Savoring the Rich Flavors of Cherokee food

What Traditional and Modern Food Do the Cherokee Indians Eat?

Traditional Cherokee Food

Community is an important part of Cherokee culture, from ancient times until now, and food has always been a way to bring the community together. Many tribal social activities and interactions are centered around sharing meals and spending time together still today.

What Did the Cherokee Indians Eat?

Originally, before European contact, the Cherokee people lived throughout the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. The tribal diet commonly consisted of foods that were either gathered, grown, or hunted. The three sisters – corn, beans, and squash – were grown. Wild greens, mushrooms, ramps, nuts, and berries were collected. Deer, bears, birds, native fish, squirrels, groundhogs, and rabbits were all hunted. In the pre-contact era, many meals were one-pot stews made over an open fire. After contact, the tribe also began to grow fruit like watermelons and peaches and to eat farm animals like chicken, pigs, and cows. Cherokee food traditions not only teach you how to gather, hunt, and grow, but also how to store and preserve certain foods. Prior to the introduction of metal, cooking vessels were made of clay. Food was also sometimes buried in hot coals to cook.

Modern Cherokee Food

In today’s modern age, food in Cherokee is as diverse as anywhere else. Many foods are prepared by grilling, frying, boiling, baking, and occasionally over an open fire. Cherokee people still eat the three sisters and grow a variety of vegetables and fruits. People also get together for hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, turkey, ham, steaks, fish, etc. One more modern, local favorite is shared by many people in the Qualla Boundary and beyond: it is called fry bread.

Fry Bread – A Local Favorite

Fry bread is a modern tradition found in many tribes in North America, and, in Cherokee, there is a wide variety of recipes. Each person typically has their own recipe and preparation tricks. To make fry bread, sections of the dough must be pressed flat, and a hole is made in the center. The dough is then placed in hot oil and fried on each side until it is a golden brown. Fry bread can be eaten plain or with toppings like cheese, chili, hot sauce, hot peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, salsa, and more. It can also be used to create really delicious sweet treats when powdered sugar, honey, apple butter, or fresh berries are added.