Wyoming is known for beautiful landscapes, excellent outdoor recreation, and a prolific farming industry. It’s no surprise, then, that the most famous foods and dishes in the Cowboy State tend to be hearty and home-grown, perfect for fueling a day spent hiking, fishing, or cattle ranching.
Let’s look at the best foods and drinks in Wyoming, in no particular order:
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Don’t be fooled by the name– Rocky Mountain oysters aren’t some kind of high-altitude seafood. They’re calf testicles, and they belong to a category of food known as “cowboy fare.” Common in areas known for cattle ranching, Rocky Mountain oysters are often found at fairs and festivals.
For this dish, the testicles are skinned, breaded and seasoned, and deep-fried. Served with dipping sauce or gravy, they’re typically eaten as an appetizer before a larger meal. You can order Rocky Mountain oysters at several diners in Wyoming, such as the Bunkhouse Bar & Grill in Cheyenne and the Proud Saloon in Cody.
Elk Burgers
While bison is the state mammal and buffalo burgers are abundant, many Wyomingites prefer elk meat. Very lean but more tender than venison, elk meat is said to taste like a cross between beef and venison.
A popular animal to sport hunt in the state, with the season running for approximately 4.5 months (depending on the region), many outdoor aficionados hunt and save the meat for meals all year long. However, those who would rather not hunt down their own food have plenty of options. Some companies even sell elk meat in bulk.
Visitors just looking to try the dish can find elk in the form of burgers, meatloaf, and chops at restaurants serving American cuisine, such as The Mangy Moose in Teton Village. The big game meat is more expensive than beef, so be prepared for a pricier meal.
Fry Bread
Fry bread, sometimes called Navajo fry bread, is a versatile dish that can be savory or sweet. Born out of necessity when American Indians were forced to relocate in the 1800s and given rations from the US government, this simple dough dish’s troublesome history, some Indigenous people do not want fry bread to be associated with their culture.
Lacking yeast, fry bread is made from a combination of flour, fat, salt, and sugar that is cooked in hot oil after it rises. This creates a golden-brown crust that keeps the bread from getting soggy under toppings. Savory toppings often include meat, beans, lettuce, and other vegetables. For a sweet snack, you can top your fry bread with honey butter or jam.
You’re most likely to find fry bread at state and county fairs or festivals or at restaurants on reservations. The Deka-Guy Hee Restaurant at the Shoshone Rose Casino and Hotel serves an “Indian taco,” which features fry bread topped with taco fixings.
Cutthroat Trout
Wyoming is famous for great year-round fishing, with many of the state’s lakes and rivers providing an abundance of species. If you enjoy fresh-caught seafood, a trip to the Cowboy State isn’t complete without a meal of cutthroat trout. The state fish and only species of trout native to the area, if you don’t mind working for your meal, you can get a one-day fishing license for a small fee.
Five subspecies of cutthroat live in rivers across the western half of the state. Fly fishing is a major industry in Wyoming, and you can spring for a fishing guide if you’re particularly ambitious. You can even find trout recipes on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s website.
If you prefer relaxing while your food is brought to you, you can order trout served fried, grilled, or baked at some locally owned restaurants. Popular seafood restaurants in Wyoming include the Snake River Grill in Jackson and Rocky Mountain Seafood in Afton.
Chicken Fried Steak
Chicken fried steak is a popular meal throughout the southern and western United States, including Wyoming. To make the dish, a cut of steak is tenderized, breaded, and seasoned, then fried in the same way one would make fried chicken. You’ll often find it topped with gravy and served with sides like homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
This down-home meal is the definition of comfort food– often heavy, greasy, and delicious. It’s the perfect dish for warming up after a day of farming or ranching in the cold, which is why it’s another great example of cowboy fare.
If you can get your hands on some homemade chicken fried steak, you certainly won’t regret it. If that’s not an option for you, there are plenty of local diners that serve the dish. Some of the most popular restaurants serving chicken fried steak include The Silver Spur Cafe in Sheridan and T-Joe’s Steakhouse and Saloon in Cheyenne.
Chokecherry and Huckleberry Preserves
It’s hard to beat fresh-baked bread topped with jam made from locally grown fruit. Chokecherries and huckleberries both grow throughout Wyoming and make excellent preserves. Both fruits begin to ripen in late summer, making them perfect for fall baking.
Chokecherries are small berries about the size of a pea. While green- and yellow-fruited chokecherries are native to Wyoming, red-fruited ones are not, however, they still grow well in the state. They are known for a mild, sweet taste that is slightly reminiscent of cherry.
Huckleberries, on the other hand, look similar to blueberries, though their color can range from red to black. They taste sweet and tart simultaneously, making them a popular option for jams and jellies.
Many vendors at farmer’s markets and local cafes sell jams, syrups, and pies using both types of berries. If you can get your hands on dishes and sweets made from Wyoming huckleberries or chokecherries, be prepared for a pleasant, fresh-tasting experience you won’t find elsewhere.
Sloshies
If the word “sloshie” makes you think of some kind of frozen treat, you’re on the right track– though these have a boozy twist. Taking Jackson Hole by storm in 2012, they have been a staple in the area ever since. Sloshies are frozen drinks made in drink machines, similar to slushes. However, in addition to juice and sugar, sloshies include alcohol, often vodka, gin, or rum.
They’re frequently quite strong; visitors are encouraged to start with just one small-sized drink before going big. The frozen cocktails come in a variety of flavors, depending on where you get them. Some of the most highly-rated venues for sloshies include Creekside Market, Jackson Hole Still Works, and The Liquor Store and Wine Loft.
You can even get sloshies to go! While drinking and driving is illegal in Wyoming, to-go sloshies come with a sealed straw, keeping them compliant with open container laws (as long as you keep the straw sealed until you’re out of the car).
Jerky
Anywhere you can find cattle ranches and/or big game, you can find fresh, delicious jerky. In addition to the standard beef jerky, bison, venison, and elk jerky are very popular in Wyoming. There are wild game meat stores all over the state, often selling jerky and summer sausage in a wide variety of flavors. They also frequently stock raw cuts of meat, marinades, and canned goods.
Even more iconic, perhaps, than the brick-and-mortar stores are the roadside jerky stands. These stands can be found along highways, usually on the outskirts of towns. The dried meats sold at the stands are much fresher than big-name, store-bought jerky, and the stands are usually owned by local families.
Popular local smokehouses in Wyoming include the Wyoming Buffalo Company in Cody and Star Valley Meat Block in Thayne.
Chugwater Chili
Chili is a favorite dish in the Cowboy State, likely because it’s hearty and warm, ideal for the long winters. To make it even more classically Wyoming, some restaurants make their chili with bison or elk meat. The most popular chili is known as Chugwater Chili, which is made with Chugwater seasoning.
In 1986, local families purchased the Wyoming State Championship chili recipe and turned it into a seasoning that put the town of Chugwater on the map. Chugwater is now home to the state championship chili cookoff. More than 3,000 people attend the cookoff every year. Contestants can compete for the best red chili, green chili, salsa, or cobbler.
Chili must be made from scratch, meaning made with raw meat and cooked on-site at the event. Winners qualify for the national championship in Texas. The cookoff is usually held in June and includes a cornhole tournament, pie-eating contest, car show, beer tent, and rodeo. Proceeds from the event are invested back into the local community.
Whether you’re spending time in Wyoming hiking, hunting, or horseback riding, no vacation is complete without a taste of the local fare. From a breakfast of fry bread covered in huckleberry preserves to a dinner of fresh-caught fish, Wyoming’s iconic dishes will make your trip unforgettable.
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