Southern Pantry Staples: Grocery Brands Southerners Can’t Live Without (With Recipes!)

Southerners have a deep connection to their food traditions, and that often extends to the specific brands that have graced their tables for generations. These aren’t just groceries; they’re ingredients steeped in nostalgia, family memories, and the unique flavors of the South. This article explores some beloved Southern grocery brands and provides delicious recipes that showcase their versatility.

Why These Brands Matter

For many Southerners, certain grocery brands evoke a sense of home and comfort. They represent a continuity of culinary traditions passed down through families. These brands are often associated with specific regional dishes and the comforting tastes of childhood. The reliability and quality of these products have also fostered a sense of trust and loyalty among consumers.

Beloved Southern Grocery Brands

Here are some of the brands you’ll find stocked in many Southern pantries:

* **Duke’s Mayonnaise:** The tangy, slightly sweet flavor of Duke’s Mayonnaise is legendary. It’s considered the gold standard for mayonnaise in many Southern kitchens.
* **Blue Plate Mayonnaise:** Another Southern mayo rival, Blue Plate, has a creamy texture and distinct taste, favored in Louisiana and beyond.
* **Martha White Flour:** This brand is synonymous with Southern baking, especially biscuits, cornbread, and muffins. Its consistent quality makes it a reliable choice for all kinds of recipes.
* **White Lily Flour:** Prized for its soft winter wheat, White Lily Flour is known for producing incredibly light and tender baked goods.
* **Luzianne Tea:** This iced tea blend is a Southern staple, brewed strong and served over ice. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a hot summer day or a plate of Southern comfort food.
* **Zatarain’s:** This New Orleans-based brand offers a wide range of Creole and Cajun seasonings, rice mixes, and seafood boils. It’s essential for creating authentic Louisiana flavors.
* **Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning:** Another Louisiana favorite, Tony Chachere’s is a versatile seasoning blend that adds a kick to just about anything.
* **Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning:** A bolder, spicier seasoning blend originating from Louisiana, perfect for adding intense flavor.
* **Bacon Bits (various brands):** While not a specific Southern brand, bacon bits are used extensively in Southern cooking, from topping salads and baked potatoes to adding flavor to casseroles.
* **Palmetto Cheese:** This South Carolina-based brand offers a variety of pimento cheese spreads, a quintessential Southern snack and sandwich filling.
* **Crystal Hot Sauce:** A Louisiana-style hot sauce with a vinegar-based tang and moderate heat, a staple for adding a kick to any Southern meal.
* **Tabasco Sauce:** A Southern icon, made on Avery Island, Louisiana. Its distinctive flavor is known and loved worldwide.

Recipes Featuring Southern Staples

Here are some delicious recipes that highlight these beloved Southern grocery brands:

Duke’s Mayonnaise Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic Southern appetizer, and Duke’s Mayonnaise is the key to their creamy, tangy perfection.

**Ingredients:**

* 12 large eggs
* 1/2 cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
* 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
* 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* Paprika, for garnish

**Instructions:**

1. Place eggs in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 12 minutes.
2. Drain the eggs and immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
3. Peel the eggs and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place them in a medium bowl.
4. Mash the yolks with a fork until smooth.
5. Add Duke’s Mayonnaise, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, salt, and pepper to the yolks. Mix well until combined.
6. Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg white halves.
7. Sprinkle with paprika and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Martha White Biscuits

Light, fluffy biscuits are a Southern staple, and Martha White Flour makes them easy to achieve.

**Ingredients:**

* 2 cups Martha White Self-Rising Flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 3/4 cup buttermilk

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda.
3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk.
5. Stir with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a 3/4-inch thick rectangle.
7. Fold the dough in half and pat it out again to 3/4-inch thickness. Repeat this folding and patting process 3-4 times to create layers.
8. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits. Place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Luzianne Iced Tea

A refreshing glass of iced tea is a must-have in the South, and Luzianne tea bags deliver the perfect flavor.

**Ingredients:**

* 4 Luzianne Tea Bags
* 8 cups water
* Sugar, to taste
* Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan.
2. Remove from heat and add the Luzianne tea bags.
3. Cover and let steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on desired strength.
4. Remove the tea bags and stir in sugar to taste.
5. Pour the tea into a pitcher and refrigerate until chilled.
6. Serve over ice with lemon slices, if desired.

Zatarain’s Jambalaya

This classic Louisiana dish is packed with flavor, thanks to Zatarain’s rice mix and Creole seasoning.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 package Zatarain’s Jambalaya Mix
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 tablespoon Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning
* Salt and pepper, to taste
* Green onions, chopped, for garnish

**Instructions:**

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the chicken thighs over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken and set aside.
2. Add the sausage to the pot and cook until browned. Remove the sausage and set aside.
3. Add the bell pepper and onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Zatarain’s Jambalaya Mix, chicken broth, and Creole seasoning.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Stir in the cooked chicken and sausage. Continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with green onions before serving.

Tony Chachere’s Shrimp Boil

A low country shrimp boil is a Southern tradition, and Tony Chachere’s seasoning is the secret to its flavorful broth.

**Ingredients:**

* 5 quarts water
* 1/4 cup Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
* 1 large onion, quartered
* 2 lemons, quartered
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 pound small red potatoes
* 1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces
* 4 ears of corn, cut in half
* 2 pounds large shrimp, unpeeled

**Instructions:**

1. In a large pot, combine the water, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, onion, lemons, and garlic.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Add the potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Add the sausage and corn and cook for 5 minutes more.
5. Add the shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
6. Drain the pot and serve the shrimp boil on a large platter or newspaper-covered table.

Palmetto Cheese Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Nothing’s more Southern than a pimento cheese sandwich, and Palmetto Cheese makes it easy and delicious.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 container Palmetto Cheese (Original, Jalapeno, or Bacon)
* Bread of your choice (white, wheat, or sourdough)
* Lettuce leaves (optional)
* Tomato slices (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Spread a generous amount of Palmetto Cheese on two slices of bread.
2. Add lettuce leaves and tomato slices, if desired.
3. Close the sandwich and cut in half (optional).
4. Serve immediately or wrap and refrigerate for later.

Crystal Hot Sauce Chicken Wings

Crystal Hot Sauce adds the perfect kick to these crispy, flavorful chicken wings.

**Ingredients:**

* 2 pounds chicken wings, separated at the joints
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/4 cup Crystal Hot Sauce
* 1 tablespoon honey

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss to coat.
4. Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through and crispy.
6. While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Crystal Hot Sauce, and honey.
7. Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss to coat.
8. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Tabasco Sauce Bloody Mary

A classic brunch cocktail gets a Southern twist with a dash of Tabasco sauce.

**Ingredients:**

* 4 ounces vodka
* 8 ounces tomato juice
* 1 ounce lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 2-3 dashes Tabasco sauce
* Pinch of celery salt
* Pinch of black pepper
* Ice cubes
* Celery stalk, lemon wedge, olives, or other garnishes, for serving

**Instructions:**

1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.
2. Shake well until chilled.
3. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, olives, or other desired garnishes.

Blue Plate Mayonnaise Shrimp Remoulade

A New Orleans classic, Shrimp Remoulade is made divine with creamy Blue Plate Mayo.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 cup Blue Plate Mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup Creole mustard
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
* 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Lettuce leaves
* Lemon wedges

**Instructions:**

1. In a bowl, combine Blue Plate Mayonnaise, Creole mustard, celery, green onions, parsley, horseradish, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the Remoulade sauce.
2. Gently fold the cooked shrimp into the Remoulade sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
3. Arrange lettuce leaves on a plate or in a bowl.
4. Spoon the Shrimp Remoulade over the lettuce.
5. Garnish with lemon wedges.
6. Serve chilled.

Beyond the Recipes: A Southern State of Mind

These brands are more than just ingredients; they’re symbols of Southern culture and heritage. Using them in your cooking is a way to connect with the region’s culinary traditions and share a taste of the South with your family and friends. Whether you’re a lifelong Southerner or just discovering the joys of Southern cooking, these brands are sure to become staples in your pantry.

Tips for Sourcing Southern Brands

* **Local Grocery Stores:** Many grocery stores in the South carry these brands. Look for them in the baking aisle, condiment section, and ethnic foods section.
* **Specialty Food Stores:** Specialty food stores that specialize in Southern products are also a great place to find these brands.
* **Online Retailers:** If you can’t find these brands locally, you can often purchase them online from retailers like Amazon or directly from the brand’s website.

Enjoy exploring the flavors of the South with these iconic grocery brands! These recipes are just the starting point. Feel free to experiment and create your own Southern-inspired dishes using these pantry staples. The possibilities are endless!