There are certain Thanksgiving dishes we expect to find on almost every Southern table: juicy turkey, creamy mac and cheese, cranberry sauce (probably canned), and to less a hearty casserole. But what makes holidays in the South truly special are the unique variations each state brings to the holiday. Between locally sourced ingredients and cherished family recipes passed down through generations, each state adds its own flavor and flare. Here are the standout dishes that give us an idea where you’re from.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Alabama

Sweet potatoes and Thanksgiving are a match made in heaven, especially for an Alabamian. If you spend Thanksgiving with Alabamians, there’s a good chance you’ll find sweet potato casserole as a side dish and maybe even sweet potato pie for dessert. After all, the sweet potato is the official state vegetable of Alabama!

Cornbread Dressing and White Sauce

Arkansas

Cornbread dressing is by no means exclusive to Arkansas (the whole South loves this stuff), but it’s almost impossible to find an Arkansas Thanksgiving table without it. On the side, you’ll likely find a generous helping of white sauce.

Key lime pie

Florida

Key lime pie may be known as Florida’s quintessential summer dessert, but make no mistake, it’s just as popular at Thanksgiving. Key lime pie sales skyrocket during the holidays as people crave something sweet, tangy and undeniably Floridian to complement their Thanksgiving feast.

Pecan pie

Georgia

Many Southern states indulge in pecan pie at Thanksgiving, but given that Georgia has been ranked #1 in pecan production for nearly two decades, it’s safe to say that Georgians have a special love for this classic dessert.

Hot Brown Casserole and Derby Pie

Kentucky

Originally from Kentucky, the Hot Brown Casserole pays homage to the classic Hot Brown, an open-faced sandwich featuring thick slices of turkey, crispy bacon, Mornay sauce and tomatoes on Texas toast. Now imagine all this in casserole form, it’s truly amazing. And for dessert, a Kentuckian might serve you a slice of Derby Piea combination of chocolate, pecans and bourbon.

Jambalaya and crawfish vinaigrette

Louisiana

It wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving in Louisiana without some Cajun-Creole inspired dishes. Jambalaya is a staple for many families, and if you don’t see it on the Thanksgiving table, you’ll probably notice it the next day. made with leftover turkey. When it comes to cornbread dressing, Louisianans love to put their own spin on the recipe by adding crawfish and andouille sausage.

Fried Catfish and Mississippi Mud Pie

Mississippi

Catfish for Thanksgiving? Yes, yes indeed. Mississippians are famous for their crispy Southern-style fries catfishand it is not uncommon to find it as a side dish, or even as a replacement for turkey, on Thanksgiving Day. For dessert, you risk being served Mississippi Mud Piea dessert with layers and layers of decadent chocolate.

Barbecue Turkey and Corn Pudding Casserole

North Carolina

North Carolina ranks highly in many areas, including turkey production and barbecue. So when Thanksgiving rolls around, there’s a good chance the turkey will be covered in barbecue sauce and smoked to perfection. As a side dish, North Carolinians love to serve a creamy corn pudding casserole.

Shrimp and Grits

South Carolina

We’re willing to bet you’re from the Lowcountry if there are shrimp and grits on your Thanksgiving table. Some South Carolinians will even turn the dish into a delicious salad dressing to make it more festive. It’s a perfect appetizer, side dish, or even breakfast.

Hash brown casserole

Tennessee

You know you’ve hit the jackpot if you’re served hash brown casserole on Thanksgiving. For many Tennesseeans, the holidays just aren’t complete without it. This casserole, made with hash browns, cream of chicken, sour cream, cheddar cheese, onion and peppers, may not be traditional, but it never fails to please a crowd.

Fried Turkey

Texas

In true “go big or go home” style, Texans are known for serving fried turkey at Thanksgiving. This cooking method creates a juicy, flavorful bird with crispy skin. However, Texas is also known for having the most fried turkey accidents and the most cooking-related insurance claims on Thanksgiving, so unless you’re an expert, This one might be best left to the professionals.

Oyster vinaigrette

Virginia

As in any Southern state with a coastline, seafood shines at the Thanksgiving table in Virginia. The specialty here is almost always oyster vinaigrette (also called oyster casserole). Chesapeake Bay oysters are layered on a bed of breadcrumbs and heavy cream, mixed with herbs and topped with crushed saltines. If you have the chance to try it, you won’t soon forget it.