20 Texan Recipes That Anyone Who Lives There Will Defend Until Their Dying Breath

The concept–dare we say dip–originated in the South, specifically Texas, thanks to Helen Corbitt, a popular chef and cookbook author. Her recipe was simple: black-eyed peas, onion, garlic, oil, and vinegar. We like ours with black beans because, why not? It’s also loaded with red onion, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, orange bell peppers, and avocado. The soft beans, crunchy onion and pepper, and creamy avocado satisfy all the tastebud expectations.

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Despite it's name, this layer cake actually originated in Texas in the 50s. It's a sweet, not-too-chocolatey cake that is filled and frosted with rich, sticky coconut and pecan filling. The toasted coconut and pecans mixed with evaporated milk and butter to make a custardy, almost caramel-like filling that is dangerously delicious.

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Delish started something extra special by inverting the classic tamale pie to give it a cornbread crust instead of a cornbread topping. We did it for the chicken tamale pie too, and we loved the idea so much that we kept the trend going with this Instant Pot carnitas version. This method provides a sturdy bottom that helps the tamale pie cut and lift like a slice of loaded pizza, leaving the shredded pork surface open for extra toppings like fresh tomatoes and scallions.

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There's a reason why sheet cakes are our go-to easy dessert here at Delish. They're big enough to feed a crowd, simple to throw together, and require very little decorating. One of the most classic examples of this simple dessert is the Texas sheet cake. This chocolate cake is rich, extra-fudgy, and topped with plenty of toasty pecans. It's a classic dessert for very good reason: it was made for chocolate lovers, and it's ready in under an hour.

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It’s no surprise that this refreshing cocktail was born in often-sweltering Western Texas. A sort of effervescent, less-sweet version of a Margarita, only 3 ingredients are required for Ranch Water: tequila, lime juice, and seltzer. (Preferably Topo Chico; some claim it’s not a real Ranch Water without it!) We like adding a splash of orange liqueur like Cointreau for a little added sweetness and citrus flavor, but it can be left out or substituted for ¼ ounce simple syrup.

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A nostalgic classic for many across Texas and Oklahoma, cheesy chicken spaghetti is the staple weeknight dinner you can rely on. hicken, spaghetti, and veggies combine with a creamy, cheesy sauce for a baked and bubbling casserole that’s just as perfect for busy weeknights as it is for parties. The best part? The leftovers almost taste even better.😉

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Giddy up! Cowboy Candy (aka candied jalapeños) are spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet—the perfect condiment for topping everything from Bloody Marys to migas to grilled creamed corn. The combination of fiery heat from the jalapeño and the nearly caramelized coating from the sugar makes these truly unputdownable.

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A good breakfast taco is a thing of beauty all across Texas. Not only will these keep you full until lunch, they've also been known to cure a mean hangover. (Hair of the dog, à la a Michelada, anyone?) Pickled red onions aren't necessary, but they do add a nice crunch.

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You may go to Texas Roadhouse to order a steak, but we all know the best part of the meal is the basket of dinner rolls. These soft, pillowy squares come to the table fresh from the oven, and the accompanying cinnamon-honey butter is worth the trip alone. This copycat recipe is just as tender and fluffy as the original, but you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own kitchen.

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You don't need a fancy smoker to make a top-notch Texas-style BBQ Brisket. Instead, use your grill, and then and serve it with your favorite sides like baked mac & cheese, potato salad, and cornbread.

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In this recipe, the duck legs are cooked low and slow in duck fat, aromatic chiles, oranges, and Mexican Coke to flavor the meat. At Nixta, Rico’s taqueria in Austin, Texas, they slow-cook the duck for about 12 hours, but for home cooks, 4 hours will be plenty of time to achieve that meat-falling-off-the-bone effect. Don’t forget to garnish the duck with thinly sliced watermelon radish and, of course, Rico’s signature salsa macha. Throw together a michelada or margarita to really round out this meal.

Get the Duck Carnitas Tacos With Salsa Macha recipe.

Also known as Texas caviar, the dish combines fresh vegetables, beans, and corn to make a colorful meal that can be enjoyed with chips or as a standalone dish. But once you add some pearl couscous? It becomes the star of any picnic or potluck.

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Texas Toast is one of those things that is great to get from the freezer aisle, but even better when made from scratch. It's the perfect accompaniment to a delicious, Italian dinner or the ideal thing to add to your buffet line at the cookout. We know it may seem like overkill to include fresh garlic and garlic powder, but we think adding both adds an extra dimension of garlicky goodness that will have you reaching for another slice in no time.

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Originally created in Mexico but popularized in Texas and most of the American Southwest, Frito Pies (not actually pies, but we love) are comfort food perfection. The other name for them (and maybe the more fun one) is walking taco.

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Texas Roadhouse fans—this is the copycat recipe you’re going to want to keep in your back pocket. This spiced homemade butter is inspired by the one served with the chain’s famous rolls, but we recreated it with the sole purpose of putting it on practically everything. It truly couldn’t be easier to make: You whip softened butter, honey, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla with a hand mixer until creamy—that’s it!

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There is something so comforting about a casserole. This one—a sort of Tex-Mex amalgamation of chilaquiles and Midwestern chicken casseroles—comes together quickly and is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.

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Fair warning—once you’ve made homemade flour tortillas, you can never go back to store-bought. Plus, you may be surprised to learn just how easy it is to make tortillas at home. All you need are 4 ingredients and 45 minutes—seriously, that’s it. This recipe aces perfectly fluffy tortillas that are made to be filled with all your favorite fillings (quesadillas, tacos, burritos...here you come).

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Pralines are a delicious Texan caramel-like candy made with sugar, butter, vanilla, and some form of dairy (like heavy cream or evaporated milk, which is our choice). You can make them with any nut, but pecan is classic.

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Picture this: juicy, tender beef, a crispy, salty breaded exterior, and plenty of velvety, rich gravy. It's a Texas comfort food masterpiece, and we are here for it.

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The most important part of Texas chili? Absolutely no beans! But rest assured, this meat-centered chili still has plenty of depth, thanks to chuck roast, bacon, plenty of spices, and a bit of your favorite lager-style beer. Serve with a hunk of Texas-sized cornbread and you'll have a comfort food classic on your hands.

Get the Best Texas Chili Recipe recipe.