Is it sad to admit that I’ve never been to Texas? While pulling together this mouthwatering collection of recipes, I realized I’m seriously missing out. There’s smoky pulled pork, meaty no-bean chili, cozy King Ranch chicken casserole, and a fudgy sheet cake big enough to feed a crowd.
So, whether you’re in the same boat or looking to recreate a little Lone Star charm at home, these recipes are a great place to start. Until I finally make it there, I’ll be bringing those big flavors straight into my own kitchen.
01 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
“When developing a recipe for Texas-style pulled pork, I combined the love of tender pork I got from my Southern roots with the flavors of both Texas and Mexico. My pulled pork is rubbed with spices common to Texas brisket and is then cooked low and slow in a vinegar-spiked broth for pull-apart meat that has a lot in common with the carnitas of our neighbors to the South.” —Cynthia Christensen, Recipe Developer
02 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Cindy Rahe
“The origins of this cake are murky. Some sources say it may have first shown up in a Texas newspaper, which is why it’s called ‘Texas’ sheet cake, while others claim the name comes from the fact that it’s the size of Texas.” —Cindy Rahe, Recipe Developer
03 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong, Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey
“The contrast in textures is what really makes it—the corn chip base softens as it soaks up the flavor of the hearty chili, while the edges remain crunchy. The layer of cheese provides a nice balance to the spiciness of the dish and gets all gooey and melty after a quick trip in the oven.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Content Updates Editor
04 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless
“Cowboy caviar is a colorful jumble of delicious things and contrasting textures. Packed with black beans and black-eyed peas, plus corn, jalapeños, and bell pepper, it’s the sort of thing you can improvise with. Sometimes I use only black-eyed peas; sometimes I finish it with chaat masala, an Indian seasoning. If I don’t have canned chipotles, I use chipotle powder.” —Sara Bir, Simply Recipes Editor
05 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
“Simple strips of breaded and baked or fried boneless chicken—chicken fingers—are so popular that they show up on menus around the world, and for family dinner, too. But what about beef fingers? This simple switch takes the ‘eat with your hands’ ease of a breaded meat strip and transforms it into something special at the dinner table.” —Stephanie Burt, Recipe Developer
06 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
“Frijoles borrachos (borracho beans) are a traditional side dish from South Texas that typically includes bacon, tomatoes, chiles, spices, and dark Mexican beer—talk about a flavorful broth. Similar recipes will call for canned tomatoes, but I like to play off the smokiness of the bacon and sweetness of the beer by broiling fresh tomatoes, jalapeños, and onion.” —Esteban Castillo, Recipe Developer
07 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Morgan Baker
“I realized that a truly great, traditional Texas chili isn’t about shortcuts or piling on ingredients. Instead, it’s about quiet restraint, patience, and honoring the star of the show: the beef. Every step, from building the chili sauce to browning the meat, matters, and those details are what turn a good pot of chili into a perfect one.” —Morgan Baker, Recipe Developer
08 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
“Don’t let the name fool you—Texas trash pie is a regional treasure. Originating from Royers Round Top Café in Round Top, Texas, this well-loved Texas pie is an anything-but-the-kitchen-sink style dessert packed with sweet, salty, sticky, and nutty mix-ins.” —Kayla Hoang, Recipe Developer
09 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
“Velvety smooth and silky, you’ll be reaching for chip after chip to scoop up this chile con queso. Serve it at your next gathering or taco night—it’s sure to be a big hit.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor
10 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
“This is quite possibly the most refreshing drink I’ve ever had, and it has a little buzz to it without being overly alcoholic. A simple mix of tequila, mineral water, and lime is all it takes to whip up this summer sipper. It’s just the thing I need after a day of yard work or for an impromptu neighbor porch hang.” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer
11 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
“This comforting Tex-Mex casserole is super creamy and bursting with flavor. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying King Ranch chicken casserole, consider this your invitation. The dish is a beloved Texas tradition and, while there are endless variations, this recipe is by far the easiest one yet without sacrificing flavor.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer
12 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
“I had a friend from California who introduced me to what she called Texas Enchiladas. Instead of the usual filled and rolled enchiladas, the tortillas were fried, dipped in sauce, sandwiched with filling, and then stacked in layers.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer
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