Bannock
Often eaten: Usually eaten as a snack or with meals.
Known for: Common across Alaska Native communities and other northern regions
EverydayFamily
Photo: PJ2013 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
3 dishes to discover
Food of Alaska
Dive into the delightful world of Alaskan food, where Native traditions and the chilly environment come together to create something tasty and special. Enjoy fresh seafood like salmon and crab, or fill up on hearty game meats like moose and caribou. You'll also find exciting treats like wild berries and rich, smoked flavors that make every meal a unique Alaskan adventure.
Featured Dishes
Test Your Knowledge
Meal Culture
In many Alaska communities, families still get much of their food by subsistence, hunting, fishing, and berry-picking from the land and sea. When someone brings in a big catch, like the first salmon of the season, it is often shared across the whole community.
Eating Etiquette
In Alaskan homes, it's respectful to help set the table and serve the food. Sharing and trying a little bit of everything is a sign of friendliness.
When People Eat It
Alaska Smoked Salmon
Often eaten: Often eaten during special gatherings and holidays.
Known for: Coastal Alaska, especially among Indigenous fishing communities in the southeast and southcentral coasts
HolidayFamily
Akutaq
Often eaten: Commonly eaten as a dessert or special treat.
Known for: Western and northern Alaska, especially among Yup'ik and IΓ±upiaq communities
CelebrationDessert
Make It Yourself
π©βπ³ Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
BannockFried Bread
Makes 8 wedgesIngredients
- 2 cups (250 g)All-purpose flour
- 1 tbspBaking powder
- 1/2 tspSalt
- 2 tbsp (30 g)Butter, melted
- 3/4 cup (180 ml)Water
- 1/4 cup (60 ml)Oil, for frying
How to Make It
- 1In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 2Pour in the melted butter and water, and mix until a soft dough forms.
- 3Gently knead the dough a few times, then pat it into a flat circle about 1/2 inch thick.
- 4Cut the circle into 8 wedges.
- 5Ask a grown-up to heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- 6Fry the wedges for 2β3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- 7Drain on paper towels and enjoy warm with jam or honey.
Alaska Smoked SalmonAlder-Smoked Salmon
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1 lb (450 g)Salmon fillet
- 2 tbsp (30 g)Salt
- 2 tbsp (25 g)Brown sugar
- 1 lemonLemon, sliced
- 1 tbspFresh dill
How to Make It
- 1Mix the salt and brown sugar together in a small bowl.
- 2Rub the mix all over the salmon, then chill it in the fridge for 1 hour. Rinse and pat dry.
- 3Ask a grown-up to heat the oven to 275Β°F (135Β°C).
- 4Lay the salmon on a lined baking tray and top with lemon slices and dill.
- 5Bake slowly for about 30 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- 6Cool and serve on crackers or bread β a nod to Alaska's famous smoked salmon.
AkutaqYup'ik ice cream
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 2 cups (300 g)Fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries)
- 1/4 cup (50 g)Sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml)Heavy cream, whipped
- 1/2 cup (100 g)Solid vegetable shortening (or extra whipped cream)
How to Make It
- 1Gently mash half of the berries with the sugar and leave the rest whole.
- 2In a large bowl, whip the cream until it is fluffy and holds its shape.
- 3Slowly fold the shortening (or more whipped cream) into the whipped cream until light.
- 4Fold in the mashed and whole berries until they swirl through.
- 5Chill in the freezer for about 1 hour, until firm but still scoopable.
- 6Scoop and serve cold β this is Alaska's traditional akutaq.
Vocabulary
Alaskan cuisine shares similarities with other Northern cuisines, like Scandinavian, by using preserved seafood and hearty ingredients.
