State fairs are famous for iconic foods like funnel cakes, corn dogs, and just about anything that can be deep fried. But when it comes to over-the-top fair food, few events have a reputation quite like the Minnesota State Fair.
Dubbed the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the nation’s largest state fair has long been a destination for creative culinary creations. This year, organizers are adding 36 new official foods and nine new vendors, bringing the fair’s already massive lineup to roughly 1,600 menu items.
But while many new offerings fit right into traditional state fair flavors like the When Pigs Fly dish, a take on pigs in a blanket but served on a stick, other dishes bring new and rather strange flavor profiles to the nearly 300 different concession locations at the fair.
Take the Pickle Pie at LuLu’s Public House stand, a new vegetarian dish that brings together a pie crust with a blend of pickles, pickle juice, and cream cheese. The small pie is then topped with gherkin, dill, and a whipped Ranch and Cholula frosting.
The new menu item has turned some heads, including Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith (D). “Intrigued by the pickle pie at the Minnesota State Fair this year. Not opposed, just…intrigued,” she said via her official X account.
Another new menu item also tapped into a similar flavor profile. The Dill with it, Cookie!, offered at the Urban Glow Mocktails stand, brings together the dill and brine taste and translates it into a sweet treat. The cookie is baked with finely chopped pickles and fresh dill, as well as white chocolate chips and topped with sugar and Maldon salt.
Other new dishes embrace all-American ingredients like the Apple Donut Ham Grinder served at the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop. The sweet dish is made using Pleasant Valley Orchard’s First Kiss apples. Pairing the deep fried cinnamon sugar apple ring with uncured ham, the dish is served with whipped ricotta, hot honey, and a hoagie roll bringing together a sweet and salty bite.
Various menu items also take inspiration from other cultures. Take the Korean BBQ Bao Buns at the Rooted & Wild by Snack House stand, which bring a vegan approach to a Korean barbecue classic. At El Burrito Mercado stand, a Mole Taco pairs shredded chicken with mole sauce, bringing a traditional Mexican dish to the Midwestern state.
The annual Minnesota State Fair lasts 12 days, with this year’s festivities slated from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7, on Labor Day. In addition to the wide food menu, the fair also hosts various musical showcases, a carnival, and agricultural and animal shows. Expecting over 2 million visitors, the fair will take place at the 322-acre venue in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.
