If you only ate wild foods native to Texas, you’d never go hungry. But add on all the food products that we also make here, and, well, you could enjoy a feast for the ages.
Texas is among the country’s most important agricultural states, and its farmers, ranchers, and other producers provide a diverse portfolio of raw ingredients, which we chefs, home cooks, and other creative types turn into world-class cuisine.
For example, there are wines made from tempranillo grapes grown on the High Plains to enjoy with rib-eye steaks from North Texas cattle. There’s fresh shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico to pair with craft beers from small breweries in places like Blanco, Granbury, and Alpine. Peanuts, pecans, tomatoes, blueberries, onions, grapefruits, and all sorts of herbs and leafy greens flavor comfort foods and staple foods alike, from classics like peach cobbler and peanut brittle to contemporary favorites like seafood ceviche.
There’s always something coming into season, which is why the Texas Department of Agriculture helps consumers locate local and seasonal foods through their Go Texan program. Go Texan identifies many foods grown and produced in the state, as well as the farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and restaurants that feature them.
Even though the following assortment represents only a small fraction of the number of Texas foods available, each is a delicious example of authentic Texas flavor. One thing is clear: Whether you use them for home-style cooking or fine dining, for building meals entirely of Texas foods or enlivening any dish with Texas flavors, you’d better bring a Texas-size appetite to the table.
Meet More Texas Makers: Food/Treats and Arts/Crafts
