Most Delicious Beef Recipes Passed Down for Generations

These family beef recipes date back to some of our country's earliest settlers and are still household favorites today.

Nothing says family like a delicious meal to share around the table. And what’s for dinner in America? Well, beef, of course.

These family beef recipes date back to some of America’s earliest settlers and are still household favorites today. Which one’s your family staple?

Chicken Fried Steak

grandriver / Getty Images

An American classic, chicken fried steak apparently originated in Texas in the 19th century and is attributed to German and Austrian immigrants who brought recipes for Weiner schnitzel with them. It has since spread to other parts of the U.S.

There are several variations of this family recipe, but its roots include a piece of cube steak that’s breaded and fried and then typically doused in gravy.

Try This Recipe From Allrecipes

Philly Cheesesteaks

bhofack2 / Getty Images

It doesn’t get much more American than a Philly cheesesteak. Rumor has it that Philadelphian brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri came up with the chopped steak sandwich served on an Italian roll in the early 1930s, but like most good food origin stories, that’s up for debate.

A good-quality Philly cheesesteak features no-gristle beef, sliced thin and topped with either Provolone or Mozzarella cheese. The Italian roll it’s served in also needs to be crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside.

Try This Recipe From Natasha’s Kitchen

BBQ Beef Ribs

LauriPatterson / Getty Images

When people typically think of BBQ ribs, they think of pork. But beef ribs are where it’s at, especially if you’re in one of America’s BBQ capitals, like Kansas City or Austin, Texas.

This is a classic dish that’s guaranteed to get your fingers dirty. Whether or not you prefer your ribs drenched in sauce or rubbed to perfection is your call, but we recommend trying out both.

Try This Recipe From Hey Grill Hey

BBQ Beef Brisket

Barbecue. Barbecue table spread. Beef brisket, chicken, pork ribs, beef ribs, Mac n cheese, cornbread, Brussels sprouts, coleslaw & beer. Classic traditional Texas meats & side dishes.

rebeccafondren / Getty Images

Another American BBQ staple is beef brisket, popularized in Texas and throughout the Midwest. Like ribs, it’s up to you whether or not you want to slather your brisket with sauce or test out different spices in a delicious rub blend.

Whatever you do, the key to good brisket is smoking the meat for hours on end until it’s melt-in-your-mouth good.

Try This Recipe From Eating Well

Creamed Chipped Beef

Getty Images

Here’s a recipe with roots in New England, particularly in Delaware, but it’s also known for being served to service members in the U.S. Armed Forces between World War I and the Vietnam War. It’s definitely something you have to try before you knock it.

Generally a brunch food, this dish consists of dried beef in a creamy white sauce. You can make it your own by adding all kinds of spices or even Worcestershire sauce, and the meat is typically set atop toast or English muffins.

Try This Recipe From Small Town Woman

For more delicious American family recipes, check out “Most Popular Family Recipes From Every State.”