Tennessee Cuisine

Tennessee's cuisine is a celebration of Southern flavors, with a strong emphasis on barbecue, comfort foods, and iconic dishes like hot chicken. ¹⁾

Tennessee is renowned for its barbecue, and the two main styles are Memphis and East Tennessee. Memphis is known for dry-rubbed ribs, while East Tennessee often uses a tomato-based sauce. ²⁾

Nashville hot chicken is a local specialty known for its spicy fried chicken, often served with pickles and white bread to help cool the heat. ³⁾

A classic Southern breakfast, biscuits are smothered in creamy sausage gravy, creating a hearty and comforting dish. ⁴⁾

Country ham is a salt-cured and aged ham that's often served sliced thin and cooked until crispy. It's a popular breakfast item. ⁵⁾

A staple in Southern cuisine, grits are made from ground corn and are often served as a side dish or as a base for shrimp and grits. ⁶⁾

In addition to ribs, pulled pork is a barbecue favorite in Tennessee, often served on sandwiches with coleslaw. ⁷⁾

Cornbread is a classic Southern side dish, and variations include sweet or savory versions, sometimes with added ingredients like jalapeños or cheese. ⁸⁾

A popular dish in Tennessee, fried catfish is often served with hushpuppies and coleslaw, creating a delicious and crunchy meal. ⁹⁾

A classic Southern dessert, banana pudding features layers of vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream. ¹⁰⁾

Chess pie is a traditional Southern dessert with a sweet, custard-like filling made from ingredients like eggs, sugar, butter, and vinegar. ¹¹⁾

Invented in Chattanooga, MoonPies are a sweet treat consisting of marshmallow filling sandwiched between two cookies and coated in chocolate. ¹²⁾

Sorghum syrup, made from the juice of sorghum cane, is a sweetener used in various dishes and desserts in Tennessee. ¹³⁾

The world-famous Bush's Baked Beans company is headquartered in Tennessee, producing a variety of baked bean products. ¹⁴⁾

A traditional Appalachian dessert, stack cake is made by stacking layers of thin cake with apple butter or fruit preserves between each layer. ¹⁵⁾

A popular appetizer in Tennessee, fried pickles are dill pickle slices coated in batter and deep-fried until crispy. ¹⁶⁾