25 Famous Texas Foods

My whole life, I’ve heard that “Everything’s better in Texas!”

While I can’t swear that that’s true, I do know that Texas foods are something special. 

They’re that perfect blend of American cuisine and South of the Border Mexican fare, with a splash of Native American flair added in for good measure. 

And if you’re a fan of the popular Tex-Mex food, then you just can’t beat Texas – no one does Tex-Mex like Texas. 

So if you came here looking for great barbecue recipes, a new way to make chili, or even a selection of bigger, better sweet treats, you’re in luck. 

This list has them all and more! Sit back, relax, and get ready for 25 recipes for Texas foods that are out of this world. 

25 Iconic Texas Foods The Lone Star State Is Famous For

1. Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork

There’s nothing quite like the sweet and savory flavor you’ll get from an overstuffed Texas pulled pork sandwich. 

Cooked with the perfect amount of seasoning and dripping in sticky sauce, these sandwiches are a must-have for any barbecue fanatic.

2. Cowboy Stew

When you think of cowboy recipes, you can safely assume they’re hearty, chunky, and full of ingredients that’ll keep you full all night. 

Cowboy stew is the perfect example. It’s a delicious, savory stew full of bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, onions, tomatoes, beans, corn, potatoes, and more. 

It’s incredibly flavorful and the ideal option for warming your belly on a cold night.

3. Crockpot Brisket Sandwich (Texas BBQ Beef)

Crockpot brisket sandwiches cover all your favorite ‘S’ words; they’re smoky, spicy, saucy, and somewhat sweet, and they only take about 15 minutes of prep to pull together. 

However, you’ll slow cook them in your Crockpot, so it’ll take several hours, but the hands-on work you’ll do is minimal. 

4. Easy Texas Pecan Pie

Texas pecan pie has the same chewy, gooey filling and crunchy pecans as any other pecan pie, but you’ll make it with light corn syrup and light brown sugar for a distinct sweetness that’s not overpowering.

If you love pecan pie but often feel too heavy and weighed down after eating it, Texas pecan pie might be the not-too-decadent dessert for which you’ve been searching.

5. Cowboy Chili

Cowboy chili is thick, hearty, and just a tiny bit spicy.

It features ground beef, stewed tomatoes, pintos, onions, beef broth, and a ton of spices and seasonings. 

It’s an easy chili to prepare, but it has a ton of flavor.

Top it off with some shredded cheese and green onions before serving it, and you’ll have a real hit on your hands. 

6. Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor

There aren’t many things that you can’t make in an Instant Pot, and tacos are no exception. 

The meat is unbelievably tender and features the contrasting sweet and spicy flavors of pineapple, maple syrup, onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and more. 

Pile it into your favorite tortillas and load it down with as many toppings as you like. 

7. Austin-Style Migas with Black Beans

If you’ve never tried Migas before, this recipe should be the first one you test out.

It’s scrambled eggs with tortilla strips, salsa, black beans, and more, and it rocks. 

It’s an easy way to start your day with tons of protein and healthy fats, and of course, it tastes great, too. 

8. White Texas Sheet Cake

White Texas sheet cakes may look unassuming and straightforward, but they’re so good.

They’re overflowing with flavor, super soft and fluffy, and have a ton of moisture in every bite.

Plus, there’s a lovely elegance to their simplicity, making them perfect for everyday desserts or something more formal. 

9. Natural Chile con Queso

This creamy, ooey-gooey chile con queso is cheese dip at its finest. Whether you serve it on something or use it as a dip for chips or veggies, it won’t disappoint.

It’s spicy, and the cilantro and tomatoes give it a garden freshness that the whole family will love. 

10. Texas Style Lasagna

Texas lasagna is quite a bit different from its Italian cousin. It includes a lot more veggies, for one thing. 

For this lasagna, you’ll still layer your beef, cheese, and tomato sauce as usual, but you’ll use tortillas and tortilla chips instead of lasagna noodles. 

You’ll also add tomatoes, avocados, salsa, chiles, taco seasoning, and a few other famous Tex-Mex ingredients for a taco-style lasagna everyone will enjoy. 

11. The Ultimate Texas Chicken-Fried Steak With Gravy

Texas chicken-fried steak is a hard dish not to love with its perfectly crispy crust, tender, succulent center, and thick, creamy gravy. 

It might not be the all-time healthiest dinner option, but sometimes you just need warm, tasty comfort food without having to worry about whether or not it’s good for you. 

12. Chicken Chalupa

You can have nearly a dozen of these cheesy, yummy chalupas on the table in just an hour with a few essential ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

These chalupas combine soft, melt-in-your-mouth tortillas with zesty diced chicken breast, two different types of cheese, and a few other south-of-the-border ingredients that taste fantastic. 

13. Texas Tornado Cake (Do Nothing Cake)

Although you will have to put the tiniest bit of effort into making this cake, its famous “do nothing” moniker is pretty accurate. 

When it comes to homemade cakes, you won’t find one that’s easier to make than this one.

It tastes phenomenal, too. It’s supremely moist and has a delicate tropical flavor. 

Whether you call it do nothing cake, Cajun cake, Texas tornado cake, or something else, you can have it on the table and ready to eat in less than an hour – from scratch! 

14. Slow Cooker Vegan Texas Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is similar to taco soup, but it has a richer, earthier flavor and is 100% vegan-friendly. 

All you’ll put in it are black beans, stewed and diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, corn, green chiles, green onions, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. 

It comes together nicely in about 10 minutes, but you’ll want to let it simmer in the slow cooker for another 4 hours or so before serving it.

15. Texas Hash

I love hash recipes because they’re quick and easy to make, taste great, and are usually pretty filling. Texas hash is all of those things and more. 

With juicy, well-seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and tons of veggies and spices, it definitely delivers in the flavor department.

It’s also super high in protein, so it should keep you full all day.

16. Texas Kolaches

You don’t have to live in Texas to appreciate a good kolach.

It’s like a corn dog and a pig in a blanket got together and created something even better than both of them. 

The fluffy puff pastry dough complements the juicy sausage and melted cheese perfectly.

It’ll help you satisfy your sweet tooth and give you something savory and filling at the same time.

17. Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe

Texas Roadhouse chili has an ingredients list as long as my arm, but don’t let that throw you off your game. It’s primarily made up of herbs and spices. 

If you get that seasoning mixture right, you’ll have some of the world’s most delectable chili, and it’ll take you less than an hour to make it. 

18. Texas Fajitas

Sweet and smoky, with just the right amount of spiciness, Texas fajitas – made with succulent skirt steak, flour tortillas, and your favorite toppings – are fantastic. 

You can whip them up on the grill in less than 30 minutes, and each bite of steak is so tender that it’ll practically melt on your tongue. 

19. Carne Guisada

Carne guisada is a staple in most Latin and Hispanic homes, and for good reason.

The flavorful chunks of sirloin are hearty and delicious, and the seasonings are on point. 

The thick broth is perfect for pouring over rice and beans or for sopping up with soft tortillas (or rolls, if that’s more your style). 

Whatever you choose to serve them with, there’s no denying that this dish is sure to satisfy. 

20. Texas Roadhouse Prime Rib Recipe

Texas Roadhouse chili is excellent, but you shouldn’t overlook their prime rib, either.

It’s all about the marinade, which you can have ready in 15 minutes or less. 

Simply mix black pepper, sugar, salt, garlic, Liquid Smoke, and soy sauce.

Just remember to make it a couple of days ahead of time so that the flavors have time to mix properly. 

After that, it’s just a matter of marinating the prime rib and letting it cook. 

21. Texas Roadhouse Strawberry Margarita

And whether you’re going for the prime rib or the chili, you might as well add a Texas Roadhouse strawberry margarita to go with it. 

It takes 5 minutes to pull together, and all you’ll need is tequila, triple sec, frozen strawberries, limeade concentrate, sugar, and sea salt. 

It’s a potent drink with a sweetly tart taste that you won’t be able to get enough of, so you might as well make an entire pitcher while you’re at it. 

22. Chewy Texas Pecan Pralines

Most people associate pecan pralines with New Orleans, but Texas makes them just as chewy, sweet, nutty, and scrumptious. 

They’re unbelievably easy to make, but don’t wait until the last minute, as they’ll need several hours of resting time before you can finish them. 

23. Texas Frito Pie

Frito pie is one of those dishes that looks incredible, smells incredible, and tastes even better.

Believe it or not, you can make it with only three ingredients. 

All you’ll need are Fritos, chili, and shredded cheese. 

You can add other toppings if you like – I enjoy diced green onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, and black olives – but all you’ll really have to have are those three things. 

24. Homemade Texas Salsa

You can make this amazing homemade salsa with only eight ingredients in just 5 minutes. It’s zesty, crisp, and full of garden-fresh flavors. 

It’s thick and chunky, but not too chunky, and it isn’t too watery like some homemade salsas are.

It’s the perfect salsa for dipping or for using as a topping on your favorite Mexican dishes.

25. Texas Caviar

Let’s end this list on a “sophisticated” note, and no, there’s no actual caviar in Texas caviar.

Instead, it’s a mixture of fresh veggies, herbs, olive oil, lime juice, and red wine vinegar. 

It has a cool, refreshing taste that’s ideal for summer barbecues. It’s dense and chunky, but its garden-fresh flavor makes it seem lighter than it actually is. 

If you love veggies covered in a zesty sauce, you’ll enjoy this easy-to-make side dish (or dip).