North America • Featured Cuisine

Explore American Cuisine

Burgers, barbecue and regional recipes from coast to coast

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Welcome to the United States

American Cuisine and Recipes: Burgers, BBQ and More

Welcome to the United States, where one table can hold burgers, gumbo, crab cakes, deep-dish pizza and pie, and somehow that still only tells part of the story.

American food is shaped by region, migration and constant borrowing, which is why it can feel both familiar and wildly varied at the same time. New England brings seafood and chowders. The South leans into barbecue, grits and deeply rooted comfort dishes. The Midwest is known for hearty baked foods and meat-forward classics, while the West and Southwest reflect ranching, produce, borderland influences and a strong mix of cultures. There is no single American cuisine, but there is a clear pattern: local specialties, immigrant influence and dishes that keep evolving.

13 cooking style C GR 36

Cooking Style

Regional comfort cooking, grilling, baking, frying

44 basil B GR 36

Signature Flavors

Beef, smoke, pickles, mustard, ketchup, barbecue, cheddar, pepper

05 D cultural context 36

Food Culture

American food culture blends regional comfort, immigrant traditions, diners, barbecue, home baking, fast casual meals and holiday tables into one sprawling, ever-changing food story.

Thick classic American steakhouse hamburger with melted cheese on a toasted brioche bun

Featured Dish

Begin With the Burger

Classic American Steakhouse Hamburger

The classic American steakhouse hamburger is a strong national symbol rather than an official national dish. A juicy beef patty, soft bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and simple condiments make it familiar, flexible and deeply tied to diners, grills, restaurants and backyard cooking.

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American Recipes

Explore American recipes

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Burgers, barbecue, regional classics, diner favorites and bold American comfort from coast to coast

California Cobb salad with chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, tomatoes and blue cheese in a wide bowl

California Cobb Salad

Neatly arranged rows of chicken, bacon, avocado and blue cheese sit over crisp romaine, finished with a sharp red wine vinaigrette.

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Minnesota sushi with dill pickles, cream cheese and ham sliced into bite-size rounds

Minnesota Sushi

Spread seasoned cream cheese on deli ham, roll it tightly around whole dill pickles, chill briefly, then slice into cold, salty-tangy rounds.

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Maryland-style crab cakes with minimal filler and a side of coleslaw

Maryland Crab Cakes

Fold lump crab with mayo, egg, Old Bay, and crushed saltines, chill to set, then pan-fry into crisp cakes with a sweet-briny center.

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More American favorites

From strawberry rhubarb pie and Chicago deep pan pizza to lobster rolls, Anadama bread, chocolate chip cookies, Rice Krispies Treats, loco moco and Kentucky Hot Brown, the collection keeps moving across regional American kitchens.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie served with ice cream

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Build a flaky double crust, fill with strawberries and sliced rhubarb thickened with cornstarch, then bake until bubbling for a sweet-tart, sliceable pie.

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Classic Chicago Deep Pan Pizza layered in a deep pan

Chicago Deep Pan Pizza

Press buttery dough into a deep pan, layer mozzarella and sausage first, then top with chunky tomatoes for a rich, structured, knife-and-fork pizza.

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Waldorf salad served with rye bread and iced tea

Waldorf Salad

Toss crisp apples, celery, grapes, and toasted walnuts in a light creamy dressing for a sweet-tart salad with crunch and a classic New York profile.

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Freshly baked Anadama bread with butter

Anadama Bread

Cook cornmeal into a soft mash, then knead it with molasses and flour for a hearty New England loaf with mild sweetness and grainy depth.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creamed butter and mixed sugars create a soft cookie with crisp edges and a balanced chocolate flavour rooted in the Massachusetts Toll House style.

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Classic Rice Krispies Treats cut into marshmallow cereal squares.

Rice Krispies Treats

Melt butter and marshmallows; fold in crisp rice cereal, then gently press into a pan for the classic chewy, no-bake American treat.

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Frog Eye Salad served chilled

Frog Eye Salad

Tiny pasta, pineapple, mandarin oranges and marshmallows turn into Frog Eye Salad - the sweet potluck salad with the unforgettable name.

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Warm cherry dump cake with golden cake topping, bubbling cherry filling and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Cherry Dump Cake

Make this easy cherry dump cake with pie filling, boxed cake mix and butter. A simple American dessert made for summer potlucks and barbecues.

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Golden Cajun boudin balls with crisp panko coating, and rice, served with remoulade.

Cajun Boudin Balls

Make Cajun boudin balls the faster way with prepared pork boudin, crisp panko coating and quick remoulade for an easy Louisiana appetizer.

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Looking for something beyond the United States? Browse all recipes.

Regional Flavors

Southern barbecue, New England seafood, Tex-Mex, Cajun and Creole dishes

American regions cook with loud local pride, from Carolina barbecue and Louisiana gumbo to Maine lobster rolls, New Mexico chile, Texas brisket and Midwest casseroles.

Best Known Dishes

  • Hamburger
  • Barbecue Ribs
  • Fried Chicken
  • Apple Pie
  • Clam Chowder
  • Gumbo
  • Macaroni and Cheese
  • Buffalo Wings

Food Traditions

Backyard Grills, Diners, Potlucks and Holiday Tables

Backyard grills, diners, potlucks, holiday tables, state fairs and sports-day spreads shape everyday food life. The portions are often not shy about themselves.

Travel & Dining

Diners, Barbecue Joints, Seafood Shacks and Food Trucks

The US tells its food story through diners, barbecue joints, seafood shacks, food trucks, bakeries, steakhouses, farmers’ markets and neighborhood restaurants.