Ive got a family of 5 ranging from a 17 down to 6 and two working adults. I also do a lot of my shopping at Aldi or the Amish bents and broken store. Lentil patties (lentils cooked until tender, mash up with seasoning and onion, shape and fry or bake. Fish patties (salmon or tuna, bread crumbs, lemon juice, mustard, onion, egg. 31. Just what it sounds like. We also CAN our own garden that we grow! Also cook oatmeal, cream of wheat and if I get chicken I shred it to make it last. Pinch of salt. Save all your vegetable scraps to make a good stock base for any soup or stew. Also, I do one month worth of grocery shopping at a time. Back then they could get it free or for .10. What a great list! I will be 70 soon and I still make bread, life is so good when you cook from scratch! Its really good, especially with a little shredded cheese thrown in! Loved reading how others save money on food. Ok. THEN, leftover chicken gets turned into a chicken and rice soup! Clara Cannucciara was a lovely woman who lived throughout the entire Great Depression. We make it once a month in a huge s. tock pot. Its easy to freeze. Besides, working in the garden or feeding & watering etc. My wife and I continue to enjoy this dish today . 83. Hot dogs and baked beans - staple at scout camp. Even squirrels and rabbits were consumed .The people of the Depression Era were struggling to buy food, so foraging was a good way to help put food into their family's mouths. Ramen noodles. Soooo many great thoughts, ideas, recipes! I grew up not poor, but not middle class, either. Enjoyed your article. I'm really excited about this one because I actually grew up eating this Great Depression meal. 6. Fried egg sandwich. Use the legs to fry, etc and thighs have a lot of meat to use in noodles, yellow rice, dumplings, shred for BBQ sandwiches. Ive got a family of 5 ranging from a 17 down to 6 and two working adults. The Great Depression caused many hardships, but the cuisine that came from it proves how resilient people can truly be. 1/4 tsp of cinnamon. Cheap and healthy meals. Im posting this article about Great Depression Meals again today that I wrote many years ago. Therefore most of our meats, fruits,and veggies are canned in jars. 32. Baked Onions and Peanut Butter. The other is learning what ingredients can be frozen so you can minimize waste (my niece learned tons just looking through our freezer). I bake most of my bread and found some great no-knead recipes at https://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/. We were wondering who took the photo and any other information you could provide on the actual photo. During the Great Depression, corn meal was one kitchen staple that was typically easily accessible and cost-effective. We always served this with warm corn bread. Great Depression Casserole Recipe; 7. We have a few families, each with a small amount of land & one person with a lot of property. We eat what we want most of the time because we shop strategically. 13. Then I dont go back to the store and get caught in oh this is a good deal. Linda, cold,snowy day ,minus 1. Shutterstock. You can stock and it will take a little time. The best part I discovered is all I do is look at the menu in the morning to see what is on tap for dinner that night. My family loves this stuff. I was really skimpy on the meat, but Ive always liked that ratio better. Cow's milk was a 'wonder food'. Hope this helps! Grandma created a great meal with these beet tops. Potatoes baked in microwave. Then I freeze several containers for later meals. Blessings to all of you! Meat mixed in gravy makes it go farther than chunks of roast for everyone. Split pea soup and lentil soups are all super cheap. I am afraid that for most people this will be hard to adjust to. Hope this helps! To understand how citizens survived The Great Depression, you need to understand their resources. Still pricey but so much better. To stop eating out, we take cheese and crackers or sandwich makings. Meatballs (ground meat, bread crumbs, egg, ground up veggies, leftover cheerios or other low sugar cereal I use 1 part meat, 1 part bread type stuff, 1 part vegetables. I learned a lot from both my mama and gram about frugal living and wish they were still around to thank them. We raised chickens for eggs and meat. I try to make from scratch all our snack foods like crackers, granola bars, granola, fruit leather(when I find a great deal on fruit), bagels, bread, yogurt, etc. Feeding 5 here. Melt the butter, add the flour and quickly start whisking it. My family & I not only raise chickens, rabbits & a garden here at home, but we have helped set up what we call a Poor mans Co-op. Its still good either way. does making more of X become a key ingredient for meal days or weeks later). My dad was born in 1918 and my mom in 1927, when I was a kid they ate tomato sandwiches, homemade bread, bread torn and put in a glass then added milk. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any and all ideas. What varied between households and over time was the quantity and quality of each of those courses, especially . I got 10 apples in one bag the other day and only had to cut off a tiny bit of bruising. Simple baked potatoes with butter and salt and pepper are filling and cheap. I grew up not poor, but not middle class, either. It's a food that stretches for sure. Etc. In 1937, when the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression, Kraft Foods launched the iconic Mac and Cheese. Victor Moruzzi. Chicken for a chicken veggie s, I just retired, so there is only two of us, but minus my pay is a big deal. PS. 63. These soups and stews are perfect for when you're craving a comforting bowl of deliciousness. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 11 secondsVolume 0%. I can get 10 lbs of potatoes for $2-3 at Aldi. The water you boiled it in is now a quick broth use for soup). It is made with a layer of sugar cream, followed by a layer of custard, and then topped with meringue if you wanted to get really fancy. We have a half-acre garden and I garden year around. If you save in all the other ways, then if you have to purchase meat or whatever at the store, you have the money to do it. Mix to form a batter. Freeze for later use fry up when needed. Because I needed to! You almost need to take out a loan to buy meat for a family of 5 anymore. Pinterest is AWESOME for helping with recipes! Recipes from the Great Depression. When I shop, I look for bargains. Linda, Hi Tiffany, thank you! If not, it is worth it to purchase several Sunday papers for the coupons. Hamburger gravy on toast or potatoes: Kami suggested . e chipped beef, chopped leftover bacon from breakfast, canned chicken, leftover roast or just the sauce over rice. From being enjoyed as a glass on its own, to making soups, biscuits, and pancakes, buttermilk has remained a staple in American cuisine for its merit and versatility. She finds amazing deals at some of these different stores. 1.5 Great Depression Foods - Prune Pudding. toes. You can make mac and cheese just by adding your favorite shredded cheese. Its amazing how much can be saved by shopping the sales and freezing items. Hoover Stew Recipe; 8. It doesnt have to be that youre eating the exact same meal (e.g. Put them on a baking sheet and add unpeeled garlic cloves. families on a shoestring. 82. Next, put bone-in chicken thighs skin-side up on top of the veggies. Most of the kids in our classes in school, were from middle income homes, who got to eat well. Also eat a lot of beans, rice, eggs, and pasta. 1 16 oz jar sauerkraut ( do not drain), 2 large shredded potatoes,1 shredded onion then she made a brown gravy to use in it it is thick good the first day better the second as the flavors blend you may have to add beef or pork broth to keep it from scorching or sticking to your pan or crock-pot ( I use 2 packets of brown gravy mix as I cannot make a decent gravy to save my soul just mix it as per instructions and pour into the pot) I always add the extra broth to mine. Our parents use to use their green stamp books to save. My sisters and I would let the flour tortillas sit out and get hard. Lets share ideas with each other. If you have a garden going salad is basically free- lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes. We bought a commercial quality food sealer and use it daily to seal up leftovers, both for freezing and just for in the fridge, to cut down on waste (and its REALLY worked well). I know, and prices just keep going up. The only thing you need are apples, sugar, cinnamon, and some butter. I pay $25 in feed a month, which gives us on average 250 eggs a month. Potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and cumin to flavorthem. This is a tip I got from someone else-at Halloween. 14. Here is a list of 10 depression-era meals we will be eating again if things don't change. I hope these ideas help you save money even if you are eating Great Depression Meals just like me. Also had rabbits to eat. 265. Acquiring these are still super frugal! We use turkey burger from Aldis instead of hamburger not much of a taste difference in our minds. Dr. Battaglino says one of the best foods for mental health is fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, and tuna. Its quite a bit cheaper. For those who think the Spam is too expensive, Check your local Dollar store for Treat It should be right next to the Spam & I cant tell the difference. Boil 3 cups of water in a kettle. You can add meat, or not. salt 1 cup sugar 2 eggs beaten until thick and light 1 Tbsp. It worked. My family hasnt noticed. Wacky Cake is something that came from this time era as well. For instance, I have to eat a particular brand of bread for a health problem I have. A recipe for Baking Powder Biscuits, as noted in Rita Van Amber's Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930s, Vol. I know this sounds crazy, but we all need to rethink what we think a meal is. Carrots are the same. A package of noodles that would probably equal about 15 to 20 ramen packages is $1.99 at a nearby store. The turkey was on sale and they are cheap, to begin with, this time of year. Salivating. Down in Louisiana, there is a Creole version of the dish. Talk about a stretch! I sat down and made a menu up for a whole month. You'll even find bread, cakes, pies, and custards that are delightful additions to frugal cooking. Cooking with potatoes, pasta, grains,and beans. It saves a lot of money when Im not buying prepackaged food. Back in the day, there were no food stamps or EBT cards. Linda, something my mom done as i was growing up was take leftover ham dice it add it to cooked beans(1 lb dry red, navy, pinto etc.) That certainly doesnt go very far. https://chefmarkanthony.com/menu-category/burgers/ has many meatless recipes that are healthy and good tasting. Hormel). I have bought a half gallon of OJ there for 50 cents and a FLAT of strawberries with nothing wrong with them for 2$ (0.25 a quart). Add cheese, apple, hard boiled egg for a more filling salad. 75. Frugal Depression Era recipes to help you feed your family for less! It became hugely popular during the Great Depression, largely due to the fact that it was one of the few recipes of the era that featured hot dogs. 53. Salad can be made night Your family will think they are living large and you will cut your grocery money down. If not ask for a manager. From these, I substitute for chicken in many recipes. I buy a sack of potatoes and stretch it to make meals, etc. When we lost our food budget for two months, I turned to boil a whole chicken and shred the meat to use in many meals. Shape and fry up). h ground meat in it, I substitute half the meat with TVP (online ). I have also gone as far as making my own personal care products (shampoo, deodorant, lotion bars, soap), laundry soap, dishwasher soap, house cleaners (all natural). A small meal during the 1930s, like the diners of the day often served, would have usually cost between 15 and 40 cents, depending on what you ordered and where the restaurant was located. Heres the unique thing she Googled for names of ALL the grocery stores in her area, even very tiny or ethnic ones. a long counter, freezer, meat slicer etc. When we have leftover veggies of any kind, if it is not enough for another meal, I freeze them, then add to a bag of other frozen veggies. Bring back to a boil, stirring constantly. Yes, thats money escaping. Season with a beef bouillon cube, garlic powder, tomato paste, salt & pepper. Its quite a bit cheaper. 19. Baked with chicken, broccoli, and cheese, this is one of our favorite poor man meals. Sorry, it took me so long to post but Ive been getting in at near midnight all week long. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Last night I made a lemon pound cake to have on hand from ingredients I had in the house. Potato Casserole. Saving for us has more to do with how we shop than how we cook. Ive learned how to cook. 1 can of soup with leftovers served 4-5. Ive learned how to cook. Another favorite is a piece of toast, fried egg on top and hot milk poured on top. Chicken for a chicken veggie soup, beef for a beef veggie. This year, I canned (in mason jars) 61-pint size jars of deer meat, about 40 jars of pork (wild hogs) and a few jars of chicken broth. Leftover Potato Pancakes. Ham Cups and Eggs. You can control the salt and other ingredients when you make your own. Little greens, a slice of cucumber, few chopped onions, a small grape tomato, and a few carrot curls. Some of the things people ate during the Great Depression are things we shun now. Stretches the noodles and the eggs. Thanks for the article. Add in mash pota. I would like to see someone (who has the time) to create recipes that are seasonal so that I am not constantly going to the store to find ingredients to make X, right now we should be eating squash, potatoes, dried beans, etc. I love your articles. My mom took this in her school lunch every day and liked it then her classmates started juggling for the option to trade their sandwich for hers each lunch. Now, cover everything with a layer of sliced potatoes. Linda, Hi Alli, its all about saving money on groceries, right??? The great thing about doing it this way is the weekends. Still do and hate food waste. 1 1/2 cups flour. 12. 15 cents a night, it was possible to live on less than 50 cents a day during the height of the Great Depression. I remember my mom making salmon cakes. No cooking, just reheating! I can also mash pinto beans for refried beans with Mexican food. Aldi is great for low prices on produce. One practice that is unique to us but is not out of reach of anyone. Doesnt have to be fancy and expensive. I shop early and get a lot of 50% or 30% off items. Everything I cook is served over either rice or potatoes to stretch it. I never pay full price, I dont care if I stand there for 10 minutes with the line piling up, I am determined to find a coupon that works. meals and bone broth from that eating a lot more eggs finding creative ways to stretch out pasta, rice, and potatoes. 61. 23. I make chicken soup, tacos, and rice with it. 2 cups of boiling milk. Hi Pam, its interesting because Mark and I eat so many of these meals today. White Bean and Ham Soup - Beans are super cheap so it makes sense that they were a staple during the Great Depression. 30. Add a ton of salt . Then I dont go back to the store and get caught in oh this is a good deal. During this time, staples like meat, eggs, and milk were hard to acquire, and people often had to make a little go a long way. Here are some recipes that were actually used during the Great Depression. Then we would pour Karo syrup over them in order to have something sweet. Mom was awesome is all I can say. For that reason, little was ever thrown out. Mixing them then cooking means it all tastes like hamburger. I love eating at home. I have bought a half gallon of OJ there for 50 cents and a FLAT of strawberries with nothing wrong with them for 2$ (0.25 a quart). Onions and peanut butter were both cheap and easy to find, so mothers would hull the middle of an onion before stuffing it with peanut butter and baking it until soft. My sister does something a bit unique. My family hasnt noticed. 8. can be a challenge. Named after the president that took office right before the crash, Hoover Stew was the name for the cheap slop eaten by residents of shanty towns. The other day I reused an 810 manilla envelope. 80. You can also make your own noodles quite easily. Navy Bean Soup. We also shop Aldis, just be careful and know your prices at other stores. I thought all those simple meals and sandwiches with just onions or tomatoes was something my family did just because. These dishes show just how inventive our ancestors could be! Nice sized ones. We always had our own large garden plus another garden down the block. Life is good, stay well my friend! Very similar navy beans, a little bit of ham (or even better a leftover ham bone), some onions, celery, carrots. 67. I think I could get 5 meals at least for our family of four (although eating is more like 2 1/2 people). at Aldis! When we butcher goats hogs etc. 21. Tastes ever so good as leftovers too. My mom had to be inventive to feed all five of us. Sorry, it took me so long to post but Ive been getting in at near midnight all week long. shape, BOIL. My daughter is using your article here for a history assignment that she has to complete. I participate in a food co-op for fruits and veggies, buy canned items in case lot sales, pack lunches for my husband to take to work, eat lots of leftovers, and most importantly, never go grocery shopping while hungry. Ramen noodle packages are not considered food in my house. Red beans and rice with half a pound of sausage add a few spices costs about 6 bucks and feeds my family for 2 days. Now, this is a roast chicken you make from scratch, not the store-bought pre-cooked ones (which tend to be small). They usually added whatever they had on hand: olive oil, hard-boiled eggs, cooked white beans, bacon bits, bacon grease, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Companies give away free things like deodorant. 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