6 Food Dishes That Are Absolute Symbols of Montana

Montana is known for its vast and rugged great outdoors, including high peaks and expansive plains. The state offers bustling cities with a laidback vibe or remote country towns where neighbors are few and far between. Montana’s food culture reflects its character perfectly, from wild berries used in homemade pies to exotic burgers. Check out these six food dishes that are absolute symbols of Montana and learn why they are so well-loved in the state.

1. Elk and Bison Burgers

Along with some of the best steak in the country, Montana is also known for its other , like elk and bison. Restaurants around the state use ranches that raise bison and elk, which they specifically use to make juicy burgers. You may not give much credence to these grass-fed animals, but Montanans believe they are leaner, healthier, and more flavorful. If you’re craving a giant elk or bison burger, check out The Corral, a famous establishment in Gardiner, Montana, known for its exotic game burgers. Another spot to try is the Boulder Creek Lodge in Hall.

2. Huckleberry Pie

The huckleberry is a native wild fruit to the Northwest and a favorite among Montana residents. While huckleberries are in the blueberry family, they are not as domesticated. These hand-picked berries are popular in all their forms in the state, including syrups, jams, and especially pies. Huckleberries thrive in the region and they’re famous for their mild sweet, and tart flavor, which goes great in many recipes. If you’re looking for some of the best huckleberry pie in the world, visit the iconic Huckleberry Patch, located nine miles from the entrance.

3. Pasties

If you’ve ever wanted a pot pie in to-go form, then pasties are a must-try. This popular Montana food is a handheld pastry stuffed with meats and vegetables and often cooked over the fire, or at least it was during its oldest technique. The delicious and savory pasty was introduced to Montana by Irish Catholic Priests in the early 1800s when they created an easy and simple recipe for on-the-go eating and sustenance as they preached around the countryside. If you’re looking for a great pasty in Montana, you won’t have to look far. You can find this savory hand pie all over the state.

4. Pork Chop Sandwich

What’s better than a battered and deep-fried slab of pork loin sandwiched between slices of bread? Your arteries might protest, but your taste buds would be hard-pressed. You might argue that the pork chop sandwich is an American country delicacy, but Montanans have a deep love for this savory sandwich turned instant classic. When a man from Butte began selling this inventive sandwich to hungry miners, his creative twist on pork became an instant hit across the state. Not only can you find some of the best pork chop sandwiches in Butte but all over Montana.

5. Rocky Mountain Oysters

If you know that finding fresh oysters in the Rockies is about as impossible as finding fish in the sky, you’re probably wondering what exactly this dish contains, and if you’ve never heard of it then it’s nothing like what you’re thinking. Rocky Mountain oysters, or prairie oysters, are lightly breaded and deep-fried bull testicles. They can also be made from the testicles of bison, sheep, and pigs. This Western delicacy is said to taste similar to liver. One thing’s for certain: it doesn’t taste like chicken. If you dare, you can find this unpretentious food in many local spots around the state.

6. Flathead Cherry

Despite how it sounds, flathead cherries are not a variety of cherry trees. Flathead is actually a famous growing region around , where growers produce many cherry varieties, including Lapin, Rainier, Stella, Sweetheart, Lambert, and more. While cherries are not native to Montana, the state grows some of the best in the country due to the region’s perfect climate, featuring mild days and crisp nights. Not only are Flathead cherries perfect for snacking, but you can also use them in beverages, pies, cobblers, glazes, and cocktails. At diners and restaurants across the state, you can cherry pies right next to the huckleberry or take some fresh ones home and make your own recipes!

A Recap of the 6 Food Dishes That Are Absolute Symbols of Montana