This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there’s a delicious recipe for everyone.
Want to know Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, and their VP pick’s favorite dishes? Learn more about who you’re voting for with our breakdown below!
With all eyes on the United States 2024 presidential election, you can feel the tension and anticipation in the air. The big campaign events, congressional elections, and presidential debates are now behind us, with election day just around the corner.
Kamala Harris or Donald Trump… who’s it going to be? And while a part of us loves the drama of it all, it’s stress-inducing, to say the least.
You know what helps us out with stress? Talking about delicious food. There’s nothing like good food to satisfy your taste buds and comfort the soul! So let’s take a break from all the political talk and delve into something more soothing — the favorite dishes of Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, and their VP picks, Tim Walz, and JD Vance.
These are more than just dishes on a menu; each item reveals the cultural significance and personal tastes of the candidates. We’ll dive a little into that as well as share similar recipes of ours so you can recreate these dishes at home. How patriotic!
Kamala Harris’ Favorite Dishes
Vice President Harris has been a certified foodie since she was a child. She fell in love with cooking while spending time in the kitchen with her mother, grandmother, and the woman she calls her second mother—family friend, Mrs. Shelton. They were big on meal prepping and making home-cooked meals together, inspiring Harris’ love for cooking and sharing food with loved ones.
While her love of nacho cheese Doritos and her… unusual method of washing collard greens in the bathtub has gone viral, her most favorite dishes aren’t as well known. Here are four of her top choices:
Gumbo
According to a recent YouTube interview, Gumbo has been a favorite dish for Harris since childhood. Ms. Shelton, her “second mother,” was from Louisiana. “She made the best gumbo,” said Harris.
“And I have been a lifelong gumbo apprentice, learning how to make gumbo my whole life. I’ve never mastered it like she did, but that’s one of my favorite foods, probably.”
While we wish we had Ms. Shelton’s traditional recipe, we’ve got one of our own that’s sure to be a hit! Try our Healthy Gumbo Recipe in the Crock Pot for a tasty and nutritious twist on this Southern classic. Slow cookers really don’t get enough credit. They make things so deliciously easy!
Roasted Chicken
Vice President Harris loves an easy meal that makes a lot of leftovers, and roasted chicken is her go-to. Glamour interviewed Harris and shared her love for the dish. She’ll mix chopped herbs with lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper and spread that under the chicken skin. Then, she’ll season and truss the bird and refrigerate it for 24 hours to allow the skin to crisp. After that, she’ll rub some oil or butter over it and slow roast it.
“I put it in at 325°F for a couple of hours, I make a sauce out of the drippings, and we eat that for dinner. Then whatever we didn’t eat, I’ll carve that and put that aside because I’ll make chicken salad with that. So that’s two meals.” She also makes an amazing chicken broth with the leftover carcass — quite resourceful!
Our One-Pan Roasted Chicken And Veggies Dinner is the perfect chicken dish to recreate Vice President Harris’ delicious and resourceful meal. With just one pan, you can have a flavorful and nutritious dinner that leaves you plenty of leftovers for the next day’s lunch!
Chicken Tostadas
In the same Glamour Interview, Vice President Harris also shares her love for chicken tostadas. She often makes them with the leftover roasted chicken as the base. Our Chipotle Chicken Tostadas are a must-try for anyone looking to recreate this dish at home. With a crispy tortilla, flavorful chicken, and fresh toppings, it’s a meal that is sure to impress at family gatherings!
Fried Rice
During an Instagram Live with Chef Tom Colicchio back in 2020, Harris shared that one of the most popular dishes she made at home was fried rice. “We’ve been doing a lot of fried rice,” she said. “I actually do brown rice, and it’s great.” She goes on to say that she grew up eating almost every meal with white rice and that wild rice is something she’s been experimenting with lately. Try our Mediterranean Fried Rice for a nutrient-rich, vegetarian take that’s packed with flavor!
Tim Walz’s Favorite Dishes
Now, what about Vice President Harris’ VP pick? As the Governor of Minnesota, you can guess that the former high school football coach, Tim Walz, likes his hearty Midwestern meals. Here are a couple we’ve found and are excited to share!
Tater Tot Hot Dish
Tim Walz’s Turkey Trot Tater-Tot Hotdish took the internet by storm when he shared it on his Twitter/X account, adding in the fun fact that Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in the nation. “Hot dish” is a Midwestern term for casseroles, and this one is a twist on the traditional tater tot hot dish made with ground beef. It really doesn’t get any more Minnesota than this!
We unfortunately don’t have a tater tot hot dish recipe to share with you, but this Curried Turkey Casserole is what dreams are made of. It’s a unique spin on the classic holiday leftovers meal that will have you going back for seconds… or maybe even thirds!
“White Guy” Tacos
There’s definitely a distinction between authentic Mexican tacos and the Americanized version, and Governor Walz isn’t ashamed of acknowledging his bland Midwestern palette.
In a YouTube video, he chats with Vice President Harris about his “white guy” tacos that contain ground beef and cheese. “Do you put any flavor in it?” Harris asks. “Uh, no.” Walz responds with a laugh. “Here’s the deal. Black pepper is the top spice level in Minnesota.”
While our Authentic Everything Beef Tacos surely aren’t the bland “white guy” tacos Walz enjoys, they’re mouthwatering no matter where you’re from!
Donald Trump’s Favorite Dishes
Former President Donald Trump has stated a number of times his love of American food from fast-food chains. “If it’s American, I like it. It’s all American stuff,” he said in 2019. While he loves enjoying dishes that support American business, he also favors the hygienic practices of fast-food chains.
He’ll enjoy meals from the Trump Grill when working at the Trump Tower in Manhattan, but when he’s on the road, he’s been known to frequent McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Burger King for their convenience and cleanliness.
So, what are the former President’s top picks? Let’s dive in:
Well-Done Steak
The 45th president loves a good steak! According to longtime Trump butler Anthony Senecal, he likes his steak so well-done that “it would rock on the plate,” he told the New York Times. Everyone has their own preferences, but we might stick to a medium-rare steak for extra flavor. But if well-done is your jam, you could always cook our famous Air Fryer Steak Bites a little longer! They might not be as juicy, but they’ll still be flavor-packed.
Big Mac
McDonalds is Trump’s favorite fast food joint. According to Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, the Big Mac is his go-to order, along with a Filet-o-Fish, a side of fries, and a vanilla shake. Big Macs have been one of America’s most popular foods for years, and Trump’s love for the iconic burger only cements its status as an American staple.
Got a Big Mac craving? Our Clean Eating Chipotle Burgers are a healthier, homemade version of the classic fast food burger. It’s got a creamy avocado topping that perfectly balances out the spice of the chiles in the patties.
Fried Chicken
You may remember the photo Trump tweeted of himself back in 2016 with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) on his private jet after campaigning in Ohio and Pennsylvania. If that isn’t evidence of his love for fried chicken, we don’t know what is. KFC is reportedly the former president’s second-favorite fast food chain, after McDonalds. With its crispy texture, savory flavor, and juicy meat, we don’t blame him!
Our Slow Cooker Fried Chicken recipe is a healthier, homemade take on this beloved comfort food. Tender and juicy chicken coated in a crispy breading without the extra calories and grease — what’s not to love?
Meatloaf
Meatloaf is an American classic, so of course it’s on Trump’s list of favorite dishes. His mother, Mary MacLeod, was from Scotland and made meatloaf for him as a child, and he is known to still have a copy of his mother’s recipe. In 2010, Trump also told Us Weekly that his sister Maryanne always made meatloaf for him on his birthday, so it holds a special place in his heart.
Try our Slow Cooker Healthy Meatloaf with Tomato Glaze for a lightened-up version of this classic comfort food. It’s packed with flavor and lean protein, making it a nutritious option for any meatloaf lover.
JD Vance’s Favorite Dishes
Most of what we know about Senator Vance’s relationship with food can be found in the pages of his bestselling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. Growing up in poverty, his family depended on fast-food chains and convenient meals like Hamburger Helper and TV dinners.
But his time in the military changed his perspective on food, inspiring him to eat healthier. We couldn’t find any specific dishes that he has mentioned as his favorites, but we do know that his wife, Usha Vance, says he is a “meat and potatoes guy” but has adapted to her vegetarian diet, even learning to cook Indian dishes for her mother.
As far as meat and potatoes go, you can’t go wrong with this Slow Cooker Chunky Beef and Potato Stew! It’s a great way to enjoy a hearty and comforting meal, especially on a chilly day.
Which Dish Has Your Vote?
Forget about politics right now, and let’s talk about food! The candidates of the 2024 election all have their own unique tastes and culinary preferences. As voters, we should remember that whether you support Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, we all share one thing in common — enjoying a good meal.
So, which dish has your vote? Do you prefer Kamala’s gumbo or Donald’s meatloaf? Maybe you favor Tim Walz’s tater tot hot dish, or are you a meat and potatoes guy just like J.D. Vance? No matter what your political leanings may be, food is something we can all come together and enjoy. Let us know your favorite dish in the comments below!
And remember, no matter who wins the 2024 election, we can always find common ground over a delicious meal. Happy eating!
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