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Thali

🇺🇸 The food of the United States

186 dishes from the United States, best known first, across 60 cities and regions.

American cuisine is shaped by a blend of Native American, European, African, and later immigrant traditions. Its diversity comes from regional ingredients, waves of immigration, and local innovation, resulting in a wide range of dishes from barbecue to Tex-Mex. Fast food and global influences are now central, but regional and festive foods remain important.

  • Native Americans practiced companion planting of corn, beans, and squash.
  • Barbecue and fried foods are widely associated with American cooking.
  • Thanksgiving features roast turkey as a traditional centerpiece.
  • Louisiana Creole cuisine blends French, West African, and Native American elements.
  • Drive-in and drive-through restaurants shaped 20th-century eating habits.

The cooking of the United States

Cooking in the United States is marked by constant mixing and adaptation. Early Native American farming and hunting practices formed the base, later joined by European settlers’ crops and livestock. African American traditions, especially in the South, brought new ingredients and techniques. Over time, each region developed its own style, shaped by local resources and the customs of immigrants from Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Modern American food is influenced by technology, media, and global trends, but regional specialties and holiday meals still play a big part.

Staple foods in the United States

Corn, beans, and squash were the first staples, grown by Native Americans. Wheat, pork, beef, and dairy arrived with Europeans. Over time, rice, potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables became common. Seafood is important on both coasts, while game meats and wild plants remain part of some regional diets. Today, processed foods, bread, and fried foods are widely eaten.

Sweets and drinks in the United States

Milkshakes are a classic American treat. Drinks and desserts vary by region and heritage, with influences from many immigrant groups. Sweet potato and pecan pies are found in the South, while other areas have their own favorites. Coffee, introduced by African and European settlers, is widely consumed.

From region to region in the United States

Each part of the country has its own cooking style. The South is known for soul food and barbecue, the Northeast for seafood and baked beans, and the Midwest for hearty, farm-based dishes. Louisiana Creole blends French, African, and Native American influences. Hawaiian food draws from Polynesian and Asian roots. Tex-Mex and New Mexican cooking come from the Southwest’s ties to Latin America. States like Minnesota and California have their own distinct food traditions, shaped by local crops and immigrant communities.

Festival and religious food in the United States

Certain foods are tied to holidays. Roast turkey is central to Thanksgiving and often Christmas. Jewish Americans keep traditional dishes for religious holidays, such as stews and fried fish. Other groups maintain their own festive foods, reflecting their heritage.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "American cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of the United States

New Orleans 6New England 5New York City 5Chicago 4Louisiana 4Pennsylvania 4Texas 4San Francisco 3Southern United States 3Baltimore 2California 2Los Angeles 2South Carolina 2Wisconsin 2Acadiana 1American South 1Arizona 1Austin 1Bangor 1Barberton 1Boston 1Breaux Bridge 1Buffalo 1Carolinas 1Charleston 1Connecticut 1Dallas 1Denver 1El Paso 1Florida 1Harlem 1Hawaii 1Houston 1Kansas City 1Kauai 1Key West 1La Jolla 1Long Island 1Louisville 1Lowcountry 1Madison 1Maine 1Manhattan 1Maryland 1Massachusetts 1Memphis 1Middletown 1Minnesota 1Montana 1New York 1North Dakota 1Oklahoma 1Omaha 1Pasadena 1Philadelphia 1Portland 1Rhode Island 1Saratoga Springs 1Seattle 1South Dakota 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
WineVegan 🇬🇪 Georgia and 5 moreAlcoholic drink made by fermenting grape juice in many styles and colors Drink Pizza 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreFlatbread topped with tomato, cheese and baked at high heat Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Ice cream 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA frozen dessert made from sweetened, flavoured milk or cream Sweet or dessert, Snacks HamburgerMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA hot ground meat patty in a sliced bun, often with salad and sauces Main dish, Lunch, Dinner French friesVeganpommes frites 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreDeep-fried strips of potato, served hot and salted Street food, Lunch, Dinner SpaghettiVegan 🇮🇹 Italy and 2 moreLong, thin pasta strands made from durum wheat and water Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Candy 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSmall sweet treats made mainly from sugar or sweeteners Sweet or dessert, Snacks Hot dogMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA sausage in a sliced bun, topped with condiments and eaten hot Street food, Lunch, Dinner Doughnut 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSweet fried or baked rings or balls, often glazed or filled Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Snacks Hot chocolate 🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 moreA warm drink made from chocolate or cocoa, milk or water, and sugar Drink, Breakfast, Snacks CaviarFish or seafood 🇮🇷 Iran and 5 moreSalt-cured fish roe, most prized from sturgeon of the Caspian and Black Sea Sauce, pickle or ferment, Snacks CappuccinoVegetarian 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreEspresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of milk foam, served in a small cup Drink, Breakfast Taco 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreA folded tortilla filled with meat, beans or vegetables, eaten by hand Street food, Lunch, Dinner French toast 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreBread soaked in egg and milk, pan-fried and served sweet or savoury Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks GuacamoleVegan 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreAvocado mashed with lime, salt, and herbs, served as a dip or spread Sauce, pickle or ferment, Snacks, Lunch Pancake 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreFlat cakes made from batter, cooked on a griddle or pan and served sweet or savoury Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks PretzelVegetarian 🇩🇪 Germany and 4 moreA baked knot-shaped bread, often topped with salt or seeds Bread, Snacks Fish and chipsFish or seafood 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 8 moreBattered fried fish served hot with thick-cut chips Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pie 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked dish with a pastry crust and sweet or savoury filling Main dish, Lunch, Dinner BaguetteVegan 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreLong, thin French bread with a crisp crust and soft interior Bread, Breakfast, Lunch GuinnessVegan 🇮🇪 Ireland and 5 moreA dark Irish stout with a creamy head and dry, roasted flavour Drink Soy milkVegan豆奶 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA plant-based drink made by soaking, grinding, and boiling soybeans Drink, Breakfast, Snacks BarbacoaMeat 🇲🇽 Mexico and 3 moreMeat slow-cooked in a pit lined with agave or banana leaves Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Christmas hamMeat 🇸🇪 Sweden and 3 moreCured ham served at Christmas, with local glazes and traditions Main dish, Dinner FondueVegetarian 🇨🇭 Switzerland and 1 moreMelted cheese and wine served hot in a communal pot for dipping bread Main dish, Dinner Barbecue in the United StatesMeat 🇺🇸 United StatesMeat slow-cooked over wood smoke, a tradition rooted in the American South Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pique machoMeat 🇧🇴 Bolivia and 1 moreA Bolivian platter of beef, sausage, fries, vegetables and spicy sauces Main dish, Dinner, Lunch KāluaMeat 🇺🇸 United StatesMeat slow-cooked in an underground oven with hot stones and leaves Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Seafood boil 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreShellfish and sides cooked together for a communal feast Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Thanksgiving dinnerMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA holiday meal centered on roast turkey with a variety of side dishes and desserts Main dish, Dinner Hanukkah geltVegetarianחנוכה געלט / דמי חנוכה 🇮🇱 Israel and 1 moreChocolate coins or money given as gifts during Hanukkah Sweet or dessert, Snacks Zereshk poloMeatزرشک‌پلو 🇮🇷 Iran and 1 morePersian rice with tart barberries, often served with saffron chicken Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Chocolate brownieVegetarianBrownie 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreDense chocolate squares baked as a bar, often served warm or with toppings Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Burrito 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreA wheat flour tortilla wrapped around a savory filling, eaten by hand or with sauce Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Phophở 🇻🇳 Vietnam and 5 moreVietnamese rice noodle soup with beef or chicken in aromatic broth Soup, Breakfast, Lunch CarbonaraMeatpasta alla carbonara 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 morePasta tossed with eggs, hard cheese, cured pork and black pepper Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Cheesecake 🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreA chilled dessert of sweetened soft cheese on a crumb or pastry base Sweet or dessert, Snacks Foie grasMeat 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreFattened duck or goose liver, a French delicacy served whole or as a spread Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Caesar salad 🇲🇽 Mexico and 3 moreRomaine lettuce tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing and croutons Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner RavioliRavioliai 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStuffed pasta parcels, usually square, with varied fillings and sauces Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Nachos 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreTortilla chips topped with melted cheese and a mix of savory garnishes Main dish, Snacks, Lunch KhachapuriVegetarianხაჭაპური 🇬🇪 Georgia and 4 moreLeavened bread filled with cheese, sometimes egg, from Georgia Bread, Breakfast, Lunch ÉclairVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 2 moreChoux pastry filled with cream and topped with icing Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time Apple pieVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked pie with apple filling and pastry crust, served hot or cold Sweet or dessert, Snacks Peking duckMeat北京烤鸭 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreCrisp-skinned roast duck from Beijing, carved and served with pancakes and condiments Main dish, Dinner, Lunch MuesliMüesli 🇨🇭 Switzerland and 1 moreSwiss cold cereal of soaked oats, fruit, and nuts, eaten for breakfast or supper Main dish, Breakfast, Supper Punchपंच 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreA party drink of fruit juice, sweetener, and sometimes alcohol, served in a large bowl Drink, Snacks Bagel 🇵🇱 Poland and 2 moreRing-shaped bread roll, boiled then baked for a dense, chewy texture Bread, Breakfast, Lunch
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