7 Nostalgic Things You’d Only Find In A Southern Grandma’s Kitchen

Growing up, a Southern grandmother’s kitchen is a special place of sweet memories made and many batches of biscuits and cookies as well. Beyond being the birthplace of many kids’ first bites of cheese-topped casseroles and Southern layer cakes, grandma’s kitchen was also a treasure trove of bits and baubles, whether it’s a nondescript canister of leftover bacon grease on the counter or a cookie jar of her “famous” Kitchen Sink Cookies. Some of these unique kitchen items are so nostalgic that we don’t see them quite so much anymore, which makes us remember them even more fondly. Perhaps it’s time to bring them back. 

Here are 7 things we’ll always miss about grandma’s kitchen. 

Her Cabinets Full of Tupperware and Bakeware

She always knew which cabinet doors to open precariously, in case a mountain of reused Cool Whip containers and stacks of CorningWare baking dishes would come clattering out. There isn’t a margarine tub, jelly jar, or coffee canister she wouldn't keep for leftovers later, and we admittedly miss seeing those blue-patterned vintage baking dishes on the holiday table. 

Her Very Vintage Kitchen Tools

Going through the kitchen drawers was basically like another toy box, largely because many of the kitchen tools did not make their purpose clearly known, which made them all the more interesting to curious grandkids. You could reach in to find a hand-crank mixer, egg separator, flour sifter tin, angel cake breaker, or meat tenderizer mallet. Sadly, many of these old-school tools aren’t used any more or have been replaced by more modern (albeit less fun) variations.  

Her Collection of Rooster Decor—Or Any Other Theme

Southern grandmothers do have a penchant for collecting decorative items, and often that might manifest itself in a particular kitchen theme focused on one core thing, such as roosters, owls, dogs, something floral, or even just a more general farmhouse aesthetic—and you can expect the theme to be committed to. Meaning, at first there might be a set of salt-and-pepper shakers. Then, a tea towel. Later, a framed cross-stitch on the wall. Finally, the candy dish and cookie jar. Roosters, roosters, everywhere.

Her Wall of Barely-Used China Plates

There’s fine china for eating, pulled out for special occasions and holidays; and then there’s fine china for the kitchen and dining room walls. Using china as decor around the home is a classic Southern design move—with our grandmothers leading the way—and it makes complete sense. A set of beautiful china is a work of art and deserves to be displayed like it. (Not to mention, a real investment.) Her most prized plates were settled cozily on an accent wall to admire on any day. 

Her Impressive Silver Collection

Everyone knew the holidays were coming around when grandmothers would start pulling out the “good silver” to make sure everything was polished and shiny-new, usually recruiting older grandkids to help out. Between holidays, you might find these serving pieces and silverware sets tucked away in a special drawer not to be touched, and protected under lock and key if necessary. Luckily, these family heirlooms are often passed down and can be appreciated in our own kitchens.   

Her Many Tubs of Margarine—And Butter Dishes

Remember when the chosen spread of choice could just as easily be margarine, or oleo, as real butter. Those tubs would pack the fridge full year-round, but especially during the holidays when many big family meals were to be held and running out of easy-spreading margarine just wasn’t an option. Along the same stroke, it just wasn’t grandma’s house without a butter dish sitting out on the counter. She was right—you actually can keep butter at room temperature! Especially when there are biscuits around. 

Her Mismatched Pastel Kitchen Appliances

Before the appliance world went primarily stainless steel, kitchens featured appliances, gadgets, cabinets, and walls in many shades of pastel and bright colors. In fact, the more, the merrier! On a visit to a Southern grandmother’s place, there might have been a Pepto Bismol pink mixer next to an avocado green toaster. While most of them have most likely been retired, we see the trend pop back up in new modern ways all the time. As per usual, grandma knew best.