Your Guide to American and Canadian Food

What is popular American food?

American food is incredibly diverse, shaped by regional specialities and a rich mix of cultural influences from around the world. Here are some of the dishes most closely associated with the US.

• Burgers: Juicy beef patties served in a soft bun and topped with cheese, pickles, salad and sauces.

• Hot dogs: Grilled or steamed sausages served in a long bun, often topped with mustard, ketchup, onions or relish.

• Mac and cheese: A comforting dish of pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce, often baked for a golden, crispy topping.

• Fried chicken: This Southern classic is seasoned with a blend of spices and often served with sides like slaw or biscuits.

• Pancakes: Fluffy, thick pancakes typically served stacked high with butter and maple syrup.

• Barbecue: Slow-cooked meats such as ribs, brisket or pulled pork, flavoured with smoky marinades and sauces.

• Pizza: From thin, foldable slices in New York to rich, deep-dish pies in Chicago, pizza is a much-loved American favourite.

• Cheesecake: A creamy, indulgent dessert with a biscuit base, often served plain or topped with fruit such as strawberries or cherries.

• Apple pie: A classic dessert with a sweet, spiced apple filling encased in buttery pastry.

• Buffalo wings: Chicken wings coated in a spicy, tangy sauce, traditionally served with celery sticks and a creamy blue cheese dip.

Keep reading for some more of our American-inspired picks from the Foodhall – perfect ahead of this year's football tournament.

American hot dogs

No American-inspired feast is complete without a hot dog. A true Stateside staple, they’re ideal for loading up with your favourite toppings, from classic mustard and ketchup to crunchy pickles, fried onions or a drizzle of smoky sauce.

Our new Long Dogs take things up a notch. At an impressive 23cm, they’re big on flavour and come in four globally inspired varieties, from smoky pork to jalapeño and cheese, herby chicken and a Reuben-style beef and pork – perfect for mixing and matching across your spread or using to make this epic focaccia.

Prefer to keep it traditional? Our much-loved Posh Dogs, made with outdoor-bred British pork and a subtle American-style smoky seasoning, are ideal for building your own classic with all the trimmings.

Stateside snacks

Big on flavour and made for sharing, M&S dips are impossible to beat. Our Fully Loaded Diner Dip captures all the flavours of a cheeseburger in one irresistible scoop, with layers of creamy ranch dressing, zesty tomato salsa, cheese and tangy gherkins. Serve with our Sesame Pretzel Thins – crisp, salty and finished with black and white sesame seeds. Or choose our perfectly-portioned and limited-edition New York Deli Dipper, inspired by a classic New York pastrami sandwich, with cheese and mustard base with British beef pastrami, Swiss Emmentaler and cornichons for dipping.

New York cheesecake

Rich, creamy and indulgent, New York–style cheesecake is a true American classic. Defined by its dense, velvety filling and crisp biscuit base, it’s the perfect dessert to finish an Americana‑inspired menu.

• New York Vanilla Cheesecake: A timeless favourite with a smooth vanilla filling and buttery biscuit base.

• Raspberry Ripple Cheesecake: The same rich, New York–style cheesecake, swirled with sharp raspberry for a fruity contrast.

• Triple Chocolate Cheesecake: A decadent take on the classic, layered with milk, dark and white chocolate for maximum richness.

• Birthday Cake Cookie Cup: A soft, chewy cookie filled with creamy cheesecake and finished with colourful sprinkles.

Fancy making your own? Look no further than our peanut butter and jelly cheesecake bites idea.

American-inspired recipes

Fancy cooking from scratch? We've got plenty of American‑inspired dishes to inspire you, from smoky savoury mains to classic desserts with a Stateside twist.

• Barbecue pork platter: Slow‑cooked, sticky and made for sharing, this platter is all about bold BBQ flavour with classic American sides.

• Cajun seafood traybake: A nod to Louisiana cooking, with punchy Cajun spices, juicy seafood and minimal washing‑up.

• Hot honey chicken and biscuits: Crispy chicken drizzled with sweet heat, served with soft, buttery biscuits – a modern take on a Southern favourite.

• Beer and bacon mac and cheese: A comforting classic with a grown‑up twist, combining a rich, cheesy sauce with smoky bacon and a splash of beer for extra depth of flavour.

• S’mores brookie: A decadent mash‑up of brownie and cookie, topped with melted marshmallows and chocolate, inspired by the campfire classic.

• Key lime pie: Zingy, creamy and refreshingly sharp, this Florida favourite will round off your American‑style menu in sweet style.

• Classic cherry pie: A true American favourite, with sweet, juicy cherries encased in golden pastry – best served warm with a scoop of ice cream.

Canadian-inspired recipes

We've cooked up some comforting, maple‑led dishes inspired by Canada. Think sweet breakfasts and indulgent desserts.

• Sweetcorn pancakes with hot maple and tomato salsa: Fluffy pancakes with a savoury twist, finished with a punchy maple‑spiked salsa.

• No‑churn brown butter and pecan ice cream: Nutty, caramelised brown butter paired with toasted pecans for an easy dessert – perfect for enjoying in the sunshine while watching the footie.

• Apple and maple cobbler: Soft, spiced apples baked beneath a golden topping and sweetened with maple syrup.

• Maple pecan pie: This shortcut bake, filled with a rich maple syrup and pecan mixture, is quick to pull together and ideal for entertaining.