18 Southern Biscuit Recipe Without Shortening Prepare To Be Amazed!
Published on: Mar 23, 2024
If you're tired of using shortening in your biscuit recipes, you're not alone. Many people are looking for healthier alternatives or simply don't like the taste of shortening. But fear not, there are plenty of options for making delicious southern biscuits without shortening. In this article, we'll explore some of the best recipes for light and fluffy biscuits that don't require any shortening. So grab your apron and let's get baking!
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Full Fat Sour Cream, Greek Style
If you're looking for the perfect side to your beer can chicken, then you can't go wrong with a fluffy and flaky southern biscuit. These biscuits are made with simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk. They are easy to make and have a light and airy texture that pairs perfectly with the crispy skin of a beer can chicken.
2of 20
Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread
Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
Southern cornbread is a staple in southern cuisine and is a must-have with beer can chicken. This cornbread is made in a cast-iron skillet, giving it a crispy crust and a moist and fluffy inside. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it a great accompaniment to any meal.
Southern smothered chicken is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a Sunday dinner with the family. This dish features chicken thighs that are seared and then cooked in a rich and flavorful gravy. The result is tender and juicy chicken that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken.
No southern meal is complete without a side of collard greens. These greens are slow-cooked with bacon, onions, and chicken broth, giving them a smoky and savory flavor. They are the perfect side dish to balance out the rich and hearty flavors of beer can chicken.
For a taste of traditional southern cooking, try making southern cornbread dressing to go alongside your beer can chicken. This dressing is made with crumbled cornbread, celery, onions, and herbs, and is baked to perfection. It's a delicious and comforting side dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
If you're looking for a twist on traditional southern dishes, try making smothered oxtails to go with your beer can chicken. Oxtails are slow-cooked in a rich and flavorful gravy until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. This dish is sure to be a hit with its bold and hearty flavors.
7of 20
Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits
Main Ingredients: Flour, Whole Milk, Butter, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
For a classic and simple side dish, you can't go wrong with classic flaky southern biscuits. These biscuits are made with just a few simple ingredients and are easy to make. Their buttery and flaky texture makes them the perfect accompaniment to beer can chicken.
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved dish in southern cuisine, and for good reason. This baked mac and cheese is made with a creamy and cheesy sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It's a classic comfort food that is a perfect match for the bold flavors of beer can chicken.
If you want to add a little twist to your mac and cheese, try making a southern-style version. This mac and cheese is made with a creamy and tangy cheese sauce and topped with crumbled bacon and green onions. It's a delicious and indulgent side dish that will elevate your beer can chicken to the next level.
End your meal on a sweet note with these southern pecan pie bars. These bars have a buttery shortbread crust and a rich and gooey pecan filling. They are the perfect balance of sweet and nutty and are a great dessert to enjoy with a cold beer and some juicy beer can chicken.
No southern meal is complete without a fruit cobbler, and this peach cobbler is a must-try. It's made with fresh peaches, cinnamon, and a buttery biscuit topping. It's a delicious and comforting dessert that will pair perfectly with the savory flavors of beer can chicken.
If you're a fan of traditional southern dishes, then you can't go wrong with classic collard greens. These greens are cooked with bacon, onions, and vinegar, giving them a tangy and savory flavor. They are the perfect side dish to balance out the richness of beer can chicken.
Pimento cheese is a southern staple and is a must-have with beer can chicken. This creamy and tangy cheese spread is made with cheddar cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise. It's a delicious and versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of dishes, including beer can chicken.
For a simple and flavorful side dish, try making southern cabbage to go alongside your beer can chicken. This cabbage is slow-cooked with bacon, onions, and vinegar, giving it a tangy and savory flavor. It's a great way to add some greens to your meal and balance out the richness of the chicken.
Cornbread is a staple in southern cuisine, and it's a must-have with beer can chicken. This cornbread is made with cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, and eggs, giving it a light and fluffy texture. It's a great side dish to soak up all the delicious juices from the chicken.
If you want to add some extra flavor to your beer can chicken, try making southern sausage gravy. This gravy is made with sausage, flour, milk, and seasonings, and is perfect for pouring over your chicken or biscuits. It's a rich and hearty addition to any meal.
Hush puppies are a classic southern side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. These deep-fried cornmeal balls are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them the perfect accompaniment to the juicy chicken. They are also great for dipping in sauces or gravies.
Squash casserole is a popular southern dish that is sure to be a hit with your beer can chicken. This casserole is made with yellow squash, cheese, and a buttery cracker topping. It's a creamy and flavorful side dish that is perfect for any occasion.
For a unique and tasty side dish, try making southern fried corn to go along with your beer can chicken. This dish is made with fresh corn kernels, bacon, and onions, and is cooked until it's caramelized and crispy. It's a great way to add some sweetness and crunch to your meal.
If you're looking to switch things up a bit, try making southern shrimp and grits to go with your beer can chicken. This dish features creamy and cheesy grits topped with sautéed shrimp and a flavorful gravy. It's a delicious and indulgent side dish that pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of beer can chicken.
Wholesome Ingredients for Healthier Biscuits
Butter or Margarine
While many traditional biscuit recipes call for shortening, butter or margarine can be used as a healthier substitute. These dairy-based fats add a rich flavor to your biscuits, and can also help them achieve a flaky texture. Just make sure to use unsalted butter to avoid overly salty biscuits.
Coconut Oil
For those looking for a vegan or dairy-free option, coconut oil is a great alternative to shortening. Its high-fat content helps create a tender and flaky biscuit, and the subtle coconut flavor adds a delicious twist. Make sure to use refined coconut oil for a neutral taste, as opposed to unrefined which has a stronger coconut flavor.
Olive Oil
Believe it or not, olive oil can also be used in biscuit recipes as a substitute for shortening. It may seem unusual, but the fruity and slightly savory flavor of olive oil can add a unique depth of flavor to your biscuits. Just make sure to use a light or mild-tasting olive oil to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.
Techniques for Perfectly Fluffy Biscuits
Cold Ingredients
One key to achieving light and fluffy biscuits is to use cold ingredients. This helps create steam pockets within the dough, resulting in a light and airy texture. Make sure to keep your butter or other fats chilled until you're ready to use them, and use cold milk or buttermilk in your recipe.
Don't Overwork the Dough
When making biscuits, it's important not to overwork the dough. Overworking can result in tough and dense biscuits. Instead, gently mix the ingredients together until just combined. This will ensure a tender and flaky biscuit.
Bake at High Heat
Another important factor in achieving perfectly fluffy biscuits is to bake them at a high temperature. This helps create a crisp exterior while maintaining a soft and tender interior. Most biscuit recipes call for a baking temperature of 425-450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of options for making delicious southern biscuits without shortening. Whether you're looking for a healthier alternative or just want to switch things up, these recipes and techniques are sure to result in a batch of mouth-watering biscuits. So next time you're in the mood for some homemade biscuits, give one of these recipes a try and enjoy the delicious results!
