Wait a Minute! The Hot Dog Isn't American?
Some foods feel so American that most people don't realize it was influenced by a cuisine from another part of the world. Even the apple pie and potato salad aren't as American as you might think. If it weren't for other cultures, American cuisine would look very different. Here are 20 popular U.S. dishes that originated somewhere else.
1. Apple Pie
"As American as apple pie" might be a popular expression, but it doesn't tell the whole story behind the country's national dessert. Its roots are English, Dutch, and French, and the American twist was to include an abundance of apples and the use of local spices.
2. Hot Dogs
The hot dog is a ballpark and barbecue staple, but it was originally a German food. The hot dog evolved from the frankfurter and wieners that immigrants brought to the U.S. in the 1800s. Americans added softer buns and toppings like mustard and relish, transforming it into more of a street food.
3. Hamburgers
One of the most iconic American foods was derived from the Hamburg steak, which was a minced meat dish in Germany. Cooks in the U.S. evolved it by shaping the meat into patties and using buns to change how you eat one.
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4. French Fries
French fries feel like they were created in a diner somewhere in Middle America, but they are actually Belgian in origin. It was American soldiers in WWI who fell in love with French fries and brought the concept home with them. Americans were the ones who played with the style of French fries, creating variations like waffle and curly, to name a few.
5. Macaroni and Cheese
This one might not be too surprising since anything with pasta feels connected to Italy, but mac and cheese has become synonymous with American cuisine despite being an Italian dish. Americans did swap out the traditional Italian cheeses for cheddar.
6. Potato Salad
Creamy and tangy American potato salad was inspired by German potato salad, which was made with bacon and vinegar. Americans added the mayo and served it cold, which changed its flavor profile. Still, the German influence is there in every bite.
7. Coleslaw
Coleslaw was a Dutch side dish long before it was served at cookouts throughout America. Dutch settlers brought shredded cabbage salads to the U.S. in the 1700s, and over the years, Americans added ingredients like mayo and vinegar.
8. Meatloaf
Meatloaf has been served on American dinner tables for decades, but the concept of mixing minced meat with bread and spices is German and Scandinavian in origin. Early American settlers adapted these mixtures to include their available yet limited ingredients, especially during the Great Depression.
9. Fried Chicken
Fried Chicken is associated with the American South, but it's based on a Scottish cooking technique and West African seasoning blends. This combo created one of the country's most beloved dishes.
10. BBQ Ribs
American-style BBQ ribs draw from a marriage of Indigenous smoking techniques and Caribbean marinating style. Spanish colonizers brought Caribbean methods northward, where they mixed with Indigenous slow cooking.
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11. Biscuits
The fluffy biscuits that Americans love are a take on the British scone. Early iterations of the American biscuit were actually much denser and far less buttery.
12. Cheesecake
Everything about New York-style cheesecake feels American, but it's based on an ancient Greek pie, which was the basis for later European baked-cheese desserts. Americans made it thicker and richer, that's for sure.
13. Pickles
Pickles were introduced by Jewish immigrants who utilized Eastern European brining methods. Americans adopted and adapted it and created the famous kosher dill.
14. Bagels
Bagels came to American shores with waves of Polish Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century. Over time, Americans innovated cream cheese, which subsequently changed how bagels were eaten, and created giant bakery-style versions.
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15. Pretzels
This quintessential American snack was originally a German delicacy. It was introduced by the Pennsylvanian Dutch, and then American bakers created the giant, buttery versions that are available at every ballpark.
16. Chicken Fried Steak
There's a reason that chicken-fried steak resembles a schnitzel. Texans created this dish as a version of the schnitzel, using beef instead of veal or pork and adding the rich, creamy gravy.
Jessica from Hove, United Kingdom on Wikimedia
17. Cincinnati Chili
This unique American meal was created by Greek immigrants who used Mediterranean spices to change American meat sauces. The result is now a Midwestern classic with subtle Greek roots.
18. Pancakes
The pancakes you know and love came from European griddle cakes. American cuisine made them fluffier by using chemical leaveners like baking powder. A stack of pancakes smothered in syrup is a classic American breakfast that is served in diners and restaurants across the country, despite its concept being from abroad.
19. Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage feels like a purely Irish dish, but its roots are actually Irish-American. It was created by Irish immigrants who adapted their native dish to Jewish corned beef rather than bacon, which was too expensive. It's not surprising that this dish grew to become a St. Patrick's Day favorite in all corners of the country. Just don't expect to have the same version if you ever visit Ireland.
20. Chili Dogs
Chili dogs are a fusion of German and Mexican cooking traditions. The hot dog originally hails from Germany, and chili is a Mexican-inspired American favorite. This hearty meal reflects the merging of immigrant cooking traditions, which helped shape American cuisine. It's also super messy to eat.
