Depression-Era Recipes Are Making a Comeback as Food Budgets Tighten

Many of the meals made by American families during the Great Depression initially gained popularity because they were affordable and filling — often featuring creative uses of overripe fruits (think banana bread) or shelf-stable ingredients (like crackers).

But amid the recent 43-day government shutdown , which affected vital food assistance programs, some Depression-era meals gained renewed interest on social media.

From water pie to pork cake, below are a handful of the Depression-era meals making a comeback online.

Fried Potatoes with Hot Dogs

As TikTok user Food Wanderer demonstrated, adding a starch to a processed meat is an easy way to create a hearty meal. This dish combines fried potatoes, onion, spices, hot dogs and mushrooms for a one-pot entrée.

Ham and Potato Patties