Famous South Dakota Recipes include hot beef sandwiches, Indian tacos, kolaches, lefse, rhubarb pie, kuchen, and pasties. These popular recipes will remind you of the best part of being in South Dakota.
Check out our 50 states unit study for some fun states info!

Don’t forget to check out this South Dakota Unit Study as well to learn more about fun state facts and history.
South Dakota is known for Mt Rushmore, the Black Hills, the notorious train robber, Calamity Jane, Native American reservations, and fields of buffalo.
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 South Dakota.
Hot Beef Sandwich
This tasty open-faced sandwich is made with a slice of toasted bread on a plate, slow-cooked and shredded beef on top, and savory gravy.
- Slow Cooker Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches
- Instant Pot Hot Beef Sandwich and Mashed Potatoes
- Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with Gravy
Indian Tacos
Fry bread is topped with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cheddar. These are perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Indian Tacos with Indian Fry Bread
- Navajo Tacos (Indian Fry Bread)
- Indian Taco Recipe on Navajo Fry Bread
Kolache
These round pastries are made with sweetened yeast dough and filled with fresh fruit. They are a delicious snack, dessert, or breakfast.
Lefse
These traditional Norweigan potato bread are thin and look like tortillas. They are topped with butter, sugar, cinnamon, or fruit.
Rhubarb Pie
Rhubarb is a vegetable that can’t be eaten raw and has a tart flavor. It’s delicious with other, sweeter fruit and baked in pies and is a famous South Dakota recipe.
Kuchen
Kuchen means “cake” in German. This dessert is made with various fruits, brown sugar, butter, and flour.
Pasties
This famous British dish is made by filling pastry dough with cubed beef, potatoes, rutabaga, and onions and then baked until golden brown.
Fry Bread
This bread is a traditional Native American dish made by frying pieces of flat dough. The result is a savory and chewy bread that can be topped with meat or vegetables.
Fish and Chips
Fried strips of flaky white cod or walleye fish are served with thick-cut french fries. This famous British dish is popular all over South Dakota.
Bierocks
These German rolls are made with dough stuffed with ground beef and cabbage and then baked into little balls. They are a delicious appetizer or handheld dinner.
- Bierocks (German Stuffed Rolls)
- My Grandma’s Super Easy Recipe for Bierocks
- Bierocks (German Beef and Cabbage Stuffed Rolls)
