25 “Weird” Dishes That Southerners Eat In The Summer

Including a fruit-studded casserole, leftover cornbread creation, and controversial sandwich we'll never stop making.

There are the usual suspects that frequent Southern meals during summertime, such as squash casserole, peach cobbler, and deviled eggs. However, there are also plenty of unexpected and lesser-known dishes that Southerners can't wait to eat all summer long. Not only is our favorite produce abundant at the farmers' market, but family cookouts and warm-weather gatherings with friends fill the calendar, giving the perfect opportunity to make certain beloved Southern recipes that feel fit for the season.

Whether we're talking about a fruit-studded casserole, leftover cornbread concoction, or controversial sandwich that many folks love to hate, the South has plenty of summer recipes with personality to spare. Here are 25 hilariously "weird" dishes that Southerners make during the summer.

Southern Tomato Sandwich

Let's call out the elephant in the room. Tomato sandwiches get a lot of hate, but we won't accept any slander here. It's the most perfect use of those gorgeous summer tomatoes, and all you need is fluffy white bread and mayonnaise.

Pineapple Casserole

Anyone who won't at least try this sweet-and-savory casserole is missing out. Everything from the pineapple filling to the buttery cracker topping is completely balanced, and it goes well with saltier main dishes such as glazed ham and barbecue picked up from your favorite local joint.

Pear Salad

Perhaps it's the maraschino cherries paired with mayonnaise and shredded cheese, but this dish sure does rile folks up. You'll likely see this unique pear salad anywhere from a baby shower to a summer cookout.

Pineapple Sandwich

The art of the Southern sandwich is nothing short of interesting, and our combinations are truly unique, including the funky and famed pineapple sandwich. With just three ingredients—mayonnaise, pineapple, and sandwich bread—it's as simple as it is gets. Some people riff on the combo a bit: It's not unusual to see people add cheese. Others have been known to add ham.

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

It wouldn't be summer without a creamy mayonnaise-based pasta salad, and this retro recipe has never been retired. To us, mayonnaise is never a bad idea, and the cubed ham and chopped vegetables bulk up this dish perfectly for a family cookout.

Fritos Corn Salad

Featuring corn, cheese, crunchy vegetables, and—of course—Fritos, this cold salad is the perfect dip or side for a day spent by the pool, watching the game, or the family barbecue. It’s also a great topping for taco salad.

Broccoli Salad

You might think that a broccoli-based cold salad would be the bane of many folks' existence, but don't knock it until you try it. The combination of crunchy broccoli, chewy dried cranberries and golden raisins, smoky bacon, and a sweet-tart dressing is perfection.

Pineapple Fluff

Southerners never shy away from a cold, gelatin-infused recipe during the scorching summer. In this recipe, the texture is the standout detail, with creaminess, chewiness, and crunchiness all in one bite.

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Almost every Southern family has their own recipes for deviled eggs and potato salad, and many of these passed-down recipes include being a combination of both. Using hard-boiled eggs in potato salad adds a special oomph.

Old-Fashioned Tomato Pie

Tomatoes are Southerners' most beloved summer produce, so it's no surprise that we've tried out all different variations of ways to use them, including tomato pie. With cheese and herbs, it's completely savory, so there's no need to be scared.

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

It might seem odd to some to refer to this fruity gelatin-infused creation as a side dish, but that's how you'll see it served at many Southern reunions, potlucks, and holidays. During the summer, it's a welcome reprieve from the hot weather.

Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad

While it's logical to assume that crunchy crackers on top of moist tomatoes could be a recipe for a soggy outcome, this salad will surprise you. Southerners do love to dress up saltine crackers, after all.

Funeral Potatoes

Another name for hashbrown casserole, this creamy concoction is no stranger on a buffet table. And yes, it can often be seen on funeral spreads, but also at family holidays, cookouts, brunches, and showers.

Okra And Tomatoes

Using peak-season produce—vibrant fresh-picked okra and plump ripe tomatoes—makes this a Southern staple for summertime. They're stewed into a flavorful dish and served over rice.

Jell-O Pie

There's no need to turn on the oven with the Jello-based dessert that is perfect for summertime. It tastes equally as cool and fresh with strawberry and lemon flavors.

Cornbread & Sweet Milk

In the South, particularly the Appalachian Mountains, people have long enjoyed Cornbread and Milk, a creation made by crumbling leftover cornbread into a tall drinking glass and topping it with milk. It's usually buttermilk, although some people prefer "sweet milk", a term for regular fresh milk.

Best-Ever Succotash

Succotash is the ultimate Southern side dish for summer, and those who aren't from this region might not realize the utter joy of simplicity that it brings, with so many fresh summer vegetables and the delicious addition of basil and bacon.

Chowchow

Chowchow is, in short, a cold, pickled vegetable relish that tastes perfectly salty, tangy, slightly sweet, and sometimes spicy. It transcends time of year, but certainly stands out in summertime when green tomatoes (a favorite ingredient) and other vegetables are in season.

Homemade Baked Beans

It eludes us why folks find it odd that we like so much sugar in our baked beans, but all we can say? It just works. You won't ever need another recipe after using this sweet, smoky, bacon-studded version.

Corn Pudding

The name might fool those who aren't from the South, but the natural sweetness of the fresh corn makes for a sweet, buttery, savory side dish that's even better in the summer when corn is in season.

Tennessee Onions

This simple casserole is lesser-known and packed with one of our favorite summer stars: sweet vidalia onions. These Georgia-grown onions come into season in late spring through the end of summer, so summertime is perfect for trying out this cheesy, buttery side dish.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Those not well-versed in the South or Southern cuisine might not even know the magic of a green tomato, especially when it's deep-fried and served with a tangy sauce.

Crab Pie

Those in Virginia and Maryland specifically can expect crab pie during the summer, but coast-residing Southerners also enjoy the unique dish. It's akin to a quiche and can be easily added to a brunch lineup.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Another mayonnaise-championing recipe, this cucumber salad fits in at almost any summer meal. It's simple and surprisingly fresh.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Another frequent dish at Southern luncheons and showers, cucumber tea sandwiches are fresh, crisp, and accented with a healthy dollop of mayonnaise, of course.

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