12 American Foods That People From Around The World Hate

Ever wondered why some American foods don't get much love internationally? This list looks at 12 American dishes that often turn people off around the world. From super sweet snacks to deep-fried items, these foods can be strange or unappealing to others.

Table of Contents

1. Twizzlers
2. Canned Foods
3. Candy Corn
4. Blooming Onion
5. Sweet Potato Casserole
6. Peanut Butter and Jelly
7. Root Beer
8. Chicken Fried Steak
9. Spray cheese
10. Donuts
11. Ambrosia Salad
12. Grits
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1. Twizzlers

Twizzlers, a popular licorice candy in the US, often receive mixed reactions internationally. Its chewy texture and artificial flavoring contrast sharply with the more natural licorice found in other countries, leading some to find it an unappetizing version of the treat.

2. Canned Foods

Canned foods in America, ranging from soups to meats, are often seen as a peculiar choice due to their preservatives and sometimes altered taste. While convenient, the idea of consuming certain foods like canned whole chicken or pork brains can be off-putting to those accustomed to fresher options.

3. Candy Corn

A Halloween staple, candy corn is a divisive treat even in the US. Its waxy texture and overly sweet flavor, which doesn't resemble actual corn, can be especially puzzling to those not raised with this seasonal candy tradition.

4. Blooming Onion

Air-Fryer Vegetables blooming onion — Image Credit: Shutterstock

This deep-fried delicacy, a whole onion cut to resemble a flower and then battered and fried, can be a greasy shock to the uninitiated. Its size and oiliness, while a hit in the US, can be excessive for those used to lighter appetizers.

5. Sweet Potato Casserole

Often topped with marshmallows and brown sugar, sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving classic. To foreigners, the combination of sweet toppings with a vegetable can seem overly indulgent and confusingly dessert-like for a dinner dish.

6. Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

A classic American comfort food, this sandwich pairs peanut butter with fruit jelly between slices of white bread. While it's a beloved quick meal or snack in the U.S., the mix of sticky, sweet, and savory flavors can be too intense for some international palates.

7. Root Beer

Root Beer ice cream — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

While beloved in the U.S., this soft drink often receives mixed reactions from non-Americans, some of whom compare its flavor to medicinal products like cough syrup.

8. Chicken Fried Steak

Despite its name, this dish involves no chicken but instead features a breaded, fried beef steak covered in gravy. Its heavy, greasy nature and the concept of frying beef like chicken can be unusual to outsiders.

9. Spray cheese

fries-with-cheese — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

An icon of American snack culture, spray cheese is dispensed from an aerosol can, offering a creamy yet processed cheese experience. While convenient and fun, its artificial taste and unconventional delivery method often baffle those not accustomed to such innovations.

10. Donuts

American donuts, with their immense variety and often extravagant toppings, can be a bit much for those from countries with less sweet-toothed palates. The level of sweetness and portion sizes are typically much larger than similar pastries found elsewhere.

11. Ambrosia Salad

This fruit salad, mixed with mini marshmallows, coconut, and sometimes sour cream or mayonnaise, epitomizes the American love for unique combinations. Its texture and mix of flavors can be confusing to those unfamiliar with such a sweet take on a 'salad.'

12. Grits

Grits topped with cheddar cheese, salt and ground pepper in white bowl — Image Credit: Shutterstock

A Southern staple, grits are ground corn kernels boiled into a porridge-like consistency. Often served with butter or cheese, their blandness and texture can be unappealing to those who didn’t grow up eating this comfort food.

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