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During the Great Depression era in the United States (1929-1939), many families had to make do with limited ingredients and resources, leading to the creation of a variety of simple and affordable recipes. In this article, I share lists of recipes to give you food & recipe inspiration as you create recipes for yourself and your family.
Great Depression Recipes
Hi Everyone, The Great Depression Era recipes are a source of constant inspiration for me as I develop recipes for the blog. I find them to be versatile, budget-friendly, and enduring recipes that hold up to recipes of today. In this article, I share lists of recipes to give you food & recipe inspiration as you create recipes for yourself and your family.
During the Great Depression Era in the United States, many families were struggling to make ends meet, and food was often scarce. As a result, people had to get creative with the ingredients they had on hand, and many classic Depression-era recipes were born. Here are a few examples of popular recipes from this era:
- Creamed chipped beef on toast: This dish, also known as “SOS” (which stood for “s**t on a shingle”!), was a staple in military mess halls during World War II. It consisted of thinly sliced dried beef in a creamy sauce served over toast.
- Spam and eggs: Spam, a canned meat product made from pork shoulder and ham, was introduced in the late 1930s and quickly became popular due to its low cost and long shelf life. It was often served with scrambled eggs for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Mock apple pie: This pie was made using crackers, sugar, and spices, and was designed to mimic the taste of real apple pie. It became popular during the Depression when fresh fruit was hard to come by.
- Potato soup: Potatoes were a cheap and plentiful ingredient during the Depression, and potato soup was a popular way to stretch a small amount of meat or vegetables into a filling meal.
- Bread pudding: Stale bread was often used in Depression-era cooking, and the bread pudding was a delicious way to use up leftover bread. It was typically made by soaking stale bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, then baking it in the oven.
These are just a few examples of popular recipes from the Great Depression Era in the United States (read below for a more comprehensive list). Despite the difficult circ*mstances of the time, people found creative and delicious ways to make do with what they had.
List of Great Depression Era Recipes
Here is a list of 50 unique Great Depression Era recipes (all links open in a new window):
- Tomato soup
- Potato pancakes
- Macaroni and cheese
- Apple pie
- Cornbread
- Fried chicken #ad
- Hamburger gravy
- Corned beef and cabbage
- Scalloped potatoes
- Apple sauce
- Fried apples
- Cabbage rolls
- Pork and beans
- Fried potatoes
- Chicken and dumplings
- Baked beans
- Sausage and biscuits
- Carrot cake
- Fried rice
- Beef stew
- Goulash
- Fried dough
- Ham and potato casserole
- Fried egg sandwich
- Chocolate cake
- Stuffed peppers
- Vegetable soup
- Creamed chipped beef on toast
- Chili
- Ravioli
- Creamed corn
- Lemon meringue pie
- Meatballs and gravy
- Beef and potato pie
- Biscuits and gravy
- Pea soup
- Ham and beans
- Beef pot roast
- Chicken pot pie
- Fried green tomatoes
- Sloppy Joes
- Chicken fried steak
- Fried pork chops
- Raisin bread
- Fried catfish
- Roast chicken
- Beef and noodles
- Fried okra
- Welsh rarebit
- Fish chowder
These recipes were popular during the Great Depression era due to their affordability, simplicity, and use of easily accessible ingredients. Many of them have continued to be beloved dishes throughout the years.
Are Depression Era recipes making a comeback?
Yes, Depression Era recipes have been making a comeback in recent years. This is likely due to a variety of factors, including a renewed interest in simple, affordable, and comforting dishes, as well as a desire to reduce food waste and use ingredients more efficiently.
Additionally, in times of economic uncertainty or hardship, people may turn to Depression Era recipes as a way to stretch their food budgets and make the most out of the ingredients they have on hand. These recipes often utilize pantry staples and less expensive cuts of meat or vegetables, making them a practical choice for many households.
Overall, the popularity of Depression Era recipes shows that even in modern times, we can still appreciate the resourcefulness and creativity of those who came before us, and find comfort in the classic dishes that have stood the test of time.
Which Great Depression Era recipes have been most popular in recent years?
Many Depression Era recipes have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity in recent years, as people have been looking for simple, affordable, and comforting meals. Some of the most popular Depression Era recipes from the list I provided earlier include:
- Meatloaf
- Potato soup
- Macaroni and cheese
- Tuna noodle casserole
- Fried chicken #ad
- Baked beans
- Cornbread
- Sloppy joes
- Shepherd’s Pie #ad
- Cabbage rolls #ad
These recipes are often made with simple, affordable ingredients that are easy to find and require minimal preparation. They are also versatile, allowing for easy customization and adaptation to suit individual tastes and preferences.
In addition to the above recipes, Depression Era desserts such as bread pudding, apple pie, and gingerbread have also been enjoying a resurgence in popularity. These comforting treats make use of basic ingredients such as flour, sugar, and eggs, and are perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
Overall, the popularity of Depression Era recipes is a testament to their enduring appeal and the ingenuity of those who created them during difficult times.
Let us know in the comments if you have tried any of these Great Depression Era recipes or if you have one to share; Thank you for reading and following along.
During the Great Depression era in the United States (1929-1939), many families had to make do with limited ingredients and resources, leading to the creation of a variety of simple and affordable recipes. In this article, I share lists of recipes to give you food & recipe inspiration as you create recipes for yourself and your family.
1
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned Beef and Cabbage is a classic Irish-American family dinner popular to serve on St. Patrick’s Day. This savory, delicious, and complete meal is cooked in a Dutch Oven on the stovetop with corned beef brisket, baby red potatoes, green cabbage wedges, and carrots.
2
Homemade Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Homemade Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting has cinnamon, vanilla, and 3 cups of finely shredded carrots throughout this delicious cake. It is a 2-tiered cake with smooth and sweet homemade cream cheese frosting. It’s topped with optional chopped pecans and decorated with fresh, peeled little carrots.
3
Fried Dough
This is a classic Fried Dough recipe that can be made right at home with a few basic ingredient staples.
4
Wacky Cake
Wacky Cakeis a vintage, Great-Depression era, from scratch, a recipe that makes a dense, incredibly moist chocolate cakewithout the use of eggs, butter, or milk! This delicious cake recipe is topped withvanilla frostingandsprinklesto make a perfectly sweet snacking cake that can also be used for special occasions. It makes a wonderfulScience/STEM activityto do with kids as well as agreat history lesson. vegetarian
5
How to Roast a Chicken
This Roasted Chicken is juicy, savory and delicious. It’s a classic family dinner staple that can be combined with most any side dish and salad. All you need is a whole fresh chicken, kosher salt, pepper and optionally any favorite herbs, garlic and or citrus to customize – it is that easy!
6
Chicken Pot Pie Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Pot Pie Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is a savory and comforting one-dish recipe, perfect for dinner with your family or bring to a gathering. It has chicken, pie crust, tater tots, and mixed vegetables all combined into one lovely dish! makes 2, 9-inch round casserole pies
7
Fried Green Tomatoes
These Fried Green Tomatoes have a crunchy, panko bread crumb coating with tuxedo sesame seeds.
8
Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
This Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe is a family favorite with garden-fresh flavors and fully satisfying for dinner. Customize them with ground chicken, beef, turkey, or pork!
9
Scalloped Potatoes
This Scalloped Potatoes recipe has thinly sliced potatoes, and sliced onions, with a creamy sauce of half-and-half (or whole milk or cream), with flour, butter, and simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and aromatic thyme or other optional seasonings. It is baked in a 9x13-inch casserole dish and perfect for serving as a vegetarian side dish on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and any holiday and/or gathering! (makes 12 servings)
10
Tuna Noodle Casserole
ThisTuna Noodle Casseroleis made-from-scratch (no canned soup!), it has buttery Light ‘n Fluffy® Extra Wide Egg Noodles (12 oz), fresh vegetables like onions, garlic, celery, and peas and seasoned with dill, lemon, fresh Italian parsley salt, and pepper. This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food!
11
Jiffy Cornbread Johnny Cake
Photo Credit:www.lifeslittlesweets.com
Jiffy Cornbread Johnny Cake – This recipe post has the ingredients and directions for making the classic Johnny Cake recipe on the Jiffy Cornbread mix box! This is a family favorite recipe that can be further customized. It goes great as a snack, with soup or chili, a recipe for Thanksgiving, Independence Day/4th of July, or any meal in between.
12
Rice Pudding
Rice Puddingis an ultimate sweet (yet not too sweet) comfort food with nourishing rice, milk (or vegan milk), nutmeg, vanilla, and optional add-ins like fresh seasonal fruit or berries, dried fruit, or berries, and cinnamon. Have it customized to your tastes for breakfast, snack, or dessert! Non-dairy/lactose-free/vegan option available.
13
Gingerbread Spice Cake
This Gingerbread Spice Cake is flavorful, with aromatic spices, molasses, and honey & maple agave nectar! It has a dairy-free & vegan option, so everyone can enjoy this moist & delicious cake 🙂 Spice up things with a warm slice topped with Vanilla Coconut Icing.
14
Chipotle Turkey Chili #ad
Chipotle Turkey Chili is savory, flavorful and so perfectly warming on a cold, Winter day. You can use up leftover turkey meat or substitute the same amount of lean ground turkey. This recipe uses flavorful and smokey, TABASCO® Chipotle Pepper Sauce.
15
One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
A straightforward and delicious one-pot chili mac and cheese that's sure to feed a large family. Best of all, it can be made in one pot!
16
Easy Crock-Pot Turkey Chili with Egg Noodles
This Easy Crock-Pot Turkey Chili with Egg Noodles recipe is perfect for when you want hot comfort food that satisfies every food group. Let your Crock-Pot/slow cooker do all the work for you!
17
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Chili
This Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Chiliis the perfect bowl of Winter comfort food. This recipe can be made quick and easy in your instant pot. Make this warm and savory chili in advanced to have for the week. It is sweet from the sweet potatoes and comforting from the chicken. They are paired together perfectly to satisfy! Add any additional topping of your choice to top it off.
18
Chili Recipes Collection
Chili season is here and waiting to be eaten! Beat the cold this winter with our delicious chili recipes. These recipes can be made in a slow cooker, stovetop, or instant pot.
19
Incredible Homemade Apple Pie
This classic, Incredible Homemade Apple Pie has an incredible flavor with a buttery, crisp crust one can only dream about. Bring this epic homemade pie to your next holiday gathering and get ready for the fanfare it brings!
20
Vegetarian Mac n Cheese
Vegetarian Mac ‘n Cheeseis a baked mac ‘n cheese recipe, made with vegan shredded cheeses, vegan butter, elbow macaroni, and topped with Panko breadcrumbs. Try out this cheesy, vegetarian side dish that has an easy way to make it vegan too.
21
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls on SoFabFood
Filled with either lean ground turkey or beef, these Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are served with tomato sauce and are sure to impress a dinner crowd. This simple weeknight meal is popular in Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia. This classic comfort food is a hit every time!
22
Naturally Sweet Cornbread
Naturally Sweet Cornbread uses one bowl to make, has only 8 ingredients, and is naturally sweetened with Madhava Coconut Sugar.
23
Honeyed Cornbread
This type of bread, apart from the previous bread recipes I’ve shared, uses baking powder instead of yeast for leavening. This recipe is no fuss – you can just throw the ingredients together and part of the appeal (aside from the ease of making) is how down-home and rustic it is, in short: comfort food.
24
Cornbread
ThisCornbreadrecipe is a classic, fluffy cornbread recipe that tastes great topped withbutterandhoney. This recipe is also perfect for makingCornbread Muffins.
25
Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread Muffins are light and fluffy, great for breakfast, snack, or meal prep. You can have these simple, homemade cornbread muffins on their own or topped with butter or jam. (dairy-free option, makes 12 muffins)
26
Yellow Split Pea Soup
Yellow Split Pea Soupis a hearty soup filled with protein, veggies and carbs, perfect for sustaining you during cold weather. Enjoy this classic, family, comfort food, soup recipe which is a meal in an of itself!
27
Split Pea Soup Recipe
Split Pea Soup is hearty soup filled with protein, veggies and carbs, perfect for sustaining you during cold weather. Enjoy this classic, family soup recipe which is a meal in an of itself!
28
Easy Shepard's Pot Roast Pie #ad
ThisEasy Shepard’s Pot Roast Pietakes only6 ingredients or lessto make, and has aSTOUFFER’S®Complete Skillets Yankee Pot Roasttopped with homemade mashed potatoes.
29
Crispy Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Crispy Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders are savory, juicy, and tender on the inside and crispy-crunchy on the outside. They are made with buttermilk, Argo® Corn Starch, some all-purpose flour, and seasoned with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, kosher salt onion powder, and garlic powder then deep fried in a vegetable-based oil. Try these delicious chicken tenders out for your family!
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- Source: Wikipedia: The Great Depression
- First published: 4/3/2023
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Sara Maniez
Owner at Life's Little Sweets
Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.
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Latest posts by Sara Maniez (see all)
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