14 Foods Americans Love That Are Weird to People Outside the U.S.
Chantelle KincyOh, America—a land of the free, home of the brave, and the inventor of some of the quirkiest foods this side of the Milky Way.
Here’s a salute to the 14 goodies that have tickled American taste buds but might leave folks from other shores scratching their heads.
Deep-fried Everything
Why stop at fries and chicken when you can deep-fry Oreos and pickles? Because in America, if you can dream it, we can deep-fry it. It’s the culinary equivalent of a double-dog dare – and we’re always up for the challenge.
Michaela says via Quora, “There are a lot of reasons why Americans like fried foods. Frying is a very fast method of cooking food – compare baking a potato, about 45 minutes, to frying a potato, about 5 to 6 minutes. There is the mouth feel of the crunchy exterior and the soft interior, plus the oil cooks the food evenly all over.”
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Two sticky spreads, one piece of bread each, smushed together like a tasty high-five. PB&J is like the childhood friend you never outgrow – simple, sweet, and always there when needed.
Redditor LittleJohn comments, “I love it. I’ll go several months without eating any, and then get on a jag where I eat some every night as a snack for a week or two.”
Macaroni and Cheese
The ultimate comfort in a spoonful. It’s like a hug for your insides – but made of cheese and pasta. And, unlike your ex, it’s something you’ll keep coming back to.
“Easy to prepare, has lots of carbs and more importantly tasty as f@*k. When the mom is tired/busy, she can easily prepare this meal and the kids will love it. No other easy meal will make the kids this happy,” says Sabocano on Reddit.
Twinkies
The snack with a shelf life of almost as long as the Constitution is cherished. Nothing says Murica like a cake that can outlive an apocalypse.
Sam, a Quora user, says, “They are easy to open and carry around, very sweet and tasty, many combinations with cream and cake, iconic, and affordable for most people.”
S’mores
Squishy marshmallow and smooth chocolate caught in a graham cracker love triangle – it’s practically a patriotic duty to stuff your face with one around a campfire.
“I like all the components: graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey’s milk chocolate squares. And the marshmallow just almost but not quite burned,” says Xena via Quora.
Corn Dogs
A hot dog on a stick wrapped in cornmeal; it’s like a meat lollipop. Every bite is a mini 4th of July celebration in your mouth.
Robert argues on Quora, “Sadly we don’t really get them in the UK. They had them in supermarkets for a while but I guess they didn’t take off. But I’m guessing that people actually hate themselves for loving corndogs😂”
Biscuits and Gravy
If Breakfast had a king, he would live in the South and wear a creamy, peppery robe. Biscuits and gravy is more than a meal; it’s a way of life.
However, Redditor PDX says, “As a foreigner, I consider biscuits and gravy AND Yorkshire pudding very weird 😊 if it makes you feel better!”
Grits
Ground, dried corn turned into a buttery, salty bowl of morning motivation. It’s the breakfast of champions, y’all.
“I like grits! I don’t think I could ever explain why I enjoy them other than the fact that they’re tasty, especially for a quick meal. Perhaps it stuck with me because I grew up eating them as a child. I also enjoy the texture,” says Kirisou on Reddit.
Buffalo Wings
It was invented for people who thought, “You know what’s better than chicken? Spicy, saucy chicken.” They’re the unsung heroes of sports bars everywhere.
“Mmmm, chicken wings are delicious! The amount of crispy skin relative to the bits of tender meat is just perfect!”—Lynn, Quora.
Jell-O Salads
The Frankenstein of foods where anything goes: fruit, veggies, and sometimes cottage cheese trapped forever in wobbly goodness. It’s the dish that confuses foreigners the most—and we get it.
Brells says via Quora, “I lost a lot of weight and one of my favorite diet desserts was, yup, jello with mixed fruit.”
Meatloaf
America’s answer to ‘What do I do with all these leftovers?’ It’s like a meaty Cinderella story in loaf form.
According to Wikipedia, during the Great Depression, meatloaf became an intelligent strategy for families to make the most of their food budget. They could create a hearty dish by choosing affordable meat cuts and leftover ingredients. People often toss cereal grains, bread, or saltine crackers into the mix to add flavor and texture.
Green Bean Casserole
This Thanksgiving classic screams, “Don’t mess with tradition.” It’s comfort food’s cozier, crunchier cousin.
“Well, it’s popular during the holidays, and people like tradition, so countless people eat it. Campbell came up with the recipe decades ago because the recipe calls for Campbell’s condensed soup. That’s what I don’t like about it. Besides that, I like the green beans and those crispy onions on top,” says Jamie via Quora.
Hawaiian Pizza
The pizza that sparked a global debate: “To pineapple or not to pineapple?” America bravely says, “Heck, yes!”
Redditor Strife says, “I’m a sucker for the sweet and salty combination and Hawaiian pizza hits the spot. I know a lot of people really hate this kind of pizza but if I’m being honest, it’s a top 10 kinds of pizza in my opinion.”
Pumpkin Spice Everything
Because when fall hits, you better believe every food item gets a pumpkin spice makeover – it’s the culinary equivalent of a knitted sweater.
“I’m convinced that most people who hate pumpkin spice only feel that way because it’s popular and they just live to be contrarians,” argues Redditor Wand Cloak.
There you have it, folks! A tour through the wondrous maze of American eats. Whether these dishes have you raising an eyebrow or running to the kitchen, there’s no denying there’s flavor – and maybe a bit of genius – in this feast of oddball delights. Bon appétit, or as we say stateside, dig in!
15 Foods From the ’60s Most Boomers Loved With a Passion
The 1960s were a time of significant social and cultural change in America. As the baby boomer generation came of age, they embraced new ideas, fashion trends, and music styles. And when it came to food, some beloved dishes defined this era.
15 Foods From the ’60s Most Boomers Loved With a Passion
12 Fake Foods You’ve Definitely Been Fooled By
We’ve all fallen prey to fake foods at some point, but don’t feel bad about it. Some are so good at pretending that even Sherlock Holmes would be fooled. Brace yourself as we reveal the truth about these 12 foods that are not what they appear to be.
12 Fake Foods You’ve Definitely Been Fooled By
12 Basic Hygiene Habits Most People Don’t Have But Should
Here are 12 essential hygiene habits that most people lack, but incorporating them into your daily life can be game-changing – and hey, they’re not just for impressing your dentist.
12 Basic Hygiene Habits Most People Don’t Have But Should
25 Foods You Didn’t Know Were Killing Your Metabolism
Don’t get us wrong, we love a good feast as much as the next person, but some of these foods are sneaky metabolism slayers dressed in delicious disguises. And we’ve got the down-low, backed by the brainiest of the brainy experts and studies with more degrees than a thermometer.
