4 Delicious Midwestern Dishes

Every region features its own unique cuisine, and also the Midwest isn't any different. Midwestern cuisine is strongly influenced by the tradition of European immigrants adapting foods using their home countries to their new house and taking advantage of whatever ingredients were available to them as they endured harsh Midwestern winters.

Midwestern cuisine places a heavy focus on hospitality, so whether you’re thinking about specialty salads Mitchell SD or warm comfort foods, be ready to share.

1. Tater Tot Casserole

In certain parts of the Midwest, a casserole is famous simply as “hot dish.” Regardless of what you give them a call, casseroles are a staple of Midwestern cuisine, and there is perhaps nothing so quintessentially Midwestern like a tater tot hot dish. The entree is straightforward; standard ingredients include cream of mushroom soup, hamburger, and frozen tater tots, which are placed on top and give the dish an appealing golden-brown glow when baked.

2. Goulash

Midwestern goulash derives in the traditional Hungarian version, but it's not quite exactly the same thing. The main difference is that noodles are optional for Hungarian goulash but standard in the Midwestern adaptation. Other key ingredients include hamburger and tomatoes, seasoned to taste. Cheese is optional but a welcome addition to give the dish extra appeal.

3. Chislic

Chislic is definitely a localized Midwestern dish. It's found almost exclusively in South dakota, primarily the eastern half or “East River” from our parlance. It includes cubed meat, typically beef or mutton but may venison or other game meats, seasoned, deep-fried, and served with a choice of dipping sauce, often ranch or barbecue.

4. Buckeyes

The synergistic pleasures of chocolate and peanut butter combined has been known for many years. Buckeyes combine them within an easy, no-bake dessert consisting of frozen peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.