Close-up a bread pudding topped with raisins

15 Frugal Great Depression Recipes That Still Satisfy Today

The Great Depression was a time of hardship and scarcity, but it also sparked incredible culinary creativity. Families had to make do with limited resources, leading to the creation of hearty, filling meals that stretched every ingredient to its fullest potential.

Today, these Depression-era recipes are a fascinating glimpse into history and a treasure trove of frugal and delicious meal ideas that can help you save money on groceries without sacrificing flavor. Let’s dive into Great Depression recipes that are still satisfying and budget-friendly in modern times.

1. Hoover Stew: The Ultimate Depression-Era Comfort Food

Hoover Stew, named after President Herbert Hoover, is a prime example of Depression-era ingenuity. This hearty dish combines affordable ingredients to create a filling meal that can feed a family on a tight budget.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of hot dogs, sliced
  • 1 can of stewed tomatoes
  • 1 can of corn, drained
  • 1 box of macaroni
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To make Hoover Stew, cook the macaroni according to package instructions, then add the sliced hot dogs, stewed tomatoes, and corn. Simmer until heated through and season with salt and pepper. This one-pot meal is easy to prepare and a great way to use leftover ingredients.

2. Poor Man’s Meal: A Humble Yet Satisfying Dish

Rustic Sausage and Potato Medley with Cherry Tomatoes

The Poor Man’s Meal is a testament to the resourcefulness of those who lived through the Great Depression. This simple dish uses inexpensive potatoes and hot dogs to create a filling meal.

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2-3 hot dogs, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To prepare, fry the diced potatoes and chopped onion in oil until crispy. Add the sliced hot dogs and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. This frugal recipe is easy to make and adaptable—you can add any vegetables you have to bulk it up.

3. Depression Era Egg Drop Soup: A Protein-Packed Broth

Top view of the classic egg drop soup
Donte / Adobe Stock

Egg Drop Soup was a popular Depression-era meal due to its simplicity and use of affordable ingredients. It’s a great way to add protein when meat is scarce or expensive.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
  • Green onions, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To make this soup, bring the broth to a boil. If using cornstarch, mix it with a little cold water and add to the broth to thicken. Slowly pour in the beaten eggs while stirring the broth. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with green onions if desired. This comforting soup is ready in minutes and is still enjoyed by many today.

4. Depression-Era Potato Soup: Creamy Comfort on a Budget

Close-up of a potato soup on a wooden bowl
SerPhoto / Adobe Stock

Potato soup was a staple during the Great Depression due to the affordability and availability of potatoes. This creamy soup is still a favorite comfort food for many.

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cups water or broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: bacon bits, cheese, or chives for topping

Boil the potatoes and onion in water or broth until tender. Mash some potatoes to thicken the soup, then add milk and heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Top with bacon bits, cheese, or chives for extra flavor if available. This frugal recipe is filling, comforting, and easily customizable.

5. Dandelion Salad: Foraging for Free Nutrition

Close-up of the Dandelion Salad with dandelion greens, red onion, tomatoes, and basil
Tomo Jesenicnik / Adobe Stock

During the Great Depression, many Americans turned to forage to supplement their diets. Dandelion salad is a prime example of how people used freely available resources.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups young dandelion greens
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Wash the dandelion greens thoroughly and chop them. Mix with chopped hard-boiled eggs, then dress with a simple vinaigrette made from vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. This nutritious salad is free if you forage for dandelions and is packed with vitamins and minerals.

See Related: Extremely Frugal: Budget-Friendly Tips to Save Money

6. Depression Era Casserole: A Versatile One-Dish Meal

Close-up of the macaroni casserole with ground beef
azurita / Adobe Stock

Casseroles were popular during the Great Depression because they could be made with whatever ingredients. This versatile dish is still a great way to use up leftovers and stretch your food budget.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked rice or pasta
  • 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup of any cooked vegetables
  • 1 cup of any cooked meat (optional)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients except breadcrumbs in a casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until heated and golden. This frugal recipe is endlessly adaptable, perfect for using leftovers and reducing food waste.

7. Creamed Chip Beef on Toast: A Hearty Breakfast or Dinner

Creamed chip beef on toast served on a plate with a fork on the side
MSPhotographic / Adobe Stock

Creamed Chip Beef on Toast, also known as “S.O.S” (Sh*t on a Shingle), was a common meal during the Great Depression and later became popular in military mess halls.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 pound dried beef, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • Toast

Make a roux with butter and flour, then slowly add milk to create a white sauce. Add chopped dried beef and heat through. Serve over toast. This hearty meal is filling and can be served for breakfast or dinner.

8. Depression Era Bread Pudding: A Sweet Treat from Stale Bread

Top view of a fresh-baked bread pudding with raisins
FomaA / Adobe Stock

The bread pudding was popular for stale bread during the Great Depression. This dessert is a testament to the “waste not, want not” mentality of the era.

Ingredients:

  • 6 slices of stale bread, cubed
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Soak bread cubes in milk. Mix in melted butter, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and raisins. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. This sweet treat turns what might have been wasted into a delicious dessert.

9. Great Depression Meals: Pancakes for Dinner

Stack of fluffy pancakes served on a plate
George Dolgikh / Adobe Stock

Pancakes weren’t just for breakfast during the Great Depression. They were often served for dinner to fill bellies on a tight budget.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Cook on a hot griddle. These versatile pancakes can be served sweet or savory, making them a flexible option for any meal.

10. Depression-Era Cooking: Potato Pancakes

Close-up of a potato pancakes in the bowl
Andrei Starostin / Adobe Stock

Potato pancakes were another popular dish during the Great Depression, as potatoes were cheap and filling.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups grated potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 onion, grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying

Mix all ingredients except oil. Form into patties and fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. These crispy pancakes are delicious and can be served with applesauce or sour cream.

See Related: Great Depression Era Money-Saving Tips That Still Work Today

11. Frugal Recipe: Bean Soup

Bean Soup served on a white bowl
severga / Adobe Stock

Bean soup was a staple during the Great Depression due to beans’ low cost and high nutritional value.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound dried beans (any kind)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • Ham bone or bacon (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Soak beans overnight. Drain and add fresh water, vegetables, and ham bone or bacon. Simmer until beans are tender, about 2-3 hours. Season with salt and pepper. This hearty soup is still a great way to stretch your food budget.

12. Depression Recipes: Peanut Butter Bread

Peanut butter bread was a creative way to make a filling bread without yeast, which was sometimes hard to come by during the Great Depression.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

Mix dry ingredients. Stir in milk and peanut butter until just combined. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 325°F for about 1 hour. This unique bread is delicious and provides protein from the peanut butter.

13. Great Depression Meals: Chipped Beef Gravy

Chipped Beef Gravy was another popular meal that used dried beef to create a filling dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 pound dried beef, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • Black pepper to taste

Make a roux with butter and flour, then slowly add milk to create a white sauce. Add chopped dried beef and heat through. Season with black pepper. Serve over toast or biscuits for a hearty meal.

14. Depression Era Meals: Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup served on a bowl surrounded with different vegetables and a wooden spoon
Maresol / Adobe Stock

Vegetable soup was a great way to use vegetables during the Great Depression.

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2-3 potatoes, diced
  • 2-3 carrots, chopped
  • Any other vegetables on hand
  • 1 can of tomatoes
  • Water or broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer all ingredients in water or broth until vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper. This soup is adaptable to whatever vegetables are available, making it a great way to reduce food waste.

See Related: Budget Tips: Top Money-Saving Strategies for Frugal Living

15. Depression-Era Cooking: Rice Pudding

Close-up of a sweet rice pudding topped with cinnamon
SALMONNEGRO / Adobe Stock

Rice pudding was a simple dessert that could be made with just a few ingredients during the Great Depression.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • Cinnamon to taste

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Serve warm or cold, sprinkled with cinnamon. This comforting dessert is still enjoyed by many today.

These frugal Great Depression recipes demonstrate the incredible resourcefulness and creativity of those who lived through challenging times. Many of these meals are still eaten today, not just for their affordability but also for their comforting flavors and nostalgic appeal.

Incorporating some of these Depression-era cooking techniques and recipes into your meal planning can save money on groceries, reduce food waste, and connect you with an important historical period. Whether you’re looking to stretch your food budget or simply curious about Depression-era cuisine, these recipes offer a taste of the past that remains relevant and delicious in the present.

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