TRADITIONAL LOWCOUNTRY FOOD

Try some local favorites while visiting Pawleys Island

Sources: Wikipedia; Coastal Living; Post and Courier; Discover South Carolina; Charleston Gateway

Frogmore Stew/ Lowcountry Boil

From the South Carolina town of Frogmore. This dish is a mix of spicy sausage, shrimp, and corn-on-the-cob all boiled together, no frogs in Frogmore Stew :)

SheCrab Soup

A scrumptious South Carolina favorite! She-crab soup is made with cream, crab/fish stock, Atlantic blue crab meat, crab roe, and dry sherry. It is named She-Crab soup for the fish eggs that are used to add a delectable flavor.

Hoppin’ John

Usually made with black-eyed peas or field peas, rice, bacon, fatback or ham hock, chopped onion, and salt, Hoppin’ John is a traditional New Year’s Day dish. It is said that eating Hoppin’ John will help bring luck in the New Year. Green foods such as collard greens and cabbage are often eaten alongside Hoppin’ John to represent currency, and corn bread is another favorite with Hoppin’ John as its golden color represents wealth and prosperity.

Shrimp and Grits

One of the most well-known dishes that stems from the Lowcountry. There are many variations of shrimp and grits, but it is traditionally made with a bed of grits topped with shrimp, coated with amazing rich gravy.

Huguenot Torte

This Charleston favorite was brought to coastal South Carolina when French Huguenots settled in the Charleston area in the late 17th century. The original recipe of this dessert contained hazelnuts, but because these were not indigenous to the South Carolina region, pecans were used instead. To this day, Huguenot torte remains as one of the most common desserts to end a Lowcountry meal.

Okra Soup

A South Carolina Lowcountry take on Louisiana gumbo. This tomato-based soup features okra and chunks of beef, with the broth being made from a beef bone. Common ingredients also include chopped yellow onion, celery, parsley, and many other things depending on the preference of the cook.

Chicken Bog

Originally from Horry County in South Carolina, chicken bog is a dish that many people outside of South Carolina have never heard of it. The dish is simple and delicious, made with long-grain white rice, onion, sliced smoked sausage, chicken! Where the name “chicken bog” comes from isn’t really known; we just know that it is quite tasty.

Charleston Red Rice

Though there are about a million ways to prepare Charleston Red Rice, the traditional way to make it is by taking tomatoes, rice, and pork fat and simmering them together. Sounds simple, but Charleston Red Rice is packed with flavor that everyone is sure to love. If you ever visit Charleston, be sure to try this dish at different places to see different perspectives on a traditional Lowcountry dish.

Pimento Cheese

Unless you’ve been to South, you most likely have not encountered the magic that is pimento cheese. A South Carolina favorite, pimento cheese is a spread made with sharp cheddar cheese (or processed cheese like American cheese or Velveeta), pimentos, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise. These ingredients are blended into a paste that is either chunky or smooth depending on preference. Some pimento cheeses include other ingredients such as cream cheese, Louisiana hot sauce, jalapenos, dill pickles, and more. Either way, once you start munchin’ on some crackers with pimento cheese, you’ll be hooked!