15 Foods And Beverages That Are Popular In Tennessee

Tennessee is quite famous for the food in the United States. The diverse range of landscapes across the state has a lot to do with the variety of flavors in the local cuisine. From mouth-watering snacks to rich main courses to flavorful drinks, you can enjoy each meal of the day while traveling in this state. It always hits the bullseye when you taste a local dish or a drink in Tennessee; it has something for everyone. 

Let us start the flavorful journey of Tennessee’s most famous foods and beverages. 

Country Ham

Southern cuisine of the United States is popular with meat lovers. Country ham is an unopposed winning savory of Tennessee. Native people enjoy country ham all year, whereas other regions associate this delicacy with holidays and festivities. You can enjoy cured meat in various serving options: fired, broiled, or boiled. Country ham can win your heart with its rich taste and classical seasonings. 

Hot Fried Chicken

Whenever you plan to visit Tennessee, don’t forget to include the world-famous hot fried chicken on your bucket list. The fried texture is especially linked to Southern cuisine. The exotic taste of fried chicken will hit your taste buds at all the right spots with its delicious flavors. Don’t miss out on the tender, crispy fried chicken of Tennessee that is available in extremely hot, mild flavors. 

Strawberry Wine of Gatlinburg

Want to indulge in the fruity flavor of wine? A glass of the strawberry wine of Gatlinburg is the right drink for you. A classic flavor gives a local touch to the wine you cannot find anywhere but in the South. It starts sweet but finishes with a light and refreshing flavor.

Memphis Ribs

Have you ever tasted the most popular barbecue in Memphis? If yes, you can’t miss delicious Memphis ribs packed with flavors of mustard, onion, garlic, and other spices and herbs. You can relish each bite of barbeque, from pulled pork to ribs. Its taste is earthy, smokey, and herby. 

Deep-Fried Burger 

Originated from Dyer’s in Memphis, American deep-fried burgers never disappoint you. This variation of burgers uses hamburger buns with a twist of deep frying in beef fat. American cheese and dill pickles give the burgers a whole new taste. If you love fast food, deep-fried burgers will win your heart. 

Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is a must-have part of the Southern dining table; you cannot enjoy your meal without having a glass of sweetened iced tea. The mint and lemon flavors give iced teas a refreshing touch. You can skip this tea as it can be too sweet for you if you are not a sugar lover. 

Moon Pies

Moon pies traced their origin from Chattanooga and now serve as a traditional delicacy of the state. The chocolate-coated spongy texture and chewy marshmallow center give pies a one-of-the-kind taste that we all love to relish. Admit or not, Tennesseans know how to prepare these pies in the right way. 

Sweet Potato Fries

Everyone loves fries, no matter what shape and flavor they are. Tennesseans twisted the fries by replacing the potatoes with nutritious and diet-friendly sweet potatoes. It is one of the southern snacks you can’t find in many other places. You can opt to switch your regular fries serving with sweet potato fries in many restaurants in the state. 

Cornbread

Cornbread is the staple of almost the majority of states in the South. However, Tennessee takes this bread obsession to a new level. Served as a snack or a side dish, you cannot stop your hands from picking the soft pieces and munching them. Sweet cornbread is the best combo with almost every Southern dish. The gooey texture of the bread makes it irresistible and the best option to serve with multi-course meals. 

Fried Catfish

How can you miss eating a catfish while visiting Tennessee? Famous for all the right reasons, Tennessee catfish is best served when fried. You can find it in various serving options; it makes the best combo with fries, seafood savories, or hush puppies, a fried cornmeal side dish. 

Doodle Soup

Doodle soup originated from Bradford, Tennessee, and is a famous and traditional American meal. This broth has an intense vinegar flavor and is made up of classic spices and various meat drippings. Doodle soup has many variations and is best served with crackers or pieces of bread.

Fried Pies

Southern cuisine is full of fried food items, with pies and pickles making no exceptions. Do you enjoy sweets? Try the famous pies of Tennessee loaded with oozing fruity fillings of apples, berries, and peaches and deep-fried. 

Fried Pickles 

Tennessee can also satisfy your snack cravings with fried pickles that come in a lot of variety. You can try dill pickles, fried pickles with a garlic twist, and hamburger pickles. The crunchy texture and tangy flavor of pickles will make you want more. 

Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and gravy are popular breakfast meals across the United States. It is one of its kinds of Southern comfort foods that never disappoints. The combination of moist, buttery biscuits and warm and creamy gravy gives your tastebuds an intense flavor. Whether you like salty or sweet, you can pick the gravy variations from various options. 

Stack Cake

Stack cake or the Mountain cake is a traditional dessert in Tennessee. This unique cake comprises multiple stacked layers of dough rather than batter and is filled with apple flavored mixture. Interestingly, unlike traditional cake baking, it is baked on top of the cake pan. This cooking technique gives stack cake a dry and brittle texture that looks much like a cookie.  

Conclusion 

If you are a food and travel lover, Tennessee is the must-visit place to include on your bucket list. With so much beauty spanning the mountain ranges and wholesome meals, you are in a win-win situation. No matter where you’re, you can always relish the delicious savories of the local cuisine in Tennessee. From a sip of whiskey to various flavorful meals, you are at the right spot to know about Tennessee food and beverages before heading to this Southern state.