Explore delicious dinner ideas to elevate your meals. From quick and easy recipes to gourmet delights, find inspiration for every occasion.
Take a culinary journey across the United States from the comfort of your kitchen. From fried chicken and mac and cheese to jambalaya and chili, these dinner recipes are sure to satisfy any American food cravings! Plus, many of them can be frozen for quick weeknight meals on busy nights.
1. Barbecue
The word barbecue conjures up a certain image of big, juicy ribs, slow-cooked brisket, and luscious pulled pork, all doused in signature sauce. It’s an American style of cooking that varies from region to region, but a few things remain the same: high-fat cuts of meat like pork shoulder or ribs and beef brisket, a smoke environment, and a sweet, tangy, and/or spicy sauce made with tomato, vinegar, sugar, and spices. The exact ingredients and cooking methods vary from cook to cook, but the result is always delicious.
Barbecue is a popular dish all across the USA, and even the UK and Australia have their takes on it. A smoky grill is the preferred method of barbecue, but oven-baked ribs and chicken are also commonly found on dinner tables. A great barbecue sauce can make any meal extra special, and there are many different kinds of recipes to choose from. From Carolina-style tangy vinegar sauces to Southwest tomato-based slathers, there are options for every taste.
There’s a lot of debate about what constitutes real barbecue, and purists argue that only large hunks of meat roasted low and slow with indirect heat and wood smoke should be called barbecue. However, the word barbecue has been used in a wide sense for centuries, and the likes of James Beard, Julia Child, and Craig Claiborne all use it to mean any kind of grilled meat or smoked meat. Also, if you do a Google search for barbecue, about half of the hits will be for dishes cooked in ovens and slow cookers rather than on grills, so common usage is in your favor.
The roots of barbecue are firmly planted in the South, where cooks learned to slow-roast tough cuts of meat to tenderize them. The practice spread to other parts of the country, and in early colonial times, it was used to prepare food for enslaved people and lower-income families. Today, people barbecue almost everything, and it’s a beloved tradition that is celebrated at family picnics, neighborhood potlucks, and tailgate parties.
2. Crock Pot
The slow cooker is a kitchen essential that can be used for anything from classic beef stews to cozy chicken noodle soup. But it also can take desserts to new heights, like this luscious Crock Pot cheesecake. The popular appliance can save weeknight cooks a lot of hassle by cooking a dish while they’re busy doing something else. A slow cooker can also be used for potlucks, and many brands have latches that make it easy to transport.
Rival first introduced its crockpot variation at Chicago’s National Housewares Show in 1971, and it became an instant hit with home cooks. The device, which featured a stoneware pot inside a base with a heating element, drew inspiration from the Back to the Land movement, which emphasized homegrown and homemade foods. It was marketed to working families who wanted to serve food that required little attention during the day.
Today, the appliance is still a mainstay in homes across America, with 83 percent of American families owning one. It continues to dominate a crowded slow cooker market, with competitors including KitchenAid and Hamilton Beach, as well as Canada’s Instant Pot, which ranked as the most wish-listed item on Amazon in 2017.
But the Crock Pot remains an iconic brand name, and its influence extends far beyond household appliances. Recipe aggregators such as AllRecipes and the site This Is Us have helped boost interest in the device by highlighting the versatility of its recipes.
A Crock Pot can even take the place of a pot when making dishes such as this crockpot Hawaiian pineapple chicken, which is made with pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, and savory spices that combine for delicious flavor. Or try this crockpot jambalaya, which brings a Creole twist to the traditional seafood stew by adding chicken and sausage.
Sometimes, all we want is a meal that doesn’t require much effort on our part. This crockpot corned beef and cabbage is a hearty, comforting meal that requires just a few ingredients. And this crockpot Tuscan chicken is a healthy, light dinner that’s full of flavors without all the work.
3. Seafood
Seafood has long been a staple for many households and is a delicious and healthy choice. It is a high-protein food that also contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as Omega-3 fatty acids. It is also low in fat compared to other common center-of-plate proteins like chicken and beef.
In recent years, seafood has become more popular with home cooks. Shellfish, in particular, have seen increased consumption in the United States. This is due to a shift in consumer tastes and increased interest in gourmet and regional ethnic foods. Additionally, there is a growing desire for a healthier diet among Americans. Seafood is an excellent source of protein and nutrients, including Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as iron and Vitamins B and D.
Fish is still the most commonly consumed seafood in the United States, with salmon, cod, and tuna being popular choices. However, there has been a rise in the popularity of seafood dishes with a more unique flavor, such as oysters, clams, and mussels. These types of dishes are often served as appetizers or as main course options for dinner parties.
Another popular seafood dish is crab cakes, which are a great option for a quick and easy meal that can be made ahead of time and then baked or fried as needed. Several fish recipes can be made on the grill, such as family-favorite fish tacos and company-worthy seared scallops.
Many of these seafood dishes are considered to be light, which makes them a great option for warm weather and summer dining. Additionally, several seafood recipes can be made that are gluten-free and dairy-free, which makes them a great option for those with specific dietary requirements.
4. Pizza
As a dinner idea, pizza is an excellent example of how readily available items can be combined to create something new. The resulting dish may be considered both a delicious and relatively nutritious meal, particularly when topped with vegetables. Its adaptability also reflects the creativity of humans as they look for ways to make food both tasty and satisfying. If you’re looking for new flatbread recipes to try, the HelloFresh pizza and flatbread recipes page has an endless array of options. From New York-style to deep-dish Chicago pies, these pizza recipes have something for everyone.