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The flavors and memories from Grandma’s kitchen are hard to forget. Back then, she didn’t need written recipes—she made everything from scratch, relying on years of practice and tradition. Many of those old-fashioned dishes have been replaced by store-bought versions or forgotten altogether. Here are 14 classic recipes to bring back the tastes and traditions Grandma knew so well.
White Bread
While many people choose to buy bread from the grocery store, they often overlook how easy and exciting it can be to bake their own. And grandma knew exactly how to make this by heart. This simple, yet delicious, homemade white bread using a bread maker uses just a few basic ingredients from your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Bread Maker White Bread
Homemade Crackers
Grandma knew the value of making everyday foods from scratch, and crackers were no exception. Simple, homemade crackers were always crisp, flavorful, and better than anything from the store. If you’re ready to bring that tradition into your kitchen, this recipe is a great place to start.
These low-carb, gluten-free crackers are easy to make and have a light, delicious flavor that pairs perfectly with soups, cheese, or spreads—just like Grandma’s, but with a modern twist.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Crackers at Home
Vegetable Stock
Grandma never let anything go to waste, and her homemade vegetable stock was proof of that. She’d save onion skins, carrot peels, garlic ends, and herb stems, turning those kitchen scraps into a rich, flavorful base for soups, stews, and sauces. It was her way of stretching every ingredient while making something both practical and delicious. Today, you can do the same—simple, frugal, and full of flavor, just like Grandma made it.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Vegetable Stock
Homemade Broth
Grandma always had a pot of homemade broth simmering on the stove, using simple ingredients like bones, vegetables, and herbs. She knew it was the key to adding rich flavor and nourishment to soups, stews, and gravies. Making broth from scratch was second nature to her, and it’s just as easy to do today. Whether you’re using chicken, beef, or vegetables, homemade broth brings warmth and depth to every dish, just like Grandma’s kitchen always did.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Bone Broth in the Crock Pot
Chicken Noodle Soup
This ground chicken noodle soup is a classic. This comforting and hearty dish is made with lean ground chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that’s sure to warm you up.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Noodle Soup
Hearty Vegetable Soup
Load up with this vegetable stew with plenty of veggies to make a filling and flavorful meal. This is perfect for fall or winter meals. Serve with bread on the side.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Soup
Tomato Sauce
Grandma didn’t have an Instant Pot, but she knew the secret to a good tomato sauce was starting from scratch. Today, we can speed up the process with an Instant Pot while keeping that homemade flavor she perfected. This sauce is rich, yet perfect for everything from pasta to pizza, just like the ones she made with love and fresh tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Tomato Sauce in an Instant Pot
Tomato Paste
Grandma knew that making tomato paste was all about patience and care. She’d cook fresh, ripe tomatoes down to a thick, rich concentrate, letting the flavors deepen as the liquid slowly evaporated. The longer it simmered, the thicker and more flavorful it became. When it was just right, she’d preserve it in jars, ensuring a taste of summer was always tucked away in the pantry, ready to add depth to sauces, soups, and stews throughout the year.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Tomato
Pumpkin Puree
Homemade pumpkin puree is one of those recipes Grandma always knew by heart. She didn’t need a can when she had fresh pumpkins on hand, and the flavor was so much better. She’d take pie pumpkins for a deep orange puree or lighter varieties like Long Island Cheese for a golden, velvety version perfect for soups. Grandma’s method was simple, and it worked just as well for butternut squash, too.
Whether she was making pies, breads, muffins, or pancakes, her homemade puree added a richness and depth of flavor that made every bite taste like home.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Onion Powder
Grandma knew the value of pantry staples, and onion powder was one she always kept on hand. It added a deep, concentrated onion flavor to everything from soups and sauces to casseroles and marinades. A pinch here and there could transform a dish, making it an easy and reliable way to bring bold flavor to any meal—just like Grandma did.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Onion Powder
Ginger Powder
Turning your fresh ginger into ginger powder as a way to preserve ginger for long term storage. Making ginger powder at home is easy – and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Ginger Powder
Herbal Tea
Grandma always had a pot of healing herb tea brewing when someone in the family wasn’t feeling their best. Made with simple, natural ingredients like mint, chamomile, or ginger, this tea was her go-to remedy for everything from an upset stomach to a scratchy throat. She didn’t need a recipe—just her knowledge of which herbs worked their magic. A warm cup of her tea offered comfort, calm, and a reminder that sometimes the simplest remedies are the most effective.
Homemade Jam
Sweet and tangy, this unique balance brings a unique flavor profile few other fruit preserves can offer. The stunning color and texture also add a vibrant note of playfulness to your dishes.
Whether you add it to toast, spread it on pancakes, or add it to cookie and cake mixes, you’ll get robust flavor, sweetness, and nutrients in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Blueberry Preserves and Homemade Mixed Berry Jam Recipe
Homemade Sauerkraut
This homemade sauerkraut recipe is crisp, sweet cabbage softens and ferments into tangy, flavorful sauerkraut, rich in probiotics and vitamins.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Homemade Sauerkraut
23 Lost Homemaking Skills That Deserve a Comeback
Many traditional homemaking skills have faded from everyday life, though they were once essential for running a household. Here are 23 forgotten homemaking skills that deserve to make a comeback.
23 Lost Homemaking Skills That Deserve a Comeback
24 Homemade All-Natural Skincare and Beauty Recipes You Can Make at Home
From soothing face masks to nourishing body balms, these 24 natural beauty and skincare recipes is designed to help you craft eco-friendly products right in your kitchen.
24 All-Natural Skincare and Beauty Recipes You Can Make at Home
