The 50 Most Controversial Recipes in Every State

1. Alabama’s Controversial Recipe: Hot Chicken with White BBQ Sauce Instead of Traditional Red

Alabama’s twist on hot chicken replaces the classic red sauce with a tangy white BBQ sauce, sparking debate among purists who prefer the traditional preparation.

2. Alaska’s Controversial Recipe: Akutaq (Whale Blubber Ice Cream)

This traditional Alaskan dessert made with whale blubber raises eyebrows and ethical concerns among those unfamiliar with indigenous cuisine.

3. Arizona’s Controversial Recipe: Prickly Pear Margaritas with Sugar Rim Instead of Salt

Arizona’s unique take on margaritas swaps the salt rim for sugar, dividing opinion among cocktail enthusiasts.

4. Arkansas’s Controversial Recipe: Chocolate Gravy on Biscuits

This sweet twist on traditional gravy is a beloved Arkansas breakfast, but it confuses those expecting a savory meal.

5. California’s Controversial Recipe: Mission-Style Burritos with Rice Inside

The inclusion of rice in California’s Mission-style burritos is a point of contention for burrito purists who prefer a simpler filling.

6. Colorado’s Controversial Recipe: Rocky Mountain Oysters with Cocktail Sauce

These deep-fried bull testicles are a Colorado delicacy that often shock out-of-state visitors.

7. Connecticut’s Controversial Recipe: White Clam Pizza Without Mozzarella

Connecticut’s famous white clam pizza omits traditional mozzarella, sparking debate among pizza lovers.

8. Delaware’s Controversial Recipe: Scrapple Made with Turkey Instead of Pork

This healthier version of Delaware’s beloved scrapple divides opinion among traditionalists.

9. Florida’s Controversial Recipe: Key Lime Pie with Meringue Topping

The addition of meringue to Florida’s iconic Key Lime Pie is a contentious issue for dessert purists.

10. Georgia’s Controversial Recipe: Peanuts in Coca-Cola

This unusual Southern snack combination raises eyebrows among those unfamiliar with the tradition.

11. Hawaii’s Controversial Recipe: Spam Musubi with Teriyaki Sauce

Hawaii’s love for Spam in sushi form, especially with added teriyaki sauce, often surprises mainland visitors.

12. Idaho’s Controversial Recipe: Finger Steaks with Fry Sauce

These battered and fried beef strips served with fry sauce are an Idaho specialty that puzzles out-of-staters.

13. Illinois’s Controversial Recipe: Chicago-Style Pizza Cut in Squares

The square-cut Chicago-style deep-dish pizza continues to fuel debates about proper pizza slicing techniques.

14. Indiana’s Controversial Recipe: Sugar Cream Pie with Nutmeg

Indiana’s state pie, also known as “Hoosier Pie,” is sometimes criticized for its simplicity and overwhelming sweetness.

15. Iowa’s Controversial Recipe: Loose Meat Sandwich Without Cheese

Iowa’s signature sandwich, often served without cheese, confuses those expecting a traditional cheeseburger.

16. Kansas’s Controversial Recipe: Burnt Ends Served with Sauce

The addition of sauce to Kansas City’s famous burnt ends is a point of contention among BBQ enthusiasts.

17. Kentucky’s Controversial Recipe: Derby Pie with Walnuts Instead of Pecans

This variation on Kentucky’s classic Derby Pie sparks debate among traditionalists who prefer pecans.

18. Louisiana’s Controversial Recipe: Gumbo with Tomatoes

The inclusion of tomatoes in gumbo is a highly debated topic among Louisiana cuisine purists.

19. Maine’s Controversial Recipe: Lobster Rolls Served Warm with Butter

Maine’s warm, buttered lobster rolls challenge the cold, mayo-based versions popular in other regions.

20. Maryland’s Controversial Recipe: Crab Cakes with Breadcrumbs

The use of breadcrumbs in Maryland crab cakes is a contentious issue for those who prefer a purer crab flavor.

21. Massachusetts’s Controversial Recipe: Clear Clam Chowder

Massachusetts’ clear clam chowder challenges the creamy New England style, sparking regional debates.

22. Michigan’s Controversial Recipe: Coney Dogs with Ketchup

Adding ketchup to Michigan’s beloved Coney dogs is considered sacrilege by many locals.

23. Minnesota’s Controversial Recipe: Hotdish with Cream of Mushroom

The use of cream of mushroom soup in Minnesota’s hotdish divides opinion on this comfort food classic.

24. Mississippi’s Controversial Recipe: Comeback Sauce with Mayo Base

Mississippi’s comeback sauce, made with a mayo base, is sometimes criticized for its richness.

25. Missouri’s Controversial Recipe: St. Louis-Style Pizza with Provel Cheese

The use of Provel cheese on St. Louis-style pizza is a contentious issue for traditional pizza lovers.

26. Montana’s Controversial Recipe: Huckleberry Pie with Added Blueberries

The addition of blueberries to Montana’s huckleberry pie is frowned upon by huckleberry purists.

27. Nebraska’s Controversial Recipe: Runza with Swiss Cheese

Adding Swiss cheese to Nebraska’s traditional Runza sandwich sparks debate among locals.

28. Nevada’s Controversial Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail with Cocktail Sauce

Nevada’s casino-style shrimp cocktail with a generous helping of cocktail sauce divides seafood enthusiasts.

29. New Hampshire’s Controversial Recipe: Boiled Dinner with Corned Turkey

New Hampshire’s twist on the classic boiled dinner using corned turkey instead of beef raises eyebrows.

30. New Jersey’s Controversial Recipe: Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll Debate

The ongoing debate over whether to call it Taylor Ham or Pork Roll continues to divide New Jersey residents.

31. New Mexico’s Controversial Recipe: Green Chile Stew with Beans

The addition of beans to New Mexico’s traditional green chile stew is a point of contention for some locals.

32. New York’s Controversial Recipe: Pizza Folded in Half

The practice of folding New York-style pizza slices in half sparks debates about proper pizza etiquette.

33. North Carolina’s Controversial Recipe: Vinegar-Based BBQ Sauce

North Carolina’s tangy, vinegar-based BBQ sauce divides opinion among BBQ enthusiasts nationwide.

34. North Dakota’s Controversial Recipe: Knoephla Soup with Potatoes

The inclusion of potatoes in North Dakota’s traditional knoephla soup is debated among purists.

35. Ohio’s Controversial Recipe: Cincinnati Chili on Spaghetti

Ohio’s unique Cincinnati chili served over spaghetti confuses and divides those unfamiliar with the dish.

36. Oklahoma’s Controversial Recipe: Fried Onion Burgers with Mustard

The addition of mustard to Oklahoma’s famous fried onion burgers is a point of contention for some burger lovers.

37. Oregon’s Controversial Recipe: Marionberry Pie with Lattice Top

The use of a lattice top on Oregon’s beloved marionberry pie divides opinion among pie enthusiasts.

38. Pennsylvania’s Controversial Recipe: Cheesesteaks with Provolone

The choice of provolone over Cheez Whiz on Philadelphia cheesesteaks sparks heated debates.

39. Rhode Island’s Controversial Recipe: Coffee Milk with Chocolate

Adding chocolate to Rhode Island’s traditional coffee milk is considered sacrilege by some locals.

40. South Carolina’s Controversial Recipe: Mustard-Based BBQ Sauce

South Carolina’s distinctive mustard-based BBQ sauce divides opinion among BBQ aficionados.

41. South Dakota’s Controversial Recipe: Chislic Made with Lamb

The use of lamb instead of beef in South Dakota’s chislic (cubed meat) dish sparks debate among locals.

42. Tennessee’s Controversial Recipe: Memphis Dry Rub Ribs

Memphis-style dry rub ribs challenge the notion that BBQ ribs need to be slathered in sauce.

43. Texas’s Controversial Recipe: Bean-Free Chili

Texas-style chili without beans is a contentious issue for those who believe beans are essential to chili.

44. Utah’s Controversial Recipe: Fry Sauce with Mayo Base

Utah’s beloved fry sauce, made with a mayo base, puzzles out-of-staters and divides condiment enthusiasts.

45. Vermont’s Controversial Recipe: Sugar on Snow with Dill Pickles

Vermont’s traditional sugar on snow served with dill pickles raises eyebrows among those unfamiliar with the combination.

46. Virginia’s Controversial Recipe: Country Ham Biscuits with Mustard

The addition of mustard to Virginia’s classic country ham biscuits is debated among traditionalists.

47. Washington’s Controversial Recipe: Teriyaki with Pineapple

Adding pineapple to Washington’s popular teriyaki dishes sparks debate among teriyaki purists.

48. West Virginia’s Controversial Recipe: Pepperoni Rolls with Cheese

The inclusion of cheese in West Virginia’s iconic pepperoni rolls divides opinion among locals.

49. Wisconsin’s Controversial Recipe: Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

Wisconsin’s preference for brandy in Old Fashioneds, especially sweet versions, puzzles traditional cocktail enthusiasts.

50. Wyoming’s Controversial Recipe: Rocky Mountain Oysters with Ranch

Serving Wyoming’s Rocky Mountain Oysters (bull testicles) with ranch dressing raises eyebrows among culinary purists.

These controversial recipes showcase the diverse and sometimes divisive nature of American cuisine. While they may spark debates and raise eyebrows, they also highlight the unique culinary traditions that make each state special. Whether you’re a fan of these unconventional dishes or prefer more traditional fare, there’s no denying that America’s food landscape is as varied and interesting as the country itself.