Cooking in the Great Depression: 10 Popular Recipes

 

The Great Depression was a challenging time when unemployment soared, budgets were tight, and many foods were either rationed or difficult to come by.

Despite the hardships,  families got creative in the kitchen, making meals with simple ingredients they could find or afford.

Many of these recipes relied on staples like potatoes, tomatoes, hot dogs, and peanut butter—things you might already have in your pantry.

In this article, we’ll explore ten popular recipes from the Great Depression that are easy to prepare and made from basic, everyday ingredients.

Let’s dive in!

 

Cooking in the Great Depression: 10 Popular Recipes

The Great Depression was a challenging time when unemployment soared, budgets were tight, and many foods were either rationed or difficult to come by. Despite the hardships, families got creative in the kitchen, making meals with simple ingredients they could find or afford. Many of these recipes relied on staples like potatoes, tomatoes, hot dogs, and peanut butter—things you might already have in your pantry.

In this article, we’ll explore ten popular recipes from the Great Depression that are easy to prepare and made from basic, everyday ingredients. Let’s dive in!

1. Peanut Butter Bread 1932 Great Depression Recipe

Peanut butter bread is a delicious and easy baked good made with ingredients that you probably have on hand. Peanut butter is shelf stable so it was often found in depression era kitchens. On the other hand, during the Depression, dairy could be hard to come by.

This recipe was demonstrated by B. Dylan Hollis in his YouTube video, along with a few more modern variations. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup 50g granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup wildflower honey
• 1 1/3 cups milk 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325° F.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together the peanut butter and honey.
4. Add the milk and peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix well.
5. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
6. Pour in batter and score the top.
7. Bake for about1 hour and ten minutes.

2. Potato Candy

Potato Candy became popular in the United States during the Depression because the ingredients were inexpensive and easy to find. Confectioner’s sugar, or powdered sugar, was less expensive than table sugar and grew in popularity. Most likely, this ‘candy’ originated in Germany before it made its way to the U.S.

This simple candy recipe only needs a few basic ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup cold mashed potato (about 1 large potato cooked, peeled, and mashed)
• 1 Tbsp. milk
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. table salt
• 6 to 7 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Beat together potato, milk, vanilla, and salt.
2. Mix in powdered sugar one cup at a time until a stiff dough forms.
3. Mash your dough into a large ball and dust it with powdered sugar.
4. Roll dough onto parchment paper until it is about 1/8 inch thick and about 12 by 10 inches. Dust with powdered sugar.
5. Flip over onto another piece of parchment paper and discard the top piece.
6. Spread with peanut butter.
7. Roll up your dough into a long, tight roll.
8. Cut into ¼ inch slices and serve.

3. Baked Apples

An easy substitute for apple pie, baked apples were another famous recipe that came from the Depression.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple per person
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Directions:

1. Wash, dry, and core your apples.
2. Fill the cavity with butter and 1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar.
3. Place the apples in a pan with a little water in the bottom.
4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
5. Serve and enjoy!

4. Hoover Stew

Hoover Stew was a dish made to satisfy empty bellies in a hurry! It was named after the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, whose presidential term was marred by the stock market crash and the beginning of the Great Depression.

The basics of the stew are macaroni, hot dogs, tomatoes, and corn. You can create your own variation based on what you have on hand or what you’ve got growing in your garden.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces macaroni or pasta shapes
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes (15 or 16 ounces)
• 1 can sweet corn (16 ounces)
• 1 can pinto beans (16 ounces)
• 1 pack of hot dogs
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
• 1 Tbsp diced garlic

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and return it to the pot.
2. In a separate pan, sauté sliced hot dogs. Add tomatoes, corn, beans, and seasonings to create your sauce.
3. Simmer
4. Once the sauce is heated, add it to the drained pasta and stir well.

5. Dandelion Salad

Dandelion salad was – and is – a healthy and free food! You can dig out any untreated dandelions from your backyard to enjoy this delicious and nutritious salad. Although this particular recipe doesn’t use the flowers, all parts of the dandelion plant are considered edible.

Ingredients:

• Dandelions
• Lemon juice
• Oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Collect and clean dandelion greens. Make sure to remove any dead or discolored leaves. You may want to soak and rinse them several times to make sure they are clean.
2. Dry the greens and place them in a large bowl.
3. Top with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

6. Haluski Cabbage And Noodles

You might be surprised to discover how delicious this economical dish really is! With just a few ingredients, Cabbage and Noodles is easy to make and easy on the budget.

Ingredients:

• 1 chopped onion
• 1 cabbage, sliced into bite-size pieces
• 1 package of egg noodles (8 to 12 ounces)
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
• Butter
• Bacon (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook egg noodles according to directions.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet and cook onions over medium heat until they are translucent.
3. Add ¼ cup of water and cabbage. Cook covered for ten minutes. Season to taste.
4. Add more butter and water if needed. Cook for another ten minutes (until the cabbage is tender).Add cabbage mixture.
5. Add in additional butter and seasonings, if needed. Mix in cooked bacon for extra flavor (optional).
6. Serve warm.

7. Water Pie

Water pie is a unique and surprising dessert that has its roots in the challenges of the Depression. Just a few simple ingredients create this special dessert.

Ingredients:

• Deep dish, unbaked pie crust.
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 Tbsp flour
• 5 Tbsp butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place your crust on a baking sheet.
3. Pour water into the pie crust.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and sugar together. Then, sprinkle it over the water in the crust, but don’t stir it.
5. Evenly pour the vanilla over the top.
6. Place small pats of butter on top of the mixture.
7. Bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and allow the pie to cool. It will set as it cools.
9. Chill and serve cold.

8. The Poorman’s Meal

Depression recipes were a combination of rationed items and home-grown foods from your garden. The Poorman’s meal is similar to Hoover Stew. It included hot dogs and potatoes –two easily accessible foods.

Ingredients:

• 6 large russet potatoes, cubed
• 1 sliced onion
• Vegetable oil
• 4 hot dogs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 2 Tbsp salsa
• Salt and pepper or seasonings to taste

Directions:

1. Use a large skillet to brown potatoes and onions in your vegetable oil. Add water if necessary.
2. Once the potatoes are soft, add hotdogs and salsa and gently mix together.
3. Season to taste and serve.

9. White Bean and Ham Soup

Dried beans were – and still are – an economical and nutritious food. Soups were also a popular way to stretch leftovers to make another meal. This recipe uses up bits of leftover ham, but you could also use turkey, bacon, or broth from boiling the bones if you prefer.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of dried beans: white navy Great Northern beans
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 cups of chopped ham, pork, or turkey
• Water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse and soak your beans overnight.  Rinse and drain.
2. Put beans, onions, and ham in a large pot. Cover with water. Bring your soup to a boil, then simmer for two hours or until the beans are tender. Add more water when needed.
3. Season to taste and serve.

10. Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers are easy to grow or find at the farmer’s market and make a great ‘bowl’ to hold your other ingredients! Stuffed peppers are both a delicious and economical recipe that came from the Great Depression because it could stretch a little bit of meat to go much further.

Ingredients:

• Bell peppers
• Ground beef browned
• Rice, already prepared
• Chopped onions
• Pasta or marina sauce
• Cheese

Directions:

1. Brown your ground beef and prepare your rice.
2. Simmer rice, ground beef, onion, and sauce together.
3. Cut the tops off of your bell peppers and scoop out the seeds.
4. Stuff your peppers with your sauce mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Top with cheese and bake for an additional ten, or until cheese is bubbly and the peppers are tender.