50 Recipes That Celebrate The 50 States
With so many cuisines and world influences, America's culinary history ranges from Alaskan salmon and Idaho potatoes to Boston cream pie and Tennessee barbecue.
There really is no straightforward American cuisine. The south brings meaty barbecue, Mexican influences, and Gulf Coast goodies, the West serves California's creamiest avocados and Pacific salmon, and the whole country is overflowing with global influence from immigrants. To celebrate each and every cuisine, below are 50 recipes to represent the 50 states:
Struggling to cook healthy? We'll help you prep.
Alabama
The Alabama Lane cake originated from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, and has become a true symbol of Southern culture. An Alabama native won an 1898 county fair baking competition with the recipe, and now the layered cake is the state's official dessert.
Alaska
As the official state fish of Alaska, the king salmon is one of the highest quality salmon varieties on the market.
View Recipe: Grilled King Salmon with Tomato-Peach Salsa
Arizona
The apache trout is native to the state of Arizona and is the official state fish. The white fish has a mild flavor, and tastes perfect cooked in a crunchy batter.
View Recipe: Almond-Crusted Trout with Dill
Arkansas
Pecans are a signature staple of American cuisine, and are especially popular in the south. They are the official state nut of Arkansas, Alabama, and Texas, though Arkansas is specifically known for pecan production.
View Recipe: Oatmeal Pecan Pie
California
Considering the hefty price and a short life span, avocados have taken America by storm. Californians in particular love the creamy fruit, and the government declared avocados the state's official fruit in 2013.
View Recipe: Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Colorado
There's no state food in the mountainous state, but there is an official state cactus. The claret cup cactus takes the title, and the plant gives some true Southwest flavor to slaws and Tex-Mex dishes.
Connecticut
The Eastern Oyster holds the role of Connecticut's official state shellfish. There are so many ways to enjoy the seafood, but pan-frying has a special place in our heart.
View Recipe: Pan-Friend Oysters with Tangy Crème Fraîche
Delaware
When you think peaches, your mind probably goes to Georgia. But Delaware has a soft spot for peaches too, making peach pie the official state dessert.
View Recipe: Streusel-Topped Peach Pie
Florida
Travel to Key West and you'll have key lime pie so sweet and silky, you won't ever consider ordering anything else. The staple is Florida's official state dessert, with a light yellow color instead of a green hue from food coloring.
Georgia
Originally a Native American staple, grits can be found all over the south and were established as Georgia's state prepared dish. We love them sweet or savory, but nothing quite compares to an old school shrimp and grits plate.
View Recipe: Lowcountry Srimp and Grits
Hawaii
Hawaii doesn't have any state declared foods, but rumor has it that coconut muffins are the hottest bakery item on the island. We love the tropical flair coconuts bring to the palate, and you can jazz it up with coconut icing or glaze.
View Recipe: Toasted Coconut Muffin
Idaho
The Idaho potato is a lightly starchy, versatile ingredient. We love to toss it into potato salads, soups, or eat it simply baked with some fun toppings.
View Recipe: Quick Loaded Potato Soup
Illinois
Skip the deep dish pizza pie, and enjoy Illinois' state pie the pumpkin pie. About 85% of all pumpkin Americans enjoy come from this Midwestern gem, and we encourage baking pumpkin pies beyond Thanksgiving dinner.
View Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Pie
Indiana
The sugar cream pie has become such a staple in Indiana, many refer to the official state pie as a Hoosier pie. Made with simple ingredients like sugar, cream, and flour, the pie is said to have originated by Amish cooks in the 1800's.
Iowa
Iowa takes food on a stick to a whole new level. The Iowa state fair is known as the largest state event in Iowa, and from the 200 food stands on display you can purchase 70 items to eat off of a stick.
View Recipe: Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers
Kansas
The center of America screams barbecue, but especially barbecued pork. Kansas encompasses all things southern and delicious, like our take on pork tenderloin.
View Recipe: BBQ Pork Tenderloin With Bell Pepper Relish
Kentucky
Celebrate Kentucky's official state berry, the blackberry, with a creative twist to your morning routine. Sure, you could bake the berry into a pie, but we like this simple route a little bit more.
View Recipe: Blackberry Brie Toast
Louisiana
If you've ever made it to the boot shaped state of Louisiana, there's no doubt you tried a beignet. The official state donut is perfect in powdered sugar and brings Louisiana back to its French roots.
View Recipe: New Orleans Beignets
Maine
Maine's blueberries are pure magic. Throw them into a buttery pie crust and you get the state's official dessert: blueberry pie.
View Recipe: Lattice Topped Blueberry Pie
Maryland
Blue crabs are freshest from Maryland waters, so it's only fitting the official state food of Maryland is crab. Smother crab cakes in hollandaise for a play on eggs benedict, or fry them up and enjoy them sandwich style.
View Recipe: Open Faced Crab Cake Sandwiches
Massachusetts
The Northeast loves Boston cream so much, they declared Boston cream donuts the official state donut and Boston cream pie the official state dessert. We love the cool and creamy filling too.
Michigan
The official state game animal of Michigan is the whitetail deer, so we assume they're cooking up quite a bit of the meat. Though venison isn't super popular throughout the states, it has a similar flavor profile to beef tenderloin.
View Recipe: Grilled Venison with Fennel Rub
Minnesota
Inspired by a third grade class' request, blueberry muffins are the official state muffin of Minnesota. The berry grows wild in Minnesota fields, and is a popular treat throughout the state.
View Recipe: Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins
Mississippi
Mississippi mud pie isn't an official state dessert, but it's definitely associated with the Southern state. With more chocolate than anyone should have in one sitting, a slice will be something to remember.
View Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie
Missouri
One of three states to declare an official state grape, the Norton grape is used for wine and as a locally grown sweet fruit.
View Recipe: Roasted Carrot, Chicken, and Grape Quinoa Bowl
Montana
Similar to blueberries, huckleberries grow in abundance in the chilly state. Though there aren't any state fruits in Montana, most locals find themselves enjoying these berries straight or in baked goods.
View Recipe: Rustic Huckleberry-Blackberry Tart
Nebraska
Catfish normally comes crispy, fried, and from a Southern style barbecue joint, but Nebraska has declared it their official state fish. Try it pan fried and lightly spiced, for a more delicate flavor.
View Recipe: Catfish with Corn Hash
Nevada
The official state animal of Nevada is none other than the desert bighorn sheep. With such an abundance of sheep, we bet they're cooking up some fresh leg of lamb for dinner.
View Recipe: Leg of Lamb with Shaved Fall Vegetables
New Hampshire
Fresh apple orchards are all over the state, so the official state beverage of New Hampshire is none other than apple cider. Mix up a refreshing drink with apple cider and pale ale beer
View Recipe: Honey Cider-Beer Cocktails
New Jersey
The Garden State has more farms than you would expect. Blueberries in particular are held dear as the state's official fruit.
View Recipe: Lemon-Blueberry with Mascarpone Oatmeal
New Mexico
Everywhere you turn in New Mexico, you'll find the official state cookie Biscochito. The sweet cinnamon biscuit is typically made with traditional lard and is an old recipe with roots in Spain.
View Recipe: Orange Bizcochitos
New York
The big apple takes its name so seriously, the apple muffin was declared the official state muffin.
View Recipe: Apple Streusel Muffins with Maple Drizzle
North Carolina
North Carolina declared blueberries the official state blue berry and strawberries the official state red berry. They definitely like to celebrate their berries, and so do we.
View Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake with Mixed Berries
North Dakota
The chokecherry is the official state fruit of North Dakota, and it has us curious what the fruit even tastes like. If you can get your hands on the mystery fruit, swap it into your favorite cherry recipe.
View Recipe: Warm Brown Rice and Chickpea Salad with Cherries and Goat Cheese
Ohio
The official state beverage of Ohio is tomato juice, but kick it up a notch by adding spice and liquor for an eye opening Bloody Mary.
View Recipe: Bloody Good Bloody Mary
Oklahoma
Watermelon is the surprising official state vegetable of Oklahoma, so we figured we would take the sweet melon to the savory side.
View Recipe: Spicy Flank Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa
Oregon
Hazelnuts hold the title of official state nut in Oregon, and when we see hazelnuts we think about mixing it with cocoa for choclatey goodness.
View Recipe: Cocoa Hazelnut Truffles
Pennsylvania
Philly cheese steaks and Hershey's chocolate are Pennsylvania's pride and joy, but the chocolate chip cookie is the highest contender for the official title of state cookie. There's some debate over who will take the name, and sugar cookie and oatmeal chocolate chip are still in the running.
View Recipe: Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rhode Island
As the only state with an official state appetizer, calamari is definitely something to order when visiting the coastal state.
View Recipe: Quick Calamari with Garlic Mayo
South Carolina
As the state with the second highest collard greens production, they became South Carolina's official state vegetable. This veggie is often stewed with southern classics like bacon or on the side of barbecued pork.
View Recipe: Collard Greens Sauté with Chicken and White Beans
South Dakota
The German dessert Kuchen is the official state dessert of South Dakota, celebrating the German heritage in the area. It's a versatile dessert that's a little fruity and a little cake-like, so we picked our favorite.
View Recipe: Roasted Grape and Pear Kuchen
Tennessee
Tennessee loves their B's; bacon, barbecue, burgers, and bourbon. That's why we love our Tennessee burger when we want to feel like taking a culinary trip to Nashville.
View Recipe: Tennessee Burger with Bourbon and BBQ Sauce
Texas
The state that does everything bigger and better has tons of state declared foods, but a good Texas chili really takes the cake as one of the many official state dishes. Serve with chips for quality dipping, and whatever toppings you please.
View Recipe: Texas-Style Chili with Brisket
Utah
Spanish sweet onion takes the title as Utah's state vegetable, but the sugar beet is known as Utah's official state historic vegetable.
View Recipe: Roasted Red and Golden Beet Salad
Vermont
Order Vermont's official state pie, the apple pie, and it's almost always served with a glass of milk, vanilla ice cream, or a hunk of cheddar cheese.
View Recipe: Double-Crust Apple Pie
Virginia
Maple isn't the first thing you think of when you think Virginia, but the state has held a maple festival for the last 60 years. The syrupy substance is fantastic with fruit and nuts in the fall.
Washington
The ultimate caffeine rivalry is the one between Starbucks and Seattle's Best Coffee. Celebrate Washington state with anything coffee related, and you can choose the brand.
View Recipe: Espresso-Toffee Chewy Crispy Bars
West Virginia
Honey crisp apples are so delicious, West Virginia changed apples as their state fruit to specify golden delicious apples as the official state fruit. The variety holds their shape well in baked goods, and are a little extra sweet.
View Recipe: Mom's Rhubarb-Apple Crisp
Wisconsin
It's Thanksgiving year round in Wisconsin, because their official state fruit is the cranberry. The tart fruit is definitely worth enjoying throughout the fall, and not just for the holiday.
View Recipe: Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Stuffing
Wyoming
The American buffalo runs wild in Wyoming, and the furry giant is the state's official state mammal. Bison is especially popular for dinner up north, and we picked our favorite way to eat it: burger style.
