There were many needs and uncertainties during the Great Depression. Food supplies were limited, and ingredients were rationed. The human race had to endure some real hardships. People have to think beyond the box while selecting their cuisine. This inspired several inventive affordable cuisines.
The foods’ names and recipes might seem weird to you. But they were the ones that helped people out of depression. Some of those foods are regaining popularity since they are quick and simple to prepare while yet providing a balanced diet. Below is the list of dishes that people used to eat during that time.
Save Our Stomach
A typical dish during the Great Depression was creamed chip beef. Additionally, it was used in both World Wars. It had dried meat. Using a combination of milk, flour, and butter, the beef was moistened. Then it was placed on a piece of toast.
The dish was easy to prepare and tasted delicious. People called it "Save Our Stomach” as it fed them at the time. Some locations in the Mid-Atlantic still serve this delectable delicacy. It is a dish to remind people of the ways to overcome difficult times.
Mulligan Stew
There were shortages and needs throughout the Great Depression. Since they had to prepare their meals with the extremely few resources they had, they had no other option but to be as inventive as possible. In reality, homeless folks invented the Mulligan Stew.
The homeless had fewer resources as compared to the rich ones. They would assemble every scrap from every household in the area and deposit it in a sizable pot. They would then prepare it over a campfire. They were the ones who came up with the idea that one can even eat food waste to survive. Food waste can also become a nutritious dish. Today's version of this dish is a veggie stew.
Bologna Casserole
Given ongoing inflation, beef was highly expensive during the Great Depression. So, they went to Bologna. These would provide the necessary protein that the body requires. Bologna casseroles started to gain popularity at the time of depression.
The primary reason behind the dish’s popularity was because the food was flavorful, delectable, and full. They had bologna, cheddar, bacon, onion, pepper, chili, and beans in a can, along with canned pork and beans. The dinner was regarded as the ideal one for the Great Depression.
Poor Man’s Meal
Clara, 91, displayed the meal named Poor Man’s Meal to the world in 2007. Her family created this dish during the Great Depression. Hot dogs and potatoes are used to prepare this dish. After being fried, the potatoes were then served with diced hotdogs.
Clara stated that because potatoes were so hearty at the time, her mother used to make a lot of their meals with them. However, despite the name, they were not so inexpensive, with a sack costing $1. It doesn’t seem like a poor man’s meal but it was indeed an interesting one.
Hot Water Pie
The meal first gained notoriety because of the YouTube channel "@emmymade." She received the recipe from a fan whose grandma made it during the Great Depression. The dish is now famous and used widely in the world. Simple materials are used to make hot water pie.
The ingredients for the crust include butter, flour, and sugar. The custard filling is prepared with butter, eggs, sugar, and boiling water. Making this was simple and deliciously sweet. We figure that the dish indeed brought some sweetness to the life of the grandma during the harsh times.
Jell-O Ice Cream
In the depths of the Great Depression, the Jell-O ice cream was a genuine treat. It was produced by blending Raspberry Jell-O with milk, sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract. It resembled no-churn ice cream in essence. Although it was present in the world since the time of the depression, it became famous quite recently.
A YouTube channel recently tested Jell-O Ice Cream. Glen from Glen and buddies run the channel and they wrote some interesting things about the taste of the dish. They, for sure, found the dish delicious. The meal came together quickly, simply, and cheaply. It received more attention because of its presence during the Depression.
Hoover Stew
A popular food during the Great Depression was stew. However, they weren't created in the same way as now. They were manufactured with inexpensive, readily available ingredients. That was something like Hoover Stew.
The original dish had beans, macaroni, hot dogs, corn, and tomatoes in cans. President Hoover inspired the creation of this meal and the dish was named after him. The dish is frequently compared to today’s macaroni and hot dogs. Although it has lost its original essence now, we can imagine that the original dish must’ve tasted delicious.
Egg Drop Soup
The egg drop soup you find in restaurants is not like this one. As the name suggests, brown potatoes, onions, a saltier water broth, and scrambled eggs are all ingredients in egg drop soup. These components scream at the time of the Great Depression as most of the dishes at the time were made using these raw materials only.
Eggs and potatoes were the most common dishes of the time of depression as they were available in abundance and could be stored for a long period. Some parmesan cheese was added to the soup before it was presented with a slice of crusty bread. Clara's Depression Egg Drop Soup is another name for it.
Peanut Butter-Stuffed Onions
We would never dare combine peanut butter with onions. However, during the Great Depression, good taste was a luxury that individuals were unable to consider. To function, they required calories. Students were advised to eat the food as they were easily available, easy to make, and used to provide sufficient protein.
An onion was baked to make this dish. The inner components were then taken out. It was then filled with peanut butter. It was cost-effective. The ingredients that were available during the period determined how people prepared their food. Not to their taste, anyway. It's true that the Great Depression was a time of surprises.
Dandelion Salad
There are so many varieties of salad available today. There are many different dressing choices. Today, we rely on our sense of taste. People living throughout the great depression didn't have that convenience. The dandelions that they had in their gardens and lawns were used to make the dandelion salad.
The dandelion salad was seasoned with salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. It doesn't look all that horrible, despite the fact that it was created out of need and poverty. Today, the dish is something that people eat out of choice in order to lose weight. Time indeed changes the purpose of eating a particular dish.
Garbage Plate
Ever since the Great Depression, the dish has not been lost. In Rochester, New York, diners still serve it. The Garbage Plate combines a few different foods. Macaroni salad, fries, baked beans, sausage, and cheeseburger are put on a platter.
Then, white onions, ketchup, mustard, and beef chili are added to the meal. The dish indeed makes a filling dinner. Even though the combination of foods on this plate seems unusual, we must keep in mind that it was made during the Great Depression. All the readily available things were put on the plate.
Cooked Bread Cooked Again
It was not like typical bread when it was cooking. They would create the bread when the previous loaf got too tough. Since there were only a few ingredients, they couldn't simply make another one or throw the old one in the garbage.
The people used to slice the hard bread and then sprinkle salt and olive oil on the pieces. After that, they would pour hot water inside of them to soak the bread slices. They would then mash the bread and start eating. It was like cooking the same bread twice and this was how the dish got its name.
Cabbage and Dumplings
The dish was simple and easy to prepare. It required only two main ingredients. A pair of cabbage and dumplings are served in this dish. The dumplings were prepared at home using flour and eggs. Then it was served with roasted cabbage and onions in a cast iron pan. The recipe was delicious and healthy.
Making the dish is quite simple. The fact that it could be made with so few ingredients was another important aspect of the cuisine during the Great Depression. Cabbage and Dumplings are still prevalent today in some parts of the world.
Amish Cold Milk Cereal
During the Great Depression, Amish households frequently served cold milk soup. It was a substitute for cereal. On warm summer days, it was served. Bananas were placed in cold milk that had been sweetened. These days, a banana smoothie is a modern name for the dish.
The fact that the recipe for Amish cold milk cereal had just only a few ingredients made it a popular choice during the Great Depression. It was cost-effective, readily available, and sufficient to fulfill the nutritional demands of the people. The dish was afforded by almost all sections of society. It was indeed a discovery out of need.
The Depressed Apple Pie
This pie is nothing like the apple pie portion of its name. Instead of utilizing apple filling, Ritz crackers are used as the filling in this pie. Even though there are no apples in this pie, it tastes just like an apple pie. The dish requires minimum ingredients and tastes good.
People had to use their imagination during the slump. If the ingredients were not available, they found replacements for their favorite dishes. The dishes of these kinds were something that kept people going during difficult times.
Eat as Long as You Can
Since ingredients were scarce during the depression, people made their food selections based on a variety of variables. The stew made from rabbits was essentially the last meal one could eat. The rabbit was initially cooked and eaten. The beef would be stir-fried the following evening.
After two or three days, dumplings and a stew with rabbit were cooked. The dish was kept in the refrigerator for as many days as feasible. We can thank the inventor of the refrigerators for coming up with the machine that can store dishes for a long time. It was also incredible for the people to come up with the idea of eating rabbit meat as it didn't rot easily.
Pie for the Desperate
The vinegar pie is very straightforward. The pie was enjoyable to attempt during the depression when ingredients were difficult to come by. When certain ingredients were unavailable, vinegar was frequently employed as a substitute. Vinegar enhanced the flavor.
Apple cider vinegar is used to make the filling for the vinegar pie. Fruits were difficult to find during the Great Depression. The dish served as a fantastic substitute for it. It has a delightful, apple-like flavor. The dish gained its name from the people who were desperate to eat a pie even during the time of the Great depression. Thus, the name, Pie for the Desperate.
Stovetop Baked Beans
During the time of the Great Depression, beans were a common ingredient in cuisine. They were affordable and widely accessible. Beans were a common ingredient in many meals during the Great Depression. During this time, stovetop baked beans gained popularity as a side dish.
For many families, the stovetop baked beans are even served as a whole dinner. All the family required to cook stovetop baked beans were beans and a few basic seasonings, like salt and pepper. They were then ready to travel. It was affordable, time-saving, and simple to create.
Breakfast Sugar Cookies
During the Great Depression, these breakfast sugar cookies were considered a luxury. They were produced with the traditional ingredients for Depression-era desserts: eggs, sugar, and flour. Due to the limited resources available during the depression, people had to be inventive and they came up with this delicious alternative to usual cookies.
Rationing of ingredients made it impossible to make elaborate cookies. However, in light of the Great Depression, these were quite opulent. At the time, these were the ideal Sunday snacks. It was indeed a sweet treat in a time of need.
Peanut Butter and Mayo Combo
Food products were created during the Depression based on the components available rather than taste preferences. They had little choice because of the limited resources and rationed ingredients. During the Great Depression, the mayo and peanut butter sandwich became a mainstay in homes.
The sandwich was made using only peanut butter and mayo. The taste of the sandwich was acidic and nutty. Since meat was considered a luxury at the time, the dish with the combination of peanut butter and mayo provided them with the essential protein they required. They had enough nutrition from this sandwich to sustain them.
Peanut Butter and Pickle Combo
During the Great Depression, the Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich was a go-to and beloved lunch option. They were made at a low cost. They only required bread, peanut butter, and a pickle on the side. Even with these few ingredients, it was quite wonderful. It became a favorite dish of the children as well as the adults because of a very reason that people were able to make a delicious dish so easily.
Some people still eat sandwiches with peanut butter and pickles nowadays. There are now several pickles to choose from and a lot of slices of bread of higher quality. Today, people prefer the dish because of a running life as they don’t have the time to make proper breakfast today.
Milkorno the Superfood
People in the Great Depression era searched for readily available, inexpensive alternatives to food. Researchers were also working on ways to feed those affected by the Great Depression. Milkorno was created by Cornell University scientists.
Milkorno was considered a superfood because of the nutrient value it had. It consists of cornmeal and dried milk powder. As oatmeal gruel, it was consumed. It was also used in other dishes. At that time of depression, Milkorno caught people's attention. It was preferred by most people at the time as it was one of the dishes in their budget which also fulfilled their nutritional needs.
Loaves Made with Anything
During the Great Depression, people were unable to afford meat. Even those who were wealthy couldn't afford it. So, a classic meatloaf was out of the question. Therefore, people came up with the loaves that were made with anything. The loaves got their names from the fact that they were made with whatever was readily available. It was made with bread, leftovers, raisins, and almonds.
All of them were placed into bread and eaten like supper. It was both affordable and satisfying. The dish indeed shows that people didn’t have many options then. They just had to eat whatever was available.
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
Many families were able to endure the Great Depression because of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. In 1937, Kraft made the first appearance of this culinary item. There were four servings of each package. People who were looking for inexpensive meals seized this opportunity within days of its launch.
Kraft sold more than eight million boxes as a result of its first year. This mac and cheese were popular during the Great Depression because it successfully blended taste and affordability. People now had a tasty alternative to the things they were in their budget range. It was a win-win situation for both Kraft and the people at the time of the Great Depression.
Pasta with Boiled Carrots
The pasta and carrots that were boiled provided the much-needed nutrition. It had very little flavor though. A quarter-hour was used to cook the pasta. Carrots were boiled after the pasta was fully boiled. Both the pasta and carrots were covered with a white sauce.
Salt, butter, pepper, and milk were used to make the white sauce. The kind of sauce was a go-to for dinners on a low budget. It had the flavor of a boring, mushy dish. It indeed takes a long time to get cooked but it is one of the dishes that has helped people to come out healthy from the time of the Great Depression. The dish is still prevalent in many parts of the world.
Milk, a Wonder Food
In terms of food value during the Great Depression, milk was quite important. It was regarded as a miraculous food. Vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein are present in the milk. The combination of nutrients in a single product caught people's attention.
In many dishes, milk was used. Milk started to appear regularly in school lunches. Their menus were designed using milk as the focal point due to its abundant nutrients. Every day, students were instructed to consume one quart of milk. Maybe it was time that put milk to another level. Even today, people consider milk an important part of their diet.
Not Your Regular Pizza
During the Great Depression, many dishes changed. They were hard to prepare because of the scarcity of the components. Pizza in its most basic form is one illustration of dishes made with scarce resources. The ordinary pizza we currently enjoy, which is topped with all kinds of deliciousness, is nothing like this simple pizza.
A piece of dough was laid out and cooked for the basic pizza. There were no toppings on it. A little butter was sprinkled on top of it. Nowadays, this kind of pizza is known by the name Margarita pizza. Maybe it had its origin at the time of the Great Depression only.
Poor Man’s Boiled Cake
According to the women who prepared it, the meal tasted just like the Great Depression itself. There are no eggs, milk, or butter in this cake. It was seasoned with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and cooked with lard, which served as the necessary fat.
The shocking fact about the cake is that it was not sweet like any other cake. It tasted like a spice cake. Although this cake was far from ideal, it was the best they could do during the Great Depression. We don’t know if the cake was used to celebrate birthdays but it indeed filled the belly of many during difficult times.
Chop Suey
In the 1930s, many families loved the Chop Suey. The entrée was affordable, tasty, and filling. During the depression, these were the qualities people sought in their meals. Ground meat, macaroni, and tomato sauce were used to make this Chop Suey. however, some individuals also included rice instead of macaroni to make the turn a little healthier and more fulfilling.
When the components were combined, a delicious and nutritious feast was produced. The chop suey of that time and the ones cooked today are fairly similar. Today, even noodles are used instead of macaroni or rice to make the dish in some places.
The White House Pudding
During the Roosevelt administration, the prune pudding was a well-known dessert in the White House. During the Great Depression, Eleanor Roosevelt turned the prune pudding into a delight. She convinced President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to let her serve it to the visitors at the White House. This was how the dish gained its name.
Prunes were an inexpensive fruit. Compared to other fresh fruits, they even lasted the longest. Therefore, during the Great Depression, the pudding was a statement. The prunes were also utilized as a filling for pies. It was indeed a miraculous fruit considering the situation of that time.
The Depression Era Cake
Food rationing limited the variety of numerous pies and pastries. However, during the Great Depression, people learned how to be inventive with scant supplies and materials. The Wacky Cake was created by them using the basic ingredients and it was named ‘The depression Era Cake.’ There were no dairy ingredients needed for this bizarre dessert.
The cake could be made even without the need for butter or eggs. Anything else you have on hand, such as chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream, etc., can be added. The dish's adaptability during the Great Depression helped it become very well-liked. The dish can be made today. It was indeed an invention of need but was a delicious invention.
Soup of the Navies
A comfort meal staple has long been soup. There were many different types of soups prepared during the depression. A popular soup was the navy bean soup. We know that during the Great Depression, beans were a typical element. Ham, carrots, onions, garlic, and of course beans were used to prepare this soup.
The cuisine meets a wide range of nutritional requirements. It includes vegetables, fiber, and protein. As it was a common dish in the US Navy, navy bean soup got its name.
Potato Pancakes
A lot of the cuisines from the depression era contain potatoes. They appear in a plethora of recipes from cookbooks published during the Great Depression. Potatoes were adaptable and went well with a variety of foods. Its property of not rotting easily was also one of the major reasons behind the usage of potatoes during that time.
Baking soda, flour, and eggs were used to make potato pancakes. They had a decent flavor and were fried. The potato pancakes gained popularity in plenty of homes during the Great Depression. It was the go-to option for breakfast. It was also the kids’ favorite.
The Pudding of the Poor
In the depression, the Poor Man's Pudding was discovered. Brown sugar, maple syrup, and sugar were used to make this pudding. This pudding only required only these three ingredients. It was discovered in a French-Canadian residence.
The maple syrup alludes to this desert's Canadian origins. Although the dish was named The Pudding of the Poor, it was a luxury during difficult times. With its modest ingredient requirements, this sort of food made a statement during the Great Depression. Obviously, not everyone used to consume the pudding but it was indeed a delicious and low-budget dish.
Vegetable Cabbage Soup
During the Great Depression, vegetable cabbage soup was common in families. At that time, cabbage was a common ingredient just like a potato. Therefore, this soup was within most people's means. People might also add any other veggies if they didn't like the taste of cabbage.
Depending on taste and availability, any item could be substituted in this soup. You may adapt this soup to any dish that uses cabbage. It was one among the nutritional miracles of that time that can be made out of choice even today.
The Cheap Luxury Snack
During the Great Depression, rice pudding was a special treat. It was one of the dishes that were really tasty and affordable. The meal gained popularity, especially during the Great Depression, since it was affordable and delicious. They were regarded as a type of meal that stuck to your ribs.
The rice pudding has seen numerous changes over the years. The rice puddings of today bear no resemblance to those of that era. Today, it is made throughout the world with different names. It is indeed still people’s choice of dessert and the kids’ favorite.
Casserole of Frozen Fruit
As a special treat, the frozen fruit salad was prepared. It was offered during the summer and on holidays. It was created using whipped cream, canned fruit cocktails, and egg yolks. It was a very tasty treat for someone with a sweet craving.
During the great depression era, people didn’t have much choice regarding their food. They had to make a selection from the ingredients on hand. The dish worked as a delicious alternative for the people. The dish didn’t require any particular fruit and could be made using any and every fruit. This might not be a great dish today, but during that time it was a favorite.
Abundance of Loaves
During the Great Depression, loaves were extremely popular. They were created using shabby, stretched-out components. There were several kinds of loaves available during that time. Loaves were an integral part of people’s diets. People used to consume loaves of bread almost every day. To create a difference in taste in their meals, they came up with different types of bread.
A lima bean loaf was available; it had a falafel-like flavor. It was served with very flavorful gravy. There were bean loaves, peanut loaves, etc. These were made with ingredients that were available then. The meatloaf was described as a sparingly lavish dish. Since meat in the depression era was a luxury.
Chocolate Cream Pie
The chocolate cream pie has every component that makes a wonderful pie. Actually, it is a cross between pudding and pie. In the depression era, the pie made its way to a lot of houses. Rich and creamy fillings are used.
The dish is made in a combination of the favorite elements of most people. Since the pie included cream and chocolate during the Great Depression, it was a filling and substantial dish. Many people remember their grandmothers preparing it fondly. We may state that the meal was made in practically every family during that time.
A cutting-edge Source of Protein
During the Great Depression, gelatin was the ideal protein source. It was affordable so everyone could afford them. It was indeed cutting-edge food for that time. Most homes had a favorite dish related to well-known gelatin.
The dish was prepared using canned corned beef, unflavored gelatin, peas, vinegar, lemon juice, and if any, cabbage. The gelatin made its way to several residences and recipes during the depression era. It is still used to make jellies that the kids adore. Even before the Great Depression, gelatin was used in many homes, and it is still enjoyed greatly today.
The Depression-Era Cornbread
The Great Depression era's cornbread recipe was simple and quick. Today, we could come across a lot of cornbread recipes. They are challenging. The popularity of cornbread recipes from the Great Depression is due to this.
In the cornbread, there is cornmeal, water, and salt. It doesn't need sugar, baking soda, or flour. Based on the available ingredients, it was made. This is why it became well-known during the Great Depression. The dish's name was likewise derived in this manner.
Depression-Era Bread
Bread in the depression era was not like the ones now. The ideal heat and other ingredients that we use today weren't necessary for them. The basic three ingredients were then used to make bread. It had warm water, yeast, and flour. Creating a fundamental thing like bread with numerous components was not the choice that the people of the period of the Depression had with them.
In general, it was unable to regulate other factors. On the other hand, the bread created from these three ingredients was equally good. It had the nutrition it needed to survive, and it satisfied its stomach. At that time, everyone wanted their two wants to be properly met.
Hotdogs
One of the well-known foods during the Great Depression was the hotdog. He turned into the most well-liked street food. Everyone in the 1930s had a favorite hotdog stand. People used to congregate at their preferred hot dog stands and would sit for extended periods discussing the state of their times.
A hot sausage in the middle of a bun with fries and any available veggie became the norm during the Great Depression. It was a fulfilling dinner and it stretched inside a dollar. It was trustworthy for everybody. People appreciated their hot dogs in times of the devastated economy.
The Cousin of Chocolate Cake
Red velvet cake was considered the cousin of chocolate cake. It was preferred by many people at the time of the Great Depression as it was cheap to make red velvet cake as compared to chocolate cake. The cake was made using vegetable oil. The vegetable was available at a very low cost and was easy to use. A pinch of cocoa powder was also used to give the red velvet cake a flavor of the chocolate cake.
By combining the cake’s vinegar and buttermilk with baking soda and the old-fashioned cocoa powder, the color of the cake was achieved. The only purpose of the red color was to make the cake look fancy as it doesn’t have any effect on the taste. Even today, red velvet cakes are sold at a higher price as compared to chocolate cakes even though the purpose of their existence was to make cheaper cakes.
The soup of the Depression Era
Potatoes were used as the thickening ingredients in the soup of the depression era. Potatoes were used in several dishes of the depression era. The major reason was its availability and affordability. Along with being affordable by many people, they were loved by many as well. Today, the love of potatoes has taken over the internet. People are sharing easy recipes with potatoes as their main ingredient.
The depression era soup was famous during that time because it was made using very few ingredients. It was extremely easy and cheap to make the dish. Nonetheless, several ingredients can be used to make the soup even tastier. As the classic version was made using very few ingredients, it was a go-to choice for several households during that era. The people used to make the soup to fill their stomachs and nutritional needs.
