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The Great Depression was one of the most difficult economic periods in history, forcing people to adopt new habits in order to survive. With factories, farms, and businesses closing, many families lost their homes and struggled to put food on the table. Out of necessity, people became resourceful with what they had, leading to clever cooking techniques and frugal living strategies that are still relevant today.
While we might not face the same circumstances, there’s a lot to learn from how our ancestors made the most out of very little. Cooking like your great-grandparents can be a great way to stretch your budget, reduce waste, and create wholesome meals for your family. From preserving seasonal produce to making the most of leftovers, these tried-and-true Depression-era tips can help you rethink how you cook and manage your food resources.
Here are 16 timeless cooking practices that emerged from the Great Depression. Whether it’s growing your own food, mastering simple recipes, or finding new ways to use ingredients you already have, these techniques stand the test of time and are just as useful today as they were back then.
Grow Your Own Food
During the Great Depression, many families planted gardens wherever they could—backyards, rooftops, and vacant lots. This practice provided food security and reduced reliance on costly store-bought items. Today, even if you don’t have a lot of space, you can start a small garden with just a few pots of vegetables or herbs. Growing your own food saves money while ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce, a valuable skill in any economic situation.
Waste Not, Want Not
“Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without” was a mantra of the Depression. Families made the most of everything, turning vegetable peels, fruit cores, and meat bones into soups and stews.
Even seemingly unusable items had value—bean liquid from canned beans can be used in baking or to make vegan mayonnaise, while citrus peels can be cooked in syrup and dried to make candied treats. This approach reduces waste and adds nutrition and flavor to meals.
Embrace Canning
Canning was a lifesaver, allowing families to preserve seasonal produce for use year-round. By canning fruits, vegetables, and even meats, they could avoid spoilage and enjoy nutritious food long after the growing season.
Today, canning remains a great way to stock your pantry with healthy, homemade food. Learning to can allows you to buy in bulk when produce is cheaper and preserve it for future use, ensuring you always have something on hand.
Bake from Scratch
Baking from scratch remains a budget-friendly alternative today. It allows you to enjoy delicious, homemade treats without the cost of store-bought items.
During the Depression, pre-packaged baked goods were out of reach for most families. Instead, homemade bread, biscuits, and cakes became staples, often using simple, inexpensive ingredients.
Cook Soups and Stews
Soups and stews were a Depression-era staple because they could be made with whatever ingredients were on hand and lasted days to feed a family.
Leftover vegetables, bones, and bits of meat could all be thrown into a pot to create a hearty, filling meal. The tradition of making soups and stews is still a bright, frugal way to use up leftovers and create flavorful, nutritious meals that last.
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Raise Backyard Chickens
Keeping chickens or other livestock provides a reliable source of fresh eggs, meat, or dairy products, ensuring you always have access to nutritious food.
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Cook with Legumes: Beans and More Beans
Legumes such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas were affordable and versatile sources of protein during the Depression. Beans could be added to stews and casseroles or served over rice to create satisfying meals.
Pairing beans with grains like rice creates a complete protein, ensuring a nutritious, meat-free meal. Today, legumes remain an affordable way to boost your protein intake while keeping grocery costs low.
Revive Leftovers
Leftovers were never wasted—they were repurposed into new meals. Stale bread became bread pudding, leftover rice became rice pudding, and bones or meat scraps were used for broth.
You can do the same today by turning last night’s dinner into a new dish. Leftover meats, vegetables, and grains can be transformed into casseroles, wraps, or soups, keeping your meals interesting and minimizing waste.
Get Creative with Substitutes
In times of scarcity, people often had to find creative substitutes for expensive or unavailable ingredients. Applesauce could replace sugar or oil in baking, and mashed potatoes could substitute for flour. You can apply this same creativity today by using what you have on hand. For example, replace oil with applesauce in baked goods for a healthier, cheaper alternative, or use seasonal ingredients instead of more costly out-of-season ones.
Stock Up When You Can
Stocking up on staples was common, allowing families to prepare for lean times. Items like flour, beans, canned goods, and frozen vegetables were bought in bulk. Today, building a well-stocked pantry with non-perishable staples gives you the flexibility to cook at home without constantly shopping, saving both time and money.
Use Cheaper Cuts of Meat
Tougher, more affordable cuts of meat, like pork shoulder or beef chuck, were often used. These cuts, when slow-cooked, became tender and flavorful. Even today, opting for less expensive cuts of meat can help you stretch your budget without sacrificing taste. You can also explore cuisines that focus on these cuts.
Simplify Your Meals
Meals were simple, made with a few basic ingredients and minimal frills. People learned to make the most of what they had. Today, embracing simple, wholesome dishes can help you eat well while sticking to a budget.
Batch cooking, one-pot meals, and prepping versatile ingredients throughout the week are great ways to simplify your cooking while still creating nutritious, flavorful meals.
Embrace Meatless Meals
With meat often too expensive, many Depression-era families relied on plant-based meals. Beans and rice, seasoned with herbs and spices, could be just as satisfying as a meat-based dish. You can continue this tradition by incorporating more meatless meals into your diet, reducing grocery costs while still enjoying hearty, satisfying dishes.
Forage for Wild Foods
Foraging was a survival skill, with families gathering wild foods like dandelions, acorns, and berries to supplement their diets. Dandelion greens, for example, are nutrient-rich and can be used in salads, while acorns can be ground into flour. Even today, learning to forage for wild edibles can provide you with free, healthy food while connecting you with nature.
Appreciate the Little Things
The Great Depression taught people to value their food and the effort it took to prepare it. Today, we can take a page from that mindset by appreciating the simple pleasures of cooking and sharing meals with loved ones.
Cooking from scratch, using what you have, and enjoying the process can help you save money, eat healthier, and build a stronger connection to your food and family.
Learn to Barter
Bartering goods and services with nearby families can strengthen your local network and reduce costs. Exchange surplus vegetables, eggs, honey, or meat with neighbors. This form of trading helps everyone save money and fosters a network of self-reliant, like-minded individuals who can support each other in tough times.
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19 Depression Era Recipes That Were Simple, Affordable and Surprisingly Good
These Depression-era recipes may have been born out of necessity, but many of these simple, filling, and surprisingly flavorful meals are still enjoyed today!
From the humble mayonnaise sandwich to the inventive mock apple pie, these Depression-era recipes are a reminder of how, even in the hardest times, resourceful cooks found ways to make mealtimes special with just a few basic ingredients.
19 Depression Era Recipes That Were Simple, Affordable and Surprisingly Good