Our list of items only Southern grocery stores carry, no matter what. Partially True.

When my sister visits from California, the first thing we do is go to the grocery store together. A sea of buttermilk options, endless supplies of cheese straws, and Cheerwine tell her: You’re back in the South.

There are a few hyper-regional favorites of ours that we can only find at our hometown Food Lion, like Carolina Treet and Neese’s Extra Sage Country Sausage, but this is a list of the items that just about every Southern grocery store is guaranteed to have.

Adapted from: https://www.southernliving.com/southern-grocery-store-staples-11876768

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Cheese Straws

Cheese Straws are a classic savory Southern snack or appetizer made from a buttery, cheesy dough, often with a hint of spice like cayenne pepper. They have a crunchy, shortbread-like texture and are popular for entertaining.  There are many recipes out there – do a google search and you can make them at home.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a tangy, fermented dairy drink used extensively in Southern cooking for its unique flavor and ability to create moist and tender baked goods and fried foods. Traditionally, it was the liquid left after churning butter from cultured cream; today, it’s typically cultured low-fat milk that is thicker and slightly sour.

Blue Bell Ice Cream

Blue Bell Ice Cream is a popular, family-owned creamery based in Brenham, Texas, known for making some of the best-selling ice cream in the Southern United States. The company prides itself on using fresh ingredients and controls the entire process from manufacturing to delivery to maintain quality.

The Best Mayonnaise (Duke’s – Blue Plate)

Duke’s Mayonnaise is a beloved, tangy Southern staple known for its creamy texture and lack of sugar, a point of pride among its loyal Southern followers. It was created by Eugenia Duke in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1917, and has since become a Southern institution.

Blue Plate Mayonnaise is a legendary, rich, and creamy Southern mayonnaise born in New Orleans in 1927, made using only the egg yolks. It is a staple in Louisiana homes and restaurants for its full flavor and classic texture.

Sister Schubert’s Dinner Rolls

Sister Schubert’s Dinner Rolls are a Southern favorite, known for their homemade-like quality and soft, fluffy texture. They are particularly popular for holiday gatherings and family Sunday dinners because they use fresh ingredients like real eggs and no preservatives.

Cheerwine

Cheerwine is a unique, cherry-flavored soft drink that has been a Southern staple since its creation in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1917. It is known for its burgundy color, bubbly effervescence, and distinct flavor that uses real cane sugar in the glass bottles and a “wild cherry flavor”.

Camellia Beans

Camellia Beans is an iconic, family-owned New Orleans brand of premium dry beans, peas, and lentils that has been a Southern staple since 1923. They are highly prized in Louisiana for their quality, flavor, and creamy texture, making them the preferred choice for authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, especially the traditional Monday red beans and rice dish.

Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix

Martha White’s Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix is a popular Southern staple that includes leavening agents and salt already mixed in, providing a convenient way to make light and fluffy cornbread and other baked goods. It is available in both white and yellow varieties and is a top choice for home cooks across the South.

MoonPies

MoonPies are an iconic Southern snack, consisting of a marshmallow filling sandwiched between two graham cracker cookies and covered in a flavored coating, created in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1917. They are widely available and considered a classic, filling, and inexpensive treat, often famously paired with an RC Cola.

Steen’s Syrup

Steen’s Pure Cane Syrup is a legendary Louisiana sweetener made from 100% pure sugarcane juice, slow-cooked in open kettles to a deep, golden-brown consistency. Unlike molasses, which is a byproduct of sugar refining, Steen’s contains all the natural sugars of the cane, giving it a rich, “burnt gold” flavor with a slightly bitter, toasty finish.

Pimento Cheese

Pimiento cheese is a beloved Southern spread, often called the “caviar of the South,” made from a creamy, tangy blend of cheddar cheese, diced pimientos, and mayonnaise. It’s a versatile and addictive snack, perfect for crackers or sandwiches.

McKenzie’s (Frozen) Creamed Corn

McKenzie’s (Frozen) Creamed Corn is a staple Southern side dish known for its rich, creamy texture and “Silver Queen style” white corn or golden varieties. It’s a convenient, quality frozen option praised for tasting close to homemade.

Golden Flake Potato Chips

Golden Flake Potato Chips are an iconic Southern snack brand, originating in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1923. Known for their “Simple. Southern. Goodness.” and thin & crispy style, they are a beloved regional favorite.

Source: Things You’ll Only Find At A Southern Grocery Store