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18 Hearty and Fascinating Foods to Try in Virginia

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Be it camping under the stars in the vast, green forests or enjoying some downtime at Virginia Beach, these delicious foods to try in Virginia are full of heart, packed with flavor, and showcase everything that is wonderful about this fun and beautiful state.

Foods to Try in Virginia

Appetizers and Sides 

1 – Peanut Soup

Peanut soup
bonchan/Shutterstock

If you’re a peanut lover, chances are that you’ve heard of Virginia peanuts. Even though Georgia produces far more peanuts than Virginia these days, Virginia peanuts are still widely renowned for their size and crunch, making them an ideal snack food.

Peanut soup turns Virginia’s snack into a gourmet appetizer, combing them with limes, onion, and chicken stock in a rich cream-based soup. You can enjoy it hot or cold, making it ideal for any time of the year!

2 – Oysters

Oysters and lemon slices
Fresh oysters, Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock

Would you believe that Virginia boasts eight different regional varieties of oysters, each with its own flavor and finish? If you’re an oyster lover, Virginia is the perfect place to visit because of its access to both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Where oysters come from on the bay results in a different flavor, as different regions can produce salty, briny, creamy, and sweet notes.

The best advice is to try a few different varieties of Virginia oysters and see which flavors really excite your palate. From the balanced, savory Upper Bay Eastern Shore to the salty notes and sweet finish of a Lower Bay Western Shore oyster, you really can’t go wrong.

3 – Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese, veggies, and crackers
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Venture into the southern parts of Virginia down the I-95 corridor, and you’ll find the pimento cheese that’s truly a staple of Virginia’s history as a southern state. Pimento cheese is popular because it’s easy and quick to make, and the flavors are always on point.

Cheddar cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and a bit of Worcestershire sauce make for an easy sandwich or a great appetizer on its own. Everyone in the South has a recipe, and you’ll find some of the best in Virginia.

Related: 22 Satisfyingly Scrumptious Foods to Try in Georgia, USA

4 – Brunswick Stew

brunswick stew
ashleymitchell/Shutterstock

Brunswick stew is definitely a southern creation, but which state is actually responsible for it is up for debate. Virginians claim that real Brunswick stew comes from Brunswick County in the southeastern part of the state, and they put their own touch on it by including chicken and rabbit, sticking to the tradition of using small game in the stew whenever possible.

When you taste Brunswick stew in Virginia, you’ll notice strong tomato flavors from the thick base of the soup. It’s not quite a soup, not quite a chili, but it’s a great stew and a classic piece of Virginia history.

5 – Cornbread

cornbread in cast iron skillet
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Few things go better with barbecue and sides than cornbread, and you’ll find some of the best in Virginia. Corn is Virginia’s second-most valuable crop, and most of the corn in the state is used for grain and flour, making it ideal for turning into cornbread. 

Cornbread makes an excellent side because there are so many ways you can go with it. You can opt for savory flavors by hitting it with a dab of butter, or make it sweeter with a bit of honey. It’s even delicious without adding any toppings!

6 – Deviled Eggs

deviled eggs
Martha Graham/Shutterstock

Deviled eggs are one of the quintessential foods at any Southern event, and Virginia is no exception. In fact, deviled eggs might be more Virginia than ever, because the Sauer Company of Richmond now owns Duke’s Mayonnaise.

Any southerner knows that Duke’s is the ideal mayonnaise for deviled eggs because there’s no sugar involved, and a little Sauer’s mustard ensures that your eggs are made with purely Virginia ingredients. Add a bit of paprika, and you’re good to go!

Entrees

7 – Smithfield Country Ham

If you’re in the eastern part of Virginia, you really can’t leave without trying a Smithfield country ham. Ham was one of the first exports from the Americas to Great Britain during colonial times, and the town of Smithfield has become synonymous with real Virginia country ham. In fact, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed a law in 1926 that says that only a ham cured in Smithfield can carry the Smithfield name.

What does a Smithfield country ham taste like? It’s smokier and saltier than over-the-counter deli ham, tasting more like prosciutto. It’s a breakfast staple across eastern Virginia, and definitely a must-try when in the state!

8 – Barbecue Sandwich

barbecue sandwich with pickle on top
Louno Morose/Shutterstock

When most people think of Southern barbecue, they tend to think of Carolina pulled pork or Georgia’s mustard-based barbecue sauce. But as the first southern colony, Virginia can also lay claim to being where Southern barbecue first came to be. 

Given that it dates back 400 years, real Virginia barbecue isn’t fancy, and it doesn’t need to be. Vinegar, salt, pepper, and perhaps a couple of other herbs and spices bring out the flavor of the meat — and remember, if it’s not cooked low and slow over real hardwood, it’s not real Virginia barbecue.

9 – Ham Biscuit

ham biscuit
ButtermilkgirlVirginia/Shutterstock

The salty flavor of Smithfield country ham can be an acquired taste, and the best way to balance it out is by pairing it with a fluffy, buttery buttermilk biscuit. You won’t find ham biscuits on most menus outside of the Southeast, but when you come to Virginia, you’ll need to grab one of these for breakfast one morning.

Many native Virginians add a little butter or jam to add a bit of sweetness to the savory ham and biscuit, while others believe it’s a delicious combination as it is. Either way, breakfast doesn’t get more Virginia than this!

10 – Trout

fresh trout
Presslab/Shutterstock

Trout fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the western parts of Virginia, as the rockier terrain and higher elevation of the Ridge and Valley Region make it an ideal place for trout to thrive.

Brook trout are a native species to Virginia, and you’ll find them along with rainbow trout on menus near the rivers of the Commonwealth. Whether it’s cold-smoked or cooked to perfection, freshly caught trout is a true Virginia delicacy.

11 – Beef

grilling steaks
Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

There’s a reason that Virginia was the birthplace of American barbecue: it’s because beef is just as common as pork in the Commonwealth. Virginia produces almost 700,000 cows per year, making beef the second-largest commodity in the Old Dominion State. 

One reason that Virginia cows yield high-quality beef is that much of their feed is grown in Virginia. The state produces plenty of corn and soybeans that are grown for grain, making it easy for farmers to keep their cattle well-fed. The result is fresh, juicy steak on your plate when you dine on beef in Virginia!

12 – Soft Shell Crab

soft shell crab
Ideaunlock/Shutterstock

Soft-shell crab isn’t always easy to find as it’s a seasonal item caused by crabs molting their shells and starting to grow a new one. These crabs are cooked and eaten whole after being brought in from the Chesapeake Bay, and the new shell yields a pleasant crunch along with the sweet flavors of crab meat.

If you’ve never had a fresh soft-shell crab pulled right out of the Chesapeake, you really don’t know what you’re missing, especially if you visit during the summer.

13 – Sailor Sandwich

Order this anywhere but Richmond, and you’ll be lucky if anyone knows what you’re talking about. But in Virginia’s capital city, a sailor sandwich is known as pastrami, knockwurst, Swiss cheese, and deli mustard on rye bread.

It dates back to 1943, when members of the University of Richmond’s Naval program would come to New York Deli and order these ingredients for this sandwich. 

It proved so popular that the Deli added it to the menu, and it’s now a favorite around Richmond. With fresh meat produced in the Commonwealth, it’s little wonder that the sailor sandwich is one of the freshest and most tastiest lunch options available!

14 – Macaroni and Cheese

baked mac and cheese
Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

Thomas Jefferson might not be the father of macaroni and cheese as some historical sources claim, but it’s hard to argue anyone doing more to promote this comfort food than the father of the University of Virginia.

Jefferson first became enamored with macaroni during his visits to Europe, and when he became president, he began ordering macaroni shipped to the White House.

Back then, Jefferson’s macaroni didn’t include cheese. These days, cheddar is the most common addition to tie everything together and create a perfectly sharp, cheesy bite in every bit. It’s a combination of stepping into Virginia’s history as well as embracing modern tastes!

Desserts and Drinks

15 – Apple Butter

apple butter
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Most people know Washington state for its apples, but in Virginia, the town of Winchester is well known for its apples. The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most beautiful apple orchards in Virginia, and Winchester has earned the nickname of the Apple Capital of the World because of its yearly production and its Apple Blossom Festival.

Apple butter makes the most of Winchester’s apples, as it’s made locally and tastes fantastic as a topping for breads and baked goods. You can even pair it with a ham biscuit for something that’s truly Virginia!

16 – Peanut Pie

peanut pie
Maryna Kovalchuk/Shutterstock

If you’re thinking peanut butter pie when you consider this Virginia delicacy, think again. This is a lot closer to pecan pie than it is to peanut butter pie. This, without a doubt, is a good thing, because this pie uses plumper Virginia peanuts that provide the crunch and taste that you can only get from properly grown Virginia peanuts.

This combination of sweet and salty is much like the peanuts themselves, and it represents the perfect way to finish off a meal in Virginia. Brown sugar and corn syrup really help the peanuts stand out in the pie and create the ideal mix of flavors that make this such a memorable dessert in the Old Dominion State.

17 – Wine

Wine isn’t the first thing that most people think of when they come to Virginia, but that’s starting to change. Virginia ranks sixth in grape production in the United States, and it’s now home to more than 300 wineries across the state.

If you’re familiar with the Petit Manseng white wine, you’ll want to come to Virginia, as it’s one of only two places where it grows worldwide.

Other wines made in Virginia include the Petit Verdot and the Chardonnay, the latter of which is Virginia’s most commonly grown grape. If you’ve never tried wine in Virginia, there’s never been a better time.

18 – Pawpaw

pawpaw
Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

The seeds can make pawpaw fruits rather difficult to enjoy. But the taste and texture are well worth the efforts, as pawpaw resembles a creamy, custardy banana with a taste to match.

Pawpaw can be found growing in the coastal and Piedmont areas of the state, and where you find one, you’ll probably find another one soon after.

They’re delicious on their own, but if you really know what you’re doing with them, you can turn them into bread just like you would with bananas. Spread some apple butter on that for a real treat!

Foods to Try in Virginia Summary

Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that few people think of cuisine and foods when they visit Virginia, compared to many other US states.

But as my rundown shows, Virginia has so much to offer when it comes to food, bringing the freshest ingredients from the state into the kitchen, and taking a cuisine built on centuries-old routes to new and exciting places.

When you visit, I urge you to seek out and try as many of these foods as possible. These wonderful dishes have been fuelling, delighting, and bringing together Virginians for centuries, and continue to do so to this day.

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18 Hearty and Fascinating Foods to Try in Virginia

Contributor: Dan Angell is a freelance editor and writer, and proud Virginian, keen to share more about his home state through his writing.