Walk into a grocery store below the Mason-Dixon line and you’re stepping into a world where certain aisles tell stories that stretch back generations. These aren’t your average supermarket finds. They’re the ingredients of Sunday suppers, church potlucks, and roadside stands that define regional pride in ways that outsiders might not immediately understand.
Here’s the thing. The Southeast region accounts for roughly a quarter of the U.S. population, which means these seemingly niche items are actually beloved staples for millions of people. Let’s explore what makes Southern grocery shopping such a unique experience.
Duke’s Mayonnaise
Duke’s Mayonnaise is the third-largest mayonnaise brand in the United States, yet for decades, its devoted following remained concentrated in the South. Duke’s contains more egg yolks than other mayonnaise products and no added sugar, plus it uses apple cider vinegar in place of distilled white vinegar. This creates what the brand proudly markets as “twang,” a distinctive tangy flavor that Southerners insist makes all the difference in everything from tomato sandwiches to pimento cheese. If you ask any Southern chef today what mayo they use, chances are it’ll be Duke’s, as it’s a Southern staple with a cult following. By 1919, founder Eugenia Duke was selling over 10,000 sandwiches a day, and her mayonnaise legacy continues to this day.
Pimento Cheese
Often called the pâté of the South, pimento cheese occupies prime real estate in Southern dairy aisles with multiple brands competing for shelf space. Palmetto Cheese is available at over 10,000 locations across the United States, though its heart remains firmly planted in the South. Originally developed by Sassy Henry, Palmetto Cheese’s iconic recipe first gained popularity in Pawleys Island, SC, and it’s equal parts cheesy and creamy thanks to sharp cheddar, mayo, and cream cheese. Honestly, the variety of pimento cheese options tells you a lot about a community. Some grocery stores dedicate entire sections to this spread, with flavors ranging from jalapeño to bacon-studded versions.
Boiled Peanuts
The soft, salty snack sold in cans or jars throughout Southern grocery stores baffles many first-time visitors. In May 2006, Governor Mark Sanford signed a bill making boiled peanuts the official snack food of South Carolina. Not only are boiled peanuts called “the caviar of the South,” but from Labor Day on into the holiday season, they’re abundantly available at roadside stands, gas stations, ball games, and festivals. At some point enslaved people began to boil unripened peanuts into a soft, salty source of protein, creating a tradition that has endured for centuries. The texture resembles a cooked bean more than a crunchy roasted peanut, which surprises those expecting something entirely different.
White Lily Flour
Founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, White Lily Flour is the distinctly Southern brand for which there is no substitute. White Lily flour contains a modest 9% protein content, making it closer to pastry flour than all-purpose, and as it hydrates, the gluten development never reaches the full potential of brands like Gold Medal or King Arthur, resulting in a lighter, fluffier biscuit with a greater rise. Founder J. Allen Smith set his company apart by introducing soft winter wheat as the wheat grain for their flour, and as time went on, southerners reveled in the unique baking properties of White Lily baking products, producing the ultimate soft and flaky biscuits, pie crusts, and pastries. Most Southern bakers wouldn’t dream of making biscuits with anything else.
Cheese Straws
Cheese straws aren’t just only available at Southern grocery stores – they are a cornerstone of the establishment in its entirety. Much like pimiento cheese, it’s a specialty item the varieties of which tells you a lot about the community. Every bag presents a new possibility, as regional bakeries and home cooks have perfected their own versions of these crispy, cheesy, twisted treats. You’ll find them stacked near checkout counters and in dedicated snack aisles, often in clear bags tied with ribbon. These aren’t mass-produced national brands we’re talking about. They’re local legends with recipes passed down through families.
Sister Schubert’s Rolls
There’s a reason recipes call for Sister Schubert’s – they’re simply the best prepared frozen rolls in the game, and Patricia “Sister” Schubert was known for her Parker House rolls, selling out of her home, then a bakery, and then eventually perfecting a recipe that distributes a frozen version on a wider scale. While you can technically find Sister Schubert’s rolls across the country, you’re guaranteed to find them in just about any Southern supermarket. The freezer section devotion to this brand runs deep. Whether it’s Sunday dinner, Thanksgiving, or a random Tuesday when you need something special, these rolls occupy a permanent spot in Southern freezers.
Buttermilk Selection
It’s not a hard and fast rule, but chances are that if you look for buttermilk in the dairy aisle outside of the South, you’ll come up short, yet in the South, finding buttermilk in grocery stores is never a problem, and there’s always at least one or two brands from which to choose. With more options, there’s also the chance to choose between low-fat and whole buttermilk, and every Southerner knows whole buttermilk is best for classic recipes like buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, and more. The sheer variety might seem excessive to outsiders. Yet for anyone who regularly makes biscuits, pancakes, or fried chicken, having multiple buttermilk options is just common sense.
Cheerwine
Cheerwine is a Southern institution disguised as basic soda pop, bottled with pride in the Tar Heel heartland and uniquely Southern since 1917. There is even an official annual Cheerwine Festival to celebrate it. This cherry-flavored soda has a cult following that extends beyond North Carolina, though its presence in Southern grocery stores remains far stronger than anywhere else. The burgundy-colored bottles and cans line store shelves alongside Coke and Pepsi, holding their own as a regional powerhouse that refuses to be forgotten. People who grew up with Cheerwine often describe it as irreplaceable, a flavor memory tied to childhood summers and family gatherings.
These eight items represent more than just regional preferences. They’re threads woven into the fabric of Southern food culture, each with its own history and passionate defenders. Next time you’re , pay attention to the locals loading their carts with these staples. What surprises you most about Southern grocery shopping?