Although there are many delicious foods in the United States, what are usually considered as "American hard dishes" are some dishes with high calorie, fat and protein. These dishes often contain a lot of meat and dairy products, such as hamburgers, barbecues, fried chicken, pancakes, grilled ribs and baked potatoes. These dishes are high in calories and rich in oil, which are suitable for supplementing energy and protein for the labor force.

American hard dishes originated in the southern region of18th century, when it was the center of slavery and plantation economy. At that time, in the southern United States, the food supply was single, and the dishes were mainly cereals and beans, and animal husbandry such as raising cattle and pigs also developed greatly. Gradually formed dishes with meat as the main raw material, such as pancakes, barbecues, boiled chicken and so on. Over time, these simple southern dishes have developed into modern hard dishes.

Hard food consumption is very important in the United States. In the United States, many families have a barbecue dinner at least once a week, and large-scale festivals such as Independence Day will also have hard dishes such as barbecue and fried chicken. In addition, American hard dishes are cheap and easy to obtain and make. Therefore, it is very suitable for family dinners, friends gatherings or social sports activities.