10+ Best United States Recipes You Need To Try Once

America’s food scene is a wild, delicious mashup of flavors, traditions, and downright genius combos.

From smoky Southern BBQ to hearty Midwestern casseroles, the U.S. knows how to dish out unforgettable meals.

Whether you’re a home cook looking to spice things up or just hungry for iconic American eats, this list is your golden ticket.

Get ready to drool—we’re diving into the most mouthwatering, must-try United States recipes that’ll make your taste buds throw a party.

These dishes aren’t just food; they’re legends. So, tie on your apron, grab a fork, and let’s dig in!

1. Classic Southern Fried Chicken

Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor—Southern fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food.

This United States recipe has been perfected over generations, and once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a national treasure.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

How to Make It:

1. Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
2. Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mix, pressing firmly to coat.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet (350°F) and fry chicken in batches until golden brown (about 12-15 minutes).
5. Drain on a wire rack and serve hot.

Why we chose it: Fried chicken is the king of American comfort food—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and downright addictive.

Once you master this United States recipe, you’ll never look at fast food the same way again.

2. New York-Style Cheesecake

Creamy, rich, and slightly tangy—New York cheesecake is a dessert icon.

This United States recipe delivers that perfect dense-yet-smooth texture that makes it legendary.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup sugar
• 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese (room temp)
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream

How to Make It:

1. Mix graham crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into a springform pan.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.
3. Mix in vanilla and sour cream. Pour over crust.
4. Bake at 325°F for 55-60 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate overnight.

Why this made our list: New York cheesecake is the gold standard of desserts—luxurious, velvety, and impossible to resist.

3. Texas Beef Brisket

Low and slow is the name of the game with this smoky, melt-in-your-mouth Texas brisket. This United States recipe is a BBQ masterpiece.

Ingredients:

• 1 (10-12 lb) beef brisket
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup beef broth

How to Make It:

1. Mix dry rub ingredients and coat brisket generously.
2. Smoke at 225°F for 10-12 hours until tender.
3. Rest for 1 hour before slicing.

Why we selected it: Texas brisket is BBQ royalty—tender, smoky, and packed with flavor.

4. Louisiana Gumbo

This hearty stew is packed with bold Creole flavors, tender meat, and a rich, dark roux. One bite, and you’ll be transported to the French Quarter.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup flour
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp Creole seasoning
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup okra (optional)
• Cooked rice (for serving)

How to Make It:

1. Make a dark roux by cooking oil and flour until chocolate-colored.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic—cook until soft.
3. Brown chicken and sausage, then add broth and seasonings.
4. Simmer for 1.5 hours, add okra (if using), and serve over rice.

Why this made our list: Gumbo is the soul of Louisiana—spicy, savory, and loaded with Southern charm.

5. Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza

Forget thin crust—this buttery, cheesy, sauce-on-top monster is the ultimate pizza indulgence.

Ingredients:
Dough:

• 3 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup cornmeal
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp yeast
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• ½ cup melted butter

Filling:

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Italian sausage (cooked)
• 1 cup pepperoni
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• ½ cup grated Parmesan

How to Make It:

1. Mix dough ingredients, knead, and let rise for 1 hour.
2. Press dough into a deep pan, layering cheese and meat first.
3. Top with sauce and Parmesan.
4. Bake at 425°F for 30-35 minutes.

Why we chose it: Deep-dish pizza is a Chicago legend—thick, cheesy, and ridiculously satisfying.

6. California Avocado Toast

A simple yet iconic West Coast breakfast that’s creamy, crunchy, and totally Instagram-worthy.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 poached eggs
• Microgreens (for garnish)

How to Make It:

1. Toast bread until golden.
2. Mash avocado with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on toast, top with eggs, and garnish.

Why this made our list: Avocado toast is fresh, healthy, and oh-so-California.

7. Maryland Crab Cakes

These golden, lump crab-packed patties are worth every penny of that expensive crab meat.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb jumbo lump crab meat
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 2 tbsp butter (for frying)

How to Make It:

1. Gently mix all ingredients (don’t break up crab lumps!).
2. Form into 4 patties, chill 30 mins.
3. Pan-fry in butter 4-5 mins per side until golden.

Why we chose it: These crab cakes are all about the sweet, fresh crab – no filler nonsense. Pure Atlantic coast luxury.

8. Philly Cheesesteak

The ultimate sandwich – thinly sliced beef, melty cheese, and soft rolls that’ll make you understand Philly pride.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ribeye steak (thinly sliced)
• 2 green peppers (sliced)
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 4 hoagie rolls
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt & pepper

How to Make It:

1. Sauté peppers and onions in oil until soft.
2. Add steak, cook 2-3 mins until browned.
3. Divide into rolls, top with cheese, and broil 1 min.

Why this made our list: It’s messy, meaty perfection – the kind of sandwich you dream about.

9. Nashville Hot Chicken

Sweet mercy, this spicy fried chicken will make your lips tingle in the best way possible.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (cut up)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 cup hot oil (from frying)
• White bread & pickles (for serving)

How to Make It:

1. Soak chicken in buttermilk 4+ hours.
2. Dredge in flour, fry until golden.
3. Mix spices with hot oil, brush on chicken.

Why we selected it: That perfect burn followed by sweet relief – it’s an addictive flavor rollercoaster.

10. Boston Cream Pie

Not actually a pie, this cake is pure New England elegance with its custard filling and chocolate glaze.

Ingredients:
Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups custard
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz chocolate

How to Make It:

1. Bake two 9″ cake layers.
2. Sandwich with custard.
3. Top with chocolate ganache.

Why this made our list: It’s fancy enough for special occasions but simple enough for Tuesday cravings.

11. Hawaiian Poke Bowl

California’s take on this Hawaiian classic is a fresh, colorful meal in a bowl.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sushi-grade tuna (cubed)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger
• 2 cups rice
• 1 avocado
• 1 cucumber
• 1 carrot
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions

How to Make It:

1. Marinate tuna in soy sauce mixture 15 mins.
2. Layer rice, veggies and fish in bowls.
3. Garnish with seeds and onions.

Why we chose it: Healthy, gorgeous, and packed with flavor – it’s summer in a bowl.

Conclusion

From coast to coast, these United States recipes show why American food culture is so exciting.

Whether you’re craving spicy, sweet, or savory, there’s something here to thrill your taste buds.