These 10 Iconic Foods In Georgia Will Have Your Mouth Watering
By Marisa Roman|Updated on September 29, 2022(Originally published September 23, 2022)
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Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
This is a warning: if you read this list of the most iconic foods in Georgia, you’ll be left with a severe craving for at least one (probably more) of the items mentioned. With that being said, we’ll carry on now. There’s a wide variety of food on the cultural palate of the Peach State. Georgia cuisine ranges so broadly that it can actually be hard to pinpoint just what foods make the cut for being the most well-known. However, there are a few dishes that really stand out as being truly symbolic in Georgia. These are the foods that undoubtedly remind you of the Peach State, whether you’ve lived here all your life or have moved elsewhere. Here’s a list we’ve come up with that is sure to have your mouth watering:
1. Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of chicken and dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings have always been a staple of Southern cuisine. It's no surprise that they're immensely popular in Georgia cooking! It's thought that the dish originated during antebellum times and was popular due to the low cost of the ingredients.
2. Of course, you can't forget the perfect flavor balance between shrimp and grits.
Grits are the official prepared food of Georgia, after all. But if you want to make them even better, pair them with the tenderest, juiciest shrimp you can find. It's a win-win.
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3. A large steaming vat of Brunswick stew sounds pretty good on a cold day, doesn't it?
Georgians know that Brunswick stew originated in their state. That's why we are so great at cooking it! It's in such high demand that chefs often cook it in massive vats. The town of Brunswick actually has a 25-gallon iron pot set up in a park that allegedly was used to cook the first vat of Brunswick stew.
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4. Fried chicken with crispy skin and tender meat sounds pretty great, huh?
Peach State residents know that Georgians cook fried chicken better than anywhere else in the country. You really can't go wrong with crispy, crunchy skin and tender, moist meat inside.
5. Moist, delectable cornbread cake is absolutely incredible.
It isn't enough that Georgians make your typical Southern classic cornbread dish and go on their merry way. No, we've got to take the recipe up a notch. Make a cornbread cake and share it with the whole family!
Georgia is one of the top growers of pecans in the entire country. It stands to reason that one of our best crops is put to use in a sweet, succulent pecan pie.
7. Fresh seafood from the coast, straight off the boat, is better than anything they've got in the Midwest!
Many states don't have the luxury of having a coast from which to procure seafood. Here in Georgia, we've really lucked out. We can get the freshest seafood around!
Corn has been a top crop in Georgia for many years. It's a huge part of the state's agricultural economy. It's no wonder that corn on the cob is so widely popular here! Whether you prefer it grilled or boiled, it's delicious.
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9. Is anything tastier than the sweet sauce coating BBQ?
You practically can't drive more than 10 miles in Georgia without seeing a BBQ joint sign somewhere. The difference between Georgia BBQ and many lesser states is that we normally smoke or slow-cook our meat. Sauces and marinades are made in-house and it's all delectable.
10. And, of course, don't forget the peach cobbler!
You know we had to include peaches: we are the Peach State, after all! One of Georgia's most iconic foods is, of course, peach cobbler. Dollop some ice cream on top and you've got the perfect balance of hot and cold, sweet and savory.
After reading all that, we’re certainly ready to eat! Many of these foods are iconic in Georgia because there’s such an incredible abundance of the crops here. We’re such an agricultural state and so lucky to be able to get so many dishes fresh from the farm (or boat!).
What’s your favorite food in Georgia? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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