Food from the United States is a gastronomic fusion of cuisines born from a wide range of influences. American cuisine comes in many styles, much of it imported and borrowed from the many cultures that constitute the States. While it’s tempting to immediately think of American food simply as fast food, there are many more nuances that make up American cuisine.
While some foods from the USA have certainly exploded in popularity to give rise to entire fast food franchises, others remain local classics in delis, diners, and home kitchens. Other food cultures are centered around different parts of the country, such as Creole and Cajun cooking from the South, or Tex-Mex favourites closer to Mexico. Then of course, there are re-interpretations of the cuisine of other countries, such as English muffins, donuts, and California rolls, adopted to create something new and beloved by the American palette.
Covering Philly cheesesteak and gumbo, grits and Thanksgiving dinner, hot dogs and fortune cookies, here is an A to Z breakdown of some of the most iconic and delicious foods in the USA.
Most Popular Foods In America
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Apple Pie – Baked apple pie of European origin, usually served with cream or ice cream, and commonly regarded as an American icon.
Banana Split – A dessert made with a split banana, topped with ice cream, sauce, and sometimes whipped cream, cherries, or other toppings.
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Biscuits and Gravy – Breakfast dish popular in southern states, made with soft dough biscuits and a gravy of milk, flour, and pork sausage.
Buffalo Wings – Named after the city of Buffalo, deep fried chicken wings dipped in a spicy sauce of cayenne pepper, vinegar, and butter.
Charleston Red Rice – A dish of African origin, popular in South Carolina lowcountry. Long-grain rice cooked with crushed tomatoes instead of water, often with added bacon or pork.
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Cheeseburger – Hamburger topped with cheese, usually with other ingredients. An American icon and favourite on the menu of many fast food restaurants.
Chicken Fried Steak – Breaded beef steak which is deep fried. The name refers to its cooking style similar to fried chicken.
Chili Con Carne – Spicy meat stew originating in either Mexico or Texas. Ingredients vary, but often made with chili peppers, tomatoes, beans such as pinto beans, and meat, often beef.
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Chocolate Brownie – Dense chocolate confection cut in a square shape, usually with a shiny skin on top. Made with butter, eggs, flour, chocolate, sugar, and can include nuts, chocolate chips, or other additions.
Chocolate Chip Cookies – Cookie notable for its addition of chocolate chips or chunks. Many variations exist, and can be hard or soft.
Cioppino – Italian-inspired dish developed in San Francisco, made with seafood such as crab, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and fish, cooked in a tomato and white wine sauce.
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Club Sandwich – Sandwich made with chicken or turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, usually served cut and held together with a skewer.
Cobb Salad – Garden salad made with lettuce, endives, bacon, chicken, tomato, avocado, egg, cheese such as blue cheese or cheddar, and red wine vinaigrette.
Cuban Bread – White bread baked into long loaves similar to a baguette, originating from Florida and made with lard or vegetable shortening.
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Dirty Rice – Louisiana Creole rice dish, cooked with meat (pork, beef or chicken), green peppers, onion and celery, giving a characteristic ‘dirty’ coloration.
Donuts – Sweet snack made of leavened fried dough, often glazed with sugar or other sweet toppings. While versions of donuts have existed for centuries, the ring-shaped donut was developed in the USA by Hanson Gregory in 1847.
English Muffin – Flat, round, yeast-leavened bread which is commonly toasted and served with savoury or sweet toppings. Thought to have been developed by Englishman Samuel Bath Thomas, who baked them in his New York bakery.
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Fortune Cookies – Crunchy, sweet cookie first developed in San Francisco. Inside the hollow, butterfly shape is a piece of paper with a ‘fortune’, or advice, which is traditionally read in secret.
Fried Chicken – Chicken pieces breaded with flour or batter and typically deep-fried, thought to originate from Scottish and West African recipes.
Fried Chicken and Waffles – Dish of Pennsylvania Dutch origin, made by combining fried chicken with plain waffles, often with gravy over the top.
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Frito Pie – Popular in the American Midwest and southwest, a dish of cheese, corn chips (usually Fritos), and chili. Salsa, sour cream, refried beans and jalapenos are common additions.
Green Chile Stew – Thin soup of green chilis, with meat (often pork and/or beef), tomato, onion, garlic, and potatoes. Originating from New Mexico.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Simple and delicious grilled sandwich made with cheddar or American cheese between two slices of bread, sometimes with butter or mayonnaise.
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Gumbo – Hearty Creole stew from Louisiana, with seafood, meat (such as chicken or sausage), and vegetables; thickened with okra, filé, or roux, and served with rice.
Hawaiian Haystack – Creamy chicken gravy dish with many variations, served over rice and toppings such as pineapple, cheddar, vegetables, and crunchy elements such as chow mein noodles.
Hoppin’ John – AKA Carolina peas and rice, a dish of black-eyed peas, onion, and bacon, served on top of rice and usually eaten on New Year’s.
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Hot Dogs – Fast food synonymous with American food culture. Grilled or steamed sausage served on a split bun, usually with condiments such as mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, or cheese sauce.
Hot Link – Sausage popular in Southern United States, made with beef or pork and sometimes spiced with red pepper or cayenne pepper.
Italian Beef Sandwich – Roast beef sandwich with cheese, sweet peppers, pepperoncini, and giardiniera vegetable relish on a French roll, popularized in Chicago.
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Jambalaya – Creole and Cajon stew of sausage, andouille, pork or chicken, seafood, vegetables (onion, celery and green pepper), and a side of rice.
Meatloaf – Ground beef combined with spices and binding ingredients such as bread crumbs or egg, and baked in a loaf shape before slicing.
Nachos – Dish of Mexican origin, made with corn chips, and a variety of toppings such as cheese, meats, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
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New Mexican Stacked Enchiladas – Fried flat corn tortillas, stacked high with ground beef or chicken, cheese, onion, and red or green sauce, and garnished with a fried egg or lettuce.
Onion Rings – Sliced rings of onion, dipped in batter or crumbs, and deep fried. Invented in England, and popularised throughout the USA.
Pastrami on Rye – Rye bread with cured and smoked pastrami and spicy brown mustard, served with a pickle. A staple of Jewish Kosher delicatessens.
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Pizza – Italian dish of a flat, round dough base, topped with tomatoes, cheese, meats, and vegetables. Brought to the USA by Italian immigrants, which was adopted and modernised as a fast food cuisine.
Po’Boy – Louisiana sandwich with meat (roast beef, shrimp, or other seafood), and sometimes lettuce, tomato, and pickles, on a French-style baguette.
Poke – Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish such as tuna, often served with vegetables and seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, or other Asian sauces.
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Red Velvet Cake – Layered red-coloured cake made with beet juice or red food coloring, cocoa powder, and covered in ermine frosting.
Rice and Gravy – Louisiana Creole and Cajun soul food dish made with chicken breasts, rice, gravy and other vegetables such as onion, bell pepper, and celery.
Sundae – Ice cream served in a tall sundae glass, topped with sauce, whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, maraschino cherries, and other fruits or sweets.
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Thanksgiving Dinner – Traditional meal eaten for Thanksgiving, usually with dishes such as roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potato, dinner rolls, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
TV Dinner – Brand of frozen meal popularised in the 1950’s by Swanson & Sons, usually containing meat, carbohydrate and vegetables and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Utica Greens – Italian American dish of escarole (endives) sauteed with olive oil and garlic from Utica, New York. Prosciutto, pancetta, or peppers are often added.
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The USA has a diverse and delicious list of foods, with a great deal of influence from other countries and cultures, and some home-grown favourites.
But, it’s a difficult task to list them all, and surely many others deserve their rightful place on this A-Z. Let me know in the comments what other foods belong on this list!Thank you for visiting Andrej the Chef. If you've found my recipes and articles helpful or inspiring, I would greatly appreciate your support through Buy Me A Coffee. Every little bit helps and allows me to continue creating content for all of you foodies out there. Thank you for your consideration and happy cooking! Click here to show your support by donating a coffee.
Top 10 famous American foods: burgers, pizza, hot dogs, fried chicken, apple pie, mac and cheese, BBQ ribs, chili, tacos, grilled cheese sandwich.
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There are many foods that are famous in America and have become a beloved part of the country's culinary culture. From burgers and pizza to fried chicken and BBQ ribs, these dishes are enjoyed by people of all ages and have become a staple in American
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