Famous North Carolina Recipes

Famous North Carolina recipes include Lexington-style barbeque, she-crab bisque, peach cobbler, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes. These popular recipes will remind you of the best part of being in North Carolina.

Check out our 50 states unit study for some fun states info!

feature North Carolina pin with four images

Don’t forget to check out this North Carolina Unit Study to learn more about fun state facts and history.

North Carolina is a northeastern state on the coast of the Atlantic ocean. It’s known as the “Tar Heel State,” where the Wright brothers completed their first flight, and Pepsi-Cola was created.

These ten food categories include three recipes from notable professional chefs and home chefs, with the recipe testing and dish development done for you. All you need to do is enjoy the wonderful combinations that make these dishes uniquely North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Lexington-Style Barbecue Sauce

This tangy sauce is made with apple cider vinegar and is used to coat slow-roasted pork, which is served on rolls as sandwiches.

She-Crab Bisque

This soup is creamy and made with onions, lump crab, carrots, celery, rice, heavy cream, seasonings, and sherry. The crab is sourced right from the ocean the same day.

Peach Cobbler

Fresh, ripe peaches make this popular dessert topped with dough balls and baked. It’s best served with vanilla ice cream.

Shrimp and Grits

This Southern dish is spicy and creamy. The cheesy grits are topped with shrimp made in a sauce with bacon, green peppers, garlic, and onions. It’s a famous North Carolina recipe.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Underripe tomatoes are sliced, tossed in breading, and fried. This is a fun, and tasty appetizer served all over the south.

Biscuits and Gravy

Warm biscuits cut in half are served with creamy sausage gravy. This breakfast dish is savory and sometimes topped with a fried egg.

Pimento Cheese Spread

This famous dip is made with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimento peppers, seasonings, and jalapenos. You can spread it over crackers or dip fresh veggies.

Fried Catfish

Fried catfish is a classic Southern meal served with a lemon wedge, coleslaw, and french fries.

Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy cheese sauce poured over elbow macaroni pasta is a staple in households all over North Carolina, and it’s also topped with bacon, pulled pork, green onions, or bread crumbs.