Over the years, traditional American food has managed to pave its way to our daily menus, late-night cravings and celebratory feasts.
Sooner or later, you find yourself digging through archives on the internet, hoping to recreate the most famous foods in America.
We can’t blame you; American food is perfect for one and for sharing.
What’s with American meals and American recipes that make them so popular and delicious?
Let’s find out more about them.
Does America have a national dish?
There are no official records of any American national dish existing.
Many traditional American food are considered as national dishes by locals simply because they are the most well-loved classic American food.
Some people will say it has to be burgers – that sumptuous blend of meat grilled to perfection.
Others will contend for apple pie. The saying ‘as American as apple pie” won’t be there for nothing, right?
It’s going to be a tricky task to pick just one national dish of America because of the diversity of food culture that exists in that one country.
Regions will be fighting over that coveted title, especially when they know that their hometown delicacies are worth celebrating nationwide.
What is the most popular American food?
According to major sites listing down the top 10 american foods of all time, cheeseburger is the most popular food in America.
It is your classic mouthwatering hamburger made even more special with the addition of American cheese.
The cheeseburger is your typical American food – it’s packed with taste, texture and comfort. No wonder many burger joints flourish in America.
Nowadays, cheeseburgers have become one of the most tweaked American foods.
Cooks and chefs add in specialty cheeses, use premium meats (or meat substitutes) in order to make their favorite dish a notch above the rest.
Which other traditional American food made it to their list?
Some of them are mac and cheese, fried chicken, apple pie and brownies.
What is a traditional American breakfast?
Your curious mind will have you asking: what do most Americans have for breakfast?
With their typical foods so rich and flavourful, you can just imagine how packed an American breakfast is.
Hotels in general will serve you an American breakfast which includes sliced toasted bread with jam or butter, pancakes with syrup, eggs cooked to your liking, hash brown or fries, and bacon or sausage.
This comes with coffee or tea and a serving of fruit juice.
A traditional American restaurant will have the same choices, along with other choices that may include cereals, waffles, oatmeal and bagels.
What is a typical American lunch?
An American lunch can come in many ways, but a typical one will be in the form of a sandwich filled with meat or vegetable (or both) options.
Salads are also considered as a filling meal in the middle of the day.
American dishes that are served during lunch time are partnered with nutritious fruits such as grapes and banana.
What is a traditional American dinner?
If you are craving for American food for dinner, you are in for a good treat.
While meatloafs, barbecue ribs and pot roasts dominate the traditional food scene, many other classic dishes will make you longing for an American dinner every single night.
An American dinner menu will vary greatly from the specialty of restaurants.
Your appetite will be torn among the chains of steak houses, sausage joints and fried chicken restaurants in every corner.
American food inventions
Here are some of the many iconic dishes that are truly American:
- Cheeseburger
- Reuben Sandwich
- Buffalo Wings
- Brownie
- Tater Tots
- Peanut Butter
- Hotdog
- Chocolate Chip Cookie
Recipes: Traditional American Food
Warm up with a bowl of healthy New England style Slow Cooker Clam Chowder!
Easy to make in the morning, this crockpot clam chowder is packed with flavor but is made light so you can enjoy it without all the guilt plus packed with veggies, you will be making this chowder regularly
A classic American main-dish salad, the traditional Cobb salad consists of rows of uncooked vegetables, meats, and eggs arranged in rows on salad greens, served with a mustardy vinaigrette.
This vegan Cobb salad recipe swaps in plant-based proteins for the traditional chicken and bacon, and replaces the customary hard-boiled eggs with chickpeas.
Easy, creamy, spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe ~ lightly seasoned with ranch, blended with 3 kinds of cheese for maximum creaminess and cooks all in one pot!
A cheesy crustless chicken pot pie that’s gluten free, down-home comfort food.
This is sure to be your family’s new favorite chicken pot pie casserole.
Potatoes inside and crispy cheese on top ensure you won’t miss the crust!
Fire up your smoker and make this delicious Pulled Pork! Amazing on sandwiches and sliders, on Mac and Cheese, or by itself.
This Smoked Pulled Pork is a classic your whole family will love.
Easy Baked Frozen Chicken Wings {with Secret Buffalo Chicken Gravy}
Baking frozen wings is the easiest way to make chicken wings, and in my opinion, it’s also the tastiest!
Making baked wings from frozen is our favorite method.
Frozen chicken wings are so easy to make: no thawing, no par-boiling, no pre-seasoning.
Just throw them on a sheet pan and bake them according to my method!
These super fluffy pancakes are sure to be a showstopper at your next brunch party!
This recipe is quick, easy, and doesn’t require any buttermilk!
These insanely delicious, ridiculously EASY Carolina-Style BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are inspired by beach vacations along the Eastern Carolina shore.
This popular recipe takes just minutes to prep and is a total snap in your pressure cooker!
It’s got all that vinegar-y, pepper-y flavor you’d expect in Eastern North Carolina BBQ, with a boldly flavored sauce mingled with shreds of perfectly tender, pulled chicken … all piled high on a pillowy, soft bun!
Soft, buttery golden skillet cornbread is a southern staple that is quick and easy to make and a delicious side dish to any meal.
Alaskan Salmon Chowder is a New England style fish Chowder made with fresh salmon, veggies in a white creamy sauce. Salmon Chowder is a comforting bowl of traditional North American Soup recipe.
Make it easily in an Instant Pot or on the stove top.
Instant Pot Gumbo made with chicken, Andouille Sausage, shrimps and holy trinity veggies New Orleans style.
This is the Best ever pressure cooker Gumbo that tests best with rice.
Make this Instant Pot Gumbo and rice with an outstanding dark roux. A Gumbo roux is the heart and soul of an authentic Louisianian style Gumbo recipe.
Super addictive and wonderfully spicy buffalo wings are made even easier with this "no fry" recipe!
Just bake, and toss in the easy to make sauce! Delicious!
WHY THEN IS SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A SOUTHERN FRIED CORN RECIPE SO HARD TO GET RIGHT?
TWO THINGS
Childhood memories. My friend’s grandmother made it this way with sugar and flour and who knows what?
Another person had a grandmother who knew how to milk the corn to the last drop. Then there’s someone else who adds a cup of heavy cream. Everyone remembers their southern fried corn recipe differently.
Quality or Type of the Corn. It’s key to get very fresh, creamy sweet corn. Silver queen corn would be the corn of choice for this recipe.
If you use other less creamy corn, then a little heavy cream will do. Having said that, I used peaches and cream corn for this and still loved it. (I find it hard to turn down any kind of fried corn).
Broccoli Salad with Everything Bagel Spice, bacon, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese dressing is the perfect dish for entertaining.
Make-ahead friendly and kid-approved!
American Burger Recipes
Making Instant Pot Hamburgers is a lifesaver. Seriously!
Now don’t get me wrong, of course I love a good grilled burger. Who doesn’t, right?
We all do, so I’m not attempting to sway you from your favorite flame broiled burger here, but I am going to introduce you to the idea of making Hamburgers in your Instant Pot.
Nothing says all-American like a good old old-fashion cheeseburger!
A tried and true burger recipe made with ground beef that is flavor-packed and uses pantry friendly ingredients!
Can be grilled or pan fried!
Juicy & flavorful, this classic burger recipe includes garlic and a few other special ingredients to make a mouthwatering hamburger.
You don’t even need a grill to make the best burgers ever – these stand on their own two feet!
American Food for Dinner
Instant Pot 5 Ingredient Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe |BellyRulesTheMind
With this easy 5 ingredient Instant Pot macaroni and cheese, you can have creamy homemade mac and cheese on the table in minutes.
This homemade macaroni and cheese recipe gives you the creamy cheesy goodness of other macaroni and cheese recipes with a fraction of the work.
Plus it tastes a million times better than anything you’d get in a box
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast is a southern American classic.
This unique way of making pot roast leaves the roast full of flavor.
Making it in the Instant Pot provides for a tender juicy roast done in much less time than the traditional method.
Creamy cup of cozy!
This easy and delicious crockpot meal is perfect for a Fall and Winter family meal!
These Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits will become a new family favorite!
This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is SO EASY to make from scratch in only 30 minutes if you use rotisserie chicken and store-bought broth!
It’s a fast, easy soul food to make on busy nights. The fresh thyme in the perfectly fluffy dumplings sets it over the edge!
This Classic Shrimp and Grits recipe is SO easy, SO simple, and the ULTIMATE Southern comfort food.
This traditional low country recipe uses bacon and is served with a simple sauce and uses stone-ground grits with cheese (but it’s easy to adapt to have no bacon, or other flavors and ingredients).
And the whole thing only takes 30 minutes to make!
In a pinch for time and need a great meal?
This is all in one baking pan and uses easy ingredients.
Quick, easy and more or less comfort food. Dig in and get cooking here's an incredibly delicious pot pie!
This Homemade Skillet Tuna Helper Recipe is easy to throw together and provides a healthy, tasty, simple homestyle dinner.
Get out your pantry staples for this quick and delicious skillet dinner.
Chicken, shrimp and sausage jambalaya is a simple, hearty Cajun dish that is full of authentic Louisiana flavor.
It’s easy to make and perfect for feeding crowds.
This Instant Pot chili with dried beans is the perfect way to cook a traditional red kidney bean and beef chili.
It takes advantage of using dried kidney beans that are power soaked, so no need to pre-soak the beans.
Recipes American Soups
Try this easy to make Chicken Noodle Soup recipe the next time you want comfort food.
This delicious family favorite recipe tastes like the traditional chicken noodle we all love but without the veggies.
They're still there, adding all of the nutrition that you want, but you can't see them. It's a great way to get those picky eaters to eat their veggies.
A bowl of warm and Creamy pumpkin soup is so comforting in the grey autumn weather.
It is simple and can be done in 30 minutes
This Old Fashioned Ham and Cabbage soup is hearty and comforting.
Using simple ingredients, this soup is a recipe the whole family will love!
Side Dishes
This vegan Mac and cheese is a gluten and nut free take on the American classic dish! The difference is this recipe is for everyone!
It is creamy and delicious and makes the perfect side or main! It also uses ingredients you have on hand
These southern smothered potatoes are so flavorful and very easy to make!
They make a delicious side to accompany any meal and can be ready in just 20 minutes.
Ketchup is typically American and found l in most fridges and on dinner tables or at cookouts!
You can easily make it yourself at home with just a few simple ingredients.
American Deserts
The only thing better than a perfect All American Apple Pie is an all American apple pie made with real maple syrup, and the only thing better than an all American apple pie made with maple syrup is an all American apple pie made with maple syrup and also glazed with maple syrup.
This All American Apple Pie has a great crust, an awesome filling, and is the quintessential American dessert.
Treat yourself and your family to this Apple Pie Recipe today.
Bread Pudding is one of the most popular southern desserts.
New Orleans style Bread Pudding with a sweet and smoky Bourbon sauce is the perfect dessert to transport you to the French quarter!
If you are looking for a decadent dessert, this is it!
These classic Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuits are flaky with soft melt in your mouth interior, but still crusty on the outside.
Have a southern breakfast with gravy!
With just a few simple ingredients, indulge on this homemade Keto lemon pound cake.
With just the right amount of zest and the sweetness of the glaze, it'll be hard to stop with just one slice!
This is 3-ingredient homemade cranberry jelly made of DRIED CRANBERRIES.
It is the quickest and easiest cranberry jelly to make.
This easy Texas Pecan Pie Recipe has a nutty, blond, and sweet ooey gooey filling with a crunch that indulges any palate.
It’s made with light corn syrup and is a perfect dessert all year round, not only for Thanksgiving.
It is a staple in Texas and pure comfort food that will satisfy any sweet tooth!
Get a taste of New Orleans without ever leaving your home!
These traditional Beignets are light and airy and perfect with a cup of coffee!
This step by step tutorial will show you how! Let the good times roll!
Delicious and super moist banana bread with milk chocolate and crunchy nuts, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom.
It’s our favorite banana bread recipe! I love it especially when it’s still warm and you bite through pockets of melted chocolate and crunchy nuts, it’s amazing!
Are you keeping up with my United States Series
You will never run out of places to travel to in the US. Here is our list of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN USA.
If you fall in love with American Food check out these recipes to prepare TRADITIONAL AMERICAN FOOD at home.
Is Las Vegas on your travel itinerary? Here are 95 FREE AND CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS.
Do you need more inspiration? We also put together lists of best things to do in NEW YORK, BOSTON, SEATTLE and LOS ANGELES.
Thanks for including my fried corn. I see many recipes I want to make here like that salmon chowder and chicken and dumplings.
Thank you! Yes, there are a lot of recipes that I’d also like to make :)