Our Best Recipes from West Virginia (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

Our Best Recipes from West Virginia (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022

    We found the best recipes from West Virginia—all submitted by local home cooks. From a savory shepherd's pie to fluffy apple cake, these recipes let you travel to the wild and wonderful West Virginia without leaving your kitchen.

    1/28

    Taste of Home

    Turkey White Chili

    Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch area, I was surrounded by excellent cooks and wonderful foods. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes like this change-of-pace chili. —Kaye Whiteman, Charleston, West Virginia

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    2/28

    Aunt Lou's Fresh Apple Cake

    My Great-Aunt Lou made a luscious fresh apple cake recipe that became a family tradition. My mom makes it for our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia

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    3/28

    Taste of Home

    Creamed Green Beans

    A family favorite for years, this special green bean recipe is a cinch to double and can be assembled ahead of time. When my nephews are coming for dinner, it’s an absolute must! —Betty Shaw, Weirton, West Virginia

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    4/28

    Taste of Home

    Saucy Skillet Lasagna

    Thanks to no-cook noodles, this skillet lasagna makes a fresh, filling, flavorful and fast entree for any Italian meal. —Meghan Crihfield, Ripley, West Virginia

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    5/28

    Taste of Home

    Glazed Cranberry Biscuits

    My family likes biscuits for breakfast. One Sunday, I decided to make those golden goodies extra special by adding white chips, dried cranberries and a simple orange glaze. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

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    6/28

    Taste of Home

    Seasoned Fries

    These fries are always popular with my meat-and-potatoes bunch. The cheesy seasoning can easily double as a flavorful baked potato topper, too.—Maribeth Edwards, Follansbee, West Virginia

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    7/28

    Berry Granola Pancakes

    My son and I like to make this breakfast favorite together. You can leave the berries out of the mix and sprinkle them on top, or sub in chocolate chips or nuts instead. —Elizabeth Stewart, Crab Orchard, West Virginia

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    8/28

    Taste of Home

    Strawberry Shortcake Puffs

    When my wonderful friend Kelly brought me a pint of strawberries, I didn’t want to just eat them straight (tempting as it was). I decided to make strawberry shortcake with my own pretty, elegant spin. These light and airy puff pastry stacks let the fruit shine. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia

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    9/28

    Taste of Home

    West Virginia Shepherd's Pie

    Mashed parsnips and potatoes spread over a savory mixture of lamb and fresh herbs make this dish extra special. The recipe comes from the Scotch-Irish who put down roots in this area long ago. —Tina Price, Deep Water, West Virginia

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    10/28

    Apple Butter Cake Roll

    This is a new take on a pumpkin roll. Her spicy gingerbread cake might make you think back fondly to Christmas at Grandma's! —Debbie White, Williamson, West Virginia

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    11/28

    Eggs Florentine Casserole

    For our Christmas brunch, I make this variation on a classic eggs Florentine recipe, adding sausage and spinach to make a snappy casserole. Sometimes I mix in fresh peppers or green chiles, so play with it. —Karen Weekley, Washington, West Virginia

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    12/28

    Upside-Down Apple Cake with Butterscotch Topping

    This cake is a favorite of mine. I love the smell of the apples and butterscotch as it is baking. It fills the house with a perfect autumn aroma. —Sabrina Haught, Spencer, West Virginia

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    13/28

    Taste of Home

    Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

    Pair any entree with this fresh side dish for a truly succulent meal. With subtle garlic, melted butter and a hint of Parmesan cheese, what’s not to love? —Tara Ernspiker, Falling Waters, West Virginia

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    14/28

    Cranberry-Apple French Toast

    My husband's breakfast club at work raves about this make-ahead French toast. Pop it in the oven in the morning to get your day off to a sweet, bubbly start. —Mara Faulkner, Martinsburg, West Virginia

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    15/28

    Peanut Butter Cream Pie

    During the warm months, it's nice to have this fluffy, no-bake peanut butter pie that's a snap to make. Packed with flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

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    16/28

    Smothered Round Steak

    Try less expensive round steak and gravy served over egg noodles for a hearty meal. Meaty and chock full of veggies, this slow-cooker creation will take the worry out of what's-for-supper any weeknight. Kathy Garret - Camden, West Virginia

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    17/28

    Graham Streusel Coffee Cake

    I use this sweet coffee cake recipe often. It's quick and easy to make. —Blanche Whytsell, Arnoldsburg, West Virginia

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    18/28

    Lemonade Icebox Pie

    You will detect a definite lemonade flavor in this refreshing lemon icebox pie. High and fluffy, this dessert has a creamy smooth consistency that we really appreciate. It's the dessert that came to mind immediately when I put together my favorite summer meal. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia

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    19/28

    Taste of Home

    Skillet Chicken Stew

    It's been 20 years now since I adapted this from a recipe for beef stew. We like it so much that, in all that time, I have never changed any ingredients or amounts - unless it was to double them! Our home's on a river, and my husband, our three boys and I enjoy camping and boating. — Valerie Jordan, Kingmont, West Virginia

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    20/28

    Trail Mix Cookie Cups

    My granddaughter helped create these cookie cups for the first time by using ingredients from my pantry and fridge. We used trail mix to jazz them up. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia

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    21/28

    Amish Baked Oatmeal

    The first time I had this treat was at a bed-and-breakfast in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. To me, it tasted just like a big warm-from-the-oven oatmeal cookie! —Colleen Butler, Inwood, West Virginia

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    22/28

    I love Mexican-inspired food. I also enjoy experimenting with recipes like this one and making them healthier—and downright good! —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia

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    23/28

    Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake Tart

    I first made this irresistible dessert for some dinner guests. They were overwhelmed by it's rich flavor and appearance. My husband commented that it was the best dessert he had ever eaten in his whole life. —Heather Bennett, Dunbar, West Virginia

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    24/28

    25/28

    Thick Sugar Cookies

    This thick and cakelike sugar cookie is similar to those sold at bakeries. My children often request these for their birthdays and are always happy to help decorate them. —Heather Biedler, Martinsburg, West Virginia

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    26/28

    Taste of Home

    Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes

    When I added garlic to this recipe, I discovered it gave the potatoes a unique flavor. My greatest compliment came from a neighbor who's a retired chef—he said this is the best potato dish he'd ever tasted!—Leah Brandenburg, Charleston, West Virginia

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    27/28

    Taste of Home

    Magic Macaroons

    Peanut butter, candy corn and macaroons are three of my favorite things, so I combine them all to make one magical sweet that's perfect for Halloween. —Jeanette Nelson, Bridgeport, West Virginia

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    28/28

    Our local deli makes terrific roast beef sandwiches. This pinwheel appetizer re-creates the taste. My family says the pinwheels have so many flavors for such a little treat. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia

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    Originally Published: July 10, 2018

    Our Best Recipes from West Virginia (28)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    Our Best Recipes from West Virginia (2024)

    FAQs

    What is West Virginia's famous dish? ›

    According to wvtourism.com, the pepperoni roll was developed by an Italian baker around the year 1930 as an easy meal for coal miners to carry in their lunch boxes, and it still remains popular today. It is so popular that it is West Virginia's official state food.

    What food is native to West Virginia? ›

    West Virginia's signature foods are so amazing they have their own festivals built around them.
    • Pepperoni Rolls. ...
    • Maple Syrup. ...
    • Golden Delicious Apples. ...
    • Black Walnuts. ...
    • Strawberries. ...
    • Ramps. ...
    • Honey. ...
    • Molasses.
    Mar 1, 2022

    What fruit is West Virginia known for? ›

    Mullins developed the first golden delicious apple on his Clay County farm — today it is West Virginia's official fruit.

    What foods were invented in West Virginia? ›

    Born out of necessity, they're foods like ramps, salt rising bread, paw paws, pepperoni rolls, buckwheat cakes and so many other foods — foods as wonderful and simple as the people in the mountain kitchens where they originated.

    What dessert is WV known for? ›

    Shoofly Pie

    The sweet, sticky pie attracts flies that need to be shooed away. Molasses pie appears to be invented by the Pennsylvania Dutch, but since “molasses is a beloved ingredient throughout Appalachia,” it earned West Virginia's selection.

    What is Virginia's signature dish? ›

    Cured Country Ham

    What food is Virginia best known for? The official food of Virginia is cured country ham. Country ham is salt-cured for 1 to 3 months and usually hard-wood smoked with hickory or red oak. Country ham is one of the most popular menu items in Virginia.

    What is West Virginia best known for? ›

    The state's rolling mountains, hills and valleys earned it the nickname of the Mountain State, and it is well-known for its range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting.

    What is Virginia's official food? ›

    Virginia. The Old Dominion State is happy to be known for its cured country ham—the perfect addition to a breakfast plate full of eggs, biscuits and gravy, and grits. We're talking salty ham here; it's not for the faint of heart.

    What Indian tribe came from West Virginia? ›

    The historic tribes most closely associated with Western Virginia are the Shawnee, Delaware, and Cherokee, as well as Iroquoian-speaking groups including the Seneca, Tuscarawas, Susquehannock, and Mingo.

    What is a fun fact about West Virginia? ›

    West Virginia is called the Mountain State because it's the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountain region, and its average elevation is higher than any other state east of the Mississippi River!

    What is the state vegetable of West Virginia? ›

    Fun Farm Fact: West Virginia has a state fruit - the Golden Delicious Apple, but unlike some other states, we don't have a state vegetable.

    What is the food desert in West Virginia? ›

    West Virginia has the greatest rate of food insecurity in the country, affecting over 15% of the population (about 269,250 West Virginians). About 6% (107,700 West Virginians) have very low food security, where there are multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.

    What is the signature dish of West Virginia? ›

    Created in West Virginia by Italian immigrants needing a hearty, delicious and, most importantly, non-perishable lunch to take underground while working the coal mines, pepperoni rolls are now the state's official food.

    What is West Virginia's food specialty? ›

    Often served at dinner-on-the-grounds, homecomings, family reunions, and Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations, some favorite Mountain State foods include fried apple pies, pan-fried chicken, country-fried steak, chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, cheese grits, spoon bread, baked sweet potatoes, chow chow, ...

    What is wild food in West Virginia? ›

    Edible wild plants in West Virginia
    • Ramps. Though similar to wild onions or leeks, ramps have a more garlicy taste and are often collected when their green shoots grow out of the forest ground. ...
    • Pokeweed. ...
    • Mustard. ...
    • Dandelion. ...
    • Marsh Marigold. ...
    • Quickweed. ...
    • Plantain. ...
    • Fireweed.
    Apr 29, 2024

    What is West Virginia's famous family feud? ›

    The feud between the Hatfields and McCoys is perhaps the most famous family conflict in American history. At the center of the of the conflict were the two family patriarchs: William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield and Randolph McCoy.

    References

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