Best Foods in Maryland: Five Dishes Maryland is Known For
Maryland – famous for its stunning coastal belt and blue crabs – offers a variety of iconic and scrumptious foods that leave us licking our fingers and keep us coming back for more. We just can’t get enough of the all-famous Maryland seafood, mouthwatering crab meat dishes, comforting traditional soups, and a dash of Old Bay seasoning in every bite.
Maryland’s culinary heritage boats a tremendous admiration for quality local ingredients and recipes that narrate the history of the East Coast State. Each flavor carries a piece of Maryland’s unique culture and deep-rooted traditions, making every dining experience a truly unforgettable trip back in time.
Suppose you’re craving Maryland foods that take you to the Chesapeake Bay. In that case, you’ll never fall short of culinary delights. You will find everything from appetizers and entrees to main course savory dishes that tantalize your tastebuds and heartwarming desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth. So let’s embark on a delectable journey through Maryland’s culinary wonders and explore the best foods that make the East Coast state’s rich traditions come alive on your plate.
1. Maryland Crab Soup
When discussing Maryland’s signature dishes, we can’t overlook the soft and melt-in-your-mouth crabby meat. The Maryland Crab Soup is a perfect appetizer and a wholesome and satisfying meal. We’ve researched various recipes but found this Maryland crab soup recipe on Little Broken by Katya, the most authentic one. You’ll find everything from soup prep and cooking to the best way to store and serve the soup.
You won’t find cream or wine in a traditional Maryland crab soup. Instead, prepare yourself for a tangy tomato base bursting with juicy flavors. Packed with all the essential nutrients, this soup is a delightful medley of everyone’s favorite veggies and succulent crab meat in every mouthful. Whether you savor it in summer or the crisp coolness of winter, this soup never fails to make your taste buds dance in joy and your stomach yearn for more.
2. Maryland Pit Beef
When it comes to meaty treats, Maryland takes the crown with its world-famous pit beef. This culinary masterpiece is slow-cooked over an open flame for several hours, roasted on a charcoal grill, and seasoned solely with salt. The thinly-sliced tender, juicy, and irresistibly smoky beef is prepared with a perfect balance of crispy texture outside and a delightful tenderness at its core that makes you crave more.
You can make simple yet flavorful sandwiches and rolls or simply devour the tender meat with your favorite sides, like mashed potato, roasted veggies, and your favorite sauce.
3. Smith Island Cake
Smith Island cake is Maryland’s official dessert and is cherished for all kinds of celebrations in the East Coast State. Comprising 8-10 ultra-thin layers of yellow cake and generously frosted with moist chocolate fudge, the traditional version of Smith Island cake evokes a sense of nostalgia. Each bite takes you back to the early nineteenth century when wives used to prepare this unique cake for their crab-hunting spouses.
With a slice of this renowned treat, you savor not only a delicious dessert but also a slice of Maryland’s flavorful legacy. In a single cake, you’ll find a delightful medley of fillings, including plain icing, chocolate fudge, thick cream, and even crushed candy bars. While chocolate frosting is an all-time favorite, you can feast on an array of delightful and tasty flavors, catering to every discerning palate. You can try the recipe of this culinary masterpiece with as many layers as you wish. However, ensure the cake has airy layers of moist cake paired with frosting to make it utterly irresistible.
4. Steamed Blue Crabs
The Maryland blue crab is also known as State Crustacean, and it’s easy to see why! Much like the bountiful presence of blue crabs on Maryland’s pristine beaches, the delectable meat of these crustaceans graces the heart of all beloved Maryland delicacies. From delicious soups and creamy dips to scrumptious fries and crispy-crunchy chips, our quest to savor this tasty crustacean inevitably leads to the renowned steamed crab. The real flavor of this simple yet lip-smacking dish lies in steaming copious amounts of these delectable creatures and sprinkling a generous amount of Old Bay seasoning.
Even if you find the process of steaming crabs a little overwhelming and challenging, you can head to any eatery across the state, as nearly all local restaurants offer this signature country dish. You’ll also find many variations in the basic recipe with blue crabs steamed to perfection in an irresistible blend of herbs, spices, and beer and served with your favorite sides and sauces. Steamed crabs are often served alongside melted butter and a special seasoning mix to elevate the flavor and turn this seemingly simple dish into a sheer mouthwatering delight.
5. Maryland Crab Cakes
Marylanders have an undeniable love for crab, which makes crab cakes another timeless gem of Maryland cuisine. While various crab cakes can be found nationwide, Maryland crab cakes boast a unique quality and flavor – featuring generous, colossal chunks of blue crab.
This mouthwatering treat is a delightful blend of fresh crab meat with a handful of simple ingredients. These flavorful ingredients are mixed well, shaped into small cakes, and then fried or baked to perfection. Unlike other variations, the ingredients used in the Maryland crab cake recipe bring blue crab meat’s unique taste and aroma into the spotlight.
Maryland crab cakes are often served atop salads or enjoyed as an entrée with sides like rice, veggies, sauces, etc. You will also find many sandwich and burger recipes with Maryland crab cake, or create your unique variation with tortillas, salsa, or even a zesty avocado cream sauce.
Wrapping Up
Maryland’s culinary treasures offer an abundance of mouthwatering treats that present a delightful fusion of flavors that arouse your senses and make the state’s rich cultural heritage come alive on your plate. Try out each of these recipes to take a culinary tour of Maryland and embark on a gastronomic journey that is as unforgettable as it is flavorful. To make your culinary experience even more exciting, try these signature dishes with a zesty twist or experiment with new seasoning. Bon appetit!
