25 Most Popular American Foods and Dishes

1. Hot Dogs

Stadiums, backyards, street vendors, shopping centers…you can find hot dogs pretty much everywhere in America. 

Hot dogs feature a long, soft bun cut along the top with a sausage placed in the cut.

And while there are plenty of tasty hot dogs around the world with crazy toppings, American dogs are traditionally topped with mustard and relish.

They’re a super budget-friendly food and are ideal for serving a crowd. Plus, you dress them up with fancy sausages and unique extras – like caramelized onions!

2. French Fries

French fries are an American classic. The most common variety being thin strips of potatoes fried to crisp perfection.

Of course, they also come in many shapes and sizes. From super thin shoestring fries to crispy curls, there’s a fry for every appetite.

Some other varieties include crinkle cut, waffle fries, sweet potato, and steak fries, which are thick and fluffy.

French fries go perfectly with all kinds of meals and are loved by everybody. 

To make them perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle, try soaking the fried in cold water for a couple of hours before frying.

3. Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are a staple on the kids’ menu, but plenty of grown adults love them too. 

I mean, how can you go wrong with juicy, tender chicken cut into strips and battered and fried?

Dip and dunk them into your favorite sauces like ranch, barbeque, or honey mustard. Oh, and don’t forget the fries on the side!

4. Pizza

We all know that pizza was not invented in America. But over the years, we’ve created our own version of it. 

Where Italian pizza is typically thin with very little sauce and cheese, American pizzas range from thin crusts to deep dish.

We also love to top them with anything and everything. I’m talking buffalo chicken, mac and cheese, and even burgers!

Yes, really!

Of course, those are over-the-top versions you’ll see in restaurants as gimmicks.

But it’s not unusual to see your local pizza place offering salad pizzas or pizzas with pasta on top.

My all-time favorite is BBQ chicken with peppers and red onions. What’s yours??

5. Burgers

Like chicken tenders and fries, you’ll see burgers on menus all across the states. We even have entire businesses dedicated to just burgers. 

Typically made with ground beef, they can also feature turkey, pork, or veggies.

But for the best burger, you need to pile it high with toppings and serve it in a burger bun. 

Cheeseburgers with ketchup are probably the most common. But I’ve seen some truly insane creations – like this peanut butter burger!

6. Apple Pie

Apple pie is probably America’s most beloved dessert. You’ll see it at every July Fourth bash and holiday feast – and for good reason!

It’s a simple flakey pie crust filled with cinnamon and sugar-coated apples.

Sometimes it has a pastry top, and sometimes it’s a simple crumb of flour, butter, and sugar.

Either way, it’s sweet, lightly spiced, and to die for. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream, and enjoy!

7. Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a childhood favorite for most Americans. And while it may not look too appealing, it’s super rich, meaty, and filling.

It’s most often made with ground beef, pork, turkey, or a combination of meats.

That’s combined with seasonings, vegetables, and a binder like eggs or breadcrumbs. 

Meatloaf can be topped with gravy, ketchup, or served alone with mashed potatoes. It’s an American comfort food classic. 

8. Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese isn’t just for the kiddos, ya know? In fact, some recipes are so indulgent, I think they’re strictly adult-only.

The most basic recipe calls for elbow-shaped pasta with a mild, cheesy sauce. It’s simple but a little plain.

If you use a box, it’ll be pretty bright (sometimes vibrant orange). But it’s super easy to make with milk, seasonings, and shredded cheese.

I always make mac and cheese from scratch because I like to use all kinds of yummy cheeses. Mature white cheddar and Gruyère are my faves!

Plus, you can add so much to the dish to jazz it up. So serve it with bacon, jalapeños, caramelized onions, or garlic spinach. Yum!

9. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Who doesn’t love grilled cheese sandwiches? 

They’re crunchy on the outside, warm and gooey in the middle, and always loaded with cheesy goodness.

In the states, they’re often made with simple white bread and American cheese slices.

But of course, it’s not hard to make them extra!

Use sourdough and butter both sides. Then fry the bread in garlic butter for maximum toasty deliciousness.

As for the cheese, American is fine (not my fave), but there are so many better options! Colby, cheddar Jack, Gouda, etc. – you can’t go wrong!

Make sure to put plenty of cheese on the bread and cook it until golden brown and ooey-gooey.

10. Pot Roast

Pot roast is another American comfort food that’s as nostalgic as it is delicious.

It’s usually made with a tough cut of meat, like chuck or bottom round. It’s slow-cooked in moist heat and produces a juicy and tender meal. 

You’ll see it served with veggies like potatoes, carrots, and onions. And they’re quite often cooked right in the pot with the meat.

It’s an all-in-one meal that’s perfect for a rainy day. 

11. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are world-renowned. They’re chewy, sweet, chocolatey, and impossibly delectable.

So, it’s no surprise to find them in almost every store, bakery, and restaurant in America – and around the globe. 

Chocolate chip cookies are the kind of thing pretty much everyone loves. And whether you like them crunchy or chewy, they’re always a hit.

I like them thick, chewy and topped with sea salt. And they’re so versatile, you can even make them vegan.

12. Tater Tots

Tater tots are a fantastic side to all kinds of meals. 

To make them at home, you’ll grate potatoes, squeeze out the moisture, then form them into nuggets (usually with fat and starch).

Then they’re fried until nice and crispy.

Tots are for quick dipping and snacking. Plus, you can easily add veggies to the mix and sneak them to your kids.

I’ve even had tater tot breakfast “nachos” with melted cheese, crumbled chorizo, bacon, and a fried egg on top. Delish!

13. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a southern staple we love from Alaska to Florida and everywhere in between.

Basically, it’s marinated chicken coated in batter or breadcrumbs, then deep-fried until golden.

Use legs, thighs, breasts, or a mix, and be sure to let it sit in buttermilk for a few hours, so it’s nice and tender.

Fried chicken is a fantastic meal with biscuits and gravy or in a bun with crunchy slaw – hello, Nashville Hot Chicken!

Or go for the all-American chicken and waffles with plenty of butter and syrup!

14. Ice Cream

Ice cream is everyone’s favorite dessert. At least, it’s pretty darn popular from the states to Europe to Australia.

It’s traditionally made by churning a sweet cream mixture until it gets super cold and thickens.

But there are plenty of variations, and some don’t need churning at all.

And then there’s sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, and sherbet – all of which fall under the “ice cream” umbrella but are slightly different.

Classics like chocolate and vanilla are really common. But you’ll see all kinds of wild flavors, including pickle and garlic!

15. Potato Chips

If you’ve never walked down the chip aisle in an American grocery store, you’re really missing out.

First of all, it’s enormous. There are so many brands and varieties with fun flavors and textures.

It would take years to try them all! 

And while you can get chips made out of fruit, peas, and root veggies, the most popular kind are potato chips.

Potato chips are made from thinly sliced deep-fried potatoes – kettle fried or baked are available too.

Some are thicker than others, and some have ruffles to trap more flavor. But they’re all scrummy.

The top flavors include cheese, sour cream & onion, salt & vinegar, and BBQ.

My faves are sweet Maui onion which comes in a purple package. If you can find them, buy like ten bags! You’ll need them!