One of the best ways to get to know a place is by eating your way through it. Every state in the U.S. has signature dishes that locals implore visitors to try, though there might be some infighting about which food says the most about their home.

Oklahoma certainly isn't shy about the fact that its most mouthwatering cuisine is not the healthiest. Still, there are some veggies (both fresh and fried) lingering within the surprisingly diverse dishes Oklahoma is known for. Get ready for some intense cravings as we explore the culinary creations of a state fittingly shaped like a saucepan!

10 Fried Onion Burger

Some of the best burgers contain the fewest ingredients. The caramelization on Oklahoma's signature fried onion burger will get anyone salivating. A patty cooked to perfection is blanketed by the sweet, cheese-topped onions, tangy pickle slices, and a mix of mayo and mustard to round things out. If that's not enough, every burger is nestled in a warm, pillowy potato bun. Oklahomans are so proud of their signature sandwich they grilled up the world's most massive burger at the annual Burger Day Festival in El Reno.

Related: A Guide To The Best Burgers In The United States

9 Fry Bread Tacos

Who doesn't love a taco, especially one that changes up the traditional vessel? Frybread is a simple yet savory fried dough with a Native American background. The puffy bread is delicious on its own but becomes something extraordinary once it's filled with ground beef and veggies and topped with a satisfying dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese. The dish, typically served with a side of beans, is always a hit at state fairs. Several Native American restaurants in Oklahoma offer an authentically delicious fry bread taco for those who'd like to support the culture responsible for the culinary delight.

8 Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and gravy are an American favorite served all across the country, and Oklahoma serves up some of the best of the quintessentially southern dish. Flaky, crusty, buttery, beautiful biscuits are the base. A rich roux made from pork drippings instead of butter thickens the milk-based gravy typically seasoned with a heck of a lot of black pepper. It's incredible how basic ingredients combine to become one of the most nostalgic dishes in America and perhaps one of the most historically important.

7 Bahn Mi

Health-conscious folks will be happy to hear that Oklahoma serves some of the country's freshest and most authentic Vietnamese cuisine. During the 1970s, many Vietnamese people searching for religious and political freedom headed to Oklahoma City, giving way to the state's Asian District.

Savory meat (or well-seasoned tofu) sits inside an airy baguette alongside fresh vegetables, cilantro, spicy chiles, green onion, and just the right amount of mayo to create the Bahn Mi sandwich. Packed with both nutrients and flavor, the Vietnamese staple has made its mark on a state revered for its deep-fried delights.

Related: 10 Vietnamese Foods You Have To Try

6 Fried Okra

Speaking of deep-fried delights, you can't go wrong taking something perfectly healthy, dredging it in a seasoned cornmeal-flour mixture, and tucking it into sizzling oil until it reaches a beautiful golden brown color. Let's get real- okra is just one of those vegetables that gets its most palatable texture when it's deep-fried. As part of Oklahoma's official state meal, fried okra is well-loved by locals, who eat it like popcorn or dip it in ranch. No, it's not healthy per se, but it's an easy way to get the veggies in without really trying.

5 Strawberries

For a boost of antioxidants, Oklahomans named strawberries a part of their official state meal. Berries grow well in the soil, and residents head out every year to fill their baskets with strawberries from several U-Pick farms scattered across the state. The official state fruit is nutrient-packed and a perfect refresher on a hot summer day.

4 Fried Pies

Of course, one could always toss some sugar-sweetened fruit into a pie shell and dunk it in the fryer for a while. Why not, right? From its humble beginnings at a single location, Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies has expanded its reach across Oklahoma (with spots in Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas, too!) Popular flavors include pecan, cherry, and lemon cream, but Arbuckle also serves an array of savory pies. Whichever way you slice it, fried pies are a fun twist on an American classic.

3 Calf Fries

It would be interesting to meet the mind behind calf fries, known elsewhere as Rocky Mountain Oysters. The cowboy staple consists of tenderized bull testicles (yeah, you read that right) that are breaded, fried, and served with a side of cocktail sauce. Adventurous eaters will enjoy the delicacy with their eyes open. Those with squeamish stomachs are encouraged to close their eyes and give them a go anyway, as defenders claim it tastes just like calamari.

2 Steak

It's no surprise that a state known for its cattle ranching has some of the most delicious steaks in the country. It's a short distance from the farm to the table, which means fresh cuts and full flavor. Oklahoma designates the ribeye as its official state steak, so the premium cut is sure to satisfy meat and potato-loving people on the hunt for a hearty meal.

1 Tamale Pie

While there are no actual tamales in the dish, and it's technically more of a casserole than a pie, the southwestern flavors that intermingle in a tamale pie make it delicious no matter what it's called. A layer of tomato sauce mixed with beans, corn, black olives, and spices sits on the bottom of a cast-iron pan. The medley is topped with a cornbread mix and baked to golden perfection in the oven.

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