South Dakota's cuisine reflects a mix of cultural influences, including German, Czech, Polish, and Native American traditions. ¹⁾

A popular South Dakota dish, chislic consists of skewered and grilled cubes of meat, often lamb or beef, served with a side of garlic toast or saltine crackers. ²⁾

Bison, commonly referred to as buffalo, is a lean and flavorful meat that's often used in burgers, steaks, and stews. South Dakota is home to many buffalo ranches. ³⁾

A traditional German dessert, kuchen is a type of sweet pastry or cake with fruit fillings like apples, peaches, or plums. ⁴⁾

A Native American-inspired dish, Indian tacos feature fry bread topped with seasoned meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and often salsa and sour cream. ⁵⁾

A Czech pastry, kolaches are sweet buns filled with fruit preserves, poppy seed, or cheese. They are often enjoyed with coffee. ⁶⁾

Chokecherries, native to the region, are used to make a sweet and tangy pudding that's often served as a dessert. ⁷⁾

Similar to its popularity in North Dakota, knoephla soup is a German-Russian dish that includes dumplings, potatoes, and vegetables in a creamy broth. ⁸⁾

While not as common as in some other states, lutefisk, a Scandinavian dish made from dried fish rehydrated in a lye solution, is still enjoyed by some in South Dakota. ⁹⁾

Fry bread serves as the base for these tacos, with various savory toppings like seasoned meat, beans, lettuce, and cheese. ¹⁰⁾

South Dakota is known for its abundant pheasant population, and pheasant hunting is a popular activity. Pheasant dishes, such as roasted pheasant, are enjoyed. ¹¹⁾

South Dakota hosts an annual Chislic Festival in Freeman, celebrating this regional specialty with live music, food vendors, and chislic competitions. ¹²⁾

Some local breweries in South Dakota offer pickle-flavored beer, combining the tangy taste of pickles with the refreshing qualities of beer. ¹³⁾

While more commonly associated with Eastern European cuisine, pierogies (dough dumplings filled with various ingredients) are enjoyed in parts of South Dakota with a strong Polish heritage. ¹⁴⁾

With a rich hunting tradition, sausages made from wild game such as venison and pheasant are popular in South Dakota. ¹⁵⁾

In Custer State Park, buffalo stew is a local specialty, featuring buffalo meat, vegetables, and hearty broth. ¹⁶⁾