5 Secret Cracker Barrel Recipes to Make at Home

Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, fluffy biscuit or savoring the rich flavors of a classic Chicken and Dumplings dish right from the comfort of your own kitchen. While Cracker Barrel is renowned for its comforting, down-home cooking, what if you could recreate those same beloved dishes at home? Today, we're sharing 5 Secret Cracker Barrel Recipes that are not only delicious but can be easily made in your home kitchen.

1. Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Biscuits

Why We Love Them: Cracker Barrel’s biscuits are the epitome of comfort food, known for their flaky layers and buttery taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
3. Cut in Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter into the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in buttermilk and heavy cream. Stir gently until just combined.
5. Shape the Dough: Turn out the dough onto a floured surface. Pat it down to about 1/2 inch thick. Fold the dough in half, then pat down again. Repeat this process twice to create layers.
6. Cut Biscuits: Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Brush with Butter: Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter.
8. Bake: Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

🍴 Note: Serve these biscuits warm with your favorite jam or honey for an authentic Cracker Barrel experience.

2. Chicken & Dumplings

Why We Love It: This dish is the heart of Southern comfort, and Cracker Barrel’s version is a favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (approximately 2-3 chicken breasts)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chicken: If starting with raw chicken, cook the chicken breasts in a pot with water and salt until done. Shred the chicken and set aside. Keep the chicken stock for the soup.
2. Make the Dumplings: Mix together both flours, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Cut in the shortening until the mixture looks like crumbs. Slowly add milk or buttermilk to form a soft dough.
3. Shape Dumplings: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 1-inch squares or the traditional Cracker Barrel oblong shape.
4. Cook the Soup: In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the shredded chicken.
5. Add Dumplings: Drop the dumplings into the simmering broth one by one, ensuring they don't stick together. Cover and let simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Do not stir after adding the dumplings.
6. Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.

🥧 Note: For added flavor, you can add chopped onions, celery, and carrots to the soup base before adding the dumplings.

3. Cole Slaw

Why We Love It: Crisp, tangy, and served alongside just about everything, Cole Slaw is the perfect Cracker Barrel side.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 head red cabbage, shredded
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Shred the cabbages and carrots using a food processor or by hand.
2. Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix Together: Combine the shredded vegetables with the dressing in a large mixing bowl. Toss until all vegetables are well coated.
4. Chill: Refrigerate the cole slaw for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

🥬 Note: For an authentic Cracker Barrel touch, add a bit of creaminess by using a mixture of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt.

4. Hash Brown Casserole

Why We Love It: This casserole captures the essence of a lazy, cozy brunch morning.

Ingredients:

• 1 (26 oz.) bag of frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Potatoes: Spread the thawed hash browns into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onions, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
4. Layer: Pour the cheese mixture over the hash browns and mix well to combine.
5. Top with Corn Flakes: Sprinkle the crushed corn flakes over the top of the casserole.
6. Bake: Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the top is golden and crispy, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.

🍎 Note: You can substitute cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup if you want to vary the flavor profile.

5. Fried Okra

Why We Love It: A southern staple that’s crispy, savory, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh okra, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Batter: In one bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. In another bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.
2. Coat Okra: Dip the sliced okra in the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture to coat well.
3. Heat Oil: In a deep skillet or fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry: Fry the okra in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Do not overcrowd the fryer.
5. Drain: Use a slotted spoon to transfer fried okra onto paper towels to drain excess oil.

🌶️ Note: For a slightly healthier option, you can bake the okra at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Recreating these 5 secret Cracker Barrel recipes at home not only brings the warmth and charm of Southern comfort food into your kitchen but also allows for customization to suit your taste. From buttery biscuits to savory chicken and dumplings, each dish offers a taste of the traditions and flavors that have made Cracker Barrel a beloved dining destination. Whether you're hosting a brunch, cooking dinner for the family, or just craving some comfort food, these recipes will help you transform your home into a slice of Cracker Barrel's iconic dining experience.

Can I substitute buttermilk in the biscuit recipe?

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Yes, you can make a quick substitute for buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to “sour”.

What can I use if I don’t have self-rising flour?

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Self-rising flour can be replaced by mixing 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons of baking powder and ¹⁄₄ teaspoon of salt for each cup of self-rising flour needed.

How do I keep the fried okra from getting soggy?

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After frying, place the okra on a wire rack over a baking sheet to let any excess oil drip off rather than sitting in oil, which helps retain crispiness.