Texas Barbecue
Often eaten: Lunch and dinner
Known for: Central and East Texas
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Photo: Troyvcu (CC BY-SA 3.0)
4 dishes to discover
Food of Texas
Texas is a big state with a big love for food! People in Texas enjoy a variety of dishes that reflect the state's rich history and diverse cultures. From barbecue to Tex-Mex, each dish has its own unique flavors and stories.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
Texans love gathering with friends and family, often enjoying big meals with dishes that show their cowboy and Mexican heritage. Meals are a time to share stories and enjoy delicious food together.
Eating Etiquette
In Texas, it's common to serve food family-style, and it's okay to enjoy eating with your hands, especially when having foods like ribs or fried chicken.
When People Eat It
Tex-Mex Enchiladas
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: South Texas
comfort foodcelebration
Chili con Carne
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: San Antonio
spicywinter
Chicken Fried Steak
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: Central Texas and small-town diners across the state
comfort foodweekend meal
Make It Yourself
👩🍳 Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
Texas BarbecueTexas Barbecue
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 3 lb (1.4 kg)Beef brisket
- 2 tbsp eachSalt and black pepper
- 1 tbspPaprika
- 1 cup (240 ml)Barbecue sauce
How to Make It
- 1Rub the brisket all over with the salt, pepper, and paprika.
- 2Ask a grown-up to heat a smoker or oven to a low 250°F (120°C).
- 3Cook the brisket low and slow for several hours, until it is very tender.
- 4Let the meat rest for 20 minutes so the juices settle.
- 5Slice it across the grain into strips.
- 6Serve with barbecue sauce, pickles, and bread — Texas takes its 'low and slow' seriously.
Tex-Mex EnchiladasEnchiladas
Makes 8 enchiladasIngredients
- 8 tortillasCorn tortillas
- 1 lb (450 g)Ground beef
- 2 cups (475 ml)Chili-tomato sauce
- 2 cups (200 g)Cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 onion, 1 tspOnion and cumin
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to cook the beef and onion with cumin until browned.
- 2Warm the tortillas so they roll easily.
- 3Fill each tortilla with beef and a little cheese, then roll up.
- 4Place seam-side down in a baking dish and cover with the chili-tomato sauce.
- 5Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar on top.
- 6Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, until melty and bubbly.
Chili con CarneChili con Carne
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g)Ground beef
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g)Kidney beans
- 2 cups (475 ml)Tomatoes, crushed
- 1 onion, 2 clovesOnion and garlic
- 2 tbsp, 1 tbspChili powder and cumin
- to serveCheese and sour cream
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to cook the onion, garlic, and beef until browned.
- 2Stir in the chili powder and cumin until fragrant.
- 3Add the crushed tomatoes and beans.
- 4Simmer gently for about 45 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick.
- 5Season with a little salt.
- 6Ladle into bowls and top with cheese and sour cream.
Chicken Fried SteakChicken Fried Steak
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 4 steaksBeef cube steaks
- 1 1/2 cups (190 g)Flour
- 2 eggsEggs, beaten
- 1 cup (240 ml)Milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Oil, for frying
- to serveCream gravy
How to Make It
- 1Set up two plates: one with flour, one with beaten egg.
- 2Coat each steak in flour, then egg, then flour again for a thick crust.
- 3Ask a grown-up to heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- 4Fry the steaks for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.
- 5Drain on paper towels.
- 6Serve smothered in creamy white gravy — a Texas diner favorite.
Vocabulary
How does Texas barbecue stack up against the slow-cooked meats found in other parts of the world, like Korean BBQ or Argentine asado?