The Best Recipes from Tennessee (2024)

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The Best Recipes from Tennessee (1)Katie BandurskiUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022

    We found the best recipes from Tennessee—all submitted by local home cooks. This collection captures all of the flavor and finesse of The Volunteer State.

    1/24

    Raisin Pecan Pie

    I remember my Grandmother Voltie and Great-Aunt Ophelia making this southern-style pie for Thanksgiving. It was always one of the many cakes and pies lined up for dessert. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee

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    2/24

    Taste of Home

    Southern-Style Oven-Fried Chicken

    I call this America’s best-loved oven-fried chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

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    3/24

    Taste of Home

    Mom's Sweet Potato Bake

    Mom loved sweet potatoes and fixed them often in this creamy, comforting baked sweet potato casserole. With its nutty topping, this side dish could almost be served as a dessert. It's a yummy treat! —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

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    4/24

    Taste of Home

    Cube Steaks with Gravy

    Cube steaks and gravy are a hearty home-style dinner your family will love after a busy day. The slow-cooked beef is wonderful served over mashed potatoes or noodles. —Judy Long, Limestone, Tennessee

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    5/24

    Taste of Home

    Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta

    The microwave makes quick work of homemade polenta, and the rest is done in one skillet. Save a little Parmesan for sprinkling on top before serving. —Yvonne Starlin, Hermitage, Tennessee

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    6/24

    Confetti Cornbread

    My grandmother Virginia always served Southwest cornbread. To honor her, I created a recipe that cuts down on the chopping but never skimps on flavor. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee

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    7/24

    Taste of Home

    Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake

    My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee

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    8/24

    My husband enjoys this recipe so much that he even helps me roll up the roulades! You can change the filling any way you like—I have used feta instead of Parmesan, or sun-dried tomatoes in the place of the olives. —April McKinney, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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    9/24

    Grilled Southwestern Steak Salad

    Pasta salad loaded with steak, peppers and onions makes both my boyfriend and me happy. Plus, it’s versatile! We serve it hot, room temperature or cold. —Yvonne Starlin, Westmoreland, Tennessee

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    10/24

    Rhubarb Cherry Pie

    As a young girl, I dreamed of being able to make pies like my mother. Her rolling pin, which I inherited, is 2 feet long and 8 inches wide! In fact, this is Mom's recipe, although I substituted cherries for the strawberries in her version. I first made this pie for a church gathering 20 years ago, and everyone's looked for it at every potluck since! —Eunice Hurt, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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    11/24

    Taste of Home

    Sausage Cheese Muffins

    These small savory muffins are fun to serve as appetizers or at brunch. With just five ingredients, the tasty bites are easy to whip up to take to a party, the office or a friend. —Willa Paget, Nashville, Tennessee

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    12/24

    Taste of Home

    I love the classic combination of lemon and fish, and this salmon risotto is delicious and easy to throw together at the end of a long day. —Amanda Reed, Nashville, Tennessee

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    13/24

    Cornbread Chicken Bake

    To make the most of leftover cornbread, try this hearty main dish casserole. It's moist, delicious and good on any occasion. —Madge Britton, Afton, Tennessee

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    14/24

    Apple Pull-Apart Bread

    For a fun sweet treat that's certain to satisfy, try this recipe. Drizzled with icing, each finger-licking piece has a yummy surprise filling of apples and pecans. It's well worth the bit of extra effort. —Carolyn Gregory, Hendersonville, Tennessee

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    15/24

    Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs

    Hash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches. They look fancy yet they're easy to make. They've been a hit at holiday brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee

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    16/24

    Pineapple Coconut Cake

    This coconut cake is a guaranteed showstopper at any holiday meal or special occasion. The beautiful flakes of coconut are reminiscent of snow. But one taste of the sunny pineapple will transport you to the tropics. —Monica Kennedy, Johnson City, Tennessee

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    17/24

    Apple Pancakes with Cider Syrup

    Tender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee

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    18/24

    Sunday Pork Roast

    Mom would prepare pork roast for our family, friends and customers at the three restaurants she and Dad owned. The herb rub and vegetables give it a remarkable flavor. It's one of my favorite pork roast recipes. —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

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    19/24

    Fresh Blackberry Pie

    I grew up on a farm, and we always picked fruits in early summer and used them to make desserts. This blackberry pie recipe is a real stunner. —Gladys Gibbs, Brush Creek, Tennessee

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    20/24

    Simple ingredients add up to simply fantastic flavor in this chicken bacon recipe that everyone will rave about. It's likely to become a new family favorite at your house. —Yvonne Starlin, Hermitage, Tennessee

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    21/24

    Slow-Cooker Pork Chops

    Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee

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    22/24

    Taste of Home

    Spiced Carrot Cake

    My mom made this cake for my birthday one year because carrot cake is her favorite. Turns out, it's my favorite, too! Now when I make it, I love it with lots of spice. The pumpkin pie spice is a perfect shortcut, but you could use a custom blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. —Jaris Dykas, Knoxville, Tennessee

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    23/24

    Tuna Zucchini Cakes

    Here's a great combination of seafood and garden vegetables. Friends tell me that they like that it's so colorful and pretty, not to mention so wonderful to eat! —Billie Blanton, Kingsport, Tennessee

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    24/24

    White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

    Hawaiian nuts and melty morsels make a fantastic combination in these buttery white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. —Cathy Lennon, Newport, Tennessee

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    Originally Published: July 20, 2018

    The Best Recipes from Tennessee (26)

    Katie Bandurski

    As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

    The Best Recipes from Tennessee (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the official dish of Tennessee? ›

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It's official, hot slaw will now be considered a state food in Tennessee. A bill making the vinegary and mustardy dish the first official state food got its final approval on Thursday, Feb. 22.

    What breakfast food is Tennessee known for? ›

    Grits, ham and eggs, and biscuits and gravy are classic Southern staples in Nashville.

    What is classic Tennessee food? ›

    Hot chicken, fluffy biscuits, dry-rubbed ribs and potent moonshine are a few of the great-tastes in Tennessee.

    What famous food was invented in Tennessee? ›

    You know it as cotton candy, but in the 1890s, a Nashville dentist — yes, a dentist — and a candymaker partnered to invent a fluffy, sugary treat they called "fairy floss."

    What sandwich is Tennessee known for? ›

    TENNESSEE: A Fluffernutter

    Sink your teeth into Elvis Presley's favorite sandwich, made with peanut butter, banana, and bacon. Just be careful — the mix of salty, sweet, and savory is highly addictive.

    What is the state drink of Tennessee? ›

    Milk. Milk was designated as the official state beverage in 2009. Milk is an essential component to building strong muscle and bones in children, as well as mending injured muscle and bones in adults. Other benefits cited include milk's help in building strong and healthy teeth, hair, skin and nails.

    What is the signature drink of Tennessee? ›

    The classic signature drink for Tennessee is Jack and co*ke. Just grab a glass, fill it with ice, Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, and some Classic co*ke.

    What is Nashville's signature dish? ›

    Nashville Hot Chicken

    Over the past fifteen years or so, Nashville has become synonymous with hot chicken. These days, chefs from Australia to New York claim to fry chicken “Nashville style.”

    What fruit is Tennessee known for? ›

    In March 2003, the General Assembly enacted chapter 154 of the Public Acts, designating the tomato as the official state fruit of Tennessee. As of 2003, tomatoes were the state's largest fruit crop.

    What is Tennessee's motto? ›

    The state of Tennessee's motto is “Agriculture and Commerce,” taken from the wording used on the state seal. The motto was officially adopted in 1987 by Public Chapter 402 by the 95th General Assembly.

    What desserts is Tennessee known for? ›

    Many people consider the iconic Moon Pie to be the #1 Tennessee state dessert. Tennessee born, Tennessee bred. Rocky Top forever! The origin of the Tennessee Mountain Apple Stack Cake is shrouded in mystery, but some say it came about as an old wedding tradition.

    What makes Tennessee special? ›

    Home to The Lost Sea, the country's largest underground lake. Tennessee has the world's largest and only Salt and Pepper Collection: 20,000 pairs! Home to The Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running live radio program in the world since 1925. Tennessee ties Missouri for the state with the most bordered by other states, 8!

    What is the best restaurant in Tennessee according to Guy Fieri? ›

    Mas Tacos por Favor

    Mas Taco por Favor is easily one of Nashville's favorite eateries. In fact, Fieri loved it so much that he visited twice! In the show's first season, Fieri enjoyed the shop's holiday tamales and quinoa tacos.

    What is the most famous thing in Tennessee? ›

    Tennessee is known for music, from bluegrass to blues. Tennessee is also known for the Manhattan Project, Dollywood, the Great Smokey Mountains national park, fishing, hunting, sports loving and Fed Ex. Tennessee also has more civil war battlefields than any other state besides Virginia.

    What dish is Nashville famous for? ›

    Nashville Hot Chicken

    Over the past fifteen years or so, Nashville has become synonymous with hot chicken. These days, chefs from Australia to New York claim to fry chicken “Nashville style.”

    What is Tennessee state most known for? ›

    Its economy is dominated by the health care, music, finance, automotive, chemical, electronics, and tourism sectors, and cattle, soybeans, corn, poultry, and cotton are its primary agricultural products. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park, is in eastern Tennessee.

    What food item is Nashville known for? ›

    Nashville is famous for its biscuits because of its Southern culinary heritage. Biscuits are a staple in Southern cuisine, and Nashville has become particularly renowned for its unique take on this beloved dish. Who doesn't love a warm, buttery biscuit?

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