Taste of Texas

BBQ, steak, Tex Mex ... these are just a few of the foods that are popular in Texas. Flip through our gallery to see what else makes the cut.

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Photo By: iStock

Photo By: Shiner Beers

Photo By: iStock

This well-known Texas dish consists of a piece of steak coated with seasoned flour, then pan-fried. Its name, chicken fried steak, is thought to come from the similar preparation styles of the steak and fried chicken.

Chili con carne is a spicy stew. It is commonly made from chili peppers, garlic, onions and cumin, along with ground beef. In 1977, chili con carne was named the official dish of Texas by the Texas Legislature.

With more farms than any other US state, Texas is one of the highest producers of beef. No surprise, finding a steakhouse in Texas is an easy task.

Texas has 4 different styles of barbecue. East Texas cooks the beef slowly over hickory wood until it falls off the bone. In Central Texas, the meat is rubbed with spices and cooked over indirect heat from burning pecan or oak wood. In West Texas, the meat is cooked directly over mesquite wood. And lastly, South Texas features thick sauces that make the meat very moist.

The fruit of prickly pears, also known as cactus figs, can be eaten -- once you remove the outer shell with the spines, that is! The fruit is often used to make jelly, candies and drinks such as vodka and lemonade.

Start the morning off right with a breakfast taco. Filled with scrambled eggs and meat, it makes for a hearty breakfast.

Corona Extra, better known as Corona, is a beer produced in Mexico. It is the top-selling imported beer in the US and is particularly popular in Texas. This is not surprising given the state's close proximity to Mexico.

The margarita originated in Mexico and has become popular in the US, including Texas. The cocktail consists of tequila, an orange-flavored liquor and lime or lemon juice. It is typically served with salt around the rim of the glass. It can be on the rocks (with ice), blended with ice (frozen) or straight up (no ice).

Another popular beverage in Texas is iced tea, sweetened and unsweetened. Often the tea comes mixed with flavors such as lemon, peach, lime and cherry.

A popular local beer is Shiner Bock. The amber beer is brewed in the tradition of Bavarian beers with a rich, full taste.

Texas is one of the top producers of pecans. These nuts are used in everything from candies to salads.

Dallas has a large Vietnamese community, therefore noodle soups such as pho are popular. It is usually served with beef or chicken and typically includes basil, lime and bean sprouts.

Texas was home to a large early here is a German community; their influence can still be seen in popular local food, such as grilled bratwurst.

Chili peppers contain high amounts of vitamins, potassium and iron. They have many different uses in the kitchen. A common use is in Tex-Mex food as part of the dish or ground up in a powder. The chili peppers have a kick and add spice to a dish.

Salsa and chips make a great Tex-Mex appetizer.

A Tex-Mex essential is the tortilla. These "little cake" flatbreads are used in dishes, such as tacos, burritos and enchiladas.

Sopaipilla is a fried pastry. In the US, it is commonly served as a dessert with honey added between the layers. From 2003 to 2005, the sopaipilla was designated the official state pastry of Texas.

For dessert, the latest craze is cake pops. A small taste of cake on a stick makes the perfect bite.

Looking for another option for your sweet tooth? Try chocolate-covered bacon. This salty-sweet treat is big in Texas.

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Taste of Texas

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