Unlike Wisconsin cheese, Alaskan salmon and Georgia peaches, there are no super recognizable tennessee food.
That said, any foodie worth their salt knows that Tennessee is famous for the hot chicken sandwich.
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While there may not be a signature dish, I think it's because there are too many Tennessee foods to choose just one.
So, I've picked 17 of the best Tennessee meals, sides, and desserts, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
And yes, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich made the cut at number 6 if you want to jump right into it.
The idea of an onion casserole may seem ridiculous to some people. But try it once and you'll never look back.
This recipe features crisp-tender Vidalia onions, garlic, and three different types of cheese.
It's so wonderfully cheesy, and the sweet onions and garlic give it a great flavor.
Whether you eat it as a side dish or use it as a topping on burgers, it's sure to delight everyone who tries it.
With this recipe, you can have a hearty and flavorful meatloaf on the table in under an hour.
And because you'll be making it in the Instant Pot, it's virtually effortless.
It requires less than ten ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and has a truly addictive sauce. It's one the whole family will love.
The author of this recipe calls Nashville Hot Chicken "Heaven and Hell in one transcendent bite."
In case you've never tried it before, that's a pretty accurate description.
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The crust is crispy and perfectly seasoned, while the inside of the chicken is tender and juicy.
And above all, it's hot.
And I mean… hot.
Like, set your mouth on fire, bring tears to your eyes.
But you won't be able to help yourself. He tastes so good you'll keep coming back for more.
Of course, the best thing about doing it from home is to control the spiciness.
So if you don't like things outrageously spicy, cut back on the hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
Like any other city with a signature dish, Nashville knew what it had when it first came out with hot chicken. So she decided to capitalize on it.
This recipe takes hot chicken and turns it into sandwiches. (That's the most common way to eat hot Nashville chicken, by the way.)
The two recipes are quite similar. However, you will put this chicken on a brioche bun and add coleslaw and pickles to help freshen your mouth.
And again, hot chicken! Only this time, it's the chicken fillet edition.
Same great flavor, same intense heat, just in a smaller package of tender chicken.
You can even enjoy Nashville Hot Chicken in your favorite Mexican dish, whether it's quesadillas or tacos.
These quesadillas are spicy, tangy, tangy, cheesy, and filling. You'll also add dill pickles and crumbled blue cheese for a southern twist.
Nashville may be the king of hot chicken, but Memphis is where it's at when it comes to barbecue.
With this recipe, you can prepare that spicy, smoky barbecue flavor right in your own kitchen.
It takes no more than 15 minutes, and all you'll need is nine pantry staples every day.
Memphis dry rub isn't bad either. It takes five minutes to prepare and features a ton of great herbs and seasonings.
You'll really be digging into your spice rack for this one.
Use smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, celery seed, and mustard powder.
It's smoky, earthy, and herbaceous, and tastes fantastic on a rack of ribs.
All you will need to make this recipe are ribs and your homemade memphis mix.
Use the recipe above for a more smoky, herbaceous flavor, or search online for a pre-made blend.
Or, if you're looking for something a little sweeter and spicier, use the ingredients for this recipe.
The two recipes are very similar. However, you will be using sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika for this one.
You will also add two teaspoons each of cumin and cayenne pepper.
However, any of the recipes will turn out delicious, so don't worry about which one to choose. They are both unbelievably good.
We've had enough Nashville hot chicken recipes by now, but this one was just too good to pass up. Also, it is the last; I promised.
This creamy mac and cheese fills you up so much that you can enjoy it as a full meal rather than as a side dish.
Combine tender cubed chicken pieces and your favorite shredded cheese – cheddar or Colby Jack are great choices.
It's a gooey mac and cheese with a crunchy breadcrumb topping and a little bit of Nashville heat.
I know peaches are more of a Georgia thing, but Tennessee peach pudding is phenomenal.
The cake layer is soft and cloud-like, while the peaches are exceptionally juicy and sweet.
Once you add the buttery, crunchy topping and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it's game over.
There isn't a person in the room who isn't begging for a few seconds.
These five-ingredient chicken wings are crispy and tangy on the outside and tender and succulent on the inside.
They take a little less than an hour to make. Plus, they're the perfect appetizer for the big game or a summer cookout.
Speaking of summer cookouts! Is there a better summer meal than sweet and salty, spicy, smoked pulled pork sandwiches?
Lean pork roast is so tender you can pull it apart with your fingers. And you'll smother it with a sweet, hickory-style BBQ sauce with a dash of spicy Tabasco.
It's delicious just like that, but you won't stop there!
Instead, you'll make it even more delicious by topping it with refreshingly cold homemade coleslaw.
It's a bit sweet but also features the tartness of Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar.
Load it all up on your favorite buns and serve with a side of French fries or roasted vegetables. There is nothing better than that.
Love them or hate them, there's no denying that Moon Pies are one of a kind.
They originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a result, most Tennesseans have at least one recipe to make them at home.
In my experience, this comes closest to getting it right.
They're fluffy and chocolatey with the creamy marshmallow center we all know and (some of us) love.
And don't let the 3+ hour cook time scare you away. A big part of that allows the dough to rise enough to give them their fluffy, fluffy texture and oversized shape.
Hot dogs are always a fun and easy summer food.
They're even better when wrapped in salty bacon and topped with barbecue sauce, green onions, and cheese!
They may not be the most heart-healthy thing to eat, but that doesn't mean you won't want to go back for seconds.
They are that good.
Southern Style Roasted Baked Beans are some of the tastiest and most filling baked beans you'll ever taste.
Unfortunately, that also means they require some extra work.
You won't need anything but beans, oil, and onions for the beans.
Homemade BBQ sauce requires all the extra ingredients, time, and effort.
Still, it doesn't require a lot of work, just a little time. And everyone who eats them will appreciate the effort you put into making them.
No one makes country sausage gravy like people from the south.
This sauce is so delicious; It's thick and creamy, with big chunks of succulent sausage.
It's a real stick-to-the-ribs food, as my father would say. But it also has a bit of spice.
However, if you're not a fan of hot sauce, you can adjust it by removing the red pepper.
