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What to eat in the United States of America? Top 100 American Meat Dishes

Last update: Thu Mar 20 2025
Top 100 American Meat Dishes
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01

Barbecue

TEXAS, United States of America
4.6
Central Texas-Style Barbecue
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Central Texas-style barbecue originated in the Czech and German meat markets in the late 19th century. This barbecue style is typically associated with cooking brisket (the fattier portion is called point, while the leaner portion is called flat) low and slow, usually over post oak fire.


The meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, and maybe a bit of cayenne or garlic powder. It is then cooked in offset smokers, while the heat and smoke from the fire go across the meat, adding an irresistible smoky flavor to the brisket (although shoulder clod, chuck short ribs, and larger short ribs are also popular). 

MOST ICONIC Central Texas-Style Barbecue

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02

Barbecue

TEXAS, United States of America
4.6
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South Texas-style barbecue is an American regional barbecue style in which it's all about barbacoa and cow heads – they are cooked in a pit lined with stones or bricks, and then a mesquite fire is started in the bottom of the pit. Agave leaves are placed on top of the coals, and the heads (or other meat) are placed on top of it, while the leaves are folded over before the lid is placed over the pit.


The resulting meat is so tender that it falls off the bone (or off the skull), and it is then served by the pound with sided such as onions, tortillas, cilantro, and various salsas. This barbecue style also uses cabrito – young goats that are spit-roasted or cooked over coals.

MOST ICONIC South Texas-Style Barbecue

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03

French Beef Cut

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and  one more country
4.5
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Entrecôte is a type of beef steak that's cut from between the ribs, but it's more commonly known as a thin and boneless rib-eye steak. The butchers cut bone-in rib-eyes with the bone on each side, but there are also six leftover boneless steaks from the meat between each bone-in rib-eye, and they're known as the entrecôtes.


Due to the fact that these cuts are thin, it makes them great for quick cooking on the grill or in a pan (high heat), but it's important not to overcook them. The steaks are juicy, tender, and generously marbled. This type of meat cut is popular in France and Europe, and the word entrecôte means between the ribs.

VARIATIONS OF Ribeye
04

American Beef Cut

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and  3 more countries
4.5
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

In the American, French, German, Brazilian, and Korean systems of primal beef cuts, the tenderloin is a cut from the loin, which is located towards the back of the cow, nestled under the ribs, next to the backbone. It spans two primal cuts: the short loin and the sirloin.


The tenderloin is one of the most tender cuts of beef as it comes from a muscle that doesn't get much exercise. It is also one of the most highly prized and correspondingly expensive cuts of beef, due to its tenderness and flavor. Given the tenderness of this cut, the tenderloin is often cooked quickly over high heat, with methods such as grilling or broiling. 
05

American Beef Cut

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and  one more country
4.5
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

In the American, English and German systems of primal beef cuts, the brisket (or rinderbrust) is a cut that comes from the breast or lower chest of the cow. The brisket is one of the nine primal cuts of beef and is particularly known for its size and for having a significant amount of connective tissue.


This cut consists of two different muscles: the pectoralis major, known as the "flat," and the pectoralis minor, or the "point." The flat is leaner, while the point has more fat and marbling. Because of the high amount of connective tissue, brisket needs to be cooked slowly, over low heat, to allow the collagen in the meat to break down and become tender. 

MOST ICONIC Brisket

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06

Barbecue

TEXAS, United States of America
4.5
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Texas-style barbecue is an American barbecue style that can be divided into 4 separate subcategories: Central Texas, East Texas, South Texas, and West Texas barbecue.

The best-known variety is the Central Texas-style that originated in the Czech and German meat markets in the late 19th century.


This barbecue style is typically associated with cooking brisket (the fattier portion is called point, while the leaner portion is called flat) low and slow, usually over post oak fire. The meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, and maybe a bit of cayenne or garlic powder. 

MOST ICONIC Texas-style barbecue

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07

Fried Chicken Dish

SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
4.4
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The most popular food of the Southern cuisine, fried chicken is the theme of many arguments where everyone involved seems to have a favorite, be it what their mothers used to make, a cult roadside eatery, or a bygone restaurant. However, it is universally agreed that the meat must be moist, succulent, and tender, coated with a crunchy, golden-brown crust.


It all started during the colonization period, when Scottish immigrants settled in the South, bringing their fried chicken recipes along. The African slaves then introduced new seasonings and spices, and the dish quickly gained popularity. Typical seasonings include salt, pepper, and hot chiles, and the pieces of meat should be edible by hand so that the consumer can bite both the crust and the meat at the same time. 

MOST ICONIC Fried Chicken

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08

American Beef Cut

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.4
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

In the American system of primal beef cuts, ribs refer to the section of the cow that includes the sixth through the twelfth ribs, located between the chuck (shoulder area) and the loin (back area). This primal cut can be further divided into a few different sub-primal cuts.


For example, ribeye roast and ribeye steaks are obtained when the bone is removed. These cuts are highly prized for their excellent marbling and tenderness. Prime rib includes a larger section of the rib bone, often roasted with the bone in. Finally, the back ribs are left when the ribeye meat is removed. 
09

American Beef Cut

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.4
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

In the American system of primal beef cuts, the sirloin is located in the back of the cow, behind the ribs but before the round (the rump and hind legs). The sirloin is near the top of the animal, behind the loin, hence the name "sirloin," which derives from the French "surlonge," meaning "above the loin." Sirloin is generally a tender and flavorful cut of beef.


It's a popular choice for steaks and roasts because of its balance between tenderness and flavor compared to the more forward sections of the animal. There are several different types of steaks and other cuts that can come from the sirloin subprimal cut, including top sirloin (a large, lean cut with a good balance of tenderness and flavor), sirloin tip (also known as a round tip steak, this cut comes from the area where the sirloin meets the round), and bottom sirloin (located beneath the top sirloin and in front of the sirloin tip, is less tender than the top sirloin but is still flavorful).

10

Beef Cut

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and  one more region
4.4
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

A porterhouse steak is a large, thick cut of beef taken from the rear end of the short loin.


Although it is not linked to a specific country of origin, it is most commonly associated with British and American cuisines. It is named "porterhouse" because it was traditionally served in 18th-century porterhouses, which were inns or restaurants that served porter beer. 

MOST ICONIC Porterhouse

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11
Barbecue
KANSAS CITY, United States of America
4.4
12
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  one more country
4.4
13
Beef Dish
NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
4.4
14
Beef Dish
KANSAS CITY, United States of America
4.4
15
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.4
16
Barbecue
MEMPHIS, United States of America
4.4
17
Barbecue
NORTH CAROLINA, United States of America
4.4
18
Barbecue
TEXAS, United States of America
4.4
19
Barbecue
TEXAS, United States of America
4.4
20
Pork Dish
NORTH CAROLINA, United States of America
4.3
21
Beef Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.3
22
Meat Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.3
23
Burger
MINNEAPOLIS, United States of America
4.3
24
Pork Dish
ST. LOUIS, United States of America
4.3
25
Fried Chicken Dish
NASHVILLE, United States of America
4.2
26
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  one more region
4.2
27
Meat Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.2
28
Meat Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.2
29
Burger
OKLAHOMA, United States of America
4.2
30
Technique
MARYLAND, United States of America
4.2
31
Beef Dish
LOS ANGELES, United States of America
4.2
32
Technique
HAWAII, United States of America
4.2
33
Meat Dish
ROCHESTER, United States of America
4.2
34
Meat Dish
TEXAS, United States of America  and  one more country
4.1
35
Stew
SAN ANTONIO, United States of America
4.1
36
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  one more region
4.1
37
38
Fried Chicken Dish
MANCHESTER, United States of America
4.1
39
Burger
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.1
40
Meat Dish
HAWAII, United States of America
4.1
41
Barbecue
SOUTH CAROLINA, United States of America
4.1
42
Burger
NEW MEXICO, United States of America
4.1
43
Fried Chicken Dish
BUFFALO, United States of America
4.0
44
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
45
Stir-fry
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  one more region
4.0
46
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
47
Meat Dish
HILO, United States of America
4.0
48
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
49
Burger
WISCONSIN, United States of America
4.0
50
Pork Dish
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
4.0
51
Burger
MONTANA, United States of America
4.0
52
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
53
Chicken Dish
SOUTH CAROLINA, United States of America
4.0
54
Game Dish
LOUISIANA, United States of America
4.0
55
Feast
MICHIGAN, United States of America
4.0
56
Savory Pie
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  one more region
3.9
57
Beef Dish
NEW ENGLAND, United States of America
3.9
58
Beef Dish
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
3.9
59
Pasta
NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
3.9
60
Fried Chicken Dish
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
3.9
61
Sandwich
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.9
62
Beef Dish
NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
3.9
63
Stir-fry
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.8
64
Meat Dish
NEW ENGLAND, United States of America
3.8
65
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.7
66
Chicken Dish
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
3.7
67
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.7
68
Stir-fry
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.7
69
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  2 more countries
3.7
70
Pork Dish
LOUISIANA, United States of America
3.7
71
Beef Dish
NEW ENGLAND, United States of America
3.7
72
Noodle Dish
HAWAII, United States of America
3.7
73
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.6
74
Ground Meat Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.6
75
Stew
VIRGINIA, United States of America
3.6
76
Meat Dish
LOUISIANA, United States of America
3.6
77
Chicken Dish
NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
3.6
78
Ground Meat Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.5
79
Sandwich
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.5
80
Poultry Dish
LOUISIANA, United States of America  and  one more country
3.5
81
Burger
LOS ANGELES, United States of America
3.5
82
Duck Dish
LOUISIANA, United States of America
3.5
83
Burger
SALT LAKE CITY, United States of America  and  one more region
3.5
84
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.5
85
Chicken Dish
CHICAGO, United States of America
3.5
86
Savory Pie
LOUISIANA, United States of America
3.5
87
Stir-fry
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.4
88
American Beef Cut
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  2 more countries
3.4
89
Meat Dish
HAWAII, United States of America
3.4
90
Ground Meat Dish
CINCINNATI, United States of America
3.3
91
Burger
OKLAHOMA CITY, United States of America
3.3
92
Beef Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.2
93
Meat Dish
PITTSBURGH, United States of America
3.2
94
Burger
MIDDLETOWN, United States of America
3.2
95
Pork Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.1
96
Burger
PUEBLO, United States of America
3.1
97
Fried Chicken Dish
SPRINGFIELD, United States of America
3.1
98
Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.0
99
Burger
MICHIGAN, United States of America
2.7
100
Burger
NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
2.1

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 American Meat Dishes” list until March 20, 2025, 12,412 ratings were recorded, of which 11,157 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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American Meat Dishes