Every region of the United States has its local delicacies, and theMidwestis no exception.
Some locals will even argue that Detroit-style pizza is better than New York’s hallowed pies!
If you’re looking for some heartycomfort foodto make at home, you’ve come to the right place.
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13 Healthier Old-Fashioned Midwestern Recipes To Try Tonight.
Just bust out the cast-iron skillet and spatula, then start smashing.
Get our recipe for aSmashed A.1.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
The classic frankfurter comes loaded with toppings and die-hards are very particular about the order in which they appear.
If done right, you taste everything in one bite.
Oh, and don’t forget the poppy seed bunthat’s just as important!
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Get our recipe for aChicago Hot Dog.
They called it “hetuck,” which means “buckeye.”
With all this attention, someone had to invent a snack.
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TheBuckeyeis a sweet, peanut-butter confection covered with chocolate that resembles the appearance of the seed.
Served at weddings and given away at Christmas, Buckeyes make their appearance at football tailgates as well.
Get our recipe forBuckeyes.
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The rest of the country might just call it a casserole, but don’t do that!
This is serious business in the North Star State.
Every year, senators and representatives from Minnesota compete in theMinnesota Congressional Delegation Hotdish Off.
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The winner in 2019 wasRepresentative Tom Emmer,with his tater tot masterpiece aptly called"Hotdish of Champions.
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Get this recipe fromMy Name Is Yeh.
Other stories have emerged, but one thing remains standard: This cake lives up to its gooey name.
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It’s sticky and incredibly sweet, making it adessert staplein the Midwest.
Get this fromThe Seasoned Mom.
Jello Salad
The versatileMidwestern Jell-O saladcan be sweet or savory.
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Get this recipe fromI Breathe, I’m Hungry.
Detroit-Style Pizza
All pizza is good pizza.
ButDetroit-style pizza, according to a 2019Esquirearticle, is “crispy, cheesy, greasy goodness.”
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it’s possible for you to find the original atBuddy’s Pizzain numerous locations across Detroit.
Get the recipe fromLove and Olive Oil.
Get the recipe fromWith Food and Love.
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Try out the combo with one of our22 Delicious Chili Recipes.
Age mellows the flavor, so most recipes call for storing the wine for at least a year.
Get the recipe fromHome Brewing.
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Dutch Letters
you might’t beat a flaky, buttery dough filled with smooth almond filling.
The Dutch treat was made for Sinterklaas Day (the Dutch Santa Claus) on December 6.
The delicious treat is shaped into an “s” for Sinterklaas.
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Get the recipe fromHy-Vee.
The unique flavor of this dish makes it unforgettable.
Get the recipe fromSally’s Baking Addiction.
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This treat took over the appetites of the area over the years.
Get the recipe fromKing Arthur Flour.
Sugar Cream Pie
This dessert is the Indiana state pie.
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Ingredients are mixed by hand to prevent adding air, resulting in the nickname “finger pie.”
Get the recipe fromAverie Cooks.
Get the recipe fromMy Name is Yeh.
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These days, the candy shop is famous for one invention.
Get the recipe fromJulie’s Eats and Treats.
Toasted Ravioli
St. Louis-style toasted ravioli isn’t really “toasted.”
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It’s deep-fried after being coated in breadcrumbs.
Get the recipe fromCreme de la Crumb.
Burnt Ends
Arthur Bryantchanged the world of barbecue when he made burnt ends.
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The charred, fatty end of brisket, burnt ends might have been discarded previously.
Theburnt endsplayed a partthey were cubed, sauced, and served Kansas-style to hungry customers waiting in line.
Get the recipe fromDinner at the Zoo.
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Juneberry Jam
There are many different names for Juneberries.
The jam created from the summer harvest is a beautiful deep red.
The fruit is also made into pies (of course).
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Get the recipe fromSunny Savage.
They brought their food culture, which included a vast knowledge of the brewery process and making sausages likebratwurst.
The two are highly complementary.
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Get the recipe fromFoodie Crush.
It’s even in church cookbooks, a reliable indicator of the most-wanted family meals in an area.
Get the recipe fromPinch of Yum.
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Get the recipe fromDine & Dish.
A version of this story was originally published in August 2022.
It has been updated to include additional recipes and new information.
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