23 Southern Christmas Dinners That Taste Like Home

Southern Christmas dinners are built on comfort, tradition, and the kind of food that brings everyone back to the table for seconds. These dishes carry the warmth of family gatherings, church celebrations, and generations of holiday cooking. From slow-roasted meats to rich casseroles and buttery breads, each recipe delivers the flavors that make Christmas in the South feel like home. Get ready to rediscover the classics that define a true Southern holiday feast.

Honey Baked Ham

Honey Baked Ham
Honey Baked Ham. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Tender spiral ham with a crackly, sweet, and savory glaze. A homemade version of the classic holiday centerpiece that always impresses.
Get the Recipe: Honey Baked Ham

Scalloped Corn Supreme

Scalloped Corn Supreme
Scalloped Corn Supreme. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy scalloped corn baked with a buttery breadcrumb topping. A vintage-style side dish perfect for holiday tables.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Corn Supreme

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Classic sweet potato casserole topped with crunchy brown sugar pecan crumble. A beloved Southern holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Green Bean Casserole with Cheese

Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
Green Bean Casserole with Cheese. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Homemade green bean casserole with a cheesy twist and no canned soup. A crowd-pleasing Christmas side dish.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cheese

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Juicy pork tenderloin wrapped in crispy bacon and seasoned with smoky spices. Elegant enough for any holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Easy Homemade Coleslaw From Scratch

Easy Homemade Coleslaw From Scratch
Easy Homemade Coleslaw From Scratch. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy homemade coleslaw with crisp cabbage and carrots. Ready in minutes and great with any Southern meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Coleslaw From Scratch

Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins

Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins
Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Sweet, tender cornbread muffins with a hint of honey. A perfect copycat of Cracker Barrel’s warm starter basket.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins

Oven-roasted Ribeye

Oven-roasted Ribeye
Oven-roasted Ribeye. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Simple oven-roasted ribeye prepared with pantry staples. Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for a holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Oven-roasted Ribeye

Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy mashed potatoes made with evaporated milk and butter. A comforting, classic side dish for any Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

Southern Fried Corn

Southern Fried Corn
Southern Fried Corn. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Fresh corn sautéed with butter for a rich, Southern-style side. A simple dish packed with nostalgic flavor.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Corn

Butter-Basted Beef Tenderloin Roast

beef tenderloin roast slices on a wood cutting board.
Butter-Basted Beef Tenderloin Roast. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin roasted with butter and herbs. An elegant holiday centerpiece that’s surprisingly easy.
Get the Recipe: Butter-Basted Beef Tenderloin Roast

Fried Potatoes and Onions

Fried Potatoes and onions
Fried Potatoes and Onions. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Crispy skillet-fried potatoes with caramelized onions. A simple three-ingredient Southern side dish.
Get the Recipe: Fried Potatoes and Onions

Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad
Watergate Salad. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Retro pistachio fluff salad with pineapple, marshmallows, and cherries. A sweet side dish loved at holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad

Roasted Turkey Legs

Roasted Turkey Legs
Roasted Turkey Legs. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Juicy oven-roasted turkey legs that deliver classic holiday flavor without cooking a whole bird.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey Legs

Butter Swim Biscuits

Butter Swim Biscuits
Butter Swim Biscuits. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Golden biscuits baked in butter for crisp bottoms and fluffy centers. A true Southern comfort side dish.
Get the Recipe: Butter Swim Biscuits

Stewed Potatoes

Stewed Potatoes
Stewed Potatoes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Tender stewed potatoes simmered with onions. An old-fashioned, comforting side perfect for weeknights or holidays.
Get the Recipe: Stewed Potatoes

Simple Roast Chicken with Lemon & Herbs

Simple Roast Chicken with Lemon & Herbs
Simple Roast Chicken with Lemon & Herbs. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Whole roasted chicken infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs. A simple, delicious dinner for any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Simple Roast Chicken with Lemon & Herbs

Sweet Potato Puffs

Sweet Potato Puffs
Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Vintage sweet potato balls with marshmallow centers and a crunchy cracker coating. A festive Southern holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Stewed Tomatoes

Stewed Tomatoes
Stewed Tomatoes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Old-fashioned stewed tomatoes mixed with bread for a nostalgic, savory side dish.
Get the Recipe: Stewed Tomatoes

Cranberry Jello Salad

Cranberry Jello Salad
Cranberry Jello Salad. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Festive cranberry salad with apples, celery, and nuts. A refreshing addition to Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jello Salad

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

Pineapple Cheese Casserole
Pineapple Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Sweet pineapple baked with cheddar cheese and topped with buttery Ritz crackers. A quirky, beloved Southern side.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Casserole

Homemade Potato Salad

Homemade Potato Salad
Homemade Potato Salad. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Classic potato salad with eggs and crunchy veggies. Creamy, easy to make, and perfect for family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Potato Salad

Orange Fluff Jello Salad

Orange Fluff Jello Salad
Orange Fluff Jello Salad. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Light, creamy orange fluff made with whipped topping and mandarins. A sweet, retro side that brightens any table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Fluff Jello Salad

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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