Big Americana Feast Recipes & Tips

All those classic American recipes perfect for a wings and ribs feast, biscuits and gravy breakfast or a classic Thanksgiving meal. From steak, to mac and cheese, American style pies and tasty appetisers and Tex-Mex to southern soul food and New York style bagels, there is something for everyone to create any style feast.

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Why Americana?

I am a bit obsessed with what I see as traditional American cuisine. I’ve been lucky enough to travel throughout the US pretty extensively. The meals that always stuck with me were the ones that were totally different to our UK food!

Gian Pertusi, one of my lovely former tour managers and now owner of TASTE Tour & Travel introduced me to the concept of the “meat and three restaurant“. These canteen style joints had a whole range of side options which were totally foreign to me.

And then the Food Network came to the UK and I’ve been absorbed ever since!

Some things like Pizza Hut style pizza, hot dogs and burgers have been around in the UK for a long time. Brits are pretty involved with chicken wings and ribs nowadays. But we almost never serve them with a whole wedge of iceberg lettuce. And buffalo sauce is barely a thing.

Zucchinis, eggplants, arugula and garbanzos remain foreign words. And don’t even get me started on the concept of topping a whole pan of sweet potato with marshmallow. Or serving it with roast turkey!

It might be commonly said that “The UK and the US are two nations divided by a common language”. But I’d argue that we’re more divided by common foods!

I’ve categorised all of my Americana collections with the American way (and spelling) of talking about courses. No real reason except I loves a theme!

Appetizers are the starter course. Entrees are the main course despite always sounding to me like they should be the first or ‘entry’ course. And dessert is well, it’s dessert!

Appetizers

These starters are designed to be more finger snacks than something that is served at the table. Grab a drink, hang out, chat to friends and then leave them to the chips and dip whilst you do the last minute bits for the main course.

Guacamole Recipe

Holy Guacamole! Did you know that you can own a house and enjoy avocado on a regular basis? I’m living proof folks! Guacamole is a family favourite around these parts this is my recipe for a fully loaded but nearly smooth guacamole. So tasty!

Make more than you think you’ll need. My friends can swarm on a tub of guacamole with a ferocity that would make grown men weep. At the very least I would serve half an avocado’s worth for each person.

And then of course you will need tortilla chips. It turns out that not everyone is willing to just dunk a cheeky finger in a dip. Try to figure out a balance between having enough chips for the amount of guacamole served, but without having so many that everyone fills themselves up!

I prefer a plain salted tortilla to a flavoured version but it is ultimately up to you which you prefer. The other option is if you can get hold of the puffy pork scratching which the Mexicans call chicharrons. They are great for dipping too. Crudités are another options. Or you could serve a mix.

Bacon & Cherry Bites Recipe

My Bacon & Cherry Bites are the perfect canape for almost any occasion. And I know they sound weird and I know that your guests will give you the side eye before trying them but trust me, you’ll wish you made double because everyone loves them, even the strongest sceptics. Including me!

Is there anything more American than sugared fruit wrapped in bacon? I think not. You’ll also want to make a decent sized portion of these. You will eat half as they’re cooling, never mind how quickly they’ll go on the day!

Soup & Salad

When travelling the US, I mostly found that salads are often served at the own course or with the appetizers. Personally I am more of a fan of either making a fully loaded salad as a main meal or serving something like this caesar salad as a side with the main course.

Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

Classic Caesar Salad is exactly that. Classic. Minimal ingredients give maximum flavour which makes it perfect as a starter or side dish. Make sure this classic makes it into your repertoire.

Ribs

Sticky delicious ribs are a mainstay of American cuisine, especially in big barbecue areas but they can be found in pretty much every restaurant.

BBQ Pork Ribs Recipe – Boiled & Baked

BBQ Pork Ribs are one of my favourite sticky, sweet and smoky treats. Individual spare ribs are first boiled and then baked in the oven to produce soft and tender glazed morsels. They’re perfect for nearly any occasion.  

Dry Rub Ribs with Mexican Seasoning Recipe

Dry Rub Ribs with Mexican Seasoning provides absolute maximum taste with embarrassingly minimal effort. Simply add the seasoning to the ribs, pop them in the oven and leave them until cooked. The taste pay-off despite such ease is phenomenal!

How to Air Fry Meaty Pork Spare Ribs

My fool proof method for How to Air Fry Meaty Pork Spare Ribs will help you cook delicious ribs with juicy meat and irresistibly crispy fat in super quick time. Keeping the recipe simple allows you to add your choice of seasonings or sauce to create a tasty meal.

Wings

Chicken wings are another classic which can be found all over the US. Douse in buffalo sauce and dip into blue cheese or ranch dressing for the ultimate authentic experience.

Southern Baked Chicken Wings Recipe

Southern Baked Chicken Wings are a spicy and crunchy American classic. My version is baked, not fried which makes them perfect for hands off cooking. A buttermilk marinade makes sure that my wings are tender and soft on the inside too. As a bonus, they're shockingly easy to make!

Sticky Maple Chicken Wings (Gluten Free Recipe)

My Sticky Maple Chicken Wings are the ultimate dig-in-and-get-sticky party food! You think you're just going to have one and then all of a sudden you realise you've eaten half the bowl and you're getting evil stares from the rest of the room. And you have sticky glaze all up your face. Yeh, you should make these for sure!

How to Air Fry Chicken Wings

These easy instructions for How to Air Fry Chicken Wings make cooking delicious crispy wings with juicy flesh a breeze. The basic recipe can be adapted to include any flavourings your heart desires and all the tips and tricks for getting the most out of your air fryer are included.

Turkey & Ham

Turkey is much more commonly eaten as an everyday staple in America than it is in the US. From whole drumsticks sold at state fairs and theme parks to sliced roast turkey appearing in sandwiches and salads up and down the country.

Whilst many British people only eat turkey at Christmas, Thanksgiving is literally “turkey day” in America. Don’t forget to make gravy with the cooking juices. Although often Americans tend to only pour gravy over their mashed potatoes and not the whole meal like we do!

How to Roast Turkey (Wet Brined Crown)

If you think that “turkey is a dry meat” then I can confirm that you’re wrong! Only badly cooked turkeys are dry. My How to Roast Turkey guide has easy instructions to perfectly cook a wet brined turkey that’s not only succulent and moist, but blooming delicious too!

Whole hams are also common, especially at Thanksgiving. Typically they’re bought cooked and “spiral cut” but are reheated and glazed at home. My recipe with a Southern Comfort glaze is going to get you very close to true Americana.

Ginger Ham with Southern Comfort Glaze Recipe

My Ginger Beer Boiled Ham with a Southern Comfort glaze is inspired by a Nigella Lawson recipe with added booze. The ginger beer permeates the ham to give a great twist on a classic party centrepiece. And I am rarely allowed to attend a party unless I bring a ham. True story.

Chicken

Oven Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe

Oven Fried Chicken Thighs are an easy to make at home version of the southern fried classic. Using boneless chicken thighs makes them as great with a salad as in a burger and the chilli sauce in the buttermilk marinade gives them the perfect amount of heat!

How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs (On The Bone)

I've done all the testing for exactly How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs so they're perfectly cooked with the crispiest skin so you don't have to. These simple instructions are versatile and a great start for making the recipe your own.

How to Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks

Instructions for how to Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks are actually really simple. With just a couple of easy tips and tricks, this economical cut of chicken leg will come out the air fryer with perfect crispy skin and juicy meat every time. Quick, easy, delicious and super adaptable, what more can you ask for?!

How to Air Fry Chicken Mini Fillets

These super easy cooking instructions for How to Air Fry Chicken Mini Fillets give you perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken tenders in around 10 minutes. Ideal for dipping as an appetiser, adding to salads, curries or lunch boxes or simply served with fries, you cannot go wrong with this simple and versatile recipe.

Steaks

Grilled Sirloin Steak Recipe

This simple Grilled Sirloin Steak recipe is more a set of simple instructions to get perfectly cooked steaks with those gorgeous grill marks than a recipe! The same instructions apply on the BBQ as with my griddle pan method. No stress, no fuss, just simple tasty steaks, every time.

How to Air Fry Pork Loin Steaks (Boneless Pork Chops)

Discover How to Air Fry Pork Loin Steaks with these simple and easy instructions. Keeping the seasoning simple allows you to marinade, glaze or serve the boneless pork chops however you prefer with them cooked perfectly every single time.

How to Air Fry Thin Pork Chops

Learn how to perfectly Air Fry Thin Pork Chops with these easy to follow instructions. Not all chops are created equally and require slightly different treatment so make sure you're cooking thin chops appropriately with my handy tips and step by step guide.

How to Air Fry Pork Fillet (Whole Tenderloin)

If you're looking for a quick and delicious way to cook pork tenderloin then look no further! My simple step by step instructions will show you how to Air Fry Pork Fillet to perfection. By air frying, you'll achieve a perfectly even cook on this lean but juicy and tender cut of pork.

Fish & Shellfish

How to Air Fry Salmon Fillets (Fresh or Frozen)

Find out how to quickly and easily Air Fry Salmon Fillets from either fresh or frozen in this easy to follow guide. I've kept things simple so these instruction are a great starting point to add your choice of extra seasoning, marinade or glaze.

How to Air Fry Scallops

This guide will show you How to Air Fry Scallops effortlessly. Large king scallops are cooked to juicy perfection without their shells for maximum flavour and ease. I'll tell you all the tips and tricks to make delicious air fryer scallops including how to cook them straight from frozen.

How to Air Fry Cod Fillets

These simple instructions for How to Air Fry Cod Fillets result in classic white fish portions with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Simply seasoned but as versatile as you want to make it, this is the new top cooking method for delicious fish cookery.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian White Bean Chili Recipe

My Vegetarian White Bean Chili is a brilliant and hugely flavourful alternative to a traditional chili sin carne. The creamy veg and bean packed chilli is a quick one-pan dish made using tinned beans and is a great base for heaps of tasty garnishes.

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Sweetcorn & Chilli Recipe

My Sweet Potato Pancakes with Sweetcorn & Chilli are the perfect upgrade to a weekend breakfast or brunch. They’re a soft and fluffy excuse to add a little extra veg to proceedings and they make a great combo with avocado and bacon too. Or maybe just some syrup!

Carby Sides

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe

My Easy Boston Baked Beans are a whole world away from our everyday baked beans. These beans are rich, sticky and deeply savoury. They’re a classic American side which is perfect with BBQ. But do try them on toast!

Baked Macaroni Cheese Recipe

Baked Macaroni Cheese is the ultimate American side dish! My basic mac’n’cheese recipe includes a creamy and velvety sauce packed with three cheeses topped with a crunchy panko and mozzarella crust. Its perfect as a side or gussied up with any manner of extras to make a whole feast on its own.

Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Butter & Cream

These Easy Mashed Potatoes are packed with both salty butter and thick cream to make the most luxurious, smooth and flavourful mash you'll ever eat. I've included all my tricks and tips to make sure that you can make this simple side with zero fuss or issue so you'll make this again and again.

Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes are one of my favourite side dishes. They go with almost everything from fish to pork chops and even make a great addition to salads, tacos and soups. Talk about versatile! As a bonus my recipe includes my top tip for avoiding that burnt horrible garlic taste.

Breads

Unlike my meals growing up which almost always came with a couple of slices of white bread and butter, soft and pillowy dinner rolls (very soft white buns) or buttermilk biscuits are often served in America, especially with the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Breakfast Biscuits (Savoury American Scones)

American Biscuits are a Southern US classic. They're effectively savoury buttermilk scones that are flaky rather than crumbly & make an excellent side or breakfast. Ideally served warm and smothered with butter, I can’t stop eating them!

Cheesy Garlic Rolls Recipe

My Cheesy Garlic Rolls are the perfect grab-and-go version of my ever popular Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread. The enriched bread is gorgeously soft, the cheese stringy and the garlic bordering on spicy. You’re going to want to make a double batch!

Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread Recipe

When I say “Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread”, what I actually mean is SUPER GARLICKY bread because this tear and share loaf is ALL about the garlic. The glorious cheese pulls and pillowy soft bread are merely happy bonuses.

Homemade Sesame Bagels Recipe

Homemade Bagels are in a different league to the usual dry supermarket offerings. They’re also a doddle to make and include some fun boiling!

Vegetable Sides

Easy Creamy Coleslaw with Crème Fraîche Recipe

A Light & Easy Creamy Coleslaw is a staple of any cooks repertoire and everyone seems to have their own classic recipe. This is mine. Its light, sweet and crunchy without being claggy or feeling like a “healthier” version of something better.

Mexican Corn on the Cob (Elotes Recipe)

Mexican Corn on the Cob is becoming more and more popular with very good reason. It is a seriously tasty way of jazzing up sweet corn and is a popular street food in Mexico. So much so that it is often known as ‘street corn’ alongside it’s Spanish name of Elotes. Try it and you won’t go back to boring corn!

Buttery Lemon & Garlic Green Beans Recipe

I wasn’t a bean lover until I made these Buttery Lemon & Garlic Green Beans but I’m a convert now! They’re a 10 minute wonder of a side dish and far more than the sum of their parts. Plus they’re as delicious served with roast meats as a simple sausage plait or even as a barbecue side dish!

Sauces & Salsas

Peach Salsa Recipe (with Canned Peaches)

Peach Salsa is a fresh and light side dish or sauce packed with tomatoes, peppers and coriander. Canned peaches add a fruity sweetness to this twist on a classic Mexican pico de gallo or salsa fresca. It’s ideal for summery barbecues and my favourite way to bring some colour and life to winter!

Hot Honey Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe

This Hot Honey Butter Garlic Sauce is a magical 5 minute elixir of incredible flavour that makes anything that it touches taste incredible. Now this might sound like an exaggeration but nope, it really is that good!

How to Make Caesar Dressing

How to Make Caesar Dressing is a question I have asked Google too many times. The answer was so variable, I had to test and create my own ultimate recipe. Turns out its really easy and perfect every time!

Don’t forget cranberry sauce if serving turkey. This smooth version is most common. And is often bought in a can and served in the shape of the can!

Homemade Smooth Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Making your own Smooth Cranberry Sauce is incredibly simple – it takes less than 15 minutes and can be made with fresh or frozen cranberries. Forget Ocean Spray, this is the cranberry sauce you'll want on your table from now on!

American Pie

There is no more quintessential dessert in America than pie. Made with a buttery flaky crust or abiscuit base depending on the type, you can’t go wrong!

Try serving “a la mode” – warm with a scoop of ice cream.

American Strawberry Blueberry Pie Recipe

This American style Strawberry Blueberry Pie uses my flaky pie crust recipe and packs it with either fresh or frozen fruit with a little sugar for a delicious hot dessert. Ideal if you want to join in with Thanksgiving celebrations, are making the most of summer berries or just fancy making an easy and delicious lattice fruit pie!

Classic French Silk Pie (Chocolate Tart Recipe)

French Silk Pie is an American classic but barely known in the UK. A flaky pastry crust is filled with a rich & decadent no-bake chocolate mousse then topped with piles of freshly whipped cream and chocolate curls. It really is one of the best desserts I've ever eaten and should become a UK classic too!

Chocolate Lime Pie Recipe with Italian Meringue

I love it when a dessert looks stunning and super fancy but is actually incredibly easy to make!. My Chocolate Lime Pie with Italian Meringue ticks all the right boxes and you can create this fab showstopper pie too!

Sweet Pizza Pockets Recipe (Peanut Butter & Jelly)

Sweet Pizza Pockets stuffed with Peanut Butter and Jelly (jam!) make a fab American inspired snack or dessert. Use store bought pizza dough and they’re ready in just 30 minutes. But be careful, they’re hotter than a pop tart fresh out the toaster!

Cheesecake, Brownies & More

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe

My Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake does what it says on the tin but in a rather decadent and sophisticated way! Not too sweet or too rich despite it's brownie base, it's significantly quicker and easier to make than you'd ever imagine! Give this Americana inspired cheesecake a go and I promise it will be a firm favourite forever more!

Basic One-Bowl Chocolate Brownies Recipe

This Basic One-Bowl Chocolate Brownies recipe keeps things simple. By using half milk chocolate its not too dark, heavy or bitter plus making round brownies means no more decisions about whether to have an edge or gooey middle piece – genius!

Everything Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Packed full of sweet treats, these Everything Chocolate Brownies are a fab way to include all your favourite chocolates and biscuits. I've thrown in rolos, bourbon biscuits, shortbread, white chocolate chips, salty pretzels and even some kit kats, milky ways and gold bars. Let your imagination go wild!

Pound Cake (Easy Loaf Cake Recipe)

This classic plain Pound Cake is the simplest cake you’ll ever make. I’ve stripped the traditional recipe back to basics to make an easy loaf cake that is plain in name but not in nature. Pound cake is a staple in the southern states of America and now I know why!

Sweet Snacks

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

These Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are a one bowl and no chill wonder. They’re lovely and soft like New York style cookies, packed with chocolate and you can have them ready to eat in under 30 minutes. Fair warning, you will want more!

Popcorn Snack Mix (No-Bake Recipe)

My easy Popcorn Snack Mix involves no baking and is super versatile using what you can find in your store cupboard. Popcorn, cornflakes, chocolate chips, salted nuts and marshmallows are all drizzled with melted chocolate. Its a delicious snack for kids and adults alike.

Chocolate Monkey Bread Recipe

Chocolate Monkey Bread isn’t really traditional in the UK but it should be! Made in tray bake form for more even cooking, this sweet chocolate bread is really easy and fun to make. 

Breakfast For Dinner

I’ve included these recipes in case you want to make a day of American food or just want to try and American style breakfast for your main meal.

For another option cook thin beef steaks or pork chops and serve with hash browns and fried eggs – Steak and eggs is a bit indulgent in the morning but is certainly not to be sniffed at.

How to Air Fry Streaky Bacon

Whether you prefer it super crispy or lovely and soft, these simple instructions for How to Air Fry Streaky Bacon will give you all the info you need to make perfect and delicious air fried bacon in a jiffy.

Luxury Scrambled Eggs Recipe with Cream & Butter

My Luxury Scrambled Eggs with Cream & Butter recipe includes my tips and tricks for making the most delicious, rich and unctuous eggs with minimal faffing in just a few minutes. Perfect for breakfast, a quick snack or decadent supper.

Biscuits & Gravy

Nothing perplexes Brits more than the concept of biscuits and gravy. Imagining custard cream and rich tea biscuits covered in a meaty brown gravy is the common image.

But American biscuits which are essentially savoury British style cones with a white sauce made with crumbled sausage is truly delicious. I like to top it with a fried egg. For a non-meaty sauce option, I serve creamy mushrooms which is actually a great breakfast in its own right.

Breakfast Biscuits (Savoury American Scones)

American Biscuits are a Southern US classic. They're effectively savoury buttermilk scones that are flaky rather than crumbly & make an excellent side or breakfast. Ideally served warm and smothered with butter, I can’t stop eating them!

Sausage Gravy Recipe

Sausage Gravy is a Southern US breakfast staple with chunks of sausage meat turned into a meaty white milk sauce. Think of it as a tasty sausage bechamel! Traditionally served with buttermilk biscuits or even battered and fried steak, it is much more delicious than it looks!

Creamed Mushrooms with Oregano Recipe

My Creamed Mushrooms with Oregano are fabulous for a slightly decadent breakfast. They’re incredible served on any breakfast bread. For a recipe that takes less than 10 minutes and only a few ingredients, the taste is disproportionately amazing!

Oats & Fruit

Serve with thick Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for a lighter option.

Baked Banana Oatmeal Recipe with Maple & Pecan

My Baked Banana Oatmeal with Maple & Pecan is not only a great way to use up ripe bananas but makes for a fabulous prep ahead breakfast.  

Simple Blueberry Sauce (Compote Recipe)

This Simple Blueberry Sauce is a 10 minute one-pan wonder with a million uses. Thickened with cornflour, it's an easy vegan, gluten and dairy free compote with no fancy ingredients which is perfect for pancakes, ice cream, trifles and cake fillings.

Peach Compote with Ginger & Bourbon Recipe

My Peach Compote with Ginger & Bourbon recipe combines three of my favourite flavours into a super simple sauce which is incredibly versatile. Perfect whether served with pancakes, a simple sponge or just added to vanilla ice cream. Best of all, it only takes about 10 minutes to make.

Drinks for an Americana Feast

Just like with the food, the key to serving drinks is to set things up so that guests can help themselves as much as possible. You should have less waste and everyone gets exactly what they want. Whilst relieving you of some running around.

In this case think jugs of cocktails/soft drinks, buckets of beers and help yourself coffee.

I had so much to say on the subject and so many great looking drink suggestions that I’ve written you a whole separate post. Don’t forget to bookmark it because you’re going to want to go back!

What Drinks to Serve and When

I have a few suggestions of the type of drinks I’d serve at my Americana Feast but what you decide to serve will truly depend on you and your guests.

There is no point in buying a whole load of bottles of beer if you know you are a bunch of wine drinkers. Equally don’t go crazy making jugs of bourbon cocktails if you mostly prefer gin. And obviously stocking up on the booze when everyone is driving is folly.

On Arrival

I love to serve a short cocktail when people are arriving. I’d also have some beers on hand for any cocktail dodgers and some kind of soft drink option available as well as water.

However. In the summer, I’d maybe switch this up and serve a frozen cocktail. I don’t want to be faffing around mixing blender drinks whist wanting to be socialising and dealing with the food. So getting everything ready to go before people arrive and then doing some whizzing first thing is the perfect compromise.

For my photo feast I made Smitten Kitchen’s Bourbon Slush Punch. Good god it was good! I made the base ahead of time and then whizzed that up with ice in the blender as guests were arriving.

During the Meal

I would tend to either stick with some beers and perhaps serve another helping of my initial short cocktail. Or crack on with a longer cocktail.

During Dessert

There are a few options here. You can serve coffee at this stage or after dessert. That’s if you are serving it at all.

And/or you could serve a milkshake or hardshake alongside the dessert. Boy do I love an alcoholic milkshake! Alternatively if you are hosting in a colder climate or winter time, you might want to try your hand at making an eggnog or hot chocolate.

If you chose not to serve a signature short cocktail on arrival, after dessert would be the time to do so. It is quite a classic aperitif moment. Otherwise just crack on with whatever beers, cocktails and soft drinks were served with the entrees.

Catering for Allergies at A Big Americana Feast

Each of my recipes includes details of whether they are gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free and/or nut-free. Each recipe also gives suggestions for how to adapt them for these dietary requirements if needed.

If you have one or more people coming to your feast that have dietary requirements, often the easiest (and the nicest) thing to do is to make all of the dishes suitable for them. If this isn’t possible, making as many of the dishes suitable as possible is great.

Anyone with allergies will be super grateful for your effort but I would always recommend talking about the menu with them directly.

There may be things to consider that you haven’t thought of and you could equally waste time making unnecessary changes. There is no point in making gluten-free chicken wings if that gluten-free person hates wings!

And also don’t be offended if anyone wants to bring their own food. I would much rather that someone came to my feast and enjoyed themselves worry-free rather than giving us both anxiety about allergy-friendly food.

Please note that this recipe may contain other allergens not referred to above and any variations suggested have not been tested unless otherwise stated. For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

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