To address a paucity of health and nutrition information, non-Hispanic Asians were oversampled for the first time in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. Therefore, sample sizes are sufficient to produce reliable estimates for the following race/ethnicity groups: non-Hispanic white (white), non-Hispanic black (black), non-Hispanic Asian (Asian) and Hispanic. Nationally representative one-day dietary data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2011-2012 were analyzed for nutrient intakes and eating patterns for 4801 adults, 20 years and older. Energy intake (mean±SE) among Asians (1947±27 kcal) was lower than among whites (2209±24 kcal), blacks (2187±40 kcal) and Hispanics (2211±42 kcal). In contrast, mean sodium intake (mg) was higher among Asians (3827±120) than among whites (3574±41), blacks (3536±72), and Hispanics (3654±73). Differences were observed for eating patterns. A higher percentage of whites (68%) and Asians (72%) reported consuming the standard 3-meal pattern: breakfast, lunch, and supper compared to blacks (45%) and Hispanics (50%). The percentage of energy contributed by foods and beverages consumed at snack occasions was higher for whites (25%) and blacks (25%) than for Asians (21%) and Hispanics (20%). The results of this study illustrate the importance of considering race/ethnicity in both dietary intake research and intervention strategies. Funding by ARS, USDA