Home cooks let their creativity shine in the 1930s, when certain foods were hard to come by and money was tight.
23 Dinners That Got Us Through the Great Depression
Updated on Dec. 06, 2023
1/22
Mushroom Stuffing
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
13 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I first tried this stuffing a few years ago, and it quickly became our family's favorite. Just flavor a hearty cornbread mix with mushrooms and bacon and taste the spectacular results. —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 235 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 764mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
2/22
Sausage and Potato
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One Saturday night a few years ago, I came up with this dish on the spur of the moment. It was dinnertime, and I had to use what I had on hand. It's been a hit with my family ever since. —Nancy Russell, Englewood, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 448 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 1396mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
3/22
Hot Dog Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A co-worker who loves hot dogs shared this recipe with me. Baked in a purchased pastry shell, the pie is easy to assemble and is on the table in just 30 minutes. —Amy Bullis, Henryville, Pennsylvania. Also, try out this unusual water pie that has gotten a lot of attention on social media recently.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 487 calories, 27g fat (11g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 1321mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein.
4/22
Corned Beef Stir-Fry
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The celery seed really comes through in this colorful combination of carrots, cabbage and corned beef. A woman at church shared the recipe with me. My husband and son love its subtle sweetness. —Alesah Padgett, Franklin, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without rice): 243 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
5/22
Dandelion Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite salads, and it's so healthy for you! Guests will be surprised at how wonderful it tastes. —Frances Sheridan Goulart, Weston, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 166 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 212mg cholesterol, 67mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable.
6/22
Ham, Bean and Potato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a cook in a restaurant years ago, this was our best-selling soup. One taste and your family will agree it's a winner!
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 185 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 1079mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
7/22
Fish Chowder
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 4-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was handed down by my mother, although I have changed it a bit. This really reflects our region, since New England is famous for its fish.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 193 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 659mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
8/22
Meat and Potato Patties
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
During World War II, when meat was rationed and had to be purchased with tokens, this recipe went a long way in feeding a family. To this day, I still reach for it whenever I want something different from regular hamburgers. By the way, children really like these (just as I did when I was a child!).— Gladys Klein, Burlington Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 patty: 237 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 373mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
9/22
Healthy Tuna Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On a hot summer day, there's nothing more refreshing than this salad. I grow a few tomato plants in my garden and the fresh-picked taste makes the dish even more of a treat. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup tuna salad with 1 tomato: 280 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 656mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
10/22
Hearty Leek and Potato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This thick, flavorful soup is a winner in our home and makes a nice starter dish. —Rachel Taylor, Springfield, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 180 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 598mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
11/22
Truly Tasty Turnips with Greens
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These savory greens are a hit at every church dinner I take them to. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make this recipe your own. —Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
.75 cup: 58 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
12/22
13/22
Creamy Chipped Beef Fondue
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother often served fondue on Christmas Eve and I've since followed in that tradition. It's nice to offer a hearty appetizer that requires very little work.
—Beth Fox, Lawrence, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 75 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 189mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
14/22
Egg Drop Soup
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We often start our stir-fry meals with this fast egg drop soup — it cooks in just minutes flat. There are many versions of the recipe, but we like the easy addition of cornstarch to thicken the soup and give it a rich, golden color. I got the recipe from my grandma’s old cookbook. —Amy Beth Corlew-Sherlock, Lapeer, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 39 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 714mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
15/22
Comforting Potato Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After enjoying this creamy, snazzed-up potato casserole at a wedding dinner, my daughters and I asked the caterer to share the recipe. Because it can be made ahead, it's a great recipe for busy cooks. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 211 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
16/22
Bacon Pasta
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As children, we always requested this dish for our birthday dinners. Our mother got the recipe from her grandmother. Now I pass on our tasty tradition. —Ruth Keogh, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 159 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
17/22
Navy Bean Soup
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves navy bean soup! Beans were a commodity you did not survive without in the '30s. This excellent navy beans and ham soup is a real family favorite of ours and I make it often. —Mildred Lewis, Temple, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 244 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 410mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 10g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
18/22
Spiedis
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is our favorite cookout dish, and it's very good served with a salad. This recipe originated here in my hometown in the 1930s. Our meat preference for speidis is venison, but we use chicken and beef when it's not available. —Gertrude Skinner, Binghamton, New York
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked meat: 205 calories, 12g fat (0 saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 104mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
19/22
Cabbage Soup
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
After doing yardwork on a windy day, we love to come in for a light but hearty soup like this one. It's brimming with cabbage, veggies and white beans. Pass the oven-warmed bread! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 111 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 537mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.
20/22
Diner Corned Beef Hash
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created my hash to taste like a dish from a northern Arizona restaurant we always loved. We round it out with eggs and toast made from homemade bread. —Denise Chelpka, Phoenix, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 407 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 1059mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
21/22
Stovetop Goulash
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe after trying goulash at a local restaurant. The blend of spices gives it fabulous flavor, and it’s so easy to make on a weeknight! —Karen Schelert, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups goulash with 1 cup potatoes: 605 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 8g fiber), 28g protein.
22/22
Lima Bean Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A yearly Lima Bean Festival in nearby West Cape May honors the many growers there and showcases different recipes using their crops. This comforting chowder was a contest winner at the festival several years ago. —Kathleen Olsack, North Cape May, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 110 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 431mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
