Here in Mississippi, we love to eat. And with so many state specialties and local creations, who can blame us? From the ultimate southern comfort foods to perfectly fried…anything, here are 17 iconic foods that are enjoyed by most Mississippians.

1. Cornbread Dressing
Steven Labinski/Flickr
In the north, it’s stuffing, but here in Mississippi, it’s dressing – and it’s amazing! Aside from the name, dressing differs from its northern counterpart in several ways, including the process used to make it as well as the addition of several ingredients, which usually include boiled eggs, onion, celery, and sage.
2. Pimento Cheese
Leslie/Flickr
Whether served as a dip or on finger sandwiches, no get-together would be complete without this southern classic.
3. Pecan Pie
cyclonebill/Flickr
Pecans are abundant here in Mississippi, so why not make a pie out of them? A true southern classic, pecan pie can be made several different ways with some variations including bourbon and chocolate.
4. Fried Catfish
Catfish Charlie/Facebook
Since Mississippi is the largest producer of farm-raised catfish in the United States, it only makes sense that locals love the perfectly battered and fried fish. Catfish Charlie has some of the best!
5. Fried Chicken
Niall Kennedy/Flickr
Until you’ve tried Mississippi fried chicken, you haven’t lived. Enough said.
6. Po’boys
Kellie’s Poor Boy/Facebook
Whether slathered in gravy or overstuffed with seafood, the po’boy makes a regular sandwich look like child’s play. Kellie's Poor Boy is a great spot to get one.
7. Boiled Peanuts
zodia81/Flickr
Seasoned and boiled peanuts may sound unusual to some but not to Mississippians. This addictive snack is a favorite among many.
8. Grits
Steven DePolo/Flickr
No Mississippi breakfast would be complete without a serving of creamy grits.

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9. Fried Okra
thebittenword.com/Flickr
Any kid who won’t eat their vegetables clearly hasn’t tried fried okra. Pure perfection.
10. Biscuits with Gravy
jeffreyw/Flickr
If you’re a native Mississippian, you most likely have a biscuit recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. And in true southern form, you eat your biscuits, which are covered in gravy, for breakfast.
11. Fried Pickles
Sid Sowder/Flickr
Everything is better fried, and pickles are no exception! Add some Ranch dressing for dipping, and you have the perfect snack.
12. Cornbread
jeff_w_brooktree/Flickr
Whether served with greens or in a glass with milk, Mississippians can’t get enough of this southern staple.
13. Barbecue
Tristan Soria/Google
Barbecue may not have been invented in Mississippi, but it sure was perfected here. Whether you’re in the state’s Northern Hills region, on the Gulf Coast, or anywhere in between, delicious barbecue is never too far away.
14. Hot Tamales
Southern Foodways Alliance/Flickr
In the Delta, staple foods include catfish, barbecue, and hot tamales. That’s right; hot tamales. The local specialty is so popular, in fact, that there is an entire trail dedicated to the cuisine. Follow the Tamale Trail, which runs along historic Highway 61, and indulge in the dozens of different types of tamales the Delta has to offer.
15. Shrimp
Food Group/Flickr
Given Mississippi’s close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, it should come as no surprise that residents love their seafood - and shrimp is no exception. Whether boiled or fried, shrimp is a major part of local cuisine.
16. Fried Green Tomatoes
Mary Mahoney’s/Facebook
Seasoned, battered, and cooked to perfection, fried green tomatoes are a popular appetizer in Mississippi, and, just like the delicious ones pictured from Mary Mahoney’s, are often topped with lump crabmeat and a béarnaise sauce. Who could resist?
17. Chicken and Dumplings
Jeffreyw/Flickr
Known as the "ultimate comfort food," chicken and homemade dumplings are a without a doubt a state favorite.

One look at this list and it’s clear why Mississippi has become synonymous with great food! So, do you think that these are the most iconic foods in Mississippi? What are your favorite iconic state foods? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

And be sure to check out our article on these incredible train rides in Mississippi.

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More to Explore

Iconic Foods In Mississippi

Melanie J. | October 07, 2022

Besides the 17 iconic foods, what are some more foods that Mississippians love to eat?

It is no secret that here in the Delta we love to eat. And while we enjoy barbecue, fried catfish, and hot tamales, there are some more iconic foods in Mississippi that we enjoy as well. One of which is crawfish, sometimes referred to as mud bug. While the crawfish has its roots in Cajun cuisine, Mississippians eat them in a variety of ways. We love adding crawfish to our seafood boils as well as a topping on our fried green tomatoes. Additionally, we can’t get enough of shrimp or crawfish Étouffée, and crawfish Monica is also a favorite of ours, which is crawfish in a heavy cream served with pasta. If you would like to try some of the best crawfish in the state, head to Taranto's Crawfish in Biloxi. Other foods that we love in Mississippi are gumbo, collard greens, and blue crab. Of course, we also love sweet treats like the Mississippi mud pie, sweet potato pie, and bread pudding. And here are some more foods in Mississippi that we love to eat. 

What foods are Mississippi known for?

Believe it or not, but butter cookies are the official state food of Mississippi. However, the Mississippi mud pie is perhaps the most iconic food in the state. The yummy dessert is a chocolate-based pie filled with various ingredients layered to make the most intense chocolate dessert you’ll ever eat.  Though the ingredients may vary, the base is made using a cookie crust. Oreos or chocolate graham crackers work the best. And for the filling, some of them include a layer of ooey gooey chocolate pudding, a layer of brownies, and sometimes marshmallows and liqueur are added as well. The pie is then topped with whipped cream and nuts and is then drizzled with chocolate syrup. How amazing does that sound…yum! And for more decadent desserts that we love in the Delta, here’s an article that lists some incredible restaurants that have some of the best iconic sweet treats in Mississippi. 

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