Survival Recipes Through the Ages

Throughout history, people have faced times of scarcity and hardship, from medieval peasants making do with what they had to families struggling through the Great Depression. Yet, even in these trying times, they found ways to nourish themselves with simple, hearty meals made from the most basic ingredients. These “survival recipes” tell a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and adaptability. Here are a few survival recipes to try, but note they were mostly cooked during times of hardship for a good reason.

Medieval Pottage: The Peasant’s Lifeline

One of the most well-known survival foods of the Middle Ages was pottage, a thick, nutritious stew made by boiling grains, vegetables, and whatever meat was available. The ingredients varied depending on the season and what people had access to, but a basic pottage recipe might include barley or oats, root vegetables like turnips or onions, and sometimes salted or dried meats. Peasants often had little access to spices or luxury ingredients, so pottage was simple but sustaining, simmering over a fire all day to feed the entire family.

Basic Pottage Recipe:

1 cup barley or oats

4 cups water or broth

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 parsnip or turnip, diced

A handful of leafy greens (such as nettles or cabbage)

Salt and herbs (if available)

• In a large pot, bring water or broth to a boil.
• Add grains and cook for about 30 minutes.
• Add vegetables and continue to simmer until everything is soft and thickened.
• Season with salt and any available herbs, and serve hot.

Hardtack: The Survival Biscuit

Hardtack has been a staple food for sailors, soldiers, and pioneers for centuries. It is a simple, dense biscuit made from flour, water, and sometimes salt. Because it is baked until completely dry, it can last for years without spoiling, making it an essential survival food.

Hardtack Recipe:

2 cups flour

½ cup water

1 tsp salt (optional)

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Mix flour, salt, and water into a stiff dough.
• Roll out dough to about ½-inch thickness and cut into squares.
• Poke holes in each square with a fork to help it bake evenly.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes, until completely dry and hard.
• Store in an airtight container for long-term use.

To eat hardtack, it usually needed to be soaked in soup or coffee to soften it, as it was often too hard to bite into directly.

Hoover Stew: A Great Depression Staple

During the Great Depression, families had to make do with very little. Meals were designed to be filling, cheap, and able to stretch ingredients as far as possible. One popular dish, known as Hoover Stew, was served in soup kitchens across the U.S.

Hoover Stew Recipe:

1 cup elbow macaroni

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can hot dogs or cheap sausage, sliced

1 cup canned beans or vegetables

2 cups water or broth

Salt and pepper to taste

• Cook macaroni in boiling water until tender, then drain.
• In a large pot, mix diced tomatoes, hot dogs, beans, and cooked macaroni.
• Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

This dish was often made in large batches and served in soup kitchens to help feed struggling families.

Depression-Era Potato Pancakes

Potatoes were an affordable and versatile ingredient during the Great Depression, and many families made potato pancakes to stretch their food supplies. These crispy, fried patties could be served with whatever condiments were available, from a simple sprinkle of salt to homemade applesauce.

Potato Pancakes Recipe:

3 medium potatoes, grated

1 small onion, grated

1 egg

2 tbsp flour

Salt and pepper to taste

Oil for frying

• Grate the potatoes and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean towel.
• In a bowl, mix grated potatoes, onion, egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan and flatten into patties.
• Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Mock Apple Pie: A Sweet Trick

During times when fresh fruit was hard to come by, people got creative. One of the most famous Great Depression recipes is Mock Apple Pie, which uses crackers instead of apples to create a surprisingly similar taste and texture.

(During the Second World War all food was rationed, and people had to come up with inventive ways to feed themselves. This era saw a “mock” version of almost everything)

Mock Apple Pie Recipe:

36 Ritz crackers (or similar)

2 cups water

1 ½ cups sugar

2 tsp cream of tartar

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp cinnamon

1 premade pie crust

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Break crackers into small pieces and place them in the pie crust.
• In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, and cream of tartar to a boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice and cinnamon to the syrup.
• Pour the syrup over the crackers and cover with a top pie crust.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.
• Allow to cool before serving.

Modern Survival Foods: Learning from the Past

While most people today are fortunate enough not to rely on survival foods daily, learning these historical recipes can be valuable. In times of economic crisis, natural disasters, or supply chain disruptions, knowing how to cook simple, filling meals from basic ingredients can make a significant difference.

From the medieval peasant’s pottage to the Great Depression’s Hoover Stew, these recipes reflect a deep history of human perseverance. They remind us that even in the toughest times, with a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, we can find ways to nourish ourselves and our families.