American foods: 60+ classic American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner (2024)

Many Ghanaians think about money and wealth when the United States is mentioned. Not many think about American foods or the cultural change they would experience if they moved there. Well, you should know that their meals may be different from the Ghanaian staples.

American foods taste different from Ghanaian dishes because the ingredients vary. Even so, the USA has delicious items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you wish to expand your palate in 2023, consider incorporating USA dishes into your menu.

Delicious American foods for breakfast, lunch, & dinner

Below is a compilation of the most popular American foods you should try in 2023 and more details about them.

1. American pancakes

USA pancakes are among the top 10 American foods for breakfast. They are light and fluffy pancakes. They are also pretty easy to make at home. You can get pancake mix if you want to make it even easier.

2. Bacon and eggs

Bacon and eggs make a classic breakfast combination that has been a staple for many households. This meal is pretty filling, easy to prepare, and one of the best options for people on a Keto diet.

3. French toast

You cannot miss French toast on the American food list in 2023. You can use any type of bread to make French toast. All you need to make it is a skillet and a few staple ingredients. Did you know the best French toast is made with day-old slices because they absorb the egg mixture better than fresh ones?

4. Scrambled eggs

Scrambled eggs are one of the traditional dishes and little luxuries of everyday life in the USA. They are soft, creamy, rich and flavorful. The best part is it takes less than five minutes to prepare scrambled eggs. You can load them up with ingredients like butter or sour cream if you wish.

5. Cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon rolls are sweet rolls commonly served in Northern Europe and North America. They are fluffy, soft, and delicious. Did you know the trick to keeping cinnamon rolls soft and fluffy is bread flour?

6. Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict is a traditional American breakfast or brunch dish that originated in New York City. Beware that they require planning ahead. Before making the eggs, ensure you have warm, crispy bacon and hot buttered, toasted English muffins.

7. Avocado toast

Did you know avocados are full of heart-healthy unsaturated fats? Having avocado toast occasionally for breakfast can help you improve your brain health. You can enjoy this simple and delicious dish for breakfast, snacks, or light meals.

8. Hash browns

Hash browns are among the top 10 American foods for breakfast. They are made of finely julienned potatoes that have been fried until golden browned. They are normally fried on a large common cooktop or grill in diners.

9. Waffles

Unlike pancakes, waffles are crisp on the outside and light on the inside. They are made from a batter that is cooked between two patterned plates that give a characteristic size, shape, and surface impression.

10. Breakfast burritos

Breakfast burritos are wraps commonly served for breakfast in the Southwest of the USA. They are made of breakfast items, e.g., sausage, eggs, cheese, and avocado salsa, wrapped inside a flour tortilla burrito.

11. Breakfast sandwich

A breakfast sandwich is any sandwich filled with items associated with breakfast, e.g., sausages, eggs, and cheese. Usually, a toasted croissant is used.

12. Breakfast sausages

Breakfast sausages can come in links or patties. The latter is more common if they are homemade. In most cases, these are made using a combination of spices and pork with a good pork-to-fat ratio.

13. Bagels with cream cheese

Bagels and cream cheese are common food pairings in the USA cuisine. This dish is made of sliced bagels spread with cream cheese. The bagels can be homemade or store-bought.

15. Biscuits and gravy

Biscuits and gravy is a dish in which home-baked or store-bought biscuits are split in half, and then the gravy is ladled over. It is quite filling and is commonly eaten for breakfast.

16. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another commonly consumed breakfast dish. Oats are among the healthiest grains. They are a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

17. Fruit smoothie

A fruit smoothie is a thick and creamy beverage made from a variety of fruits placed in a blender. Fruit smoothies are healthy, nutritious, and filling.

18. Breakfast parfait

Most breakfast parfaits are made of yoghurt layered with fruit and granola, making them filling and healthy for breakfast. Many households prefer parfait because they are easy to put together, so you can make several ahead of time.

19. Croissants

Croissants are crescent-shaped rolls made with yeast-risen dough. The dough is typically layered with butter, then rolled, and folded several times in a process called lamination. The result is a layered, flaky textured roll, that almost resembles puff pastry.

20. French toast casserole

Did you know you can have French toast casserole for breakfast, lunch, midday snacks, dinner, or even dessert? This dish is made of custard-soaked bread that is flavoured with cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a nutty crumble topping, and baked until golden.

21. Beef burgers

Beef burgers are among the most common American lunch foods. Burgers are flat round masses of minced meat or vegetables, which are fried and often eaten in a bread roll. They are convenient for lunches and dinners.

22. Classic hot dog

Hot dogs are made of grilled or steamed sausages served in partially sliced buns. They make great lunches and dinners. They are particularly common for summer barbecues. Besides, you can use any toppings you like.

23. Reuben sandwich

The Reuben sandwich is a popular North USA grilled sandwich. It is one of the top 10 American foods for lunch. It is made of thinly-sliced corned beef, cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread.

24. Barbecue ribs

Barbecue ribs are among the top 10 American foods for dinner. In most cases, ribs usually refer to barbecue pork ribs served with various barbecue sauces. Sometimes, beef ribs are served.

25. The BLT

The BLT is a type of sandwich. It is named for the initials of its primary ingredients, i.e., bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It is often served as a triple-decker sandwich on toast.

26. Philly Cheesesteak

A Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long roll. It is a popular regional fast food for lunches and dinners. It has its roots in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

27. Beef jerky

Jerky is lean, trimmed meat cut into strips and dehydrated to prevent spoilage. Beef jerky is a nutrient-dense meat snack.

28. Baked Alaska

A baked Alaska is a dessert of sponge cake and ice cream in a meringue covering. It is cooked in a hot oven for a short time. It is also known as Bombe Alaska.

29. Chicken fried steak

Chicken-fried steak is one of the popular American dinner foods. It is a cut of tenderised steak coated in seasoned breading, then pan-fried or deep-fried.

30. Buffalo chicken wings

Buffalo chicken wings are also called hot wings. They are deep-fried unbreaded chicken wings or drumsticks coated with a hot sauce mixed with butter. They are often served with celery and a blue cheese dipping sauce.

31. Cheeseburgers

Cheeseburgers are hamburgers topped with cheese. Usually, the slice of cheese is placed on top of the meat patty. It is added to the hamburger patty near the end of the cooking time to melt it.

33. Nachos

Nachos must have tortilla chips, large amounts of melted cheese, and some chile. They are among the most popular American food for dinner. Nachos originated in Mexico.

34. Pizza

Pizza is a dish of Italian origin. It is made of a flat round base of dough baked with a topping of tomatoes and cheese, usually with added meat, fish, or vegetables.

35. Blueberry cobbler

Blueberry cobbler is a warm and sweet dessert recipe. The key ingredients are blueberries, sugar, butter, lemon zest, and batter.

36. Chocolate-chip cookies

Chocolate-chip cookies are snacks, usually eaten with a glass of milk. A chocolate chip cookie is a drop cookie with chocolate chips or chocolate morsels as its distinguishing ingredient.

37. Green chile stew

The traditional green chile stew can be traced to Mexico. It is simple and one of the most commonly consumed dishes in the United States. Its primary ingredients are roasted Hatch chiles, jalapenos, roasted and shredded pork shoulder, broth, onions, cumin, tomatoes, and flour.

38. Po’ boy

A po' boy is a sandwich originally from Louisiana. It uses French bread that is crusty, not soft like on the common sub sandwich. The meat is usually fried, unlike other sandwiches.

39. Frito pie

The basic ingredients in a Frito pie are chili, cheese, and corn chips. Additions can be salsa, refried beans, sour cream, onion, rice, or jalapeños.

40. Apple pie

Apple pie is often served with whipped cream, ice cream, custard or cheddar cheese. The perfect apple pie has a flaky, buttery crust and a tender, lightly-spiced apple pie filling. This is a popular dessert in the USA.

41. Tater tots

Tater tots are grated potatoes formed into small cylinders and deep-fried or baked. They are often served as a side dish at lunch or dinner.

42. Lobster rolls

Did you know lobster rolls are native to New England? They are quite popular in American cuisine. They are made of lobster meat served on a grilled hot dog-style bun.

43. Enchiladas

Enchiladas are pretty similar to burritos and are native to Mexico. They are made of corn or flour tortillas, stuffed with fillings and wrapped tightly.

44. Clam chowder

Clam chowder is a rich and creamy soup made of clams, diced potatoes, salt pork, and onions. Other ingredients may be added. It is normally served with crusty bread for a starter.

45. Baked beans

Baked beans can be eaten at any time of the day. They are key in a full American breakfast. Baked beans are usually made with white beans and served in a tomato sauce. Spices and seasonings are also added.

46. Peanut butter sandwich

A peanut butter sandwich consists of peanut butter spread on bread. The sandwich may be open-faced, made of a single slice of bread folded over, or made using two slices of bread. Sometimes, jelly is added to make it a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

47. Cioppino

Cioppino is an Italian-American seafood stew mostly served at dinners. Whitefish, clams, mussels, scallops, Dungeness crab, calamari, and other seas foods are cooked in a seasoned tomato and wine-based broth.

48. Crab cakes

Crab cakes are a type of fishcake popular in the United States. They are made of crab meat, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, and other seasonings.

49. French fries

French fries are a popular side dish or snack. They are made from deep-fried potatoes that have been cut into various shapes, usually thin strips.

50. Macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a popular American dinner dish. It is made of macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, usually a cheddar sauce.

51. Grits

Grits is a porridge made from boiled cornmeal. Well-prepared grits should be thick, smooth, and have a mild flavour. It tends to taste like what you mix it with, so it is often made with added salt, butter, and cheese.

52. Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a common dinner dish in America. It is made of ground meat combined with other ingredients and formed into the shape of a loaf. The loaf is then baked or smoked.

53. California roll

A California roll somewhat resembles sushi rolls. In this dish, vinegared rice forms the outside of the roll, usually encompassing cucumber, crab, and avocado.

54. Jambalaya

Jambalaya is made of meat and vegetables mixed with rice. The commonly used types of meat are andouille sausage, chicken, pork, and seafood. Everything cooks together, making it an easy and flavorful dinner meal.

55. Cornbread

Cornbread is commonly served at dinners. It is a popular food in South America and has been around for centuries. Cornbread is a nutritious, whole-grain food that can offer various health benefits.

56. Banana split

A banana split is a common American ice cream-based dessert. A peeled ripe banana is cut in half lengthwise and served with ice cream and sauce. The classic banana split is done with three ice cream scoops.

57. Fajitas

Fajitas are made of stripped grilled meat with stripped peppers and onions served on tortillas. Fajitas are native to Mexico but are commonly eaten in America.

58. Pot roast

A pot roast is an American beef dish made by slow-cooking beef in moist heat. Tougher cuts of meat are used for this dish. It is an easy-to-make comfort food that is hearty, filling, and can easily feed the whole family.

59. Cobb salad

Cobb salad is a salad of lettuce topped with pieces of chicken, cheese, bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, and tomato. It is usually served as a main course.

60. Sourdough bread

Sourdough is slow-fermented bread. It uses an ancient form of bread leavening. It is tastier than conventional bread and arguably more nutritious.

61. Chili

Chili or chili con carne is a hearty stew made with spices, peppers, meat, tomatoes, and beans. Most homemade chili recipes feature ground beef, onion, spices, beans, and tomatoes.

62. Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a rich sweet tart made with cream and soft cheese on a biscuit base. It is normally served as a dessert. Common cheesecake toppings include sour cream, fruit sauces, chocolate syrup, nuts, caramel syrup, whipped cream, or pieces of fruit.

What is the most popular food in the USA?

Some popular foods are French fries, burgers, pancakes, pot roast, and pizza.

What is the best food for lunch in the USA?

The most preferred lunch foods in America are soups, sandwiches, and salads.

American foods are notably different from traditional Ghanaian foods. If you want to diversify your palate, you can add American cuisine to your meals.

Yen.com.gh recently published the KFC Ghana menu, prices, delivery, branches and contacts. KFC Ghana menu offers numerous fast-food delicacies at reasonable prices.

Ghanaians can order KFC online or buy from physical outlets. KFC prices and menus are similar across all the branches.

Source: YEN.com.gh