Recipe Roundup

14 Big and Bright Texas Classics

From rich Tex-Mex platters to bold, smoky cuts of brisket, there's nothing small about Texas cuisine. Crack open a Shiner and try some of these big-flavor recipes to salute the Lone Star state.

By Tommy Werner

July 21, 2016

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
1/14
Breakfast Tacos with Homemade Chorizo, Crispy Potatoes, and Egg
Breakfast tacos > breakfast burritos. Filled with scrambled eggs, homemade(!) chorizo, and hash browns, these breakfast tacos should be a morning staple for anyone with a Texas-sized appetite.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
2/14
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
Found everywhere from roadside taco stands to the most beloved supermarket in the state, this creamy green sauce could practically be the state condiment. Not quite a salsa verde, it's actually jalapeños and oil blitzed into a creamy emulsion.
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Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
3/14
Texas Sheet Cake
At first glance, this Texas sheet cake looks pretty straightforward: a large, thin layer of tender chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and a sprinkling of toasted nuts. What makes it a star? You pour on the frosting while the cake is still hot, turning it into a gooey sauce that coats the whole cake.
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Photo by Charles Masters, Food styling by Sue Li
4/14
Our Favorite Texas Beef Chili
It's big, it's meaty, and it definitely does not have beans in it. This cowboy-style "bowl of red" is all about tender chunks of beef chuck and a five-chile-pepper purée.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
5/14
Skillet Chicken and Zucchini Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce
Skip the oven and cook these chicken and zucchini enchiladas in a stovetop skillet for a satisfying Texas-inspired dinner that comes together in less than half an hour.
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Photo by Nicole Franzen
6/14
Cornmeal Biscuits with Chorizo Gravy and Scallions
It is possible to have the best of both worlds: this brilliant brunch dish combines the creaminess of biscuits and buttermilk gravy with the punchy spice (and mountain of toppings) of loaded nachos.
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Photo by Marcus Nilsson
7/14
Skirt Steak Fajitas with Grilled Cabbage and Scallions
These steak fajitas—a Tex-Mex creation—get an upgrade with a grill-kissed cabbage and scallion slaw. To get the texture of the whole dish just right, pull the vegetables as they get mouth-meltingly tender.
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8/14
Ultimate Nachos
These nachos start with the three key bases: homemade pinto bean dip, sliced jalapeños, and a mound of grated cheddar. This simple yet solid foundation is delicious on its own and provides a great canvas for your favorite fresh toppings.
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Christopher Testani
9/14
Texas-Style Smoked Brisket
Forget about pork: in Texas barbecue is all about beef, specifically brisket. Recreate the Lone Star state's signature 'cue at home by cooking the brisket low and slow (like, for-12-hours-slow) to tenderize the connective tissue in the brisket, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture and plenty of smoky flavor.
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Photo by Romulo Yanes
10/14
Chilaquiles with Fried Eggs
This Mexican dish of tortilla chips smothered in chile sauce is just as good for dinner as it is for breakfast. You can definitely get away with using store-bought tortilla chips, but don't skimp on colorful and flavorful garnishes like fresh cilantro and thinly sliced radishes.
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Photo by Lennart Weibull.
11/14
Dry-Rubbed Flank Steak with Grilled Corn Salsa
To transform a flank steak into this Tex-Mex power main, give it a dry rub that includes brown sugar and ancho chile powder. Throw it on the grill and serve with a quick corn, tomato, and cilantro salsa.
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Photo by Romulo Yanes
12/14
Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan Pie
A layer of bittersweet chocolate adds richness to this classic Texas dessert while simultaneously balancing its sweetness.
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Photo by Elinor Carucci
13/14
Sweet Tea with Vodka and Lemonade
Combine tea, lemonade, and vodka for a boozy take on an Arnold Palmer. (Bonus points if you use a Texas-made vodka, like Tito's.)
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Romulo Yanes
14/14
Blueberry-Drop Biscuit Cobbler
Summer is cobbler season in Texas, when local fruit like blueberries and peaches are at their peak.
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Natural wine lover, amateur cartoonist, rock and roll trivia nerd, and usually found somewhere near creamy peanut butter. ... Read More

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