Brisket. Queso. Kolache. It's not that those born or living outside of the Great Nation of Texas don't know how to make these iconic foods: It's just that they don't crave them down to their very bones. It has nothing to do with who they are. Then again, maybe that's why all those folks who weren't born in Texas got there as fast as they could.
1. Queso
It's not just a dip made with processed cheese product and a canned combo of tomatoes and chiles. (Ro*Tel, thankyouverymuch.) It's a way of life: sitting outside somewhere, fortifying yourself with chips and queso while cooling off with a margarita. You'll find this little bowl of golden sunshine on every potluck table and Tex-Mex joint across Texas. Chile con queso may not be good for your body, but it does amazing things for your soul.
Make crazy-good queso from scratch with our recipe for Queso Fundido with Roasted Poblano Peppers and Chorizo.
2. Breakfast Tacos
Yeah, sure. People all over the country eat eggs and bacon for breakfast. Maybe they also eat potatoes with it, and if they're very lucky, brisket. But that Texans are the only ones who've thought to wrap 'em all in a portable tortilla is just testament to their genius. And they're everywhere, in about every coffee shop, restaurant, and fast-food joint across Texas. They're that vital to waking up.
3. Brisket
If you think brisket is just a particular cut of beef, you'd be wrong. It's a religion. Smoky. Tender. Moist. Transcendent. Folks make pilgrimages to Texas barbecue hot spots (think Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Southside Market in Elgin, or Black's in Lockhart) and withstand long, long lines just for a little taste of heaven.
Try making an authentic version at home with our recipes for Cowboy Brisket or BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with Quick Slaw.
4. Kolache
Even though it kinda looks like one, don't dare call it a danish. This yeasty bread of Czech provenance can be stuffed with the sweet – think apricot, sweet cheese, poppy seed, blueberry, or prune – and the savory, such as sausage or brisket, Lord above. They're an essential part of any road trip taken through central Texas, as anyone driving I-35 between Austin and Dallas knows. Your road trip just isn't complete without a waylay at The Czech Stop in West, Texas.
Try making an authentic kolache at home with this recipe from Hilah Cooking.
5. Ruby Red Grapefruit
Pshaw to your pink grapefruit. Texas makes 'em red, Ruby Red to be precise. And as if eating these Rio Grande-Valley glories out of hand isn't magnificent enough, we've seen fit to enhance our beer and vodka with their sweet, sweet juice.
6. King Ranch Casserole
Why is it called "King"? Because this hot dish reigns supreme over all other casseroles. Creamy, cheesy, and hearty enough to sate any cowboy's appetite, it's just about the best way to put chicken, corn tortillas, cheese, and Ro*Tel to use.
This King Ranch Casserole Chicken Noodle Casserole has everything—all the flavors of the classic Texas dish, plus egg noodles perfect for soaking up all that spicy sauce.
7. Ro*Tel
If you're reading carefully, you may be sensing a pattern here. If a Texas dish delivers a spicy tang, it probably contains Ro*Tel. Developed in the early 1940s by a South Texas canner, you can bet that cans of this chopped tomatoes and green chile combo has made a trip in every Texas expat's suitcase at one time or another.
8. Shiner
Its' only the National Beer of Texas, y'all. NBD.
9. Cowboy Caviar
Because black-eyed peas with diced tomatoes, chiles, and onions dressed in a vinaigrette go great on tortilla chips. It's also sometimes called Texas Caviar. (But, heavens forfend! A Yankee reportedly invented the recipe, making use of the legume abundant in Athens, Texas, the self-proclaimed black-eyed pea capitol of the world. Shh, don't tell.)
Make your own "caviar" with this recipe from Creme de la Crumb.
10. Chili con Carne
Sometimes Texans call it chile con carne, but mostly, just chili. But here's what they mean: chunks of beef in a spicy, tomatoey sauce flavored with cumin and chili powder. Sometimes, depending on your recipe, dried, rehydrated chiles. But never beans. You hear that? Never beans.
Try a fun twist on this Texas classic with our recipe for Potatoes with Chili con Carne.
11. Blue Bell
Brenham-made, Texas proud. A celebration, or a warm summer's day, just isn't complete without a scoop of this state-pride sweet. The Homemade Vanilla has been known to send natives into rhapsodies.
12. Tortillas
No, Texans didn't invent tortillas, but, man, do they know how to make use of 'em. Sandwiches? Boring. Wrap that stuff in a tortilla and it's a glorious taco. (See breakfast, above). Sopping up sauces? They also do that exceptionally well. You keep your bread. Texans will take their tortillas, thank you.
To get homemade tortillas and delish tortilla-based dishes, check out the Dallas Tortilla & Tamale Factory. Or, try making them yourself with this recipe for easy, homemade flour tortillas from Mom on Timeout.
