These Georgia Sunday Suppers Taste Like A Holiday
I don’t need a calendar to know it’s Sunday in Georgia; my nose tells me. It’s the low, comforting rumble of cast iron, the warm, yeasty scent of biscuits rising, and the distant, sweet tang of peaches bubbling down into preserves.
Sunday supper here isn’t just a meal, it’s a sensory experience that grounds the entire week. These meals are too rich, too slow-cooked, and far too laden with butter and love to be relegated to a Tuesday.
They demand presence, family, and reflection, turning a routine gathering into a miniature holiday feast, every single week. I’ve picked nine dishes that capture this feeling completely.
1. Classic Fried Chicken With All the Fixings
Golden-brown pieces of chicken with crispy, seasoned skin might as well be wearing a crown at Georgia Sunday tables. The secret lies in the buttermilk soak and the perfect blend of spices that turns an everyday bird into something extraordinary.
Paired with creamy mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, and tender collard greens, this meal transforms Sunday into a celebration. Many Georgia families have their own special techniques, whether it’s a particular frying pan that’s been seasoned for decades or a closely guarded spice blend.
The joy of passing plates around the table, everyone reaching for that perfect drumstick or thigh, creates the kind of moment that stays with you long after the dishes are cleared.
2. Slow-Cooked Pot Roast With Garden Vegetables
Tender chunks of beef that fall apart with just the touch of a fork mark the centerpiece of this beloved Georgia Sunday tradition. The meat slowly simmers for hours, absorbing the flavors of carrots, onions, and potatoes harvested from many family gardens.
Walking into a home where pot roast has been cooking all day means being greeted by an aroma that wraps around you like a warm hug. The rich gravy, made from the natural juices of the meat, gets sopped up with fresh-baked rolls or cornbread.
Georgia families often start this dish after church, letting it cook while they enjoy afternoon conversations, ensuring everything is perfectly tender by suppertime.
3. Shrimp And Grits With Coastal Flair
Fresh Georgia shrimp nestled on a bed of creamy stone-ground grits represents the perfect marriage of the coast and country. The shrimp, often caught just a day before, get sautéed with garlic, bacon that elevates this dish to holiday status.
My grandmother used to wake up early on Sundays to get the freshest shrimp from her friend who fished the Georgia coast. She’d say, “Good grits take patience, but good shrimp take connections.” Her version always included a dash of hot sauce that somehow made the grits even creamier.
The dish balances savory and slightly sweet flavors, with each spoonful offering a taste of Georgia’s diverse culinary landscape.
4. Peach-Glazed Ham With Sweet Potato Casserole
Spiral-cut ham brushed with a glaze made from Georgia’s famous peaches creates a sweet-savory centerpiece that shines on Sunday tables across the state. The combination of salty ham and sweet, caramelized peach brings together flavors that feel made for celebration.
Served alongside a sweet potato casserole topped with brown sugar and pecans, this meal hits every note on the taste spectrum. The contrast of textures and flavors makes each bite a new experience.
Many families reserve this particular Sunday supper for special occasions throughout the year, not just holidays, because the presentation alone turns an ordinary weekend into something memorable.
5. Smothered Pork Chops With Vidalia Onion Gravy
Thick-cut pork chops slowly braised until fork-tender then covered in a rich gravy made with sweet Vidalia onions represent comfort food at its finest. The onions, grown in Georgia soil, caramelize during cooking, adding a natural sweetness that balances the savory pork perfectly.
I learned this recipe from my uncle who grew Vidalia onions and insisted they were the only proper onions for Sunday supper. He would slice them paper-thin and let them melt into the gravy while telling stories about his farming days.
Served over rice or alongside creamed corn, these chops create a meal that feels special without being fussy, the hallmark of Georgia Sunday cooking.
6. Catfish Fry With Hushpuppies and Slaw
Cornmeal-crusted catfish, fresh from Georgia’s rivers and lakes, creates a Sunday gathering that feels more like a celebration than a regular meal. The fish, with its crispy exterior and flaky interior, pairs perfectly with golden-brown hushpuppies that have just the right amount of onion folded into the batter.
The tangy coleslaw served alongside provides a cool, crisp contrast to the hot fish. Families often set up long tables in backyards or on screened porches for this particular Sunday supper, especially during warmer months.
The casual nature of eating with your fingers, dipping pieces of fish into homemade tartar sauce, creates a festive atmosphere that turns Sunday evening into a proper Southern occasion.
7. Brunswick Stew with Cornbread Muffins
This hearty stew, with its origins in Brunswick, Georgia, combines smoked meats, lima beans, corn, and tomatoes into a thick, satisfying dish that’s been bringing families together for generations. The complex flavors develop over hours of slow cooking, making it perfect for unhurried Sunday preparations.
Every family has their own version, with debates about authentic ingredients happening across dinner tables statewide. Some insist on chicken, others on pork, while traditionalists might include both plus game meats.
Served with sweet cornbread muffins for dipping, this meal turns Sunday evening into an event where conversations flow as freely as second helpings, creating the kind of warmth usually reserved for holiday gatherings.
8. Country-Style Steak With Red Eye Gravy
Cube steak tenderized to perfection then cooked until it develops a rich crust forms the foundation of this beloved Georgia supper. The magic happens when coffee meets the pan drippings, creating the distinctive red eye gravy that gives this dish its character and depth.
My father would save his strongest morning coffee specifically for Sunday’s red eye gravy, claiming the relationship between good coffee and good gravy was sacred in Georgia kitchens. He’d pour it into the still-sizzling pan with a dramatic flourish that made us kids giggle every time.
Served over rice or with buttermilk biscuits to soak up every drop of that unique gravy, this meal transforms simple ingredients into something that feels special enough for company.
9. Chicken And Dumplings With Buttermilk Biscuits
Tender chicken in rich broth with pillowy dumplings floating on top represents the ultimate Georgia comfort food that elevates any Sunday to special occasion status. The dumplings, made from scratch with just the right amount of handling, strike the perfect balance between fluffy and substantial.
The dish often simmers all afternoon, filling the home with an aroma that draws family members to the kitchen hours before mealtime. Many Georgia cooks guard their dumpling technique closely, whether they prefer the rolled and cut style or the drop method.
Accompanied by buttermilk biscuits on the side, this meal creates a double dose of comfort that makes everyone at the table feel thoroughly cared for, the very essence of what Sunday suppers are meant to provide.