American Recipes

American food, like the culture at large, is all about variety. It’s a mix of different cultures offering up different tastes, with chefs blending all of these traditions into interesting (even daring) explorations.

You can find burger joints serving kimchi fries. Pizza places with taco toppings. Every kind of fusion you can imagine is available.

That’s thanks to two major features of the country. One, cuisines are always immigrating into the country, keeping things interesting. And two, the sheer size means that there are multiple distinct regions—each serving up its own unique dishes.

Mixing all of that together, and you get a smorgasbord that’s unlike any other food culture.

Let’s take a brief road trip through this Epicurean dreamland and meet just some of the cuisines that define American food.

The South

Southern cooking has been greatly influenced by soul food—offering up beloved classics like fried chicken and barbecue. The staples here were largely invented and innovated by African American cooks working with limited resources and a heritage with roots in West Africa. These dishes create incredible flavor while also providing symbols of both comfort and community.

New England

The bounty of the ocean forms the basis of New England cooking. While the seafood means strong flavor, a reliance on dairy and baked goods creates a hearty body to hold it. The most iconic examples of this combination include clam chowder and lobster rolls. With all the baking and stewing and roasting, you can really feel the English and Irish influences here!

Midwest

The midwestern states deal with brutal cold every winter. And in response, they built a warm and cozy cuisine to protect them from the relentless snow. We’re talking Chicago deep-dish pizza, big bowls of hearty chili, and piping hot dumplings. The core ingredients are all a testament to the agricultural bounty of the region: lots of bread, dairy, and meat.

West Coast

The West Coast is a culinary confrontation of tectonic proportions. Mexican and Asian cuisine join forces in an area that prizes health-conscious ingredients. To make it all too good to be true, the climate offers an abundance of fresh, local produce year round. Leave it to the West Coast to experiment with all of this, mixing sweet with savory and trying out every conceivable fusion.

The American Classics

No matter where you are in the country, you’ll always find the classics here: hamburgers, hot dogs, apple pie, and (the American version of) pizza.

These are synonymous with American gastronomy, and they form the most nostalgic elements of the culture. Playing around with the burger and milkshake combo, for instance, will forever bring Americans to dreams of carhops on roller skates and simpler times. Apple pie will get Americans thinking about Grandma and the wonders of her kitchen oven.

But while these are mainstays, the truth is that American food is an ever-changing mix of cultures and culinary experiences. Experimentation and even caprice almost always win the day. Gourmet donuts, banh mi tacos, avocado sushi—the menu is always growing, and you’ll never guess what will happen next.