We found the best recipes from Iowa—all shared by local home cooks. In this collection, you’ll find farm-fresh flavors, plus treasured family recipes from residents of the Hawkeye State.
The Best Recipes from Iowa
Updated on Jan. 05, 2022
1/16
Stuffed Iowa Chops
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a hearty dish for big appetites. The corn and apples make a tasty stuffing for the chops. —Judith Smith, Des Moines, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pork chop: 601 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 875mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 3g fiber), 41g protein.
2/16
Cider Doughnuts
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Here on our 1,250-acre farm, we usually have a quick breakfast on the go. So I often keep a batch of these light and moist doughnuts on hand. They disappear quickly because no one can eat just one! —Suzanne Christensen, Defiance, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 doughnut: 217 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
3/16
Refrigerator Garden Pickles
Total Time
35 min
Servings
7 pints
From the Recipe Creator:
Canning isn't necessary for these crisp-tender, tangy pickles. Keep them in the fridge and eat them up within a month. —Linda Chapman, Meriden, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 55 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 28mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
4/16
Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar Filling
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m an Iowa gardener and I like to feature sweet corn in my recipes. These cute, easy-to-eat bites are a fun change from the usual appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 67 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
5/16
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
20 bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves this peanut butter cookie bars recipe—oatmeal, brownie bars, peanuts—it's made from all our favorite things! Oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chips make these bars a big hit with kids of all ages. Since I always have these basic ingredients on hand, I can whip up a batch anytime. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 216 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
6/16
Snickers Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 218 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
7/16
Party Mashed Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy, tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 207 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
8/16
Taco Chili
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings (2-3/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning give extra special flavor to my hearty chili. Folks will come back for seconds. —Julie Neuhalfen, Glenwood, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 342 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1368mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 25g protein.
9/16
Old-Fashioned Applesauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
We had all kinds of apple trees in the yard when I was growing up, so I don't know for sure which ones Mother liked best for applesauce. (Today I use Cortlands.) I do know that her applesauce was very white. The secret, she said, was to keep the apples in salt water while she peeled them so that they wouldn't darken. —Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 122 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 31g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 0 protein.
10/16
Beef Brisket in Beer
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of this super tender brisket and your family will be hooked! The rich gravy is perfect for spooning over a side of creamy mashed potatoes. —Eunice Stoen, Decorah, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounce-weight: 285 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 39g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
11/16
Pigs in a Poncho
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For pigs in a blanket Mexican style, we add refried beans and green chiles. Spice it up even more with pepper jack, jalapenos and guacamole. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without sour cream and salsa): 726 calories, 50g fat (14g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 1494mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein.
12/16
Bratwurst Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe one day when I had some leftover bratwurst. It has been a favorite of my husband's ever since and is requested whenever the guys are hanging out. —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 468 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 1322mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 25g protein.
13/16
Beef Burgundy Over Noodles
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this delightful beef burgundy recipe from my sister-in-law many years ago and have used it ever since. Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this. The tender beef, mushrooms and flavorful sauce are delicious over noodles. —Margaret Welder, Madrid, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 376 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 391mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
14/16
Beef Vegetable Soup
Total Time
9 hours 20 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This nicely seasoned soup tastes so good. It's convenient, too, since it simmers all day in the slow cooker. —Jean Hutzell, Dubuque, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 217 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch.
15/16
How to Make Mini Meat Loaves
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family and I can't get enough of these little meat loaf muffins topped with a sweet ketchup sauce. They are the perfect portion size. This recipe requires no chopping, so it's quick and easy to make a double batch and have extras for another day. I've given them to new moms, too. —Joyce Wegmann, Burlington, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 mini meat loaves: 341 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 135mg cholesterol, 608mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein.
16/16
Tasty Pork Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to serve these tender, country-style ribs over rice. The tantalizing aroma and zippy Cajun barbecue sauce are sure to make this dish a favorite at your house.—Michelle Rominger, Albia, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 371 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 1076mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
