The US has always been a melting pot of cultures. This has resulted in the development of its own distinct cuisine – often resulting from different cultures coming together to combine unique ingredients. Across the states, there are a few different culinary styles. This post lists 10 of them, what types of food they include and why you should try them.
Cajun
Cajun is a style that originates in Louisiana. It consists of spicy dishes that have a French influence, centered around the holy trinity of ingredients: peppers, onion and celery. Popular cajun dishes include jambalaya, gumbo, boudin sausage and etouffee. Pork and crawfish are heavily used in these dishes, however it’s possible to cook vegan alternatives. Such dishes are baked or barbecued.
Creole
Louisiana is home to not just one, but two different food styles! Creole is found more commonly in the cities of the state and incorporates a much greater range of influences from Spanish to African. Dishes are similar to cajun dishes (e.g. gumbo, jambalaya, etc.), but incorporate more tomatoes and are less spicy. More shrimp, oysters and crab is also used in this cuisine.
Soul
Soul is another southern style of food with African American origins. It is centered around making flavorsome protein-heavy dishes using inexpensive ingredients. Signature ingredients found in soul food include chicken, pork, collard greens, cornmeal, black eyed peas, red kidney beans and green tomatoes. Different seasoning blends are used to bring these foods alive. A few staple soul dishes include mac and cheese, southern collard green, fried chicken, sweet potato pie and shrimp and grits
Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex is a blend of Southern and Mexican influences that originates from Texas. It was created as a result of Mexican immigrants using American ingredients to try to recreate traditional dishes. Chili powder, canned tomatoes, yellow cheese and flour tortillas form the base of most of its foods. It is less spicy than traditional Mexican food and incorporates black beans instead of pinto beans. Tex-Mex dishes everyone needs to try include breakfast tacos, chili con carne, quesadillas and enchiladas.
New Mexican
New Mexican cuisine has a more traditional Mexican feel than Tex-Mex, but is also quite distinct from what you may find in Mexico. It places an emphasis on healthy natural local ingredients including chili peppers, beans and blue corn. Green chile stew, chile relleno and carne adovada are a few distinct dishes. Make sure to also try green chile cheeseburgers!
Italian-American
Italian-American cuisine has heavy Italian influences. It had evolved over time to be quite different from authentic Italian cuisine – taking different approaches to pasta and pizza (for example, Italian-American pasta more commonly uses egg, and Italian-American pizza uses a thicker base and canned tomato sauce). New York and Chicago are arguably the capitals of Italian-American cuisine and have developed their own distinct approaches to dishes like pizza. Unique Italian-American dishes not found in Italy include pasta alfredo, pasta primavera and fra diavolo.
Mid-Atlantic
Signature dishes from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland are sometimes known as Mid-Atlantic cuisine. Such cuisine has a range of different European influences and uses distinct ingredients such as blue crabs, clams, steak, eggs and pickles. Mayonnaise is heavily used – with coleslaw being a popular side. Signature dishes include eggs benedict, New York strip steak, Philadelphia cheesesteak, clam chowder, crab cakes and Waldorf salad.
Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine is wholesome food founded by Dutch and German immigrants in old America. Apples, beets, eggs and cabbages make up the base of many dishes in this type of cuisine. Signature Pennsylvania Dutch dishes include apple dumplings, shoo-fly pie, egg noodle soup and hog maw. Such dishes can still be eaten throughout many rural parts of Pennsylvania.
Californian
Californian traditional cuisine uses many ingredients similar to Mediterranean food, but has its own distinct dishes. Seafood and egg make up the base of many dishes including Crab Louie, Cioppino and California-Style Pizza. It’s worth noting that California is also the home of American fast food – many of its biggest major chains including McDonald’s and Taco Bell were founded in this state.
Hawaiian
Hawaii’s cuisine is a blend of traditional Polynesian, East Asian and North American influences, making it very unique compared to other American styles. Pork, chicken, taro, coconut and pineapple form the base of many of this island state’s dishes. Laulau, poke, poi, kalua pig and lomi-lomi salmon are a few of the famous dishes that originated in Hawaii. And of course, there’s the controversial Hawaiian pizza (served with pineapples on top).
