Butter in its purest form is a soft yellow emulsion of butterfat, water, and air churned from high-quality cream for the purpose of making your food taste delicious. Each state has its own unique way of employing the creamy yellow stuff to maximum flavor in its signature dishes. Here we give you the top uses for butter by state.
1. Alabama – Cheese Grits
If you’re not from the South and have never tried this traditional Southern fare, any Alabamian will be thrilled to whip some up for you.
2. Alaska – Salmon
Steam it, glaze it, rub it, pan roast it… This fish is versatile and made better with butter.
3. Arizona – Cheese Crisps
A little butter and a little cheese are all you need a top a tortilla for this Tuscon favorite. Throw it in the oven, watch that cheese melt, and enjoy.
4. Arkansas – Possum-Pie
Luscious chocolate pie. That’s all we need to know.
5. California – Bulletproof Coffee
“The New Power Drink of Silicon Valley.” This drink is created from MCT oil, grass-fed butter, and coffee and it is said to give drinkers a ‘mental edge’ and satiate hunger for hours. It’s also delicious.
6. Colorado – Bison
This meat is low cholesterol with as many Omega-3s per serving as salmon and tastes even more delicious with a dab of butter.
7. Connecticut – Pumpkin Pie
A fall favorite around the country, and especially true in the Consitution State.
8. Delaware – Chicken
Delaware loves chicken. They have the chicken farms and festivals to prove it, and there’s no way better to prep your favorite bird than with a little butter.
9. Florida – Cuban Sandwich
The Sunshine State has South Florida’s Cuban influence to thank for this staple. which is mostly characterized by its blend of pork, ham, mustard, and cheese. To get the best-grilled sandwich with optimal flavor, professional and at-home chefs use butter in the frying pan.
10. Georgia – Peach Cobbler
Peach season down South calls for the cobbler of all cobblers. Bring on the butter and stone fruit.
11. Hawaii – Malasadas
These Portuguese confections made of egg-sized balls of yeast dough are deep-fried in oil and packed with butter. This is considered to be their doughnut. Akamai.
12. Idaho – Mashed Potatoes
Did you know that only potatoes grown in Idaho can be called Idaho® potatoes? Butter helps to create the greatest mashed potatoes ever, and no doubt the Idahoans can make a mean mashed potato.
13. Illinois – Popcorn
This kernelly treat is designated the state snack of Illinois. Popcorn and butter go together like cheese and wine.
14. Indiana – Sugar Cream Pie
The Hoosiers don’t play when it comes to pie.
15. Iowa – Pork Tenderloin
Iowans know pork, and what’s pork without some butter?
16. Kansas – On a slice of bread
There is nothing more satisfying than a good piece of bread slathered in butter.
17. Kentucky – Derby Pie
Chocolate, walnuts, and Kentucky bourbon. The Holy Trinity of exquisite Southern pie.
18. Louisiana – Crawfish
This freshwater shellfish is a Louisiana delicacy and most decadent with butter.
19. Maine – Lobster
The sweetest, most flavorful lobster on Earth comes from Maine, and made better with butter.
20. Maryland – Blue Crab
What’s not to love about a crab whose Latin name means “beautiful swimmer?” This delicate and sweet shellfish is designated the State Crustacean of Maryland and it is tasty, especially with the creamy yellow stuff.
21. Massachusetts – Fried Clams
Fried clams are to New England what barbecue is in the South. Can’t have fried clams without the butter.
22. Michigan – Cherry Pie
Don’t forget to use sour cherries.
23. Minnesota – Lefse
This traditional soft Norwegian flatbread is best enjoyed with butter and sugar.
24. Mississippi – Biscuits and Gravy
Can’t have a biscuit without the butter. Southern rule.
25. Missouri – Gooey Butter Cake
Chewy crust is covered in a combination of sugar, butter, and eggs to create this warm and gooey delight.
26. Montana – Huckleberry Pie
Add some lemon zest, if you’ve got it.
27. Nebraska – Runza
Imagine a yeast dough bread pocket filled with beef, onions, cabbage, and seasonings. Oh, yea.
28. Nevada – Buffalo Chicken Wings
The Silver State loves a good chicken wing cooked in butter.
29. New Hampshire – Cider Doughnuts
Hot and delicious.
30. New Jersey – Cheese Fries
Jerseyans love their cheese fries. Truthfully, who doesn’t?
31. New Mexico – Green Chile Butter Chicken
The official New Mexico state question is “Red or Green?” For the purposes of this dish, the answer is “green.”
32. New York – Avocado Toast
This toasty phenomenon is buttered for maximum flavor.
33. North Carolina – Pound Cake
The little black dress of desserts.
34. North Dakota – Seven Layer Bars
Paired perfectly with a coffee.
35. Ohio – Pierogi
You can enjoy these Polish treats as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. Talk about versatility.
36. Oklahoma – Cornbread
Have you ever had fresh butter atop warm cornbread? They call it heaven on earth.
37. Oregon – Marionberry Pie
An ideal summertime dessert, and arguably the best pie ever.
38. Pennsylvania – Shoo-Fly Pie
Called “Melassich Riwwelboi” by the Dutch and “delicious” by the rest of us. Best enjoyed with black coffee.
39. Rhode Island – Johnnycake
Cornmeal pancakes that are crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and covered in butter.
40. South Carolina – Shrimp and Grits
Traditional in the Lowcountry and served at any meal. The definition of “classic.”
41. South Dakota – Kuchen
South Dakota’s official state dessert and roughly translates from German as “cake.” Typically contains a fruit or custard filling, and butter of course.
42. Tennessee – Hot Chicken
The two key ingredients for the spice paste are lard and cayenne pepper. Just add butter, and you can imagine the flavor.
43. Texas – Texas Toast
This stuff is sliced at double the average sliced bread thickness and covered in butter and garlic for maximum taste.
44. Utah – Deep-fried Scones
Cover these bad boys with honey butter and enjoy for breakfast.
45. Vermont – Pancakes with Maple Syrup
Vermont Maple Syrup and butter: a match made in pancake heaven.
46. Virginia – Apple Pie
Best when packed to the brim of your flaky crust with spiced apples.
47. Washington – Dungeness Crab
Sweet, tender, and delicious. Best with a simple garlic clarified butter dipping sauce.
48. West Virginia – Pepperoni Roll
These rolls started as a lunch option for the coal miners of north-central West Virginia and are now regarded as West Virginia’s unofficial state snack.
49. Wisconsin – Butter Burger
Butter and beef: Flavor City.
50. Wyoming – Steak
We know nothing goes better with a steak than a dab of butter.
Want more fun butter facts? Go here.