Did you know that Japanese food is now liked by 74% of Americans? Which is more than Thai, French, Greek, German and Caribbean! Can you guess, which one tops the Chart? It’s not Chinese or Mexican or Spanish!
A fresh new research (Taste of America: Unpacking America’s Food Preferences) by limitlesscooking.com reveals not just the most popular dishes but also gives an insightful glimpse into gender and age group preferences.
The study primarily relies on the data collected from YouGov, an international research data and analytics group. The survey examined the responses of approximately 1,500 people selected from the organization’s research panel.
đź“ťKey Findings of the Study:
- Italian food is the most liked among Americans with a preference rate of 88%.
- Mashed potatoes top the list with a whopping 85% popularity.
- Gen X adores mashed potatoes, with a favorability rate of 87%.
- Women’s preference for corn on the cob and French fries is 5% and 6% higher than men, respectively.
- Surprisingly, foods associated with grilling or sporting events, seem to be liked less by women than men.
👇Here’s the Full Breakdown of the Research:
The Top 20 American Dishes By Popularity
1. Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes are the most popular food among Americans. Having an 85% popularity rate, it surpasses even hamburgers and cheeseburgers in favorability.
2. Hamburgers: Having originated in the United States, Hamburgers have become an iconic American staple and are now the second most popular food, with an 84% popularity score.
3. Cheeseburgers: Cheeseburgers and hamburgers share the same popularity score of 84%. These classic American dishes, dating back to around 1924, remain a common choice for lunch or dinner.
4. Grilled Cheese: Grilled cheese sandwiches are a convenient and straightforward meal, consisting of buttered bread fried with cheese in between, and they have an 83% popularity score among Americans.
5. Steak and Baked Potatoes: A classic American dish, that maintains its popularity, with 83% of respondents having a favorable impression of this hearty meal.
6. French Fries: French fries are immensely popular, with an 82% favorability score. Their popularity is celebrated with National French Fry Day on July 13.
7. Fried Chicken: Fried food, including various types of fried chicken, is highly popular in America. It has a widespread preference level of 82%, matching that of French fries.
8. Corn on the Cob: A beloved side dish that is often paired with various American meals, achieves a favorable score of 81%. It secures a place in the top 10 dishes as its popularity surpasses that of other favorites like hash browns and apple pies.
9. Hash Browns: Hash browns, a breakfast staple made from finely chopped and fried potatoes, are a favorite among Americans, earning an 81% favorability score. They are even served on the breakfast menu at McDonald’s, reflecting their widespread popularity.
10. Southern Style Fried Chicken: While it’s slightly less popular than traditional fried chicken, it still enjoys a favorable score of 79%. Its popularity has been on the rise with the expansion of fast-food chains like Popeyes and Joellas offering this classic dish.
**Please follow the original study link for the list of the 20 most popular American dishes
Baby Boomers Like BBQ Ribs 13% More Than Millenials!!
Different age groups have varying preferences when it comes to food. Younger individuals tend to favor fried and fast foods, while older adults lean towards healthier options.
Baby boomers have a more positive perception of foods like apple pie, BBQ ribs, and roast beef compared to millennials, with respective preference percentages of 12%, 13%, and 11%.
On the other hand, they are less enthusiastic about tater tots and hot dogs, with a 6% and 1% lower preference compared to millennials.
Millennials tend to highly favor mashed potatoes, hamburgers, and French fries, while Generation X prefers mashed potatoes, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers with even higher scores. Their least popular choices are Philly cheesesteaks, sloppy joes, and hot dogs.
Women Find Some Food More Delightful Than Men!
Males and females have different tastes in food. Hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen can influence what men or women like to eat and their cravings for foods.
According to our research, women like French fries approximately 6% more than men. They also like corn on the cob approximately 5% more than men. Both grilled cheese and mashed potatoes are favored by women 4% more than by men.
The most pointed differences are when it comes to “cookout” foods such as hot dogs (-9%), Philly cheesesteak sandwiches (-8%), roast beef (-6%), and BBQ ribs (-5%). Those foods, which are often associated with grilling or sporting events, seem to be liked less by women than men.
International Dishes that Americans Like The Most and The Least!
Americans often eat American foods, but they have some preferences when it comes to international dishes as well.
10 International Foods Americans Like Most:
There are 10 types of international cuisine that most Americans have tried and enjoyed. They include the following in order of popularity.
10 International Foods Americans Like Least:
Americans also have international cuisines that they often do not like. These dishes may taste unusual or not suit their palates — or they could simply be unfamiliar.
The least preferred cuisine options include (from most popular to least popular):
International Cuisines Most Americans Have Not Tried
The chart shown here suggests that Caribbean, Vietnamese, and Brazilian cuisines are likely to be well-received by Americans who haven’t tried them before. Among those surveyed, 68% of Americans liked Caribbean dishes, making them the most popular. Vietnamese food was favored by 59% of respondents, while Brazilian cuisine was liked by 55%.
