Wyomingites have some of the best cuisine in the nation, and we love to raise/shoot/catch what we eat. Wyoming has over 11,500 farms and ranches, and we’re first in the nation for their average size. From stream-caught trout to ranch-raised beef steak, you absolutely must eat these 11 dishes in Wyoming before you die.
- Bison Steak
Paige_eliz/flickr Bison is our official state animal, and we enjoy more than just its majestic stature…it’s darn tasty! Have a bison steak, burger, roast or eat it jerky-style. With many bison ranches around the state (and the ability to get a hunting permit to bag your own), you don’t have to go far to find this tasty meat.
- Chicken Fried Steak
Dave Hensley/flickr They call it “Cowboy cuisine.” We call it…plain old deliciousness. There’s really nothing like a chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Chili
laikalosse/flickr Wyoming is the number one producer of all dried beans, so it makes sense that we would make some excellent chili.
- Elk Burger
L.A.Foodie/flickr Wyomingites love wild game, period. Elk is particularly flavorful and delicious, so definitely try an elk burger, steak or roast.
- Cutthroat Trout
Alan Light/flickr Many rivers begin in Wyoming, and they’re great places to catch cutthroat trout. Catch your own, or find a restaurant that serves some up, and enjoy it breaded, grilled or fried.
- Fresh Jerky
Julie/flickr Jerky often comes up as the “signature food” of Wyoming, probably because of our cowboy heritage. Back in the days of the long cattle drives, cowboys lived on this stuff. Make your own or buy some from a local producer. You can get beef, elk, antelope and of course, bison jerky…in a variety of flavors.
- Fry Bread
Brandon/flickr Our state has a strong Native American heritage, and fry bread is just one of the things these first Wyoming residents taught us. Fry bread done right is soft, pillowy and the size of a dinner plate. It’s best served with honey butter.
- Rocky Mountain Oysters
Wally Gobetz/flickr They’re often an “I’ll double-dog dare you to eat that” kind of dish, but some people really do love them. In case you don’t know, “Rocky Mountain Oysters” are a euphemistic name for calf testicles. They’re breaded, deep-fried and offered up as an appetizer with sauce.
- Beef Steak
Daniel Go/flickr What state serves up the best steak? We vote for Wyoming (and those Texans can just shut up already). There’s really nothing like a thick, juicy ribeye steak.
- Chokecherries
Dan Wanek/flickr Much like Wyomingites, chokecherries are hearty - they can withstand cold, wind and hail storms. Try some chokecherry jam on a big, fluffy biscuit, or sip some chokecherry wine.
- Lamb
ulterior epicure/flickr The Shoshone who lived in the high mountain areas of Wyoming were known as “sheep eaters” because the staple of their diet was the plentiful bighorn sheep that roamed there. A modern version of this dish is domestic lamb, prepared in any number of ways. Wyoming is fourth in the nation for lamb production.
What’s your favorite Wyoming dish?
Paige_eliz/flickr
Bison is our official state animal, and we enjoy more than just its majestic stature…it’s darn tasty! Have a bison steak, burger, roast or eat it jerky-style. With many bison ranches around the state (and the ability to get a hunting permit to bag your own), you don’t have to go far to find this tasty meat.
Dave Hensley/flickr
They call it “Cowboy cuisine.” We call it…plain old deliciousness. There’s really nothing like a chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.
laikalosse/flickr
Wyoming is the number one producer of all dried beans, so it makes sense that we would make some excellent chili.
L.A.Foodie/flickr
Wyomingites love wild game, period. Elk is particularly flavorful and delicious, so definitely try an elk burger, steak or roast.
Alan Light/flickr
Many rivers begin in Wyoming, and they’re great places to catch cutthroat trout. Catch your own, or find a restaurant that serves some up, and enjoy it breaded, grilled or fried.
Julie/flickr
Jerky often comes up as the “signature food” of Wyoming, probably because of our cowboy heritage. Back in the days of the long cattle drives, cowboys lived on this stuff. Make your own or buy some from a local producer. You can get beef, elk, antelope and of course, bison jerky…in a variety of flavors.
Brandon/flickr
Our state has a strong Native American heritage, and fry bread is just one of the things these first Wyoming residents taught us. Fry bread done right is soft, pillowy and the size of a dinner plate. It’s best served with honey butter.
Wally Gobetz/flickr
They’re often an “I’ll double-dog dare you to eat that” kind of dish, but some people really do love them. In case you don’t know, “Rocky Mountain Oysters” are a euphemistic name for calf testicles. They’re breaded, deep-fried and offered up as an appetizer with sauce.
Daniel Go/flickr
What state serves up the best steak? We vote for Wyoming (and those Texans can just shut up already). There’s really nothing like a thick, juicy ribeye steak.
Dan Wanek/flickr
Much like Wyomingites, chokecherries are hearty - they can withstand cold, wind and hail storms. Try some chokecherry jam on a big, fluffy biscuit, or sip some chokecherry wine.
ulterior epicure/flickr
The Shoshone who lived in the high mountain areas of Wyoming were known as “sheep eaters” because the staple of their diet was the plentiful bighorn sheep that roamed there. A modern version of this dish is domestic lamb, prepared in any number of ways. Wyoming is fourth in the nation for lamb production.
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