9 Hearty Old-School Dishes Johnny Cash Couldn’t Get Enough Of

Johnny Cash, the Man in Black, wasn’t just legendary for his music—he had a serious appetite for down-home Southern cooking. From simmering pots of chili to crispy fried treats, Cash’s favorite meals were as bold and unforgettable as his songs.

These nine hearty dishes tell the story of a man who loved simple, soul-warming food that stuck to your ribs and brought folks together around the table.

1. Iron-Pot Chili

This wasn’t your average bowl of red—Cash’s signature chili was a thick, smoky masterpiece cooked low and slow in a cast-iron pot. He’d use chunks of sirloin or venison, plenty of beans, and a secret ingredient: cornmeal to give it that stick-to-your-spoon texture.

Whether he was feeding bandmates on the road or family at home, this chili was always on the menu. It had just the right kick of spice and a richness that only hours of simmering can bring, making it pure comfort in a bowl.

2. Cornbread

Golden, crumbly, and slightly sweet, cornbread was a Cash family staple that showed up at nearly every meal. Johnny had a quirky habit of crumbling his cornbread into a glass of cold buttermilk and eating it with a spoon like cereal—a true Southern tradition.

This humble side dish was never fancy, but it didn’t need to be. Hot from the oven with a pat of melting butter, cornbread was the perfect companion to chili, beans, or just about anything else on the table.

3. Fried Catfish

Crispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside—fried catfish was a Southern classic Cash couldn’t resist. Dredged in seasoned cornmeal and fried until golden, this dish brought the taste of lazy river days and backyard fish fries straight to the dinner table.

Pair it with hush puppies, coleslaw, and a squeeze of lemon, and you’ve got a meal that’s simple yet incredibly satisfying. For Cash, it was all about honest, unfussy food that tasted like home.

4. Deep-Fried Chicken Skin

Here’s where Cash got a little unconventional. He loved munching on deep-fried chicken skin—crispy, salty, and utterly addictive, kind of like homemade pork rinds but with poultry swagger.

It might sound wild, but one bite and you’ll understand the obsession.

This snack was all about texture: shatteringly crunchy with just enough savory richness to keep you coming back for more. Johnny knew that sometimes the best bites are the ones that break all the rules.

5. Pinto Beans and Ham Hocks

Few things say comfort like a pot of pinto beans slow-cooked with smoky ham hocks. Cash adored this humble dish for its deep, savory flavor and the way it filled the house with a mouthwatering aroma that promised a hearty meal ahead.

Served with cornbread and maybe some chopped onions on top, it was a meal that didn’t need frills. Just good, honest ingredients simmered together until every bean was tender and soaked in that rich, porky goodness.

6. Fried Bologna with Eggs

Breakfast at the Cash house wasn’t complete without fried bologna—thick slices cooked until the edges curled up crispy, paired with half-scrambled eggs that were soft and creamy. Add buttery biscuits drizzled with honey, and you’ve got a morning meal fit for a country legend.

It might sound simple, but that’s exactly the point. This breakfast was all about bold flavors and satisfying textures that fueled long days and even longer nights on the road.

7. Banana Pudding

Sweet, creamy, and layered with vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices, banana pudding was the dessert that made everyone at the Cash table smile. This Southern classic was a family favorite, served cold and oh-so-comforting after a big meal.

Each spoonful delivered a perfect mix of silky pudding, soft bananas, and those slightly soggy-but-still-crunchy wafers. It’s the kind of dessert that brings back childhood memories and makes you want seconds before you’ve even finished your first bowl.

8. Chicken and Dumplings

When the weather turned cold or spirits needed lifting, chicken and dumplings was the answer. Tender chunks of chicken swimming in a rich, creamy broth with pillowy dumplings that soaked up all that savory goodness—this was the ultimate hug in a bowl.

Cash loved how this dish brought warmth and comfort with every bite. It’s the kind of meal that slows you down, makes you savor the moment, and reminds you that the best things in life are often the simplest.

9. Peanut Butter Cookies

Made with crunchy peanut butter and baked to golden perfection, these cookies were a sweet reminder of home for Johnny. His mother used to bake them, and that nostalgic flavor followed him throughout his life, offering a taste of simpler times with every bite.

Crispy around the edges, chewy in the middle, and loaded with peanutty goodness, these cookies were perfect with a cold glass of milk. Sometimes the best treats are the ones that take you back to childhood.