Beyoncé’s new album “Country Carter” drops on March 29. Here’s what to serve at your listening party.
We’re just a few days away from the release ofBeyoncé’s country album, Cowboy Carter, and we can hardly contain ourselves.
Beyoncé was already my top Spotify artist of 2023, and there’s a good chance this album will lock her into first place again this year.
On March 29 — Good Friday, indeed —Beyoncé drops the country album she teased during the Super Bowl. We have all the faith in the world in Bey, plus we already have “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” to go off.
We know you’ve been listening, because together the tracks have more than 200 million streams on Spotify alone. But do you have any clue what to serve at an album release party for the record dubbed Cowboy Carter?
Obviously we’re going for some big Texas vibes. Queen B is famously from Houston, a city known for a wide range of cuisines, including Vietnamese food and breakfast tacos. And more broadly, Texas is associated with barbecue, Tex Mex, chili con carne, ribs, and more. So we’ve gathered a broad swath of options depending on what aspect of the Lone Star State and cowboy culture you want to tap into.
After all, food in Texas is diverse, just like country music itself.
Plenty of small-minded people have been griping online about the idea of Beyoncé releasing a country album (though in a recent Instagram post, she said it isn’t a country album per se, but a Beyoncé album). It’s ridiculous if you know anything about Beyoncé — you can easily find photos of Destiny’s Child promoting their album way back in 2001 wearing cowboy hats and fringe, something you may see called “cowgirlcore.” And she has just as much a claim to it as any other Texan.
But it’s also absurd given the long history of Black cowboy culture, not to mention other contemporary Black artists making country music, including (but not limited to) Mickey Guyton, Rhiannon Giddens, and Darius Rucker. And let’s not forget that the most recent Country Music Awards nod for Song of the Year went to Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” (after Luke Combs released a loving-yet-inferior country version of the legendary track).
Chances are, you don’t need to be told any of that. So if you’re ready to ride 16 carriages down the old town road, here are a bevy of food ideas — some with clear influences from Black and African food traditions — for your Beyoncé album release listening party!
1
Serene Herrera
Chile Relleno Recipe
Chile Relleno can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or easy dinner. Spicy, savory, and perfectly delectable.
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2
Serene Herrera
Texas Caviar Recipe
Texas Caviar is fantastic! An easy flavorful appetizer or snack made with black eyed peas and marinated in a fresh herb dressing.
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3
Serene Herrera
Tex Mex Crab Cakes Recipe
Tex Mex Crab Cakes have a great kick from spice and jalapeño. One fantastic appetizer!
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4
David Dial
Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe
Smoked beef brisket is a Texas barbecue staple. Do you like yours with sauce or without?
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5
Shihoko Ura
Chili Con Carne Recipe
Chili Con Carne is a delicious way to get dinner on the table in a hurry. This spicy, savory stew is wonderful!
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6
Stock Art
How to Make Tamales
Learn how to make tamales, a staple across southern Texas, including Houston, and perfect for sliding into your saddle bag.
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7
Taylor Kiser
Cajun Grilled Cod Recipe
Cajun Grilled Cod makes a sweet, spicy dinner that everyone will rave over. Clean up is also super simple! Perfect for warmer nights.
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8
Ethan Adeland
Scrambled Eggs and Avocado Breakfast Tacos Recipe
Scrambled Eggs and Avocado Breakfast Tacos are a satisfying meal. Takes less than 10 minutes!
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Okra Soup Recipe
This Creole-style okra soup recipe produces a dish that is rich in flavor and delicious served with fresh crusty bread.
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10
Erin S.
Quick Texas Chili Recipe
Texas Chili Recipe – An easy weeknight version of Texas Chili. Hearty, comforting, and definitely a crowd pleaser.
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11
Cyd Converse
Easy Tex Mex Veggie + Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Make our easy Tex Mex stuffed peppers with just a handful of pantry staples like beans and rice. They’re simple and delicious!
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12
Kristy Still
Crock Pot Country Ribs
Everything you need to know about making delicious, melt-in-your-mouth Crock Pot Country Ribs, including tips for making them perfectly tender.
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13
Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Queso Fresco Dip Recipe
This queso fresco dip with sour cream takes just minutes to prepare, but packs a big punch of flavor. Cool and creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, crumbled queso fresco and a few Mexican spices are all you need for the hit of the party!
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14
Lauren Keating
Vegetable Pho Recipe
Pho, the popular Vietnamese soup, is great any time of year. It’s a popular choice in Houston given the city’s large Vietnamese population and wide range of restaurants serving it.
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15
Erin S.
One Pot Cajun Pasta Recipe
One Pot Cajun Pasta is just the meal you want on your table when the week gets away from you. Make it as spicy as you like!
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16
Heather Tullos
Country Fried Potatoes
Country fried potatoes make a great basis for a tasty breakfast or brunch. Here’s how to prepare them.
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17
Brianna Hobbs
Mole Chili Recipe
Mole Chili can be cooked in the slow cooker or on the stove. A seriously spicy amazing meal!
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18
Meghan Bassett
Grilled Pulled Pork Tex Mex Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Grilled Pulled Pork Tex Mex Stuffed Avocados are a fun way to get your grill on without getting too unhealthy. With a kiss from the grill, the avocados get a little char before being stuffed with saucy pulled pork, peppers and an avocado crema.
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