America is known for being a melting pot of cultures as various immigrants moved to different parts of the country, so it makes sense that American recipes are a fusion cuisine of global cooking with inspiration from all over the world. From traditional American dishes like burgers, to twists on cultural dishes such as poke nachos, you’ll find old and new techniques combined with exotic ingredients from around the world with these American recipes.
Each part of America has their own regional specialties derived from ethnic populations who inhabited those regions first. Over time, many recipes have also been changed based on the availability of ingredients in the specific regions in the United States.
Food from the northeast United States gets its roots from English cuisine from the first settlers in America. Seafood and dairy products are commonly used because of the long coastline and expansive farmland inland. Historically, squash, corn, local beans, sunflowers, wild turkey, maple syrup, and cranberries were popular in New England. Modern dishes including clam chowder, apple pies, and lobster rolls that originated in the region are now enjoyed throughout the entire country.
The Midwest region of the United States is known as the breadbasket of America, because the geography of rolling plains are perfect for growing crops like corn and wheat. Along with grain production, immigrants from Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary, and Scandinavia introduced foods like sausages, potato salad, sauerkraut, cheeses, and perogies. Now, dishes such as fish fry, bratwurst, cheese curds, potato salad, ranch dressing, and frozen custard are known as midwest specialties across the US.
The main components from southern cuisine were influenced by the Europeans, Africans, and the southeast American Indians. Milk, flour, sugar, eggs, and deep frying came from Europe, while the use of squash, corn, and barbecuing came from the Native Indians. Black-eyed peas, okra, rice, eggplant, melons, and spices stemmed from African cultures. Other parts of the South, such as Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, have culinary influences from French, Caribbean, and Mexican cuisines, respectively. Typical foods you’ll find in the south today are fried catfish, gumbo, collard greens, cornbread, sweet tea, and various pies and cobblers.
Southwestern cuisine is influenced by the Native Americans, cowboys, Spanish settlers, and Mexicans. There is a wide culinary variance throughout the southwestern states, and what most Americans tend to think of as Mexican food, is actually Tex-Mex! Tex-Mex originally came from the Tejanos, who were native people living in Texas. They were influenced by the Spanish and adapted traditional Mexican dishes. Originally, the main ingredients used throughout Mexican cuisine were corn, tomatoes, beans, avocados, chili peppers, and fresh herbs. Ground beef, cheese, and flour tortillas, were adapted later on. There is also variation with New Mexican cuisine, which incorporates the use of red and green chile peppers.
The climate and terrain of the West has resulted in an abundance of many natural food sources. Seafood like salmon, crab, octopus can be freshly caught on the Pacific Ocean, and fruit orchards produce cherries, apples, blueberries, and grapes due to the high levels of sunshine in the region. Potatoes are famously grown in Idaho, and both farmed and foraged mushrooms can be found in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. Cowboys and cattle ranching are a key element to western culture, and huge ranches can be found in Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. Wild game such as elk and buffalo are also hunted in the West. There is a heavy farm-to-table influence in this region, and you’ll find dishes like fresh salads, cioppino, bison burgers, and Rocky Mountain oysters.
Modern American cuisine has incorporated science with new means of cooking. With a variety of inventions and innovations such as high speed blenders, food processors, and stand up mixers, foods like smoothies, sauces, one-pot meals, and meat substitutes are other unique ways of cooking.
The best and easiest key lime pie recipe you’ll find! It’s made with a homemade graham cracker crust, a tangy, refreshing, and creamy filling, and topped with whipped cream. Delish! I began recipe testing this pie to surprise my friend Joe who was coming to …
This strawberry salad is refreshing and full of fresh herbs like mint and basil. It’s one of my favorite fruit salads, especially in summer! For those that know me, I am a really big fan of fresh herbs. I grow them in my Aerogarden all …
These stuffed portobello mushrooms are made with chickpeas, onions, miso paste, and fresh herbs, topped with a mushroom herb gravy. It’s a hearty dish that will please both vegans and meat-eaters alike! This recipe was inspired by the How Not to Die cookbook from Dr. …
Everything bagel salmon is a game-changer, transforming an iconic breakfast food to an epic dinner. This recipe is a remix on an everything bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon that is quick and easy! This recipe is perfect for when you want a quick …
These Italian-style vegetarian lentil meatballs are very easy to make and are an awesome vegetarian substitute for beef meatballs. You won’t even taste the difference with these lentil meatballs! This recipe is very easy and hard to make any mistakes — all you need to …