What Food is North Carolina known for?
Spend more than an afternoon in North Carolina, and you will find most people bellied up to a delicious meal. Whether they share a plate of fried chicken or a bowl of hush puppies, there is something special about the food that brings people together.
Chicago does Deep Dish. Texas does barbecues. New Orleans does Cajun. What kind of great foods do North Carolinians have to offer on their nightly dinner menu?
Let's dish up and dig in as we explore the signature dishes of North Carolina!
1. North Carolina-Style Barbecue
Dishing up a plate of premium Southern cuisine should always include a stop at the nearest barbecue place. First discovered in the 16th century, BBQ was brought to the region by Sir Walter Raleigh. Since then, well, people haven't looked back.
To enjoy a proper meal of North Carolina-style BBQ, you need to know these three key points:
- Meat MUST Be Barbecued using Hardwood or Hardwood Coals
- Meat MUST Be Pork (Shoulder, Ham, Whole Hog)
- Meat Is ALWAYS Served with a Vinegar-based Sauce
North Carolina BBQ is an art, and the culmination of that art is our sweet, tangy, spectacular finish - the sauce! Our BBQ sauce trio is a mouth-watering sensation of flavors that perfectly complement our North Carolina classic BBQ!
If you want to try something a little more exotic than our classic BBQ, ask for a beef brisket prepared Eastern Style for an additional splash of flavor.
2. Texas Pete
Texas Pete is as integrated into the Carolinas as the Smoky Mountains themselves. Manufactured in Winston-Salem, NC, Texas Pete is a premier hot sauce you will find at every barbecue and on all side dishes along the way. Texas Pete is relatively mild and rated at just 747 on the Scoville Heat Scale. The company also offers a hotter range for more fortified taste buds.
Enjoy another spicy favorite, Our own Reid's Hot Cheese Straws. Reid's Hot Cheese Straws are the perfect balance of heat and cheddar cheese; no need for a Scoville rating here!
3. Carolina-Style Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
A hot dog or hamburger isn't complete until all the condiments have been applied. In North and South Carolina, condiments are king, so it is important to try Carolina-style hot dogs and hamburgers. Get a warm bun to complete the experience!
Carolina style refers to a few ingredients that first rose out of the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The most common "Carolina-style" combination includes mustard, slaw, onions, and chili.
4. Krispy Kreme
A cookout is not complete without a sassy southern mix of our famous sweet and savory snacks to start the party. In addition to some of our fried classics, we haven't touched on the delicious desserts, snacks, and treats from the Carolinas. If you've ever had a glazed donut or fresh coffee on the go recently, you've probably been to a Krispy Kreme.
First founded by Vernon Rudolph in North Carolina, Krispy Kreme now enjoys 1,400 locations worldwide. Since 1937, Krispy Kreme has grown to retail locations and grocery stores throughout the South.
Add another Reid's classic to satisfy your morning sweet tooth. Reid's Coffee Cake! A traditional sour cream coffee cake finished with our delicious cinnamon streusel.
The next time you pick up an iced coffee and a half-dozen donuts, take a moment to thank your baking buddies down south for their efforts!
5. Fried Chicken
Few meals are as delicious as North Carolina's Dipped Fried Chicken, seasoned with flour and refrigerated before frying.
The fried chicken is finished by deep-frying in peanut oil. Many locals will put their fried chicken onto a warm bun and, for the finale, Texas Pete's Original Hot Sauce.
Other ingredients in traditional dipped fried chicken dishes include Cider Vinegar, Oil, Molasses, and Worcestershire Sauce.
Take your meal to the next level by creating chicken sandwiches from your dipped chicken, and finish with a glass of iced sweet tea for true North Carolina style!
6. Livermush
If you read the word "Livermush" and reacted with anything other than glee, you probably aren't from North or South Carolina. Livermush is a staple in Southern cooking, providing a quick and balanced meal. Livermush is often compared to liver pudding, though the Carolinian product usually contains more cornmeal while providing a firmer, coarser texture.
The ingredients in livermush are a mixture of snouts, ears, cornmeal, pig liver, and pig head parts. Chefs in the region will often incorporate both pepper and sage to provide an additional splash of seasoning to the iconic North Carolina food favorite!
Served during lunch with a craft beer,livermush is often fried and turned into a sandwich topped with mayonnaise and mustard.
7. Mt. Olive Pickles
Mt. Olive Pickles is based out of Mount Olive, NC. The company manufactures and ships pickled cucumbers and other relish products throughout the US.
As one of the largest pickle brands in the country, shoppers everywhere have likely seen Mt. Olive Pickles. These convenient snacks are considered crunchy and similar to kosher dill in flavor.
Some Mt. Olive pickles come with fresh garlic, dill, or added peppercorns for additional seasoning. If you've heard of Jimmy John's, you'll know they serve Mt. Olive Pickles!
8. Fried Green Tomatoes
An iconic dish, fried green tomatoes, can be found at every barbecue restaurant in the area. This dish combines two Southern favorites: unripe green tomatoes and pimento cheese.
Fried green tomatoes are unripe to provide a solid foundation for being fried. While we associate fried green tomatoes with southern cuisine, the dish actually came to America through the Midwest via Jewish immigrants.
9. Calabash Seafood
Spend some time in the Carolinians, and you'll find your way to some Calabash seafood. Calabash refers to the bottle gourd prominent all over North and South Carolina. Calabash is also a small town just over the border between North and South Carolina.
Typically, Calabash Seafood will feature lightly breaded shrimp, fish, hush puppies, and even crab cakes. The seafood is lightly cooked, only touching oil to allow the texture to brown.
10. Sweet Potatoes
Did you know that sweet potatoes are the state vegetable of North Carolina? It's true! Whether you're hitting up Reid's Fine Foods in Eastern North Carolina or pulling into a diner in Chapel Hill, you'll find someone nearby who can serve up a delicious side dish of sweet potatoes.
Classic Carolina Sweet Potatoes typically include mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk.
Sounds good, right? It's starting to make sense why North Carolina is the #1 producer of sweet potatoes in the United States
11. Collard Greens
You could smell a great plate of North Carolinian collard greens from a parking lot in New York. That's how ingrained the dish is in Southern cuisine--a time-honored tradition in Southern kitchens nationwide..
Traditionally, Collard greens do not form into a compact head, such as kale, spinach, collards, turnips, or mustard greens.
Traditionally, collard greens are boiled and served in large quantities, typically with salted pork or ham hock on the side. Greens are also served with cornbread and dip on the side
For a bit of lore, collard greens are supposed to promote good luck when consumed on New Year's Day alongside black-eyed peas and hog.
12. Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is a staple in southern cuisine thanks to companies like Ruth Salads and Star Foods in the dishes' early days. Designed for white bread, pimento cheese is crafted from shredded cheese before being lightly flavored with spices, mayo, and peppers.
Great on white bread or our fine assortment of crackers. Pimento cheese is a dynamic little side dish that you can use to make your lunch even better. There is a reason we consider Pimento Cheese a sort of Carolinian Caviar!
13. Deviled Eggs
Do you want to steal the show at the next barbecue? Traditional Southern deviled eggs are as delicious as you'd expect
To take deviled eggs to the next level with a southern twist, include mayo, sweet pickle relish, and prepared mustard. Some Southern cooks garnish their deviled eggs with paprika, salt, and pepper to finish the flavor profile.
14. Mac and Cheese
Few comfort foods feel as good as Southern Baked Mac and Cheese. A staple whether you are looking for a snappy lunch or something to add as a side dish to your dinner menu, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese brings a creamy, cheesy, soulful experience to the table.
Core aspects of this dish include a wide range of cheeses and spices, including creole spice. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, and voila!
15. North Carolina Country Ham
If you want to taste flavor at a level never experienced, maybe you should give North Carolina country ham a shot this holiday. Country ham is cured for more than 40 days with some saltpeter and spices, often smoked.
Shoppers can find their way to sensational country ham products through companies like Reid's Fine Foods or their local grocery store.
First arriving in North Carolina during colonial times, Country Ham continued to thrive due to its popularity throughout WWII. Tdish's popularity at the Ham and Yam Festival began in 1986, with North Carolina Hams winning eight years in a row before the competition was halted.
Get A Taste of Carolina at Reid's Fine Foods
Reid's Fine Foods is the original hometown specialty food store of Charlotte, NC. Specializing in Carolina's signature meats, wines, and regional provisions.
Reid's Fine Foods lets customers taste Carolina's most iconic signature foods one bite at a time.
Enjoy Southern-style food and service from one of five convenient Reid's locations throughout the Carolinas!