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The United States is well known for its vast fast-food industry, probably so much so that it somehow overshadows homemade food. Contrary to what many outsiders think, Americans do cook at home too and when they do, there are some cooking methods that take precedence over others. These are such as grilling, baking, frying, soups, and pot roasts. I discuss these popular cooking methods in the United States in this article and I give examples of recipes and dishes that are often made using each method.
Grilling
Americans love their grilled foods. I write this as July 4 is just around the corner – Americans will be celebrating their Independence Day. This holiday is known for extensive cookouts where, of course, grilling is the main thing. Hot dogs and hamburgers dominate the grills in most parts of the country, but steaks, chicken, vegetables, and much more also hit the grill.
Besides July 4, Americans grill all year round. Families get excited when Dad lights the grill because they know dinner is gonna be awesome. I also gather from social media that people are so proud when they grill a perfect steak, and they are always tempted to show it off. There is no doubt that grilled food is on another level of awesome, so we all understand why this method is so popular in the country.
Speaking of grilling steaks (or pan-searing them, for that matter), I can’t with all the craze about what kind of doneness of the meat is ‘perfect.’ Those who love rare meat always think they are the ones who do it right, while those who go for well-done meat think it is the right way to eat it. I just can’t with this debate. People get so worked up about it! In fact, let me keep my preferred option a secret. I may reveal it one day.
Grilling in the United States vs Kenya
When I compare grilling in the United States with Kenya’s roasted meat (nyama choma), there are some noticeable differences. Kenyans almost always use charcoal grills while Americans may use gas or electric grills alongside coal grills. Also, it is more of a common practice in the United States than in Kenya to apply barbecue sauces to grilled meats at some point. In Kenya, the meat is often served as is, and people will sprinkle salt as they eat. The most common accompaniment for roasted meat in Kenya is kachumbari, the tomato-onion salad, while in the US, multiple condiments may be used to add flavor to the meat. Also, fresh salads like this quinoa salad or guacamole may be served with grilled meats.
Baking in the United States
Baking is another popular cooking method in the United States. You may think, “Well, isn’t it popular everywhere else?” I’d say, “No,” because, growing up, the only thing that was baked in my household was cakes, and that was only done occasionally. To date, baking is not among the common cooking methods in most Kenyan households (and East Africa at large). Most people in rural areas lack the equipment and stable electricity, so baking is out of the question for them.
Commonly baked foods in the United States include wheat products like cakes, muffins, cookies, and bread; pies, meats including chicken and fish, potatoes, and vegetables. The time of the year may influence what baked foods are popular. For instance, sweet potato pies are associated with the Thanksgiving holiday which happens in November while Christmas cookies dominate the Christmas season. Regardless, Americans bake all year round.
The Convenience of Baking
Baking is such a convenient method of cooking as it is largely hands-free and gives you minimal mess to clean up after cooking. Take, for example, my baked bacon recipe which is as simple as (1) arrange on the baking rack, (2) place it in the oven, (3) done! Your bacon is ready, crispy, and gorgeous looking. Besides, baked food is probably the next best thing after grilled food. With its perfect texture, appearance, and taste, baked food is definitely a savior. Check out my other yummy baked recipes: (1) baked chicken drumsticks, (2) dry-rub chicken drums, (3) crispy chicken wings, (4) baked potatoes in herb butter, and (5) baked pork ribs.
Frying
Frying is no doubt popular worldwide but as I mentioned in my other article on the common cooking methods in East Africa, the type of foods that are fried in each part of the world may differ. Before I came to the United States, for instance, I had never heard of fried onion rings or fried pickles. Similarly, my American friends were amazed to learn that you can fry (and serve) whole fish as is, with the head and everything (check out my whole fried tilapia recipe). One told me that she would hesitate to eat it like that because it seemed the fish was looking at her.
Like in other parts of the world, commonly deep-fried foods in the US include wheat products like doughnuts, French fries, chicken, and fish to list a few. It is common practice in the US to keep foods like chicken and fish in batter before frying while in Kenya, this practice is less common.
Shallow frying or pan-frying are also commonly used methods in the United States. My recipes that demonstrate these methods are such as (1) honey-glazed salmon, (2) pan-seared salmon in herb butter, (3) pan-seared steak in herb butter, (4) smoked sausage with fresh vegetables, (5) sautéed zucchini in butter, (6) chicken, potatoes, and onion stir-fry, and (7) fluffy banana pancakes. Check out these recipes and try some of them out.
Soups
Soups are popular in the US, especially during the cold season. So suitable. A good soup will excite your taste buds and stimulate your whole body on a cold day, making you feel so refreshed and energized. Some loved soups across the US include chicken noodle soup, tomato soups, broccoli, and cheddar soups, and different types of beef soups. Making these soups may appear easy but it often requires skills especially in choosing what ingredients to use and measuring them correctly. Soups were not really part of my staple diet growing up, so my knowledge in that area is lacking. I have not yet fully mastered the art of making most American soups, either, but I am slowly learning. In the meantime, I just go to my favorite restaurants like Panera Bread and grab my favorite soups when craving some.
Pot Roasts/Crockpot Recipes in the United States
These often include both stews and soups with the main idea being slow cooking. The most common crockpot recipe in the US as per my observation is steak and vegetables, whether that be a soup or a stew. These recipes often start with the searing of the steak to gain an appealing exterior, followed by the sautéing of vegetables in the same skillet. Thereafter, everything is added into the crockpot, broth is added, and it is all slow-cooked to perfection. Crunchy vegetables such as celery, carrots, and potatoes are often used in these recipes. While I do not have any crockpot recipes yet up on my sites, you can bet they are coming soon. Crockpot recipes are some of my favorites despite requiring a great deal of patience. The food always smells and tastes better and feels so tender and comforting.
Air frying – popular cooking methods in the United States
Finally, with the advent of air fryers, these little gadgets have taken over many kitchens in the United States with their promise of healthier, less fatty food. I believe that air-fried food is no different from food that is baked in a regular oven, but some may argue otherwise. Commonly air-fried foods as I have observed include meats like chicken and fish, and vegetables of all kinds. Air frying is indeed convenient, less fatty, and honestly, quite fancy too.
Conclusion on popular cooking methods in the United States
There you have it, six commonly used cooking methods in the United States as observed by someone who is relatively new in the country. There may be nothing new about the cooking methods, but there is certainly something new to learn about the recipes and what dishes are made using each cooking method. If you read the article to this point, do you think there are some popular cooking methods that I left out? How do these cooking methods compare to those in your culture? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!
