Michigan’s favorite foods celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage, fresh produce, and love for hearty, simple dishes and treats. From piping hot goulash to delightful bumpy cake, check out five recipes from Michigan households that we’ve truly made our own. These are famous dishes made right here in the Mitten!
While not all of these dishes are original in Michigan, they’re staples in households in Traverse City and beyond. For many of us, chili, goulash, and all things cherry are deeply connected to family traditions.
Michigan produces 275-300 million pounds of tart cherries annually, generating roughly 75% of the entire country’s crop. It’s no wonder you’ll find cherries in all kinds of recipes, including two recipes on this list.
Michigan cherry salads feature leafy greens, onions, blue cheese (goat cheese is also acceptable), and you’ll find them on nearly every menu in any Downtown TC restaurant. Don’t forget the candied walnuts!
Our favorite Michigan cherry salad recipe
Northern Michigan winters are notoriously beautiful, chilly, and long. There’s nothing like coming in from a day skiing, sledding, or snowmobiling and tucking into a big, hot bowl of Michigan chili. There are a lot of recipe variations, but Michiganders like a lot of beef, plenty of garlic, and a layer of melty, gooey cheddar.
You won’t find any fancy ingredients (you’ll probably have everything you need on hand) and it strikes a balance between healthy and hearty.
Try this Michigan chili recipe
Like chili? Then you’ll love goulash, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. You can make this goulash recipe healthy by choosing lean ground beef (or skipping it altogether), and leaning into the peppers, mushrooms, and other ingredients. We love this one with whole grain pasta, too!
Born in Detroit, Sanders’ bumpy cake is a staple in Southeast Michigan. Tourists from downstate have brought their bumpy cake appetite with them, and you’ll find Traverse City variations in many local bakeries.
Bumpy cake is the perfect mix of soft, sugary buttercream and rich, fudge-like chocolate, and this is our favorite bumpy cake recipe for when we want to make it at home!
Make your own Michigan bumpy cake
We do dessert right. Whenever you get your hands on Michigan cherries, pie is a must, and making your own crust is step one. Grand Traverse Pie Company, a Michigan-made business, has perfected the cherry pie, so we tried to recreate their recipe. Give it a shot to see if we got it right!
The ultimate Michigan cherry pie recipe
Memories are made around the dinner table, and Max’s Service offers a full range of kitchen appliances to make creating and entertaining easy. Shop the area’s best selection of ovens and ranges, dishwashers, and small appliances, all backed by exceptional customer service. Stop by our Downtown Traverse City showroom or start shopping from home by contacting our team today!
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