It's okay to cave to southern food cravings with these healthy recipes.
Craving southern-style recipes? You don’t need to abandon your weight loss goals or your nutritious eating habits when your mouth starts watering for those classic dishes! Check out these 21 deliciously healthy low calorie southern meals to eat traditional southern-style cooking without the guilt.
21 Healthy Low Calorie Southern Meals
Get a taste of the south in a healthier way with any of these low calorie southern meals!
1. Creamy Southern Style Coleslaw
Try it here: Creamy Southern Style Coleslaw
2. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Healthy southern foods like this one are big on taste and nutrition. This classic staple is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Try it here: Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
3. Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits
Classic biscuits will give you a muffin top—try this healthier alternative instead. They’re fluffy, crumbly, and packed with whole wheat nutrients! Try it here: Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits
4. Juicy Faux Fried Chicken
Enjoy the healthy low calorie southern meals you crave—without a bit of fried food guilt. This “fried” chicken is even better than most restaurants’.
Try it here: Juicy Fake Fried Chicken
5. Healthy Southern Greens
There’s nothing more southern than a bowl of tender collard greens with cajun seasoning. These are the perfect side dish to fried chicken, shrimp, fish, and more!
Try it here: Healthy Southern Greens
6. Healthy Fried Green Tomatoes
Forget fried and bake healthy southern dishes like this tasty recipe for “fried” green tomatoes. These are so crispy and delicious that you won’t even realize they’re healthy!
Try it here: Healthy Fried Green Tomatoes
7. Slow Cooker Southern Style Green Beans
Healthy southern foods like this side dish may make you wonder why you didn’t try clean eating sooner! Make this for your next family dinner or holiday meal.
Try it here: Slow Cooker Southern Style Green Beans
8. Instant Pot Smoky Sweet Black-Eyed Peas
This version of black eyed peas is a simple and delicious option. Meal prep a big batch over the weekend and enjoy it all week long!
Try it here: Instant Pot Smoky Sweet Black-Eyed Peas
9. Perfect Instant Pot Pulled Pork Shoulder
Who doesn’t love tender and flavorful pulled pork? Yummy, healthy low calorie southern meals like this one are a cleaner alternative to traditional recipes.
Try it here: Perfect Instant Pot Pulled Pork Shoulder
10. Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
Use our clean-eating BBQ sauce to spice up these ribs. They’re easy enough for a weeknight and tasty enough that your friends and family will request them every time!
Try it here: Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
11. Grandma’s Southern Peach Cobbler
There’s nothing quite as southern as this delectable peach cobbler. Sink your teeth into this delicious treat for some true southern comfort – just like grandma used to make.
Try it here: Grandma’s Southern Peach Cobbler
12. Easy Instant Pot Jambalaya
Spice up meal planning with easy low calorie southern meals like this instant pot recipe. This vibrant jambalaya is low on calories but high on flavor!
Try it here: Easy Instant Pot Jambalaya
13. New Southern Style Sweet Tea
Sip your tea like a true southerner without the added sugar and calories. Cool off with a naturally sweetened alternative to teas loaded with waist-expanding refined sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Try it here: New Southern Style Sweet Tea
14. Clean-Eating Apple Pecan Crumble
Treat yourself to this clean version of apple pecan crumble. It’s excellent as a dessert any time of the year, especially during the crisp fall months.
Try it here: Clean-Eating Apple Pecan Crumble
15. Paleo Creole Shrimp with Cauliflower Grits
Clean up your southern cuisine menu with a spicy shrimp recipe. This is a lighter (and lower calorie) take on the classic comfort dish.
Try it here: Paleo Creole Shrimp with Cauliflower Grits
16. Healthy Collard Greens
Collard greens are packed with vitamins! This healthier version of collard greens gives you all the nutrition of this veggie without the extra fat.
Try it here: Healthy Collard Greens
17. Skinny Mini Banana Pudding
All of the best southern meals end with something sweet. Dig into healthy southern dishes like this dessert—it offers just 102 bitty calories per serving.
Try it here: Skinny Mini Banana Pudding
18. Southern Succotash
Succotash is a beloved dish in the American south, and it’s actually quite healthy! This recipe offers 14 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
Try it here: Southern Succotash
19. Old-Fashion Cornbread
Your southern menu wouldn’t be complete without a recipe for old fashioned cornbread! This satisfying dish is the perfect accompaniment to any southern main.
Try it here: Old-Fashion Cornbread
20. Oven Baked Apple Pork Chops
This sweet and salty combo takes about 30 minutes to prepare—a tasty addition to the weeknight menu.
Try it here: Oven Baked Apple Pork Chops
21. Strawberry and Orange Rhubarb Crumble
Make this bright and fruity treat to satisfy your tart and sweet cravings on a warm, southern summer night.
Try it here: Strawberry and Orange Rhubarb Crumble
These low calorie southern meals are an excellent way to enjoy the classic comfort foods you crave without the guilt. They’re packed with nutrients and good-for-you ingredients but still have all of the southern flavors you enjoy.
What are your favorite low calorie southern meals? Let us know in the comments!
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