The United States is a melting pot of cultures, and its culinary traditions reflect this diversity. However, some American food favorites can bewilder the rest of the world, with their unusual combinations, overly sweet flavors, or sheer extravagance. While some of these American favorites may seem bizarre, they offer a unique glimpse into the country’s history, culture, and creativity. They’re also a reminder that food doesn’t just nourish—it tells a story. Whether it’s nostalgia, practicality, or pure indulgence, each dish reflects a slice of Americana worth savoring (or at least trying once). Here’s a look at 20 quintessentially American foods that often leave international visitors scratching their heads, along with insights into why they’re considered strange and the cultural history behind them.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Why It’s Weird: Combining sweet jelly with savory peanut butter is puzzling to many countries, especially where peanut butter isn’t a staple.
History Insight: PB&J sandwiches became a household favorite during the Great Depression for being inexpensive and easy to make.
Tip: Serve it toasted for a melty, irresistible twist.
Serious Eats / Jordan Provost
Corn Dogs
Why It’s Weird: A hot dog skewered on a stick and deep-fried in cornmeal batter is unusual to those unaccustomed to carnival-style street food.
History Insight: Corn dogs debuted in the 1940s at state fairs, embodying the love of portable snacks.
Tip: Dip in mustard, not ketchup, for an authentic American experience.
Taste of Home
Grits
Why It’s Weird: This Southern breakfast staple made from ground corn often confuses outsiders due to its texture, which resembles porridge.
History Insight: Grits have Native American roots and became a Southern classic thanks to the availability of corn in the region.
Tip: Add cheese or shrimp to elevate its flavor.
Will Dickey
Root Beer
Why It’s Weird: Many people outside the U.S. think root beer tastes like medicine, thanks to its resemblance to European cough syrups.
History Insight: Root beer’s origins date back to colonial times when it was brewed from sassafras and other roots for medicinal purposes.
Tip: Introduce skeptics to root beer floats for a sweeter introduction.
spicejungle
Meatloaf
Why It’s Weird: The concept of shaping and baking ground meat into a loaf isn’t universally appetizing, especially with ketchup as a glaze.
History Insight: Meatloaf gained popularity during the Great Depression as an economical way to stretch meat with fillers.
Tip: Experiment with different sauces, like barbecue or mushroom gravy, for a modern twist.
beefitswhatsfordinner
Jell-O Salads
Why It’s Weird: Salads made with gelatin, often incorporating fruits, vegetables, or even meat, seem like a bizarre concept to non-Americans.
History Insight: These “salads” became a trend in the 1950s due to the convenience and novelty of Jell-O molds.
Tip: Keep it sweet and simple with fruits for better reception.
Elise Bauer
Biscuits and Gravy
Why It’s Weird: Flaky, buttery biscuits smothered in sausage gravy can seem overly rich or heavy to those unfamiliar with Southern comfort food.
History Insight: This dish originated in the Southern U.S. during the 19th century as an inexpensive, filling meal for laborers.
Tip: Serve fresh biscuits for the ultimate indulgence.
Caitlin Bensel
Cheese in a Can (Spray Cheese)
Why It’s Weird: Cheese as an aerosol product? That’s hard to grasp for cultures where cheese is a gourmet product.
History Insight: Spray cheese became a popular convenience food in the 1960s during America’s processed food boom.
Tip: Use sparingly on crackers for a true retro American snack.
Static Media/Shutterstock
Deep-Fried Butter
Why It’s Weird: Even for a country known for indulgent foods, deep-frying butter is seen as excessive.
History Insight: Introduced at state fairs, this indulgence epitomizes the American love of deep-frying anything edible.
Tip: Share with friends—it’s meant to be a fun, one-bite novelty.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Why It’s Weird: Combining sweet potatoes with marshmallows confuses those who see sweet potatoes as a savory vegetable.
History Insight: This dish gained popularity in the early 20th century thanks to a marketing campaign by marshmallow manufacturers.
Tip: Add a pecan crumble topping for a sophisticated twist.
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Casseroles with Canned Soup
Why It’s Weird: Dishes like green bean casserole, which use condensed soup as a base, seem overly processed to food purists.
History Insight: These casseroles became household staples in the 1950s when canned goods symbolized modernity and convenience.
Tip: Use homemade cream sauce to impress skeptics.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Kool-Aid Pickles (Koolickles)
Why It’s Weird: Bright red or green pickles soaked in sugary Kool-Aid seem like a strange flavor combination.
History Insight: This quirky snack originated in the Mississippi Delta and reflects the region’s creative food culture.
Tip: Stick to classic flavors like cherry or tropical punch for a milder experience.
Caitlin Bensel
Chicken and Waffles
Why It’s Weird: Pairing savory fried chicken with sweet waffles can be baffling to those used to keeping sweet and savory separate.
History Insight: This soul food classic has roots in African American culinary traditions, combining breakfast and dinner in one dish.
Tip: Drizzle with hot sauce and maple syrup for the full experience.
Serious Eats / Morgan Eisenberg
Sloppy Joes
Why It’s Weird: Ground beef mixed with sweet tomato sauce and served on a bun might look too messy and sugary to outsiders.
History Insight: Sloppy Joes became popular during the 1930s as an economical comfort food.
Tip: Add some heat with chili flakes or sriracha to balance the sweetness.
Elise Bauer
Ranch Dressing on Everything
Why It’s Weird: Ranch dressing is often considered a salad topping, but in the U.S., it’s used on pizza, fries, and even as a dip for chicken wings.
History Insight: Created in the 1950s, ranch dressing quickly became America’s favorite condiment.
Tip: Introduce it as a pizza dip to convert skeptics.
Cole Saladino/Thrillist
Cereal with Bright Colors and Marshmallows
Why It’s Weird: Sugar-laden cereals like Lucky Charms and Froot Loops are considered more dessert than breakfast elsewhere.
History Insight: These cereals rose to fame in the mid-20th century, marketed directly to kids during the rise of television.
Tip: Mix with granola for a slightly healthier bowl.
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American Cheese (Processed Cheese)
Why It’s Weird: Processed cheese’s uniform texture and plastic-wrapped slices are a far cry from the artisanal cheeses loved in other countries.
History Insight: American cheese was developed for its long shelf life and affordability, becoming a burger staple.
Tip: Use it in grilled cheese sandwiches for nostalgia-filled comfort food.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Mountain Dew
Why It’s Weird: The neon-green soda with its extreme caffeine and sugar levels is a far cry from traditional fizzy drinks like cola.
History Insight: Originally developed in the 1940s as a mixer for whiskey, Mountain Dew later became a favorite among teens.
Tip: Serve over ice to tone down its intensity.
Megan Hageman/Tasting Table
Pumpkin Spice Everything
Why It’s Weird: The obsession with pumpkin spice flavor in lattes, cookies, and even potato chips is perplexing to those outside of America’s autumn traditions.
History Insight: Starbucks launched the pumpkin spice latte in 2003, sparking a seasonal craze.
Tip: Introduce skeptics with a subtle pumpkin spice muffin instead of the full-on latte.
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S’mores
Why It’s Weird: The concept of melting marshmallows with chocolate between graham crackers seems overly sweet to many cultures.
History Insight: S’mores originated in American camping culture, first appearing in Girl Scout manuals in the 1920s.
Tip: Try using dark chocolate for a less sugary bite.
Caitlin Bensel
