Southern Pecan Pie Recipe

Y’all, my Southern pecan pie is straight up famous during the holiday season. The ratings below will tell you it is the best one anyone has ever tried, and I can’t argue with that. It’s got a mix of pecans and gooey, sweet filling, plus you can prep it in no time. Whether it’s your first time baking one or you’re a pro, my family’s pecan pie recipe is the ONLY ONE YOU’LL EVER NEED. Bold statement, but complete facts!

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A perfect pecan pie recipe on a white background with a bowl of pecans nearby under a  napkin

Homemade Pecan Pie Ingredients

Ingredients to make best ever pecan pie on the counter ready to mix up in glass bowls on white countertop
  • Dry ingredients: Granulated sugar, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. The flour helps the filling set. I’ve tried plenty of pecan pie recipes that left me with soupy centers, but adding that little bit of flour made all the difference!
  • Wet ingredients: Light corn syrup, melted unsalted butter, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Let the eggs come to room temperature and the melted butter cool slightly so the filling blends smoothly.
  • Pecans: I’ve made this with just about every kind of pecan possible, from whole ones to chopped pieces, and they all work. Pecan halves are my fave because you get that big crunch and a pretty top.
  • Pie crust: There ain’t nothing wrong with using a store-bought pie crust, but if you really want the best pecan pie ever, go with a homemade crust. And I ain’t just saying that because I have a recipe for it! Everything made from scratch has a lil more love in it, boos. For a packaged crust, follow the directions for thawing and prebaking.
Five star review

“All I can say is WOW!!!!!!! I followed the recipe to the tee & it came out immaculate”

—ANDRETTA

How to Make Pecan Pie

These step-by-step photos show how to make a Southern pecan pie, but be sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions. Skip to the → Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

1. Whisk together the sugars

Brown sugar and granulated sugar in a glass bowl with a whisk on white countertop

Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar together in a medium bowl, breaking up any brown sugar lumps.

2. Add the wet ingredients

Eggs and brown sugar being whisked together in a glass bowl

Whisk in the corn syrup, melted butter, beaten eggs, and vanilla until smooth.

PRO TIP: Spray your measuring cup with cooking spray before adding the corn syrup. It will slide right out!

3. Whisk in the flour and salt

Flour added to pecan pie filling to thicken

Add the flour and a pinch of salt, then whisk until smooth with no dry pockets.

4. Fold in the pecans

Pecan halves added to glass bowl with filling

Use a spatula to fold the pecan halves into the filling until evenly coated.

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5. Fill your pie crust with the pecan pie filling

Pecan pie before baking with pie shield on outside

Pour the filling into your prepared pie shell and spread the pecans evenly across the top.

6. Bake and serve your pecan pie

Baked pecan pie ready to serve

Bake until the edges are set and the center has just a slight jiggle, then let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

PRO TIP: If using a homemade crust, prebake it with parchment and pie weights before adding the filling, keeping some weights against the sides so the crust holds its shape.

Full Southern Pecan Pie Recipe

A perfect pecan pie recipe on a white background with a bowl of pecans nearby under a napkin

Southern Pecan Pie Recipe

My family's Southern pecan pie recipe with pecan halves, brown sugar and a flaky pie crust. Includes baking times and tips for a set filling.
4.49 from 134 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 3 large eggs beaten and room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp all-purpose flour
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
  • 1 9 in pie crust

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375˚F. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together both sugars until combined.
  • Next whisk in corn syrup, melted butter, beaten eggs and vanilla until mixture is smooth. 
  • Quickly whisk in flour and pinch of salt until mixture is smooth but somewhat thickened.
  • Add pecan halves and use a spatula to combine.
  • Pour pecan filling into pie shell. If using my pie crust recipe, roll one of the disks out into the pie plate then use a fork to poke holes along the sides and bottom of the pie crust. Line the pie crust with parchment paper. Fill with pie weights, making sure the weights are evenly distributed around the pie dish. Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment paper/pie weights then add the filling. If you would like, you can brush some egg wash on the outside of the crust as well (just take 1 egg and whisk together with a teaspoon of water).
  • Bake for 15 minutes then lower temperature to 350˚F and bake 30-40 minutes or until center of pie jiggles only slightly. If it shakes too much, leave it in the oven to bake longer. The pie should be almost stable. If you find that the crust is browning too quickly, add a pie shield or some foil on the outside halfway through the bake.
  • Remove pie from oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then serve.

Video

Notes

How to Store

  • Fridge: Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Wait until it’s cool before covering tightly so you don’t trap moisture and soften the crust.
  • Freezer: Once cooled completely, wrap the pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheating: Warm slices in a 300°F oven, loosely covered with foil, until warmed through. If you just need a quick slice, microwave in short bursts.

Nutrition

Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
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Recipe Tips

  • Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer. If it runs cooler than the dial says, your pie can brown on top and underbake in the center.
  • Loosely cover the pie with foil if the pecans get too dark. That lets the filling finish baking without burning the nuts. Burnt pecans will make the whole pie taste bitter.
  • Take the pie out while the center still jiggles slightly. That lil wobble is normal, and the filling will keep setting as it cools. If it’s sloshing like liquid, it needs more baking.
  • Let the pie cool completely before slicing. For cleaner slices, chill it and wipe your knife between cuts.
Five star review

“Jocelyn, This is my go-to pecan pie recipe! I made 6 pies last year and am already getting requests from my family for this Thanksgiving. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.”

—MERRIE

A slice of easy pecan pie being lifted up on a server on white background

Recipe Help

How do I fix a soupy pecan pie?

If it’s still warm, let it cool completely first boos. If the filling is clearly liquid when it comes out of the oven, loosely cover it with foil and keep baking at 350°F, checking every 5 to 10 minutes until the center only jiggles slightly.

Why is my pecan pie filling grainy?

The sugar probably didn’t dissolve properly. Break up any brown sugar lumps and whisk the filling until smooth before adding the pecans.

Do I need to toast the pecans first?

Nope! They toast on top as the pie bakes. You can add them straight from the bag.

More Southern Pie Recipes

Filed Under:  Dessert and Baking, Fall Recipes, Holidays, Oven, Pies, Thanksgiving

Comments

  1. I have never made a pie until I found this recipe. I was given a bunch of fresh pecans so decided to give it a try. This recipe is supper easy and the result was the best tasting pecan pie I have ever eaten! Thank you very much for sharing and I will definitely be making this pie over and over again!

  2. I made the Southern Pecan Pie using Ms Jocelyn’s recipe and this receipe is hands down the best pecan pie I’ve ever tasted!!! It’s for sure tucked away safely in my recipe book in hopes of enjoying for years to come!! These pies came out just perfect!! The right amount of sweetness that allowed for the buttery nut taste to come through!!!
    I’m so grateful that you have shared your family recipe and so glad I found it!!! Happy New Year!!

  3. Jacelyn, this is the first time I have ever made a comment so i really hope you see this. I found this recipe and made one pie for Thanksgiving. It was phenomenal. I am known for being a pretty decent baker and cook but when i used this recipe my husband said it was a KEEPER!!! I made two for Christmas dinner and three for friends. I made my seventh pie this season just last night for our All Southern style New Years Dinner this afternoon. Thank you again for sharing this.

    1. Oh wow that makes me so so happy! Thank you so much for sharing this with me.

  4. Hi Jocelyn, I sure did t think to ask this question and add it to my lifestyle question! Gosh , I just want to make a perfect pie!

    Ok do I just bake it directly on oven rack? I know a lot of people use cookie sheets.
    Very last question, promise!

    But I will post comments about the finished dessert!

    Thank you

  5. I’m using this pecan pie recipe for the first time today but I didn’t see anything about how to handle pie crust
    Is the crust , completely thawed (using pet ritz frozen) and then add filling, or kept frozen and then add filling?

    1. For a frozen pie crust, I believe the instructions say you can bake directly from frozen and it will bake up just fine.

  6. Girl just made my first pecan pie.
    Two really.Oh my greatttttt.
    Thank you so much.
    Down South visiting daughter a neighbor ask me. Pecans right from the tree. 10 stars

  7. This is the first time I have made a Pecan Pie and after baking and serving to family it won’t be the last one. Everybody loved it! Thank you for sharing this 5 star recipe!

  8. Perfect in every way! I made this pie last night to take to our sons house for Christmas dinner today. It was a huge success! His wife is a chef and she said it was delicious! And believe me – if she don’t like it you’re gonna know it!!!

  9. This is only a slight variation of my moms but I’m gonna try next time. I use 1 cup brown sugar where yours is 1/2 plus1/2 granulated sugar. I use 3/4 syrup to your 1/2
    And I don’t use flour. I think yours will be better!

4.49 from 134 votes (79 ratings without comment)

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