16 Alton Brown's Southern Biscuit Recipe Prepare To Be Amazed!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
Biscuits are a staple in Southern cuisine, and no one knows how to make them better than renowned chef and TV personality, Alton Brown. His southern biscuit recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and deliciousness, making it a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their biscuit game. In this article, we will take a closer look at the key ingredients and techniques used in Alton Brown's famous recipe, and why it has become a go-to for biscuit lovers all over the world. So grab your apron and get ready to learn how to make the perfect Southern biscuit, the Alton Brown way.
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Full Fat Sour Cream, Greek Style
Southern biscuits are a staple in many southern households and they make the perfect side dish for any meal. These fluffy and flaky biscuits are made with simple, pantry staple ingredients and are sure to impress your family and friends.
To make these biscuits, start by mixing together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly pour in buttermilk and mix until a soft dough forms. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and serve hot with a pat of butter.
2of 20
Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread
Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
No southern meal is complete without a side of warm and buttery cornbread. This classic southern cornbread recipe is made in a cast iron skillet, giving it a crispy and golden crust that is sure to please.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Heat a cast iron skillet on the stove and pour in the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and serve hot.
3of 20
Sweet Corn Bread Pudding, via Alton Brown and Josie
Main Ingredients: Onion, Unsalted Butter, Thyme, Rosemary, Sweet Corn
This southern spin on a classic bread pudding is sure to become a family favorite. Made with sweet cornbread, this dessert is rich and decadent, perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth.
To make this pudding, start by cubing up a loaf of sweet cornbread and placing it in a baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture over the cornbread and let it sit for 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
This southern comfort food dish is a must-try for any chicken lover. Smothered in a rich and flavorful gravy, this chicken is tender and juicy and perfect served over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes.
To make this dish, start by seasoning chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. Brown the chicken in a large skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and mushrooms until softened. Add in flour and chicken broth and cook until the gravy thickens. Place the chicken back in the skillet and let it simmer until cooked through. Serve hot with mashed potatoes and enjoy!
Cornbread dressing is a classic southern side dish that is often served during holiday meals. Made with cornbread, celery, onions, and herbs, this dish is a delicious accompaniment to any main course.
To make this dressing, start by crumbling up cornbread in a large mixing bowl. In a separate skillet, sauté celery and onions until softened. Add the vegetables to the cornbread along with chicken broth, beaten eggs, and dried herbs. Mix until well combined and bake in a casserole dish for 30 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot alongside your favorite holiday meats.
Collard greens are a staple in southern cuisine and are often served as a side dish or as a main course with cornbread and hot sauce. These greens are cooked low and slow with bacon, giving them a rich and smoky flavor.
To make these greens, start by washing and chopping your collard greens. In a large pot, cook bacon until crispy and set aside. In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes until fragrant. Add in the greens and chicken broth and let them cook down until tender. Serve hot with crumbled bacon on top.
If you're looking for a hearty and flavorful dish, look no further than smothered oxtails. This southern favorite is made with tender oxtails cooked in a rich and savory gravy, perfect for serving over rice or with a side of mashed potatoes.
To make this dish, start by seasoning oxtails with salt and pepper and searing them in a large pot. Set the oxtails aside and sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers in the same pot. Add in beef broth, red wine, and tomato paste and let the mixture simmer. Return the oxtails to the pot and let them cook until tender. Serve with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
8of 20
Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits
Main Ingredients: Flour, Whole Milk, Butter, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
This classic southern biscuit recipe is a must-try for any biscuit lover. These flaky and buttery biscuits are perfect for serving with breakfast, as a side dish, or as a base for a delicious sandwich.
To make these biscuits, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly pour in buttermilk and mix until a soft dough forms. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and enjoy hot with your favorite toppings.
Mac and cheese is a beloved comfort food dish and this southern version takes it to the next level. Made with a creamy cheese sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
To make this mac and cheese, start by cooking pasta according to package instructions. In a separate pot, make a roux with butter and flour and slowly pour in milk to create a creamy sauce. Add in shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Mix in the cooked pasta and pour the mixture into a casserole dish. Top with a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted butter and bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
This southern twist on traditional mac and cheese is a must-try for any cheese lover. Made with a combination of cheddar and cream cheese, this dish is rich, creamy, and oh-so-comforting.
To make this mac and cheese, start by cooking pasta according to package instructions. In a separate pot, whisk together milk, cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar until smooth and creamy. Mix in the cooked pasta and pour the mixture into a casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!
Pecan pie is a classic southern dessert and these pecan pie bars are a delicious twist on the traditional version. Made with a buttery shortbread crust and a gooey pecan filling, these bars are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
To make these bars, start by making a shortbread crust with flour, butter, and sugar. Bake the crust for 15 minutes and then pour in a mixture of corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, and chopped pecans. Bake for an additional 25 minutes until the filling is set. Let the bars cool before cutting and serving.
This southern peach cobbler is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Made with fresh peaches and a sweet and buttery topping, this cobbler is a delicious end to any meal.
To make this cobbler, start by mixing together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, mix together sliced peaches, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour the peach mixture into a baking dish and top with the crust mixture. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
These classic southern collard greens are a must-try for anyone wanting to experience true southern flavors. Slowly cooked in a flavorful broth with bacon and spices, these greens are a delicious side dish for any meal.
To make these greens, start by washing and chopping your collard greens. In a large pot, cook bacon until crispy and set aside. In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes until fragrant. Add in the greens and chicken broth and let them cook down until tender. Serve hot with crumbled bacon on top.
Pimento cheese is a southern staple and is often served as a spread for sandwiches or as a dip for crackers and vegetables. This homemade version is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
To make this pimento cheese, mix together shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Serve immediately or let it chill in the fridge for a few hours for the flavors to meld together. Enjoy with your favorite dippers.
This simple yet delicious side dish is a staple in southern cooking. Made with tender cabbage, onions, and bacon, this dish is a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
To make this dish, start by cooking bacon in a large skillet until crispy and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened. Add in shredded cabbage and let it cook down until tender. Serve hot with crumbled bacon on top for added flavor.
Sausage gravy is a classic southern dish that is often served for breakfast with biscuits. This creamy and savory gravy is made with simple ingredients and is sure to become a family favorite.
To make this gravy, start by cooking breakfast sausage in a skillet until browned. Remove the sausage and set aside. In the same skillet, make a roux with butter and flour and slowly pour in milk. Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet and let the gravy thicken. Serve hot over biscuits for a delicious and hearty breakfast.
Cornbread is a staple in southern cooking and this classic recipe is sure to please. Made with simple ingredients, this cornbread is moist, flavorful, and perfect for serving alongside your favorite dishes.
To make this cornbread, mix together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!
Hush puppies are a classic southern side dish that is often served with seafood dishes. Made with cornmeal, flour, and spices, these deep-fried balls of goodness are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
To make these hush puppies, mix together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Slowly pour in buttermilk and mix until a thick batter forms. Heat oil in a large pot and drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crispy and serve hot as a tasty side dish.
This southern favorite is a delicious side dish that is often served during the summer months when fresh corn is in season. Made with sweet corn kernels and cooked in a skillet with butter and spices, this dish is full of flavor.
To make this dish, start by cutting the corn kernels off of the cob and setting them aside. In a large skillet, melt butter and add in the corn, along with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the corn is tender and serve hot with your favorite main course.
This creamy and cheesy squash casserole is a southern classic that is perfect for using up an abundance of summer squash. Made with a combination of yellow squash, onion, and cheddar cheese, this dish is a delicious and comforting side dish.
To make this casserole, start by cooking sliced squash and diced onion in a skillet until tender. In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and spices. Add the cooked squash and onions to the cheese mixture and pour into a casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
Why Alton Brown's Southern Biscuit Recipe Stands Out
Alton Brown's southern biscuit recipe is not your average biscuit recipe. It's a carefully crafted masterpiece that has been refined over the years to perfection. What sets it apart from other biscuit recipes is the use of buttermilk, which gives the biscuits a tangy and rich flavor, and lard, which creates a flaky and tender texture. These two key ingredients, along with others such as all-purpose flour and baking powder, work together to create the perfect balance of flavors and textures in each bite.
The Science Behind the Ingredients
Alton Brown is known for his scientific approach to cooking, and his southern biscuit recipe is no exception. Each ingredient used in the recipe has a specific purpose and plays a crucial role in the overall outcome of the biscuits. For instance, the buttermilk adds an acidic component, which reacts with the baking powder to create a light and fluffy texture. The lard provides a rich and buttery flavor, while also creating layers in the biscuit, resulting in a flaky and tender texture. These ingredients, along with the precise measurements and techniques used, create the perfect biscuit every time.
Simple Steps for Perfect Biscuits
Alton Brown's southern biscuit recipe may seem intimidating at first, but it's actually quite easy to follow. The key is to handle the dough gently and not overwork it, as this will result in tough and dense biscuits. Also, make sure to use cold lard, as this will create the desired flakiness in the biscuits. Another important tip is to cut the biscuits close together on the baking sheet, as this will help them rise higher and create a beautiful golden crust on the sides.
In Conclusion
Alton Brown's southern biscuit recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to make homemade biscuits. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, and a scientific approach to cooking, it's no wonder this recipe has become a fan favorite. So next time you're craving a taste of the South, give this recipe a try and taste the deliciousness for yourself.
