The Most Midwestern Foods That Show Up at Michigan Parties

Michigan is thoroughly Midwestern.

We routinely take 20 minutes to say goodbye, we can make small talk with just about anybody, and we're obsessed with ranch dressing.

Another way you can tell Michiganders are thoroughly Midwestern is by taking one look at the dishes that are brought to the family gathering.

Midwestern Dishes

No matter what holiday or event you seem to be celebrating (or grieving, but we'll get there), there are certain Michigan dishes that will be at Every. Single. One. Chances are that you'll see a handful of these Pure Michigan classics at a single event.

READ ALSO: Michigan, Have You Ever Had One of These Strange Midwestern "Salads"?

Take a look at the list below and see how many of these Midwestern dishes you've had. And please keep in mind, we play fast and loose with the term "salad" here.

Funeral Potatoes

Yes, you can take them to a funeral, but it's not necessary that the occasion be a grievous one. You can take cheesy, creamy hashbrown dishes to any gathering.

Deviled Eggs

No tray of deviled eggs is safe at a holiday. Give it five minutes and you'll have to grab the second tray you made. You did make two trays, right?

Seven Layer Salad

Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, sweet peas, hard-boiled eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, and bacon. Oh, and plenty of mayo. All layered together like a Midwest trifle.

Ham Roll-Ups

Similar to hard-boiled eggs, these things go quickly. All it is? Cream cheese spread on deli ham, wrapped around a pickle (sometimes a green onion) and then sliced into spirals.

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Strawberry Jell-O Salad

While 'salad' might be in the name, you won't find any lettuce or vegetables here. This is a layered dessert that starts with a sweet pretzel crust, a layer of Cool Whip, and then topped with a layer of strawberry Jell-O mixed with strawberries.

Potato Salad

Another potato-based dish for this Michigan staple. Plus, another salad with mayo too. And don't put raisins in your potato salad!

Crockpot Meatballs

Usually a bag of frozen meatballs thrown in a Crockpot with some grape jelly and BBQ sauce. I know, sounds weird, but it oddly works.

Cheesy Potatoes

These are different than funeral potatoes. The main differences being that cheesy potatoes have cubed potatoes and a Ritz cracker topping; funeral potatoes use hashbrowns and a cornflake topping.