We found the best recipes from Michigan—all shared by local home cooks. In this collection, you’ll find recipes that appreciate the flavors and heritage of the Great Lakes State.
The Best Recipes from Michigan
Updated on Feb. 13, 2024
1/21
Michigan Cherry Japanese-Style Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Michigan is known for its amazing cherries, especially the tart ones, so we have plenty of opportunities to find new ways to try and use them. They became my muse for this recipe—a twist on the traditional American cheesecake recipe. I decided to make use of the extraordinary texture and unique taste found in a Japanese-style cheesecake, which is light and melts in your mouth. —Laura Kurella, Wellston, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 294 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 157mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
2/21
Cherry Pudding Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 296 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 147mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
3/21
Michigan Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe reminds me what I love about my home state: picking apples with my children, buying greens at the farmers market and tasting cherries on vacations. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 172 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1 starch.
4/21
Blueberry Pie Recipe
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been making this blueberry pie recipe for decades since the ingredients for the filling are readily available in Michigan. Nothing says summer like a piece of fresh blueberry pie! —Linda Kernan, Mason, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 269 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
5/21
Country Ribs Dinner
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ribs slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes are pure comfort food for us. To add a little zip, we sometimes sprinkle in cayenne. —Rose Ingall, Manistee, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked meat with 1 cup vegetables and 1/4 cup gravy: 528 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 1016mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 43g protein.
6/21
Grilled Sweet Corn
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Since we have plenty of fresh sweet corn available in our area, we use this recipe often in summer. Parsley, chili powder and cumin accent the corn's just-picked flavor. —Connie Lou Hollister, Lake Odessa, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear: 201 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 345mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
7/21
Coney Island Hot Dogs
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
From the youngest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. Inspired by the classic Coney dog, they’re so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. —Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 chili dog: 371 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 992mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
8/21
Buttermilk Cornbread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The tattered recipe card for this buttermilk cornbread proves it's been a family favorite for years. It's my daughter's top request. —Judy Sellgren, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 390 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
9/21
Juicy Watermelon Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 232 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
10/21
Shredded Steak Sandwiches
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe when I was a newlywed, and it's been a favorite since then. The saucy steak barbecue makes a quick meal served on sliced buns or even over rice, potatoes or buttered noodles. —Lee Deneau, Lansing, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 347 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 1100mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
11/21
Apple Cranberry Slab Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves pie, so I made one with apples, raspberries and cranberries. It’s so good, I bend the rules and let the grandkids have it for breakfast. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 478 calories, 23g fat (6g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 322mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
12/21
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I always loved Brussels sprouts growing up, so I decided as an adult to bring them home to our family table. I've been making them ever since.—Brenda Washnock, Negaunee, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 253 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 407mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein.
13/21
Fingerling Potatoes with Fresh Parsley and Chives
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We use seasonings like adobo, Sazon, fresh parsley and minced chives when we grill potatoes. We have even smoked the potatoes in our portable smoker before grilling. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 215 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
14/21
Carrot Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 593 calories, 35g fat (7g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
15/21
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that's just right for cooks who don't have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat a whole mini cheesecake yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini cheesecake: 213 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 127mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
16/21
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here is one of my favorite ways to cook and enjoy cabbage. It has all the good flavor of regular cabbage rolls, but it's a lot less bother to make. In fact, it's a one-pot meal! —Mrs. Bernard Snow, Lewiston, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 291 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 659mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 7g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat.
17/21
Dutch Apple Pie
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everything about this Dutch apple pie recipe (especially the crumble!) makes it the top request at our family gatherings. The oat crust reminds me of a cookie, and the tart apple filling just can't be beat during harvest time. —Brenda DuFresne, Midland, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 494 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 146mg sodium, 81g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
18/21
Blueberry Romaine Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to bring this delicious salad to school gatherings. The homemade dressing couldn't be simpler, so I whip it up in advance and just give it a quick toss with the other ingredients when I get to any event. —Kris Bristol, Charlotte, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 443 calories, 40g fat (6g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 195mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
19/21
Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family adores this recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist. With the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. —Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half: 296 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 6 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
20/21
Cherry Pie Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 112 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
21/21
Caramel Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my kids and I make apple crisp, we use all sorts of apples to boost the flavor and texture. Add melted caramels, and you’ve got something scrumptious. —Michelle Brooks, Clarkston, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 564 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 213mg sodium, 94g carbohydrate (59g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein.
