American cuisine is often associated with fast food and unhealthy options. However, there are many delicious and healthy American recipes that can be enjoyed without compromising on taste or nutrition. This article explores a variety of such recipes, showcasing the diversity and potential for healthy eating within American cuisine.
Appetizers and Snacks
Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Warm Apple Cider Dressing
This appetizer combines the slight bitterness of Brussels sprouts with the smoky flavor of bacon and the sweetness of apple cider dressing. It's a delightful way to start a meal or enjoy as a light snack.
Waldorf Salad Flatbread
A creative twist on a classic salad, this flatbread is topped with apples, nuts, celery, grapes, and a white dressing-style sauce, finished with Gruyère cheese. It's a vegetarian option that even meat-eaters will enjoy.
Easy Pickled Onion Rings
These lager-battered pickled onion rings make a great snack or addition to an American-themed spread.
S'mores Dip
A super chocolatey twist on the classic campfire treat, this s'mores dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Hot Gumbo Dip
Serve this smoky, chunky vegetable gumbo dip with Southern-fried prawns for an excellent condiment to an American-themed platter.
Main Courses
Sausage-and-Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash
This hearty and flavorful dish features acorn squash filled with a savory mixture of sausage and wild rice. It's a satisfying and nutritious meal perfect for a cozy night in.
Slow Cooker Beef Tacos
A great way to stretch an expensive roast, these tacos are filled with tender slow-cooked beef and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro, and a dash of sour cream or cheese.
Ground Chicken Tacos
For a healthier taco night, swap the beef for ground chicken. Chicken has less saturated fat and, when spiced right, tastes just as good as red meat.
Grain Salad with Trout, Almonds, and Herbs
This refreshing salad combines grains with trout, almonds, and herbs for a light yet satisfying meal.
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Loaded Potato Bar
Sweet potatoes, in particular, are full of healthy fiber, vitamins, and iron. Bake them and top with leftover broccoli, mushrooms, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for a customizable and nutritious meal.
White Turkey and Poblano Chili
A lighter take on traditional chili, this recipe uses turkey and poblano peppers for a flavorful and comforting dish.
Tex-Mex, Sweet-and-Sour, and Sesame Chicken Meatballs
These versatile meatballs can be served in a variety of ways, from appetizers to main courses.
Chicken Meatloaf
A healthier alternative to beef meatloaf, this chicken meatloaf is a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ground Chicken Noodle Casserole and Pad Thai
These dishes offer a lighter take on classic comfort food.
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Seafood and Chorizo Paella with Bell Peppers
This vibrant and flavorful paella combines seafood, chorizo, and bell peppers for a taste of Spain in your own kitchen.
Buffalo Chicken
These spicy wings are ideal party food, brined to make them extra juicy and with a smoky-sweet sauce for added heat.
Texas BBQ Medley
Smoking and slow-cooking chicken creates a succulent, deeply flavored dish.
BBQ Chicken Platter
Roast or barbecue chicken pieces and serve on a platter with onion rings, coleslaw, and mac 'n' cheese for an all-American banquet.
Cajun Chicken Burgers
Grilled Cajun-spiced chicken breasts are loaded with bacon, avocado, cheese, and spinach, then served in a ciabatta bun.
Spicy Pies with Sweet Potato Mash
This pie is loosely based on the flavors of an American sloppy joe, but topped with sweet potato mash.
Cheesesteak Hot Dogs
Take the humble hot dog to another level by using steak, complemented by melted cheese, fried green peppers, and crispy onions.
Huli Huli Chicken
Marinated in a ginger-soy sauce, this Hawaiian-style grilled chicken is bursting with flavor. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian, referring to the way the meat is cooked on the grill.
Jambalaya
A traditional Louisiana dish with rice, meats, or seafood, this recipe features shrimp and ham.
California Rolls
This is one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For the best results, use sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency.
Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
This cheesy, southwestern casserole is real comfort food!
Roast Beef
With only a few ingredients, this roast beef is a snap to throw together. And after cooking all day, the meat is wonderfully tender.
Side Dishes
Asparagus Quiche
A light and flavorful quiche perfect for brunch or a light lunch.
Orzo Pasta
Orzo pasta can be used as a base for a variety of salads and side dishes.
California Tamale Pie
Enjoy the taste and texture of classic tamales without the time and hassle with this recipe.
Texas Rice
Dress up an old rice recipe to give it a little more Texas character with savory flavor and crunchy pecans.
Special Beans
With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics.
Fried Green Tomatoes
A Southern specialty, fried green tomatoes make a delicious side dish or sandwich filling.
Corn on the Cob
A classic summer side dish, corn on the cob can be grilled, boiled, or roasted.
Creamed Corn
This addictive, creamy, cheesy mix goes well with pretty much everything, but pairs particularly well with barbecue dishes.
Okra Nuggets
These golden brown, crunchy okra nuggets are an addictive side dish.
Collard Greens
A staple vegetable of southern cuisine, collard greens are often eaten alongside smoked or salt-cured meats.
German Potato Salad
This authentic recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant in St. Louis, a famous eating establishment from the 1920s through the ‘50s.
Corn Pudding
You need just a few ingredients and a slow cooker to make this delicious side dish. Because it cooks on its own, you'll have extra time to prepare the main course.
Hot Dogs with Grilled Potatoes
It's a combo you’ll love.
Breads and Biscuits
Cornbread
This healthy cornbread recipe uses whole-wheat flour and buttermilk.Here’s a lightened-up version of my mom’s traditional cornbread that tastes just as delicious.
Pineapple Coconut Rolls
Pineapple and coconut give a subtle sweetness to these golden homemade rolls. If there are any leftovers, they're great for sandwiches.
Fry Bread
Crispy, doughy and totally delicious, this fry bread is fantastic with nearly any sweet or savory toppings you can think of.
Amish Sugar Cookies
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned cookies simply melt in your mouth!
Monkey Bread
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat.
Biscuits and Gravy
Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it’s served.
Cornbread
A lightened-up version of traditional cornbread that tastes just as delicious.
Desserts
Key Lime Pie
You need only five ingredients to create this refreshing, easy Key lime pie. It’s special enough for weekend potlucks, but easy enough to make for a weeknight dessert.
Apple Pie
This one’s the favorite for family get-togethers, and it has been awarded blue ribbons at a couple of local fairs. Melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
Pretzel Salad
The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling.
Gooey Butter Cake
A quick version of this gooey butter cake recipe using a cake mix, but I prefer baking from scratch, so I made my own version. My family can’t get enough!