1. Kraft Mac & Cheese
In the U.S., a blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese is basically a childhood staple, according to Jeffrey Miller from Smithsonian Magazine. It’s the ultimate quick comfort food—cheesy, creamy, and ready in minutes. But to many outside the U.S., the neon-orange powder packet is borderline alarming. Europeans especially tend to side-eye it, wondering how cheese can come in powder form and still be considered food.
Americans love its convenience and nostalgia factor, and it’s practically a rite of passage for college students. Meanwhile, other countries prefer their mac and cheese made with actual cheese—melted, rich, and usually baked. The idea of mixing powdered dairy with noodles just doesn’t sit right with them. But hey, Americans will defend that cheesy magic dust to the bitter end.
2. Solo Cups
You know you’re at an American party when the red Solo cups come out, Calum Marsh from VICE explains. They’re so iconic they’ve even inspired country songs and pop culture references. But to the rest of the world, it’s kind of baffling that a plastic cup could be so symbolic. In many countries, reusable glassware or biodegradable options are more common.
The Solo cup has come to represent American casual get-togethers—beer pong, backyard BBQs, tailgates, you name it. People elsewhere often associate them with wastefulness or college movies. Still, there’s something about that red plastic that screams “party” to Americans. Just don’t expect to see them at a formal event… unless it’s in an ironic way.
3. Spray Cheese
Cheese in a can? Yeah, that’s a thing—and yes, Americans really use it, Nicole Rivas from Paste Magazine confirms. Brands like Easy Cheese are sold right next to the crackers, and people actually enjoy spraying it directly into their mouths. To most of the world, this is the culinary equivalent of a prank.
Outside of the U.S., cheese is typically treated as a refined food, with origins, aging processes, and deep flavors. The idea of aerosol cheese feels like an insult to centuries of cheesemaking tradition. But in America, it’s part of the fun and ease that defines a lot of processed foods. It’s kitschy, it’s nostalgic, and undeniably American.
4. Pickles in Everything
Pickles aren’t just for sandwiches in the U.S.—they show up in places that leave non-Americans scratching their heads, according to Kenneth Symsack and Jeffrey Miller from Food Magazine. From pickle-flavored popcorn to pickles on pizza and even in popsicles, it’s kind of a national obsession. Americans love that tangy crunch, especially when it’s unexpected. But for others, it’s overkill.
In many countries, pickles are strictly a side item or an occasional condiment. The idea of turning them into a standalone snack (hello, pickle-in-a-pouch) or using them to flavor soda is downright odd. But to Americans, the weirder the pickle product, the better. Dill pickle sunflower seeds, anyone?
5. Pumpkin Spice Everything
Every fall, the U.S. turns into a pumpkin spice paradise—or nightmare, depending on your perspective. From lattes to cereals to deodorant (yes, really), pumpkin spice takes over. Other countries might dabble in seasonal flavors, but Americans go all-in, according to Rachel Treisman from NPR. It’s not just a flavor, it’s a cultural phenomenon.
People from other parts of the world often can’t understand the obsession, especially when they realize pumpkin isn’t even the dominant flavor—it’s mostly cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. But for Americans, it signals cozy season and carries a heavy dose of nostalgia. Even if it’s a little overboard, they’re not giving up their PSLs anytime soon. Not even in candle form.
6. Ranch Dressing on Everything
Ranch is arguably America’s favorite dressing, and it’s not just for salads. Americans dip their pizza crusts, fries, chicken tenders, and even vegetables in it. Some even mix it into mashed potatoes or drizzle it on burgers. But outside the U.S., it’s barely a thing—and many find the idea of ranch on pizza totally baffling.
In countries like France or Italy, where salad dressings tend to be oil-based and subtle, ranch can seem overpowering. It’s creamy, garlicky, and sometimes artificially tangy, which is quite the flavor bomb. But in America, that’s part of the charm. Ranch is the Swiss Army knife of condiments here.
7. Peeps Marshmallow Candy
Peeps are pastel-colored marshmallow chicks that pop up every Easter, and they’re incredibly divisive—even within the U.S. But Americans buy millions of them every year and treat them as a nostalgic must-have. To much of the rest of the world, though, they’re just sugar-covered foam. The texture, color, and concept can be hard to digest—literally and figuratively.
In many countries, marshmallows are used sparingly or reserved for campfires and hot chocolate. Peeps, on the other hand, are borderline performance art. They’re bright, artificially flavored, and oddly shelf-stable. But to many Americans, they’re synonymous with springtime sweetness.
8. Grape-Flavored Everything
Artificial grape flavor in the U.S. is its own entity—it doesn’t really taste like grapes, and it’s wildly popular. Think grape soda, grape cough syrup, and grape-flavored candy like Jolly Ranchers. Outside the U.S., people are often confused by the flavor because it’s so unlike real grapes. In fact, it’s more likely to be associated with medicine in other countries.
The flavor comes from a type of grape (Concord) that’s mostly found in North America. So, while Americans grew up loving that taste, others never developed a palate for it. To them, it’s either cloying or medicinal. But to Americans, it’s pure childhood.
9. Meat in a Can (Spam, Vienna Sausages)
Spam isn’t just a quirky food—it’s a pantry staple for many American families, especially in places like Hawaii. And Vienna sausages, those soft little meat logs floating in brine, are a popular snack. Most non-Americans are put off by the texture and concept of canned meat. It feels very “end-of-the-world” to them.
In many countries, meat is either fresh, cured, or frozen—not something you scoop from a tin. But for Americans, canned meat is about convenience, longevity, and nostalgia. Spam even has its own fan festivals and recipes. Sure, it’s an acquired taste—but for some, it’s a comforting one.
10. American Cheese Slices
Those bright orange, plastic-wrapped cheese singles are a staple in American kitchens. They melt perfectly, making them ideal for burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. But to people elsewhere, they’re often seen as “not real cheese.” The texture, color, and individual wrapping throw a lot of folks off.
In countries with long cheese traditions, a slice of processed dairy just doesn’t cut it. Still, Americans love the convenience and the smooth, creamy melt. It’s the taste of childhood lunchboxes and diner-style burgers. And honestly, sometimes nothing else melts quite like it.
11. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This Thanksgiving side dish baffles a lot of international visitors. Sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar and marshmallows? It’s a dessert pretending to be dinner. For many outside the U.S., it’s just too sweet to sit next to turkey and gravy.
In other parts of the world, sweet potatoes are treated more like a savory starch. The addition of marshmallows seems downright sacrilegious. But for Americans, it’s a holiday classic—and yes, it absolutely belongs on the dinner plate. It’s sweet, sticky, and 100% tradition.
12. Jell-O Salads
Gelatin salads are a relic of mid-century American cooking that somehow still hang on in certain regions. They combine Jell-O with everything from canned fruit to shredded carrots to cottage cheese. Other countries look at these wobbly creations with a mix of confusion and horror. Dessert and salad just aren’t meant to mix like that.
But for some Americans, especially in the Midwest, it’s part of family gatherings and potluck culture. There’s nostalgia wrapped up in those weird combinations. While it might not make sense to the rest of the world, it brings comfort to those who grew up with it. Plus, it’s kind of a showstopper on the buffet table.
13. Corn Dogs
A hot dog on a stick, dipped in cornbread batter and deep-fried—what’s not to love? Well, quite a bit, if you ask the rest of the world. The idea of a sausage coated in sweet cornmeal and eaten on the go is a distinctly American fairground invention. Other countries tend to find it over-the-top or just strange.
But in the U.S., corn dogs are a beloved snack at state fairs, carnivals, and even school lunches. The combo of savory and sweet, plus the stick, is peak convenience. Sure, it might not be haute cuisine, but it hits the spot. And for Americans, that’s more than enough reason to keep it around.
