Top 14+ Southern Foods That People Either Love or Absolutely Hate

Southern food brings out strong feelings in people. For some, it’s all about comfort and memories, but others find the flavors strange or the textures off-putting. These Southern dishes may have deep roots and loyal fans, but not everyone is on board with what’s being served up.

Grits

You might expect a bowl of grits to win over anyone, but that’s not always the case. To many raised in the South, they’re a breakfast essential that feels warm and familiar, and the smooth, creamy texture is part of the appeal for fans. For others, though, grits are just a bland, mushy mess, and even adding cheese or butter doesn’t always help win them over.

Boiled Peanuts

You wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that this might seem like a snack most people would enjoy. They’re salty, easy to carry around, and popular at events across the South, but when someone takes that first bite and gets a soft, briny bean instead of a crunchy nut, reactions can be strong. The texture is a dealbreaker for some, especially if they were expecting something closer to roasted peanuts.

Chitlins

Made from pig intestines, chitlins are not for the faint of heart, but they’ve been part of Southern food traditions for generations. The process of cleaning and cooking them is long and, frankly, pretty unpleasant to those unfamiliar, and the smell is enough to put some people off for life.

Liver and Onions

This dish brings out strong opinions almost every time it shows up. While some see it as a hearty, old-school meal that reminds them of childhood dinners, others are put off by the metallic taste and chewy texture.

The smell while it’s cooking doesn’t help, especially for those already unsure about it. Even among Southerners, it’s often skipped over unless someone grew up with it, but for those who love it, it’s pure comfort.

Fried Green Tomatoes

People often get excited to try these, especially if they’ve seen them featured in movies or Southern cookbooks. But once that first bite hits, not everyone is impressed. The tangy flavor of the unripe tomato can be a surprise, and the crunch isn’t always enough to carry it, and to some, it feels like they’re eating something that isn’t quite finished.

Okra

Slimy. That’s the word that comes up most when someone doesn’t like okra. It’s one of those foods that gets strong reactions based on texture alone, but when cooked properly, it can be tender and flavorful, especially in gumbo or when fried.

Hog Head Cheese

Despite its name, this most definitely isn’t a dairy product. It’s actually a savory gelatin made from meat and broth, but cold cuts like this don’t appeal to everyone, especially when they’re packed with odd textures and strong flavors. Folks who grew up with it often enjoy the rich, salty taste, usually on crackers or bread, while those trying it for the first time might not get past the look.

Fatback

Cooking with fatback is a Southern tradition that’s all about flavor. It’s pure pork fat, often fried or used to season vegetables and beans, the richness bringing something extra to a meal. For people unfamiliar with it, the idea can be off-putting, and eating it straight can feel greasy and overly salty.

Tomato Aspic

Tomato aspic tends to confuse just about anyone who didn’t grow up eating it. It looks like Jell-O but tastes like tomato soup, a combination that feels strange to most people. This cold, savory gelatin dish has all but disappeared from modern menus, yet it still shows up at certain Southern gatherings, often served with a side of shrimp or crackers.

Chicken Gizzards

Not everyone even knows what a gizzard is, which makes chicken gizzards an interesting item on any menu. Fried and seasoned, they have a chewy bite that fans appreciate, and they’re affordable and filling, although the texture is a bit too much for some people, with some describing it as too tough or rubbery.

Deviled Ham

Deviled ham comes in a tiny can and packs a punch of flavor. It’s salty and spreadable, with a consistency that reminds people of potted meat, and for those who like it, it’s the perfect snack or sandwich filler.

But that mushy texture and processed taste don’t win everyone over. The smell can be a little much, especially right out of the can, and it’s one of those foods people either feel nostalgic about or avoid completely.

Pickled Pig’s Feet

This snack turns heads the moment it’s mentioned: a tangy, salty snack eaten cold from the jar. If that wasn’t enough to turn many people off, the gelatinous, chewy texture does. Some folks swear by them and have been eating them since childhood, while others can’t imagine getting past the first bite.

Cornbread in Buttermilk

Crumbled cornbread soaked in buttermilk might not sound like much, but it’s a time-honored snack in the South. People who enjoy it describe it as refreshing and filling, especially on hot days.

The tang of the buttermilk mixed with the softness of the cornbread creates a completely unique texture, but for the uninitiated, the idea of drinking soggy bread is hard to get past.

Pimento Cheese

Called the “caviar of the South” by its biggest fans, pimento cheese is a rich and creamy spread made with shredded cheese and pimentos. Some use it in sandwiches or spread it on crackers, but not everyone can handle the texture or the odd mixture of ingredients. Depending on the recipe used, it might have a sharp, sometimes slightly sweet flavor.

Parts of this article were generated using AI.