Here are 10 typical American brunch dishes that combine both breakfast and lunch elements:
- Quiche: A savory pie made with a crust filled with eggs, cream, cheese, vegetables, and sometimes meat or seafood. Popular varieties include quiche Lorraine (with bacon and Gruyère cheese) and spinach and mushroom quiche.
- Frittata: An Italian-style open-faced omelette, consisting of eggs, cheese, vegetables, and meats or seafood, cooked slowly on the stovetop and then finished in the oven. Frittatas can be served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for brunch gatherings.
- French toast: Slices of bread soaked in a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla, then fried until golden brown. French toast is often served with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fruit, or with savory toppings like bacon or ham.
- Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs served on top of an English muffin with ham or bacon, and covered in hollandaise sauce. Variations include Eggs Florentine (with spinach) and Eggs Royale (with smoked salmon).
- Avocado toast: Toasted bread topped with mashed or sliced avocado, often seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. This trendy brunch dish can be customized with additional toppings like poached eggs, smoked salmon, tomatoes, or feta cheese.
- Breakfast tacos: Soft corn or flour tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and other ingredients such as bacon, sausage, avocado, salsa, and potatoes. This dish is popular in the Southwestern United States and is influenced by Mexican cuisine.
- Shrimp and grits: A Southern American dish consisting of creamy, buttery grits (coarsely ground cornmeal) topped with sautéed shrimp and often served with a spicy sauce. This dish combines breakfast and lunch elements for a hearty, savory brunch option.
- Fried chicken and waffles: A dish that pairs crispy, fried chicken with sweet, fluffy waffles. This Southern American dish is served with maple syrup, butter, or gravy, and can be found in diners and brunch spots across the country.
- Lox and bagels: A platter of bagels, smoked salmon (lox), cream cheese, capers, red onions, and tomatoes, allowing guests to build their own bagel sandwiches. This dish is a popular brunch option, particularly in New York City.
- Cobb salad: A hearty salad consisting of chopped greens, tomatoes, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, blue cheese, and grilled or roasted chicken, all arranged in rows and served with a vinaigrette or dressing on the side. This dish is a delicious, lighter brunch option that combines breakfast and lunch ingredients.
These American brunch dishes offer a mix of sweet and savory options, appealing to a variety of tastes and satisfying the appetite for both breakfast and lunch fare.