17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan

By Healthy Helper
Updated on July 17, 2026
Posted on September 7, 2020
Comments 49 Comments

A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan.

Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong place. Take for example the fact that, Buffalo is freezing. I like warm weather. Buffalonians have a funny accent. I never took on the accent as a kid. I always want to type out the word y’all when writing things online. But then I second guess myself since I’m not from the south. Heck, maybe I was meant to be a southerner! I certainly prefer the weather and the fresh produce all year round isn’t a bad thing either. :) Another thing I like about the South? THE FOOD. Mac n’ cheese, cornbread, pecans, peaches! I love it all. My mom also makes a mean jambalaya in the slow cooker with shrimp and veggie sausage! Unfortunately, traditional Southern food is not the healthiest. Southern cuisine is known for its rich, decadent, indulgent ingredients and recipes! Sweets, savory casseroles, buttery breads, and lots of finger lickin’ fried goodness! Some would say it’s a heart attack waiting to happen (especially if you eat like that all the time instead of in moderation). Luckily, all of those classic comfort foods can be made health(ier) and VEGAN with a few simple ingredient swaps and a little creativity. Today I’ve rounded up the tastiest recipes from around the web that feature Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy AND Vegan! 17 delicious, mouth watering dishes and desserts that will kick any craving you’re having.

Southern Comfort Foods Gone Healthy AND Vegan

17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Vegan Gluten-Free Healthy Cornbread | Emilie Eats Easy Vegan Mac n' Cheese | The easiest, cheesiest vegan mac n' cheese you'll ever make! Tastes just like a classic boxed mixed but is dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, and 100% vegan. Easy Vegan Mac n’ Cheese 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Vegan Grits | Food By Maria 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Healthy Vegan Cajun Gumbo with Okra | Not Enough Cinnamon 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Southern-Style Vegan Biscuits and Gravy | Wow It’s Veggie 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Southern Style Vegetarian Meatloaf | iheartrecipes 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Quick Collard Greens | Cookie + Kate 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Easy Southern-Style Potato Salad | Planted 365 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Cajun-Style Red Beans and Rice | Emilie Eats 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Vegan Southern Fried Cabbage | Healthier Steps 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Southern-Style Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits | Nora Cooks 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Easy Vegan Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas | Vegan Runner Eats 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Vegan Southern Soul Bowl | Happy Healthy Life 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Easy Southern-Style Vegan BBQ Bowls | Veganosity 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Healthy Vegan Jambalaya | Skinny Ms. 17 Southern Comfort Foods Made Healthy and Vegan | A roundup of delicious Southern staples that will satisfy all your cravings without any of the high fat and high calorie counts of the classics! All healthy and vegan. Vegan Peach Pie | Happy Healthy Life Vegan Peanut Butter Pie | A healthy take on classic peanut butter pie without dairy, grains, or added sugar! This Vegan Peanut Butter Pie is just as rich and sweet as the original, but MUCH better for you and easy to make too.  Vegan Date-Sweetened Peanut Butter Pie

Do you have a favorite regional cuisine?

Do you like Southern food?

What’s your go-to comfort food?

Talk soon,

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49 Comments

  8. It’s not until I see a post like this and realize just how southern I am because these are all just classic dishes to me. Born in Arkansas with my mom and dad from Louisiana and Virginia…yeah I’m pretty southern haha! It’s not my favorite cuisine, but it is good especially when made healthier. You really have me craving potato salad now!

    Reply

  9. I have KY & WV roots but never have been really exposed to southern comfort foods. I’m more of an Italian gal so maybe southern Italy? LOL

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  10. I need to send this to some of my family. My brothers could use the healthy twist on their favorite southern recipes.

    I grew up on southern cooking but once I moved. Never again. And I don’t miss it.

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  12. Kaila – you really turned Southern Cooking into a healthy menu with this post.I just love the pic of the key lime pie – I’ll try to make it sometime soon. Looks fantastic!

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  14. What a fantastic round-up! I have been loving southern food in the US, and that high protein potato salad will be next on my list of things to try! Thanks so much for including my gruyere and cauliflower mac n cheese – it is a favourite in our house :)

    Reply

  17. I’m so with you here. Southern food is the bomb. I love jambalaya, corn bread and pecan pie is one of my favorite things in the entire world. Thanks for sharing ways for us to make them better and healthier for us. I can see what’s going to be on the menu for the next couple weeks!

    Reply

  20. I love southern food … some of my roots is from the south, Tennessee. It’s always nice to have healthier versions of favorites. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays gluten free linky party.

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  21. These all look so delicious! I love Key Lime Pie, so I am looking forward to trying the Grain-Free Bars. Thank you for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up :-)

    Reply

  23. So much comfort here, this is a great collection of Southern Comfort Foods! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply