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🇺🇸 The food of the United States

252 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 8Louisiana 6New York City 6New England 5Texas 5Chicago 4Pennsylvania 4San Francisco 3Southern United States 3Wisconsin 3Acadiana 2Baltimore 2Boston 2Buffalo 2California 2Charleston 2Hawaii 2Los Angeles 2Maine 2South Carolina 2Albany 1American South 1Arizona 1Austin 1Bangor 1Barberton 1Breaux Bridge 1Carolinas 1Connecticut 1Dallas 1Denver 1El Paso 1Florida 1Harlem 1Houston 1Kansas City 1Kauai 1Key West 1La Jolla 1LaPlace 1Long Island 1Louisville 1Lowcountry 1Madison 1Manhattan 1Maryland 1Massachusetts 1Memphis 1Middletown 1Minnesota 1Montana 1New York 1North Dakota 1Oklahoma 1Omaha 1Pasadena 1Philadelphia 1Pittsburgh 1Portland 1Rhode Island 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
Pickled cucumberVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCucumbers preserved in brine or vinegar, enjoyed worldwide in many styles Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner Iced teaVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreChilled tea served over ice, sometimes sweetened or flavored with fruit Drink, Lunch, Dinner MacaronVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreAlmond meringue sandwich cookie with a creamy or jam filling Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Chili con carneMeat 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreA spicy stew of meat and chili peppers from Mexico and the United States Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Potato saladVegetarianKartoffelsalat 🇦🇹 Austria and 5 moreBoiled potatoes mixed with dressing, herbs, and vegetables, served cold or warm Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner Cinnamon rollVegetarian 🇸🇪 Sweden and 4 moreA sweet rolled bun with cinnamon and sugar, baked and often topped with icing Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Tea time CheeseburgerMeat 🇺🇸 United StatesA hamburger topped with melted cheese, often with lettuce, tomato and condiments Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pierogi 🇵🇱 Poland and 6 moreDumplings of unleavened dough filled with savory or sweet mixtures Dumpling, Lunch, Dinner Steak tartareMeat 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreRaw minced beef, seasoned and often topped with a raw egg yolk Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Haggistaigeis 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreA savoury pudding of sheep offal, oats and spices, boiled in a casing Main dish, Dinner Beef StroganoffMeatбефстроганов 🇷🇺 Russia and 6 moreSautéed beef in a creamy mustard and sour cream sauce, often with mushrooms or onions Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Chicken tikka masalaMeat 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreRoasted marinated chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato-based sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Chocolate cakeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCake made with chocolate or cocoa, often layered or topped with icing Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Bruschetta 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreGrilled bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil, often topped with tomato or other ingredients Bread, Snacks, Tea time Chicken soupMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreA hot soup of chicken simmered with vegetables, noodles or grains Soup, Lunch, Dinner Eggnog 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA creamy, sweet drink of milk, eggs, sugar and spirits, served at Christmas Drink, Snacks GyrosMeatγύρος 🇬🇷 Greece and 3 moreGreek pita wrap with rotisserie meat, tomato, onion, fries and tzatziki Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Dinner Quesadilla 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreTortilla folded around cheese and fillings, cooked on a griddle or fried Main dish, Lunch, Dinner MargaritaVegan 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreTequila, orange liqueur and lime juice shaken and served in a salt-rimmed glass Drink, Snacks Black Forest cakeVegetarianSchwarzwälder Kirschtorte 🇩🇪 Germany and 2 moreGerman chocolate and cherry layer cake with whipped cream and kirsch Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks SalsaVegan 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreMexican table sauces made with chili, tomato, and onion, served as condiments or dips Sauce, pickle or ferment Pea soup 🇸🇪 Sweden and 5 moreA thick, hearty soup made from dried peas, found in many world cuisines Soup, Lunch, Dinner Banana splitVegetarian 🇺🇸 United StatesIce cream and toppings served over a split banana in a long dish Sweet or dessert, Snacks Tandoori chickenMeat 🇮🇳 India and 2 moreChicken marinated in yogurt and spices, roasted in a clay oven Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Fried chickenMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreChicken pieces coated in seasoned flour or batter and fried until crisp Main dish, Lunch, Dinner French onion soupsoupe à l'oignon 🇫🇷 France and 1 moreA hot soup of caramelized onions in stock, topped with bread and melted cheese Soup, Lunch, Dinner MortadellaMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreLarge Italian sausage of finely ground pork and cubes of fat, often with pepper or pistachio Sausage or cured food, Lunch, Dinner BratwurstMeat 🇩🇪 Germany and 3 moreGerman sausage made from pork, veal, or beef, often grilled and served in a bread roll Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Scone 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA quick bread, sweet or savoury, served with tea in Britain and beyond Bread, Tea time, Breakfast Stuffing 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA seasoned mixture used to fill meat, poultry, seafood, or vegetables before cooking Main dish, Dinner Jambalaya 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreLouisiana rice cooked with meats, vegetables and spices in one pot Main dish, Lunch, Dinner FudgeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreSoft, creamy confection made from sugar, butter and milk Sweet or dessert, Snacks SeitanVegan 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreWheat gluten shaped and cooked as a meat substitute Main dish Salade niçoise 🇫🇷 France and 1 moreA French salad of tomatoes, eggs, olives and anchovies or tuna from Nice Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner BreadstickVegangrissini 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreThin, crisp baked bread sticks from Turin, Italy Bread, Snacks, Lunch Dim sum点心 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA variety of small Chinese dishes served with tea, often for brunch Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Bánh mì 🇻🇳 Vietnam and 5 moreA Vietnamese baguette sandwich with savory fillings and pickled vegetables Sandwich or wrap, Breakfast, Snacks Gumbo 🇺🇸 United StatesA hearty Louisiana stew thickened with roux, okra, or filé, served with rice Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner ColeslawVegetariankoolsla 🇳🇱 Netherlands and 5 moreShredded raw cabbage salad with a creamy or tangy dressing Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner Macaroni and cheeseVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreBaked or stovetop pasta in a creamy cheese sauce, often with cheddar Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Fajita 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreGrilled meat and peppers served with tortillas and toppings Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Apple sauceVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSmooth cooked apples, sometimes sweetened or spiced, eaten as a side or dessert Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner Corned beefMeat 🇮🇪 Ireland and 5 moreSalt-cured beef, often pink, eaten fresh or canned in many countries Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Roast beefMeat 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreBeef roasted whole and sliced, served hot or cold as a main dish or sandwich filling Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Shabu-shabuしゃぶしゃぶ 🇯🇵 Japan and 4 moreJapanese hot pot where diners cook thin meat and vegetables at the table Main dish, Dinner, Lunch King cake 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreA festive sweet bread or pastry with a hidden token, eaten for Epiphany and Carnival Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time Buffalo wingsMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreDeep-fried chicken wings tossed in spicy cayenne pepper sauce and butter Main dish, Snacks, Lunch LutefiskFish or seafood 🇳🇴 Norway and 4 moreNordic dish of dried whitefish rehydrated and treated with lye Main dish, Dinner
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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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