Texas is a state that is rich in agriculture and produces the highest quality and quantity of many commodities and specialty crops!
What are commodities? A commodity is a valuable product that is bought and sold to produce many things we use each day, from food to clothes and beyond! Below we have highlighted many well-known commodities that are grown, raised, or harvested right here in Texas. We are proud to have such diverse agricultural availability!
Beef
Texas is the top cattle-producing state in the nation! Cattle production spans all regions in Texas, this makes Beef one of Texas’s tastiest commodities! Try out a simple Beef Kabob recipe for your next grilling night, or get more beef recipe inspiration by exploring our extensive recipe list featuring beef. If you’re interested in tips on cooking with beef, we’ve got you covered. Hop on over to our partners at Path to the Plate to learn more about beef cattle production.
Cabbage
Cabbage is known as a cole crop and is related to cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and broccoli! Cabbage is easy to grow in Texas and is a nutritious addition to meals. Try our Cranberry Apple Coleslaw for your next BBQ or our Cabbage & Meatballs for a hearty dinner. If you’re interested in learning how you can grow cabbage yourself, read this article from AgriLife for the details.
Catfish
Pass through any small Texas town on a Friday and you’re bound to come across a catfish fry. It’s no wonder considering, that all regions of Texas have suitable conditions for catfish production! This ready availability means that it’s typically a cost-friendly option for fish at your local grocery store. Next time you plan on branching out, try our Baked Parmesan Catfish or these Catfish Tacos with Avocado Crema. Be sure to use these tips to help you identify fresh fish to ensure you’re selecting the best for your family.
Chicken & Poultry
Poultry farms are primarily located in East and South Central Texas. Shelby Country in East Texas ranks seventh in the United States for poultry and egg production, and Gonzales County ranks ninth! Chicken is an excellent choice for getting lean protein in your diet. Check out our long list of chicken recipes and turkey recipes to find what’s for Dinner Tonight! Learn more about overall poultry production here in Texas including the production cycle, processing, and poultry-by-products.
Citrus
Texas is perfect for citrus production with its warm climate, fertile soil, and lots of sunshine with the highest concentration in the southern part of the state! Citrus production in Texas includes grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, and more. Pick up some Texas-grown grapefruit and try them out in these recipes Grapefruit Salad & Vinaigrette, or maybe this Spinach & Avocado Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette is more your style? Citrus pairs well with fish to bring out bright fresh flavors, try this Pan-Roasted Grouper or Orange and Ginger Salmon. Learn how to segment a grapefruit, a technique needed for using citrus in many recipes. If you’re interested in learning more about citrus production in Texas, visit our partners at Aggie Horticulture to learn more.
Corn
There are over 2 million acres of corn growing in Texas annually! This crop is hugely important to Texas agriculture and both feed-grade and food-grade corn are grown. When looking to purchase corn in the grocery store look for green husks, fresh silks, and tight rows of corn. If you’re looking for the basics of how to cook corn on the cob, look no further, plus we have instant pot directions! For more interesting things to do with corn, try this Roasted Poblano and Creamy Corn Soup or these Southwest Bean Burritos.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are great for backyard gardening, while they are large plants you’ll reap the rewards with lots of cucumbers! Learn more about how to grow cucumbers for yourself! Whether you’re growing your own or purchasing from the store or local farmers’ market, enjoy cucumber in this Strawberry and Cucumber Salad or as a hydrating drink in a Cucumber and Lime Aguas Frescas.
Dairy
Most dairy operations are now located in the Texas panhandle region with the remaining in East and Central Texas but dairy remains to be a huge part of Texas agriculture! Learn all the highlights of the Dairy industry from our partners at Path to the Plate who provide excellent insight into the industry. Try out the hard work of dairy cows with our Three Cheese Lasagna, Vegetable & Cheese tart, or Chili Mac!
Eggs
Eggs are nutritious, affordable, and a versatile meal option. They are an excellent source of protein, which helps you to stay full and energized throughout the day! Did you know that eggshell color is determined by the breed of the chicken and does not influence flavor or nutritional value? Furthermore, Texas is one of the top 5 egg producers in the United States! So eat up this delicious and nutritious Texas commodity throughout the day; in the morning with Breakfast Power Bowls, noon with Easy Egg Salad, and night with Spinach Quiche. Interested in learning more about small flock poultry? Check out this video series.
Mushrooms
Safe-to-Eat mushrooms can be grown indoors in Texas and are a crop found in production along the I-45 corridor in East Texas! Mushrooms are packed with Vitamin D, Fiber, and more! Along with their mild but tasty flavor they go well in lots of dishes. Looking for recipes to explore with mushrooms? Try out these Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms or this quick Stir Fry. Learn more about selecting, storing, and preparing mushrooms for cooking here.
Onions
Onions grow very well in Texas gardens but can also be found growing commercially all the way from the Lower Rio Grande Valley to the High Plains! Onions typically provide fantastic flavor to dishes but are also sources of vitamins and minerals. Try these Panko Onion Rings with Homemade Ranch for your next savory snack or break out your slow cooker for this Savory Onion and Mushroom Pork Roast! Try out our recommendations on storing your onions in your home. If you’re interested in learning more about commercial onion production in Texas, visit our partners at Aggie Horticulture. If you want to know more about how you can grow onions in your garden, visit this article for step-by-step info!
Pecans
Pecans are a popular nut grown all across the Southern United States, but Texas is a top pecan producer. The Pecan tree is also Texas’s official state tree! Pecan’s mild flavor allows them to be used in many different sweet and savory ways. Try our Pecan Coffee Cake recipe for a sweet afternoon treat or try out this Smoky Snack Mix. Pecans are perfect additions to salads like in this Parmesan Celery Salad or Kiwi Mandarin Salad. To learn more about pecan production in Texas check out this article from Texas A&M AgriLife.
Peaches
Peaches are a sweet summertime and early fall treat here in Texas! While we do have peach orchards, there are lots of backyard peach trees here in the state. If you’re interested in growing your own, we recommend reading this article to help ensure your backyard success. Whether you’re using homegrown or purchasing from a farmer’s market or grocery store, this is Grilled Peach Sundae the next time the grill is fired up, or give this Peachy Blueberry Cobbler a go! Serve up a gorgeous side dish with this Peach & Blackberry Salad.
Peanuts
When it comes to peanuts, Texas is the fourth largest peanut-growing state in the United States and much of the peanut production in Texas can be found near the panhandle. Texas is the only state that grows organic peanuts and all four of the peanut varieties: Runner, Valencia, Spanish, and Virginia. Within the United States, making peanut butter is the leading use of peanuts. Peanut butter can provide protein, some carbohydrates, and healthy fats. We love it so much we’ve added it to a few of our recipes such as our Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, Fruit Dip, and these kid-friendly Nutty Apple Rings.
Pork
The United States is the 3rd most pork-producing country in the world! Commonly available at grocery stores there are plenty of ways to use the different cuts of pork. Try these Corn Stuffed Pork Chops for your next meal or these Smokey Pork Tenderloin Tacos. To get more recipe ideas visit our list of all of our pork recipes. If you’re confused about selecting the right cut of pork at the meat counter, check out our helpful information. Learn a bit more about pork production in the United States by visiting our partner Path to the Plate.
Potatoes
Did you know that the average American can eat up to 120 pounds of potatoes each year? Potatoes are so popular that they are produced and grown commercially in every single state in the United States. Potatoes can be found all over the grand state of Texas, especially in areas where there is major commercial vegetable production. Areas that are known for larger commercial production include the High Plains, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and the Texas Wintergarden. Potatoes can also be grown in home gardens, as well as container gardens. For tips on growing potatoes, visit this article from AgriLife Extension. Potatoes are such a versatile commodity and can be prepared and eaten in various ways. From a classic side dish like our Garlic Mashed Potatoes to a BBQ must-have such as our Creamy Potato Salad to a family favorite of Roasted Fries, potatoes can offer a variety of flavors. Check out this tip on how to easily peel your potatoes to make prep for these recipes hassle-free! When you’re done with that, head on over to our website to learn more about potatoes.
Rice
Rice, is a food staple for communities far and wide! Did you know, on average, Texas ranks 4th in rice production in the United States, producing about 7 percent of the nation’s rice supply. Rice is a versatile staple in everyone’s pantry and can be added as a base to your main dish, as a side, or put into soups and casseroles. Jazz up your rice side dish by trying this, Lemon Rice recipe. Or pair rice with another popular Texas commodity beef, with this One Pan Tex Mex Beef and Rice.
Seafood
The Gulf of Mexico provides Texas with lots of exciting seafood options! Commercial shrimp harvest in Texas produces millions of dollars in economic activity annually. Look for Texas-caught shrimp next time you’re thinking about seafood! Shrimp tacos are very popular for their ease of prep and fantastic flavors, try these Shrimp Tacos with Southwest Watermelon Salsa or Shrimp and Slaw Street Tacos and find more Shrimp & Seafood recipe inspiration here. Buying whole fresh shrimp means needing to devein them at home, try our easy technique for deveining.
Sorghum
Texas produces both food-grade sorghum for human consumption and feed-grade sorghum for livestock consumption. Watch here to learn more about the different types of this ancient grain. If you find yourself with some food-grade sorghum check out Sorghum Crab Cakes or Sorghum Fried Rice. If you’re in the mood for a sweeter sorghum treat, try our Peachy Blueberry Sorghum Cobbler.
Spinach
Texas is one of four states which grow 98 percent of the commercial fresh market spinach in the United States. With a variety of climates, many areas in Texas have shown to be the perfect mild climate for the production of spinach. In fact, spinach has now made a name for Crystal City, Texas, which has been named the “Spinach capital of the world”. The booming spinach production in Texas has also led to additional spinach varieties such as “baby” and “teen” flat-leaf spinach. If you’re in the search for an easy but delicious side dish to incorporate this nutrient-dense vegetable, try our Creamy Spinach recipe. You can also try growing your own spinach for this recipe. Check out this article from AgriLife Extension on how to grow spinach and other greens!
Strawberries
Strawberries and Springtime go hand in hand! These delicious fruits are no stranger to Texas and are known as a “cool-season crop”, where they are typically planted in the fall and ready in the spring. The small town of Poteet, TX, in Atascosa County, has the highest concentration of strawberry growers in Texas and is known for its annual Poteet Strawberry Festival. Strawberries are a great low-calorie fruit option and are an excellent source of vitamin c and manganese. Strawberries are not only a sweet treat on their own but are also a great addition to salads such as our Strawberry Pecan Salad and Strawberry cucumber salad. If you want to get the most out of your strawberries, check out this neat de-stemming trick here.
Watermelon
From the Rio Grande Valley to the High Plains to East Texas, you’re sure to find watermelon growing in over 100 Texas counties. While watermelons can be grown all over Texas, they are a warm-season crop that allows for a variety in production months in various areas throughout the state making them an annual crop. Watermelons are not only refreshing on a hot sunny day but they are great for hydration as they are comprised of over 90% water. Watermelons also provide us with nutrients, such as vitamin C and potassium, and also contain antioxidants. If you love watermelon just as much as we do, then our Watermelon salad and Watermelon and Lime Aguas Frescas recipes are a must! If you find yourself needing help choosing a watermelon for these recipes, you can check out this quick video on how to select the perfect melon. You can also visit this article from Path To The Plate to learn more about watermelons.
Wheat
Texas, ranked ninth in wheat production out of the 50 states, plants an average of 4.8 million acres of wheat and produces an average of 65 million bushels each year. Wheat has typically been grown in the areas around the panhandle, Southern High Plains, and Rolling Plains but continues to expand to additional areas in Texas. Approximately 85% of the wheat grown in Texas is hard red winter and can be used to make products such as bread, flat bread, hard rolls, and general-purpose flour. Products including wheat, especially whole wheat products, can provide many health benefits. Whole wheat products provide fiber, protein, and several vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, selenium, and iron. Hop on over to our website to learn more about going whole grain. You can also include some whole grain products into your home by trying out recipes such as this Cheesy Chicken Pasta, Banana Chia Bread, or our Turkey Sausage and Spinach Strata.
Special Note:
This is not a comprehensive list of every single commodity and specialty crop grown in Texas. We chose to focus on commodities and specialty crops that are edible as fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy and are accessible to those within the State. For more information on commodities not found on this webpage, please visit our Partners at Aggie Horticulture and Path to the Plate.
Sources
USDA/NASS 2021 State Agriculture Overview
Texas Agriculture Statistics 2009
Going Green – AgriLife Extension Service