7 Amazing Sweet + Savory Pecan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What flavor goes well with pecan? ›

Pecans pair well with sweet flavors, so they are especially popular in salads that include strawberries, dried cherries, or other sweet fruits. Chicken salad.

Add pecans to quick breads, muffins, or cakes, toss them into a salad or a pan of roasted vegetables, or use them to coat a cheese ball. Try these pecan-centric recipes: Honey Roasted Pecans. Apple Pecan Chicken Salad.

Pecan Pie History

Legend has it that the French people who settled in New Orleans made the first pecan pie after eating pecans given to them by Native American tribes. Some also claim that pecan pie originated in Alabama in the early 1800s but there is no written documentation to substantiate it.

Pecan pie is a pie of pecan nuts mixed with a filling of eggs, butter and sugar (typically corn syrup). Variations may include white or brown sugar, cane syrup, sugar syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey.

One of the best traits of pecans is their versatility. They pair beautifully with bittersweet chocolate and bourbon, like in our Kentucky Derby Pie, but they also complement the sweetness of fresh fruit like peaches (have you tried our Pecan-Peach Cobbler?

Pecans have two sources of bitterness -- naturally occurring tannins in the kernel and pieces of corky material from the inside of the nut which can adhere to the kernel. Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking.

Contribute to heart health: Here's another reason to love America's native nut: It loves you back. Pecans are healthy for you and your heart. Eating a few pecans per day as part of a nutritious diet can lower cholesterol levels and boost levels of “good” fats.

Pecans help boost brain function while fighting against cognitive decline. They are a good source of vitamin E, which has been linked to reducing the risk of suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia by up to 25%. They also serve as a good source of copper and thiamine.

Why is pecan pie famous in Texas? Texas pecan pie has been a tradition for more than 100 years, and the pie was officially named the state dessert in 2013.

The name "pecan" is a Native American word of Algonquin origin that was used to describe "all nuts requiring a stone to crack." The Algonquins were a North American tribe located on the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers where pecans were a food staple during the winter months.

What do Southerners call pecans? ›

Here is a list based on popularity: pee-KAHN — most dominant phrasing nationwide. PEE-can — most dominant on the east coast. pick-AHN — popular in areas like Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The term pecan comes from the Algonquin Indian word "pacane", meaning a nut that needs to be cracked with a stone. The Algonquins were a North American tribe located on the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers. Pecans were the main food staple for these Native Americans in the south central region of the United States.

The word pecan is derived from the Algonquin tribe's word “pacane” which translates to “nu*ts requiring a stone to crack”. Native Americans were the first to cultivate and utilize wild pecans and their trees.

Use pecans to make a twist on the traditional basil version or blend pecans with other fresh herbs such as cilantro, sage or rosemary for a pesto that pairs well throughout the seasons.

Pecan pie is another staple for any holiday meal. Pecan pairs well with flavors that have burnt or brown notes like brown sugar, butterscotch, caramel and maple. Pecan also complements apple, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, peach, plum, pumpkin and rum.

Top 5 Pairings

Although people enjoy a mix of sweet and savory flavors with walnuts, a sweet combination is most liked by all: (1) Dark Chocolate, (2) Sesame Cayenne, (3) Vanilla, (4) Sea Salt Caramel, (5) Coffee.

Full of caramel, pecans and toffee. This awesome combination has a small taste of praline. Another great for just about any occasion and can be served with graham crackers, gingersnaps or whatever you like.