Detroit-style pizza. Just hearing those words conjures images of crispy, cheesy edges, a light and airy interior, and a flavorful sauce dolloped on top. But what exactly elevates this regional pizza variety to its own distinct category, separate from its New York, Neapolitan, or Chicago cousins? It’s a combination of factors, a precise dance between ingredients, technique, and tradition that creates a truly unforgettable pizza experience. Let’s dive into the specifics that define this iconic dish.
The Pan: A Foundation of Flavor and Texture
The most immediate and recognizable characteristic of Detroit-style pizza is its rectangular shape, baked in a deep dish pan. But it’s not just any deep dish pan; it’s almost always a seasoned, dark steel pan, often originating from the automotive industry.
The Automotive Connection
The legend goes that the original Detroit-style pizzas were baked in repurposed automotive parts trays. These pans, originally used for holding nuts, bolts, and other hardware on the assembly line, were perfect for creating the signature crispy, caramelized edges. While new pans are manufactured specifically for Detroit-style pizza today, the spirit of resourcefulness and the influence of Detroit’s industrial heritage remain.
The Importance of Seasoning
The dark steel pans are meticulously seasoned over time, building up layers of baked-on oil and residue. This seasoning isn’t just for non-stick purposes; it contributes significantly to the flavor and texture of the crust. As the dough bakes against the seasoned steel, it develops a rich, almost fried flavor and a satisfyingly crispy texture. The seasoning acts as a flavor enhancer, adding depth and complexity to every bite. The deep pan also promotes even heat distribution, ensuring consistent cooking throughout the pizza.
The Dough: Lightness Amidst the Deep Dish
Despite its deep-dish nature, Detroit-style pizza doesn’t have a dense, heavy crust like some other deep-dish varieties. The dough is typically high-hydration, meaning it contains a relatively large amount of water.
High Hydration and Proofing
The high hydration dough, combined with a generous proofing period, results in a light, airy, and chewy interior crumb. The dough is often allowed to rise slowly, developing complex flavors and a characteristic open structure. This slow fermentation process also contributes to the pizza’s digestibility.
A Chewy and Tender Interior
When baked, the trapped air in the dough creates pockets and a slightly springy texture. This contrasts beautifully with the crispy edges, providing a delightful textural contrast in every slice. It’s this combination of crispy exterior and soft interior that distinguishes Detroit-style pizza dough from other types of pizza crust.
The Cheese: Wisconsin Brick and Beyond
Cheese is crucial to any pizza, but Detroit-style pizza has a particular affinity for Wisconsin brick cheese. This semi-hard cheese, known for its mild, buttery flavor and excellent melting properties, is essential for achieving the signature caramelized cheese frico around the edges of the pizza.
The Role of Brick Cheese
Brick cheese is typically placed directly against the sides of the pan, allowing it to melt and crisp up against the hot steel during baking. This creates the coveted “frico” edge, a crispy, cheesy, and utterly addictive border that is a hallmark of Detroit-style pizza.
Other Cheese Options
While Wisconsin brick cheese is the traditional choice, other cheeses can be used in combination or as substitutes. Mozzarella is often added for its stretch and flavor, and some pizzerias experiment with other cheeses like provolone or fontina. The key is to choose cheeses that melt well and complement the brick cheese’s flavor.
The Sauce: Stripes of Flavorful Acidity
Unlike many other pizza styles, Detroit-style pizza typically features the sauce dolloped on top of the cheese, rather than underneath. This practice allows the sauce to retain its bright, fresh flavor and prevents the crust from becoming soggy.
A Chunky, Tangy Sauce
The sauce itself is usually a simple, uncooked tomato sauce, often made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and a touch of olive oil. Some variations may include a hint of sweetness or spice. The chunky texture of the sauce provides a pleasant contrast to the smooth, melted cheese.
The Purpose of the Stripes
The sauce is often applied in stripes or dollops across the pizza, rather than evenly spread. This allows the cheese to peek through and crisp up in spots, creating a visually appealing and texturally diverse pizza. The stripes of sauce also ensure that each bite has a burst of tomato flavor.
The Baking Process: A Symphony of Heat and Time
The baking process is as important as the ingredients in creating a truly authentic Detroit-style pizza. The pizza is typically baked at a moderate temperature (around 450-500°F) for a relatively long time (12-15 minutes), allowing the crust to fully cook and the cheese to melt and caramelize properly.
The Importance of Oven Temperature
The oven temperature and baking time are carefully controlled to ensure that the crust is crispy on the bottom and edges, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the sauce is heated through without losing its freshness. A consistent oven temperature is crucial for achieving consistent results.
The Importance of Resting the Pizza
After baking, it’s essential to let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents it from sliding off the pizza when cut. Resting the pizza also helps to distribute the heat evenly throughout the pizza, ensuring that every slice is perfectly cooked.
The Toppings: Beyond the Basics
While the crust, cheese, and sauce are the foundation of Detroit-style pizza, the toppings offer an opportunity for creativity and customization. Pepperoni is a classic choice, often layered generously across the pizza.
Classic Topping Combinations
Other popular toppings include mushrooms, onions, peppers, and sausage. However, many pizzerias offer a wide range of toppings, from vegetarian options to more adventurous combinations. The key is to choose toppings that complement the flavors of the crust, cheese, and sauce.
The Importance of High-Quality Ingredients
As with any pizza, using high-quality ingredients is essential for creating a delicious and memorable Detroit-style pizza. Fresh, flavorful toppings will elevate the pizza to a whole new level.
The Cut: Square Slices for Sharing
Detroit-style pizza is traditionally cut into square slices, rather than triangular slices. This makes it easy to share and ensures that everyone gets a piece with those coveted crispy edges.
A Social Pizza Experience
The square slices also make it easy to pick up and eat with one hand, making it a perfect party food. The emphasis is on sharing and enjoying the pizza with friends and family.
Maximizing the Crispy Edge
Cutting the pizza into squares ensures that each slice has at least one, and often two, crispy edges. This maximizes the enjoyment of the signature crispy border and ensures that everyone gets their fair share of the best part of the pizza.
A Cultural Icon: More Than Just Pizza
Detroit-style pizza is more than just a dish; it’s a cultural icon that represents the city’s history, resilience, and culinary innovation. It’s a symbol of Detroit pride and a testament to the power of simple ingredients and resourceful techniques.
A Source of Detroit Pride
For Detroiters, this pizza is a reminder of their city’s unique character and a source of comfort and nostalgia. It’s a food that brings people together and celebrates the spirit of community.
A Pizza That Travels Well
The increasing popularity of Detroit-style pizza outside of Michigan is a testament to its undeniable appeal. Pizzerias across the country are embracing this regional specialty, bringing a taste of Detroit to new audiences.
Beyond the Traditional: Modern Variations
While adhering to the core principles of pan, dough, cheese, and sauce, modern Detroit-style pizza makers are experimenting with new flavors and techniques. This evolution keeps the style fresh and exciting while honoring its roots.
Innovations in Toppings and Sauces
Some pizzerias are using artisanal cheeses, gourmet toppings, and innovative sauces to create unique and exciting variations on the classic Detroit-style pizza. This experimentation is helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this versatile dish.
Embracing New Dough Techniques
Others are exploring different dough fermentation methods, using sourdough starters or experimenting with different flours to create unique textures and flavors. This constant innovation ensures that Detroit-style pizza remains a vibrant and dynamic culinary tradition.
What is the defining characteristic of Detroit-style pizza?
The defining characteristic of Detroit-style pizza is its rectangular shape and thick, airy crust with a crispy, almost caramelized edge. This unique crust is achieved by baking the pizza in well-seasoned, dark-colored steel pans, often originally used in Detroit’s automotive industry. The high heat and the pan’s properties contribute to the distinct textures and flavors that set it apart from other pizza styles.
Another key feature is the “frico” crust. This is created when cheese (often Wisconsin brick cheese) is pushed all the way to the edges of the pan, where it melts and caramelizes against the hot steel. This process results in a deeply flavorful, crispy, cheesy edge that is a hallmark of authentic Detroit-style pizza. The toppings are typically added in reverse order, with sauce dolloped on top of the cheese after baking.
What type of pan is essential for making authentic Detroit-style pizza?
Authentic Detroit-style pizza requires a specific type of pan: a deep, rectangular, dark-colored steel pan. These pans are typically 8×10 or 10×14 inches, and their steep sides are crucial for creating the thick, airy crust that is a hallmark of the style. The dark color of the steel helps to conduct heat evenly and efficiently, contributing to the crispy, caramelized edges.
While other types of pans can be used as substitutes, the results will not be the same. The unique combination of the pan’s shape, material, and seasoning process is essential for achieving the signature textures and flavors of Detroit-style pizza. Many enthusiasts swear by vintage automotive drip pans, properly cleaned and seasoned, for truly authentic results, though commercially available Detroit-style pizza pans are now readily available.
What kind of cheese is traditionally used on Detroit-style pizza?
The traditional cheese used on Detroit-style pizza is Wisconsin brick cheese. This cheese is a semi-hard variety with a mild, buttery flavor and a high fat content. Its excellent melting properties and ability to brown beautifully make it ideal for achieving the signature caramelized crust that defines the style.
While brick cheese is the traditional choice, some variations may substitute with a blend of mozzarella and cheddar, or other cheeses that offer similar melting and browning characteristics. However, purists insist on using Wisconsin brick cheese for the most authentic flavor profile and texture.
Why is the sauce applied on top of the cheese after baking in Detroit-style pizza?
The practice of applying the sauce on top of the cheese after baking, known as “striping,” is a deliberate technique that contributes to the unique flavor profile of Detroit-style pizza. By layering the sauce on top, it avoids soaking into the thick crust during baking, preserving its airy texture and preventing it from becoming soggy. This method also helps the cheese to fully caramelize and develop its crispy edges.
Furthermore, the fresh, uncooked flavor of the sauce provides a bright contrast to the rich, cheesy crust. The sauce, typically a simple tomato-based marinara, adds a tangy and slightly sweet element that balances the richness of the cheese and the crispy, savory crust, creating a complex and satisfying flavor experience.
How does the crust of Detroit-style pizza differ from other pizza crusts?
The crust of Detroit-style pizza differs significantly from other pizza crusts in terms of its shape, texture, and cooking method. Unlike the thin, round crusts of Neapolitan or New York-style pizzas, Detroit-style pizza boasts a thick, rectangular crust that is both airy and crispy. This distinct texture is achieved through a combination of high hydration dough, a specific proofing process, and baking in a steel pan.
The unique baking process, where the dough is pressed into a well-oiled steel pan and baked at a high temperature, allows the edges to caramelize and develop a crispy, almost fried-like texture. The interior of the crust remains light and airy, providing a delightful contrast to the crispy exterior. This combination of textures is a defining characteristic that sets it apart from other pizza styles.
What is the significance of the seasoned pan in creating Detroit-style pizza?
The seasoned pan plays a crucial role in creating the authentic flavor and texture of Detroit-style pizza. Over time, the pan develops a non-stick surface and a rich patina from repeated use and oiling. This seasoning contributes to the even browning and crisping of the crust, particularly the edges, which become deeply caramelized and flavorful.
The seasoned pan also helps to release the pizza easily after baking, preventing it from sticking and ensuring that the crust remains intact. The accumulated layers of oil and baked-on flavors infuse the crust with a subtle, savory taste that enhances the overall dining experience. The pan itself becomes an integral part of the pizza-making process, contributing to its unique character.
What are some common toppings used on Detroit-style pizza besides cheese and sauce?
While cheese and sauce are essential components, common toppings on Detroit-style pizza often include pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. Pepperoni is a particularly popular choice, often placed under the cheese to prevent it from curling during baking. The specific combination of toppings can vary depending on personal preference, but these are among the most frequently used.
Other variations may include sausage, bacon, or olives. The focus remains on using high-quality ingredients that complement the flavors of the crust, cheese, and sauce. The thick crust can support a generous amount of toppings, allowing for a hearty and satisfying pizza experience.