Texas’ food culture is thriving like never before. A recent chat with my neighbor got me thinking about how hard it is to resist the constant stream of mouthwatering dishes flooding our social feeds. But it also made me reflect on what’s really cooking here in the Lone Star State, and the numbers tell the story.
The scale of Texas’s food culture is matched by its booming industry. In 2024, foodservice sales in Texas surpassed $100 billion, and by 2025, food and beverage stores are projected to generate an impressive $108.9 billion in revenue. Beyond the numbers, Texas’s culinary diversity shines through its 290+ highly rated recipes found online, showcasing the state’s rich flavors and the cult following behind its iconic dishes.
Here are 17 of the most beloved recipes in Texas.
South Texas-Style Barbecue
Barbecue is king in Texas, and the numbers don’t lie; in 2025, it received a super high visitor rating of 4.6, which means it’s the top dog of Texas cuisine. You know how, when you sleep at 5 AM, and you wake up to the smell of brisket smoking, and saliva starts collecting in your mouth? That is what South Texas-style barbecue does to you.
Burnaway Cakes
Hold onto your cowboy hats, because burnaway cake searches soared up by an insane 12,276% year-over-year according to Yelp’s 2025 food trend forecast. Not too bad from zero to hero. These indulgent desserts all contain molten, flowing centers, making for a photo-worthy Instagram pic every single time. The trend had its roots in small Texas bakeries. Still, it gained popularity on social media faster than you can say “dessert goals.”
Chicken-Fried Steak
This timeless comfort food never goes out of fashion, and Taste of Home’s 2025 roundup shows it’s still an all-around favorite for both eaters dining out and home cooks. Pounded thin, coated in seasoned flour, and fried until easily crisp, the dish turns a workaday piece of beef into something magical. What makes the Texas version stand out is the cream gravy, thick, peppery, and so satisfyingly rich that it might make you question why you ever strayed from this iconic dish.
Cowboy Caviar
Texas now has another card to play when boasting about its culinary contributions. This colorful salad of black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, and piquant vinaigrette is rising in the ranks of contenders for prom king. The beauty of this dish lies in its incredible versatility.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch Chicken has earned its title as Texas’s favorite casserole, and one taste is enough to see why this Tex-Mex classic has a devoted following. Named after the legendary King Ranch in Texas, this creamy, hearty dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for satisfying a hungry crowd. It’s one of those rare recipes that not only feeds a group with ease but somehow tastes even better as leftovers.
Tex-Mex Fajitas
Tex-Mex cuisine is a shining example of cultural fusion, blending the rich culinary traditions of Texas’s diverse heritage. At the heart of this beloved style, sizzling fajitas remain a star attraction, gracing restaurant tables across the state with their irresistible aroma and flavor.
According to QSR Magazine, fajita orders soar during weekends, even accounting for 30% of entrée sales. And the DIY aspect of creating your fajita with all the fresh fixings makes eating feel more interactive and communal.
Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
This rich and spicy spread perfectly embodies the current food trends, blending updated comfort food with a bold, fiery twist. Jalapeño pimento cheese strikes a balance between the classic Southern staple and Texas’s love for heat. Celebrated by food bloggers, it’s a versatile delight, spread on crackers, melted over burgers, or served as a flavorful dip for fresh veggies.
German Chocolate Cake
Despite its name, German chocolate cake was created right here in Texas. The first published recipe appeared in 1957 and was submitted by Mrs. George Clay.
The cake features decadent chocolate layers and a unique coconut-pecan frosting that makes it a truly special chocolate cake, standing out among the countless other chocolate cake recipes.
Texas Twinkies
Texas Twinkies elevate jalapeño poppers by encasing smoky brisket and cheese inside, making them the ultimate tailgate appetizer. These spiced, meaty bites were among the most in-demand appetizers of 2025, particularly during football season, when Texans take their game day food seriously.
Classic Pecan Pie
This year, pecan pie secured its place as one of Texas’s top three most-searched holiday recipes, solidifying its status as a true classic and earning the title of Texas’s signature dessert.
The U.S. produces nearly 80% of the worlds pecans. The secret to a perfect pecan pie is not overbaking, as the center should have a slight jiggle when you remove it from the oven.
Sausage Kolaches
These Czech-inspired pastries are a reminder of Texas’s rich immigrant history, and sausage-filled kolaches are trending upward in both search volume and popularity of home-baked goods over the past few years.
Soft and just a bit sweet, the dough envelops a bracingly garlicky sausage link, making these the ideal grab-and-go breakfast or a satisfying nibble in between.
BBQ Pulled Pork
Texans enjoy their smoked pork in a sandwich, on a taco, and as the centerpiece of a platter, all of which align perfectly with the national trend for more protein-forward comfort food options in 2025.
According to Flavory Cooking’s explanation, smoking pork shoulder for 12–16 hours at 225–250°F allows the collagen and fat to slowly tenderize, which is what gives the delectable bark on the outside while keeping the inside of the meat moist and full of flavor.
Cheesy Taco Soup
This Texas-meets-Mexico soup has gone viral and entered a heavy weeknight rotation due to its crowd-friendly flavor and straightforward execution.
The base typically combines ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and a flavorful packet of taco seasoning. It’s generously layered with melted cheese and finished with a crunchy topping of tortilla chips. Parents appreciate how effortlessly kids enjoy it, making this dish a go-to winner for busy weeknight dinners.
Seafood Gumbo
A vibrant blend of fresh shrimp, fish, and a bold roux-based stew showcases the rich flavors and abundance of the Gulf Coast. TouchBistro notes that 93% of Texas restaurant operators reported an increase in customer visits, and 38% reported a larger growth, which can often be attributed to unique local fare, such as gumbo.
It’s a tribute to the voodoo influence of Louisiana on Texas food. Still, it comes down to local seafood and our preference for certain types of spice.
Texas Toast Garlic Bread
These hearty, buttery wedges of garlic bread made it onto the top ten list of favorite sides, and they were the perfect accompaniment to Texas barbecue and steakhouse fare.
Texas toast begins with bread sliced at least twice as thick as standard sandwich slices, generously coated with garlic butter, and grilled to golden perfection. Home cooks have embraced this classic, often using thick-cut brioche or challah for a rich, buttery twist that elevates the flavor to indulgent new heights.
Texas-Style Home-Baked Brownies
Rich brownies loaded with pecans, with or without bourbon, were in the top five desserts pinned and shared by Texans in spring 2025. We hope that there will be a Texas twist that includes the use of homegrown ingredients reflecting the state’s agricultural and distilling bounty.
The Two-Bite Bourbon Pecan Brownie Bites recipe from FoodnService showcases how these bite-sized treats masterfully combine rich chocolate with the smoky depth of bourbon. Perfectly portioned for parties, they strike an irresistible balance of flavor and indulgence.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
