10 Delicious American Comfort Food Favorites To Beat The January Blues

Even though many of us have vacations and time off from work to look forward to over the holidays, the winter months can still be difficult to get through. With shorter days and colder weather, it is natural for most people to spend more time inside and away from energizing sunshine. While this time can be great for reflection and contemplation, it can also be depressing and dreary. Thankfully, there are many ways you can combat the January blues for your customers. One of the best ways to lift their spirits is to enjoy some of the classic American comfort foods, especially those featuring heavier and heartier fare that can both fill and warm you up during dreary days.

Classic American Comfort Foods

Do not waste any time sitting around in a lousy mood after the start of the New Year! Let’s look at ten of the most delicious American comfort foods to try out this January to boost your mood and restore your energy.

Chicken Fried Steak 

Chicken fried steak is an easy-to-make American comfort food that is sure to please all palates. Despite the name, this dish is typically a simple piece of beefsteak that is breaded and fried, just like fried chicken. It is best served with mashed potatoes.

Barbecue Chicken Breast

The winter months should not keep you from firing up the barbeque and cooking up a delicious meal. Throw some chicken breast cuts on the grill, with your favorite BBQ sauce, to make a quick but delicious meal that will leave your guests satisfied.

Beef Chuck Chili

For those really cold days in January, you may need to spice things up a bit. Cooking up a pot of beef chuck chili is a good way to warm people up throughout January. Throw in some spices and everyone will be feeling better in no time at all.

Chicken Soup

As one of the classic American comfort foods, no list such as this one would be complete without a traditional chicken soup. Find a good recipe, or use one from your grandmother, and take your time with the preparation. Letting the flavors of a good chicken soup blend together before serving it is the best thing to do.

Roast Turkey

If you are not yet tired of turkey after the holiday season, then it is a good idea to roast one up in January. Turkey is a delicious main course that both fills you up and leaves you with a pleasant feeling of tiredness. The meat can also be used to make delicious sandwiches!

Beef Stew

Nothing is heartier than a classic beef stew. Find a good cut of beef chuck or even beefsteak to throw into a pot with heavy soup stock and lots of vegetables. Not only will all of the nutrients make your guests feel better, but they are also sure to feel satisfied for a long time afterward.

Fried Chicken

The classic fried chicken is an American staple dish that needs to be cooked at least once during the cold days of January. Simply take some high-quality chicken breasts from your wholesale meat distributor or butcher and apply a simple breading to them before frying them. This adds a whole new dimension of crunchiness and deliciousness to the meal and will keep you fortified through even the worst blizzard. If you want to cut down on calories, you can also bake your breaded chicken breasts without adding any additional oil or fat.

Meatloaf 

If you want real American comfort food that has graced the country’s dinner tables for decades, then try featuring a classic meatloaf dish this January. With so many different recipes available for meatloaf, you are sure to find one that will suit your menu. Like turkey, meatloaf is also delicious on a sandwich.

Burritos With Ground Beef

While burritos may not be a classic “American comfort food,” for some of the southern states near the Mexican border they will fit the bill. Leave the vegetarian burritos for the warmer summer months and be sure to use some good ground beef for the filling.

Corned Beef Sandwiches

As the king of all sandwiches, the corned beef sandwich with hot mustard is a good choice for the winter months. If you want to explore other sandwich options, then the classic clubhouse, with bacon and turkey, or the cheesesteak sandwich are also sure to please.

Many More American Comfort Foods To Explore

When it comes to wintertime American comfort foods, this list is only the tip of the iceberg. Make sure to try out some of these, or any other favorites you can think of, in the upcoming days of January. They will help you and your guests to stay physically and mentally strong through these potentially dull and potentially gloomy days.

Northwest Meat Company is a wholesale meat distributor servicing food venues in Chicagoland.  Get in touch if we can help or find our how to become our client.