast casseroles are a convenient way to feed a crowd. They often include layers of eggs, sausage, cheese, and bread baked together golden and bubbly.
Conclusion
Southern breakfasts are more than meals, they’re traditions steeped in comfort, connection, and joy. Whether it’s a quiet morning with buttery biscuits and coffee or a festive holiday breakfast shared with loved ones, these moments remind us of the magic food brings to our lives. Each bite carries the warmth of togetherness, and stories shared around the table. Now, it’s your turn to embrace these cherished traditions. Try your hand at these simple, beginner-friendly Southern breakfast recipes and let them inspire new memories. From morning gatherings to evening feasts, every meal is a chance to bring a little Southern charm to your table.
Time to Mix Up Some Memories!
If you’re new to cooking or baking, breakfast is the perfect way to kick off your culinary journey. Begin with simple classics like scrambled eggs and toast, easy, satisfying, and nearly foolproof. Once you’ve built some confidence, take on grits and homemade biscuits for a true Southern treat. To help you along the way, I’ve created a new series called Kitchen Confidence—designed especially for beginner cooks and bakers. Take a peek here: https://blissfulfoodsplus.com/category/kitchen-confidence/
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