Rootbound Homestead
The American Great Depression was a difficult period, much like it is now. All people who lived through that time period experienced resource scarcity and economic hardship. Families had to get inventive while preparing meals with very little, or no money at all. They grew what they could themselves, and they traded and bartered for what they couldn't.
Men sitting outside of the employment officePhoto byRichelleg/canva
The following recipes demonstrate how a little imagination and perseverance can go a long way, and they are all generally priced at $5 and under. Obviously, this is banking on you having a few items at home already, like salt and pepper, et cetera. It's also assuming you buy the ingredients you don't have, as they appear in the recipe. Like a large onion, not a large bag. Let's get started!
Creamy Potato Soup
Warm potato soup is the most comforting thing to eat on a cold night.
Ingredients:
- 1 large, sweet onion
- 2 lb. large potatoes; gold is best
- Water
- Pepper and salt
Directions:
Chop and peel the onions and potatoes. In a big pot, add enough water to just cover them. Bring them to a boil until they become soft. Mash some of the potatoes in the soup to make it thicker. To taste, add salt and pepper for seasoning.
Cost range: $3–$5, depending on location and amount
Rice and Bean Casserole
A cheap staple usually found in every American cabinet is rice and beans.
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Onions
- Dried beans
- A can of tomatoes
Directions:
Cook until the beans are soft. Separately cook the rice; add to the beans when done. Add the canned tomatoes and sautéed onions to the rice and beans. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees, or until flavors are combined.
Cost range: $3–$5, depending on location and amount
Bread Pudding
A satisfying bedtime snack that will satisfy hunger is bread pudding.
Bread puddingPhoto byRichelleg
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Stale bread
Directions:
Break the bread into bite-sized pieces. Combine with a mixture of sugar, beaten eggs, and milk. Bake until it sets at 350 for about 45 minutes. Should spring back when you touch the top.
Average Cost: You can make this delicacy for less than $3 per serving, depending on where you live.
Easy Vegetable Soup
This dish may be modified to use any ingredients you have on hand, and it is a nutritious choice for any meal.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Corn
- Water
Directions:
Boil veggies in a stock pot. Add pepper and salt for seasoning. This soup can be frozen or stored for a filling and healthy dinner at any time.
Average Cost: $3, less if you can produce your own vegetables at home, depending on area and pricing.
Cornmeal Pancakes
Pancakes made with cornmeal are very cheap, incredibly simple to prepare, and satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1+ cup of cornmeal
- Half cup of flour
- One cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons sugar (optional)
Directions:
Combine the ingredients to make a batter. These mouthwatering pancakes can be prepared in advance and kept warm in the oven for later, or frozen to eat much later.
Average Price: $2–$3, depending on the area
Noodles and Cabbage
Cabbage is inexpensive and easy to cook. It offers numerous health advantages and is nutrient-rich.
Noodles and cabbagePhoto byRichelleg
Ingredients:
- Egg noodles
- Cabbage
- Margarine or butter
Directions:
Cook cabbage in butter, boil egg noodles separately, and combine. This is a cheap and satisfying side dish that can be turned into a dinner by adding more protein.
Cost on average: $3–$4
Fried Bologna Sammies
The fried bologna sandwich has been a mainstay of American culture for many years and is still quite popular.
Ingredients:
- Slices of bologna
- Bread
- Mustard
Directions:
Crisp up bologna slices by frying them. For a simple and delicious meal, make a sandwich and top it with mustard.
Average Cost: $2–$5, depending on the store and the cost of groceries at the time.
Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is another reasonably priced choice for a yummy dessert.
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Milk
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
Directions:
Cook rice till creamy by adding milk and sugar. Toss in some cinnamon.
$4 is the average cost.
Fake Apple Pie
Not a single apple? It's alright. We've got this fake apple pie recipe covered.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Crackers
Directions:
Crush the crackers and combine them with sugar, cinnamon, and a small amount of water to make a paste. Bake in a pie crust at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. It tastes just like apple pie.
Average Price: $4–$5, based on region and amount
Egg drop soup
This delicious treat with Asian influences is inexpensive to prepare and easy to store for later.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Chicken broth
- Green onions
- Soy sauce
Directions:
Bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Whisk the eggs and gradually add them to the soup. Add the chopped green onions, give it a gentle stir, and season with soy sauce.
Egg drop soupPhoto byRichelleg
$5 is the average cost, depending on where you live.
Corn Chowder
Another delicious and simple dish for a chilly fall evening is corn chowder.
Ingredients:
- Corn off the cob (2 cups)
- Potatoes (.5 lb)
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- Butter (1 or 2 tbsp)
Directions:
Put corn and potatoes to boil in a pot with just enough water to cover. Add butter and milk. The potatoes will become soft after simmering, making a flavorful and filling chowder.
Average Cost: $3–$5, based on region and sales at the time.
Cracker Casserole Ritz
There isn't much easier cooking than this Ritz Cracker Casserole.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Ritz crackers
- Tomato sauce
- Cheese
Directions:
Brown and drain the meat. Arrange cheese, tomato sauce, and crushed Ritz crackers in layers. Bake until golden and bubbling.
Cost: $3–$4 on average, depending on location, options, and current rates
Potato Patties
Potato patties, one of my all-time favorites, are inexpensive, easy, and suitable for any meal.
Potato pattiesPhoto byRichelleg
Ingredients:
- Mashed potatoes
- Egg
- Flour
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
The mashed potatoes, flour, and beaten egg should be combined. Form patties and fry until golden.
Average Price: About $3, based on location
Navy Bean Soup
During the Great Depression, beans were a necessary staple that were frequently included in every meal. One well-liked bean recipe that is still well-liked now is navy bean soup.
Ingredients:
- Two to three cups of dry navy beans
- One can of chopped tomatoes
- One sliced onion
- Chopped ham and/or hock bone
- Two cups each of broth and water
Directions:
As directed on the package, soak the navy beans, making sure to rinse them well both before and after. Add the onion, ham, broth, water, and can of tomatoes to the beans; season to taste.
Puree the cooked beans in a food processor to make a thicker soup, then return them to the pot and mix thoroughly to incorporate.
Cost on average: $3–$4 per serving
Navy bean soupPhoto byRichelleg
Get Creative!
These Depression-era dishes are not only affordable but also offer an insight into the resourcefulness of families during hard times, even though they might call for a little ingenuity.
Try these recipes to save money, add a little nostalgia to your contemporary kitchen, or get a taste of history. A little ingenuity combined with thrifty purchasing can really help.
Do you know of an excellent, less than $5 recipe from the Depression era? Let's make some budget-friendly go-to dishes that everyone can enjoy by sharing them in the comments.
Mobile libraries set up on street corners to keep people entertained and current on events.Photo byRichelleg/canva
Attributions:
Rosenberg, M. (2023, December 20). 40 Weird, Wacky, and (Occasionally) Wonderful Great Depression Foods. So Yummy: Video Recipes, Easy Dinner Ideas, and Healthy Snacks | So Yummy. https://soyummy.com/entertaining/28-weird-wacky-and-occasionally-wonderful-great-depression-foods/
Hu, M. (2019, October 24). Recipe: American Breakfast. Foodpanda MY Magazine. https://magazine.foodpanda.my/recipe-american-breakfast/
