United States: Recipes and Cuisine

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, United States
Image by Pixabay

The cooking and cuisine of the United States defies easy categorization. While well known for the mass production and global uniformity of fast food outlets, America is actually home to wide-ranging regional cuisine and the influence of immigrant groups past and present. From New England clam chowder to Texas barbecue to cioppino in the City by the Bay, the cuisine of the United States has thrills around every corner.

Typical American Dishes

A list of typical American dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan an American-style meal, party or festival.

Appetizers

  • Buffalo Wings (Spicy-vinegary chicken wings)
  • Crab Cakes (Fried crabmeat patties)
  • Nachos (Tortilla chips with toppings)
  • Onion Rings (Breaded, fried onions)
  • Potato Chips (Fried thin-sliced potatoes)
  • Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (American Halloween snack)
  • Rocky Mountain Oysters (Sautéed pig testicles)

Soups and Stews

  • Chicken-Noodle Soup
  • Chili con Carne (Tex-Mex spicy beef stew)
  • Gumbo (Thick okra stew)
  • Oyster Stew (Shellfish stew)
  • Vermont Cheddar Soup

Salads

  • Cobb Salad (Salad with a variety of toppings)
  • Potato Salad
  • Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
  • Sweet Coleslaw (Sweet cabbage salad)

Noodles and Pasta

  • Lasagna (Layered pasta with fillings)
  • Macaroni and Cheese (Pasta with cheese)
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Tuna-Noodle Casserole

Sandwiches

  • BBQ Pork Sandwich
  • BLT (Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich)
  • Club Sandwich (Sandwich with chicken, tomato and bacon)
  • Dagwood (Oversized, double-decker sandwich)
  • Egg Salad Sandwich
  • French Dip au Jus (Roast beef sandwich with jus dipping sauce)
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Hamburger
  • Hot Dogs (Beef or pork sausages on a bun with condiments)
  • Muffaletta (Meat and olive spread sandwich)
  • PBJ (Peanut butter and jelly sandwich)
  • Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Reuben (Ham, Swiss and sauerkraut on rye)
  • Sloppy Joes (Seasoned ground beef sandwich)
  • Tuna Salad Sandwich

Poultry

  • Chicken and Dumplings (Chicken stew with baking powder dumplings)
  • Chicken Pot Pie (United States savory chicken pie)
  • Fried Chicken
  • Roast Turkey with Gravy (American holiday turkey)

Meats

  • BBQ Spare Ribs
  • Beer-braised Bratwurst
  • Chicken-Fried Steak (Breaded steak cutlet)
  • Corn Dogs (Cornbread and hot dog on a stick)
  • Kalua Pork (Roast pork)
  • Meatloaf (Baked ground beef loaf)
  • North Carolina BBQ Pork
  • Smothered Pork Chops (Pork chops with onion gravy)

Fish and Seafood

  • BBQ Oysters
  • Fried Catfish
  • Pan-fried Walleye

Vegetables and Beans

  • Boston Baked Beans (White beans baked with molasses)
  • Corn on the Cob
  • Creamed Corn (Corn simmered in cream)
  • Mashed Potatoes (Potato puree)
  • Sausage-stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Southern Greens
  • Stewed Tomatoes

Breads and Grains

  • Baking Powder Biscuits
  • Boston Brown Bread (Molasses bread)
  • Southern Cornbread
  • Cornbread Dressing (Southern dressing)
  • Dinner Rolls
  • French Fries (Deep-fried potato sticks)
  • Hot Cross Buns
  • Hoppin’ John (Rice and black-eyed peas)
  • Wheat Bread
  • Wild Rice Pilaf (Wild grain)
  • White Bread

Sauces and Condiments

  • À la King (Leftovers in a white sauce)
  • Cranberry Sauce (Cranberry condiment)
  • Guacamole (Avocado sauce)
  • Sausage Gravy

Desserts

  • Apple Cake
  • Caramel Apples (Caramel-covered apples)
  • Coca-Cola Cake
  • Cranberry Pudding (Steamed Christmas pudding)
  • Lemon Bars
  • Peach Cobbler (Peaches baked with pastry)
  • Pumpkin Pie (Pumpkin dessert)
  • Gelatin Dessert
  • Poundcake
  • Snickerdoodles (Cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)
  • Strawberry Shortcake (Strawberries with a sweet biscuit)

Beverages

  • Birch Beer
  • Cocktails (Various alcoholic beverages)
  • Eggnog (Egg and cream Christmas beverage)
  • Gingerale (Ginger-flavored soft drink)
  • Lemonade
  • Limeade
  • Root Beer (Sarsaparilla-flavored soft drink)

Breakfast

  • Hangtown Fry (Oyster and bacon omelet)
  • Hash Browns (Sautéed grated potatoes)
  • Pancakes (Sweet skillet flatbread)

Preserves

  • Pepper Jelly

American Recipes

Try these recipes from the United States.

South Carolina Barbecue Sauce 
(American Southern mustard-based grilling sauce)
South Carolina BBQ shack

South Carolina Barbecue Sauce 
(American Southern mustard-based grilling sauce)

Sausage Gravy 
(American white sauce with sausage)
Sausage gravy on a biscuit

Sausage Gravy 
(American white sauce with sausage)

Popcorn Balls 
(American caramel-coated popcorn treat)
Popcorn balls

Popcorn Balls 
(American caramel-coated popcorn treat)

Pie Crust 
(American dessert pastry crust)
A perfect lattice pie crust

Pie Crust 
(American dessert pastry crust)

Coca-Cola Cake 
(American cocoa-cola cake)
Closeup of a slice of coca-cola cake

Coca-Cola Cake 
(American cocoa-cola cake)

Macaroni and Cheese 
(American pasta with cheese)
Casserole dish of macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and Cheese 
(American pasta with cheese)

Corn Dogs 
(American hot dog and cornbread on a stick)
Fresh corn dogs on a draining rack

Corn Dogs 
(American hot dog and cornbread on a stick)

Sweet Tea 
(American Southern summer tea drink)
Southern sweet tea in a Ball jar

Sweet Tea 
(American Southern summer tea drink)

Peach Ice Cream 
(American Southern frozen fruit and dairy dessert)
A big scoop of peach ice cream

Peach Ice Cream 
(American Southern frozen fruit and dairy dessert)

Snickerdoodles 
(American cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)
Plate of snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles 
(American cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)

Hamburgers 
(American grilled beef patty sandwiches)
Cheeseburger with tomatoes, lettuce and onion wrapped in paper

Hamburgers 
(American grilled beef patty sandwiches)

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)
Boston baked beans in a bean pot

Boston Baked Beans 
(American white beans baked with molasses)

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)
Flaming Christmas cranberry pudding

Cranberry Pudding 
(American steamed Christmas pudding)

Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce 
(American Midwest tomato-based grilling sauce)
Storefront of Arthur Bryant's Barbeque restaurant in Kansas City

Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce 
(American Midwest tomato-based grilling sauce)

Red Beans and Rice 
(American Creole bean and rice dish)
Red Beans and Rice Recipe (American Creole bean and rice dish)

Red Beans and Rice 
(American Creole bean and rice dish)

Shrimp Etouffee 
(American Cajun-Creole smothered shrimp)
Bowl of shrimp etouffee

Shrimp Etouffee 
(American Cajun-Creole smothered shrimp)

Buffalo Wings 
(American chicken wings in spicy sauce)
Bowl of Buffalo wings

Buffalo Wings 
(American chicken wings in spicy sauce)

Chicken-Fried Steak 
(American Midwest breaded steak cutlet)
Chicken-fried steak on a plate and covered with gravy

Chicken-Fried Steak 
(American Midwest breaded steak cutlet)

Cornbread 
(American cornmeal bread)
Two cornbreads in cast-iron skillets

Cornbread 
(American cornmeal bread)

Shrimp and Grits 
(American, Southern-Soul shrimp and gravy over grits)
Big bowl of shrimp and grits

Shrimp and Grits 
(American, Southern-Soul shrimp and gravy over grits)

Smothered Pork Chops 
(American Southern-Soul pork chops with onion gravy)
Plate with smothered pork chops

Smothered Pork Chops 
(American Southern-Soul pork chops with onion gravy)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)
Beautifully roasted holiday turkey

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

New York Cheesecake 
(American Mid-Atlantic cream cheese dessert)
A slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce

New York Cheesecake 
(American Mid-Atlantic cream cheese dessert)

Potato Salad 
(American potatoes with mayonnaise)
Potato salad on a plate

Potato Salad 
(American potatoes with mayonnaise)

Mashed Potatoes 
(Irish and American potato puree)
Bowl of mashed potatoes

Mashed Potatoes 
(Irish and American potato puree)

Maine Lobster Rolls 
(American, New England lobster salad sandwiches)
Lobster roll sandwich

Maine Lobster Rolls 
(American, New England lobster salad sandwiches)

Pua’a Kālua – Kalua Pork 
(American Hawaiian roast pork)
Hawaiian kalua roast pork

Pua’a Kālua – Kalua Pork 
(American Hawaiian roast pork)

Blueberry Pie 
(American blueberry-filled double-crust tart)
Slice of blueberry pie with a side of ice cream

Blueberry Pie 
(American blueberry-filled double-crust tart)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)
Glass bowl with cranberry sauce

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Cajun and Creole Seasoning 
(American Louisiana herb and spice blend)
Jar of Cajun-Creole seasoning

Cajun and Creole Seasoning 
(American Louisiana herb and spice blend)

Jambalaya 
(American Cajun-Creole rice with chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage)
A cast-iron skillet with shrimp jambalaya

Jambalaya 
(American Cajun-Creole rice with chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage)

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)
Bowl of oyster stew

Oyster Stew 
(American shellfish stew)

Cioppino 
(American West Coast fish and seafood stew)
Bowl of cioppino

Cioppino 
(American West Coast fish and seafood stew)

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup 
(American Midwestern hearty cheese soup)
Bowl of beer cheese soup

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup 
(American Midwestern hearty cheese soup)

Hoppin’ John 
(American rice and black-eyed peas)
Skillet with hoppin' John

Hoppin’ John 
(American rice and black-eyed peas)

Texas Barbecue Beef Brisket 
(American Tex-Mex smoked, slow-roasted beef)
Carving up a finished smoked beef brisket

Texas Barbecue Beef Brisket 
(American Tex-Mex smoked, slow-roasted beef)

Sloppy Joes 
(American Midwest seasoned ground beef sandwiches)
Two sloppy Joe sandwiches

Sloppy Joes 
(American Midwest seasoned ground beef sandwiches)

Sweet Potato Pie 
(American, Southern-Soul sweet potato open-faced tart)
Freshly baked sweet potato pie

Sweet Potato Pie 
(American, Southern-Soul sweet potato open-faced tart)

Southern Fried Chicken 
(American fried chicken with a crispy crust)
A plate of Southern fried chicken

Southern Fried Chicken 
(American fried chicken with a crispy crust)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)
Casserole dish with bread stuffing

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Haupia 
(American-Hawaiian coconut pudding)
Plate with haupia

Haupia 
(American-Hawaiian coconut pudding)

Chicken Luau 
(American, Hawaiian chicken with taro leaves)
Chicken with taro leaves

Chicken Luau 
(American, Hawaiian chicken with taro leaves)

Guacamole 
(Mexican avocado sauce and condiment)
Small dish a guacamole with avocados and a tomato

Guacamole 
(Mexican avocado sauce and condiment)

Club Sandwich 
(American chicken and bacon sandwich)
Club sandwich on a plate with French fries

Club Sandwich 
(American chicken and bacon sandwich)

Caramel Apples 
(American caramel-covered apples)
Tray of caramel apples with sprinkles

Caramel Apples 
(American caramel-covered apples)

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