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Thali

🇺🇸 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
Cornbread 🇺🇸 United StatesA quick bread made from cornmeal, central to Southern U.S. and Native American cooking Bread, Breakfast, Lunch Red velvet cakeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA red-hued layer cake with cream cheese or ermine icing Sweet or dessert Yorkshire puddingVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreA baked British pudding made from a simple batter, often served with roast meats Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pumpkin pieVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreSweet pie with spiced pumpkin custard in a pastry shell, served for autumn holidays Sweet or dessert Kouign-amannVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 3 moreBreton pastry of caramelized butter and sugar in flaky layers Pie or savoury pastry, Tea time, Snacks Poke 🇺🇸 United StatesHawaiian dish of diced raw fish tossed with seasonings and often served over rice Main dish, Lunch, Dinner EdamameVegan枝豆 🇯🇵 Japan and 3 moreYoung green soybeans boiled or steamed in their pods, often served salted Main dish, Snacks, Lunch Teppanyaki鉄板焼き 🇯🇵 Japan and 1 moreJapanese dishes cooked on a flat iron griddle, often prepared in front of diners Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Club sandwichMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA three-layer toasted sandwich with poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks Ginger snapVegetarian 🇦🇺 Australia and 5 moreA crisp biscuit flavoured with ginger and spices, popular in many countries Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Soda breadVegetarian 🇮🇪 Ireland and 4 moreQuick bread made with flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk Bread PączkiVegetarian 🇵🇱 Poland and 1 morePolish round doughnuts with sweet fillings, enjoyed before Lent Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks Gefilte fishFish or seafood 🇵🇱 Poland and 5 morePoached patties of seasoned fish, often topped with carrot Main dish, Lunch, Dinner GalbiMeat갈비 🇰🇷 South Korea and 2 moreKorean grilled beef or pork ribs, often marinated and cooked at the table Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Roast chickenMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreWhole chicken roasted over heat or fire, served in many styles worldwide Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Chocolate chip cookie 🇺🇸 United StatesDrop cookie with pieces of chocolate mixed into the dough Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time SaganakiVegetarianσαγανάκι 🇬🇷 Greece and 3 moreGreek fried cheese starter served hot from a small pan Main dish, Snacks BLTMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA sandwich filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomato, often with mayonnaise Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks California rollカリフォルニアロール 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreInside-out sushi roll with crab, avocado, and cucumber Main dish Deviled eggsVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreHard-boiled eggs filled with a seasoned yolk mixture, served cold Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Hash brownsVegan 🇺🇸 United StatesShredded or chopped potatoes fried crisp and golden for breakfast Main dish, Breakfast Stinky tofuVegetarian臭豆腐 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreFermented tofu with a strong aroma, sold as a snack in China and Taiwan Street food, Snacks Key lime pieVegetarian 🇺🇸 United StatesFlorida dessert pie with a tart lime filling and crumbly crust Sweet or dessert Casserole 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA baked main dish of meat or vegetables bound with starch in a deep pan Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Candy appleVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreWhole apples dipped in a hard red sugar candy shell on a stick Sweet or dessert, Snacks Beaujolais nouveauVegan 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreYoung red wine from France, released each November just weeks after harvest Drink Spaghetti alle vongoleFish or seafoodSpaghetti alla vongole 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreSpaghetti tossed with clams, garlic, parsley and olive oil Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Clam chowderFish or seafood 🇺🇸 United StatesA hearty American soup with clams, potatoes, and regional twists Soup, Lunch, Dinner Chicago-style pizza 🇺🇸 United StatesA tall, pan-baked pizza with layers of cheese and chunky tomato sauce on top Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Roast gooseMeat 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreWhole goose roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat tender Main dish, Dinner Brown bread 🇮🇪 Ireland and 5 moreBread made with whole grain flours, often darkened with molasses or coffee Bread Peanut butter and jelly sandwichVegetarian 🇺🇸 United StatesA sandwich of peanut butter and fruit preserves on sliced bread Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks Baked beans 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreWhite beans slow-cooked in a sweet or savory sauce, often served hot or on toast Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Mince pie 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreSmall sweet pies filled with spiced fruit mincemeat, eaten at Christmas Pie or savoury pastry, Tea time, Snacks Pozole 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreMexican hominy soup with meat and a range of fresh toppings Soup, Lunch, Dinner KielbasaMeat 🇵🇱 Poland and 5 moreA family of seasoned sausages from Poland and Eastern Europe Sausage or cured food, Lunch, Dinner SufganiyahVegetarianסופגנייה 🇮🇱 Israel and 5 moreDeep-fried sweet dough filled with jam, eaten for Hanukkah Sweet or dessert, Snacks Egg drop soup蛋花湯 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreChinese soup with wisps of egg in clear chicken broth Soup, Lunch, Dinner Cheesesteak 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreThinly sliced beef and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Dinner SweetbreadMeat 🇫🇷 France and 4 moreTender thymus or pancreas from young animals, prized in French and Persian cooking Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Home friesVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreChunked or sliced potatoes pan-fried until crisp, often served at breakfast Main dish, Breakfast ParmigianaVegetarian 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreEggplant slices fried, layered with cheese and tomato sauce, then baked Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Lamian拉麵 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreHand-pulled wheat noodles stretched into long strands Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Bagna càudaFish or seafood 🇮🇹 Italy and 3 moreA warm anchovy and garlic dip from Piedmont, served with vegetables Sauce, pickle or ferment, Dinner Ginger beerVegan 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreA sweet, carbonated drink made with ginger, sugar and yeast Drink Café au laitVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 2 moreCoffee mixed with hot milk, often served at breakfast in France Drink, Breakfast Chicharrón 🇪🇸 Spain and 6 moreCrispy fried pork belly or skin, enjoyed as a snack or dish in many countries Street food, Snacks, Lunch Chilaquiles 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreCrisp tortilla pieces simmered in salsa and topped with cheese, cream, and more Main dish, Breakfast
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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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