44 Pioneer Recipes You Absolutely Must Try

I have a particular interest in history, and when you add good food to the mix; it provides an insight of sorts into how things were done back in the day.

Preparing and preserving food was very different in the 1800s. The food at the time had to be prepped with what you had or what you caught – literally.

With that in mind, here are 33 pioneer recipes that you have to try.

What is a “Pioneer Recipe”?

A pioneer recipe is a dish that is typically made with simple and humble ingredients that were widely available to early settlers in North America.

These recipes were created out of necessity and usually didn’t require any special equipment to prepare. Although they may not sound very exciting, pioneer recipes are actually quite delicious and can easily be adapted to suit modern tastes.

Pioneer recipes were born out of necessity and were created with readily available ingredients. This means that the list of ingredients for most pioneer recipes is quite short.

The dishes were also designed to be cooked quickly and without any special equipment. For example, many pioneer recipes can be made in a single pot, like a Dutch oven or skillet, over an open fire.

Pioneer recipes usually include meat, vegetables, grains, and sometimes fruits. The meat or protein was often wild game or livestock that was raised on the homestead (like chicken or meats you could cure).

Here’s a quick list of what they used, and what you’ll need too if you want to replicate their recipes:

• flour
• grains (wheat, oats, corn)
• cornmeal
• eggs
• vinegar
• salt
• sugar
• meat
• vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beans, squash)

Fruits were less common since they didn’t always travel well or keep for long periods of time. But when they were available, fruits such as apples, berries, and cherries found their way into pies, cobblers, and other desserts.

01: Potato Cakes

Potatoes were an important part of the pioneer diet because they lasted for a very long time. This made them a reliable food source for traveling pioneers.

Potato cakes were and are still a popular meal; they’re easy to work with and make delicious meals. If you’d like to try making these yourself, you can find a recipe here.

Fun fact: potato cakes were a sort of precursor to modern pancakes.

02: Johnnycakes

Johnnycakes are a cornmeal flatbread that’s derived from a recipe for jonikin – which is similar except that it’s made with oats instead of corn.

The modern johnnycake is made with either yellow or white cornmeal which is mixed with salt and hot water or milk to make cornmeal gruel.

The gruel is then deep-fried to give us the cake. It’s also sometimes sweetened with a bit of sugar. You can find a recipe for Johnnycakes here.

03: Molasses Stack Cake

This was a luxury food for the pioneers because it was ridiculously expensive to make. With that in mind, it was usually reserved for very special occasions (i.e. weddings) and was an effort among family and friends.

Each guest brings in a layer of the cake and the layers are stacked one on top of the other. As far as dressing, there were layers of apple slices or apple butter between each layer. You can find a recipe for molasses stack cakes here.

04: Corn Pancakes

Pancakes are a favorite all over the world. This particular pancake recipe uses white cornmeal, buttermilk, and bacon fat or lard to produce a fluffy treat with a lace-like edging.

You can find a recipe here if you’d like to try making them.

05: Jerky

Cattle were a big deal for the pioneers, milk, cheese, meat, and hides were all key aspects of the pioneer lifestyle.

Beef jerky is basically cured, dehydrated meat, it’s pretty easy to make and it has a really good flavor. If you’d like to try making beef jerky yourself, you can find a recipe here.

06: Chocolate Caramels

I love chocolate, I love caramel; there was no way I wasn’t going to put this on the list after finding it! Much like us, our ancestors occasionally craved something sweet and sweets were considered a special treat – a real luxury item.

Now obviously modern recipes are different from what the pioneers used. Today we’d use syrup, sugar, cream, and a few other things to sweeten the treat.

On the other hand, the pioneers used sweet milk, vanilla, and molasses – their chocolate caramels must’ve been super sweet if they used molasses! If you’d like to try this sweet treat yourself, you can find a recipe here.

07: Swiss Apple Cherry Pie

Apple + cherry + pie = greatness! This particular sweet treat came from the Swiss contingent of the pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

It’s basically an apple pie (which is already good) with cherries added for extra sweetness and flavor. If you’d like to try this yourself you can find a recipe here.

08: 101 Year Old Pastry

Okay, so this is a recipe for pastry crust and not a pie that’s 101 years old. We’re clear on that, right? Cool, then we can get onto the recipe.

Making the pastry itself was and still is the first part of making a pie. If you’d like to make this one yourself, here’s the recipe.

09: Hasty Pudding

A British pudding, this one looks kind of like a crème caramel dessert – depending on the picture you see.

It’s easy to make and can be prepared in around an hour or so (hence the name ‘hasty pudding’) and is often topped off with a bit of whipped cream. Grab a recipe for hasty pudding here.

10: Corn Dodgers

These were popular as both side dishes and snacks; they were small enough that they could be carried in a pocket with no trouble at all. Corn dodgers are also called hush puppies, and you can find a recipe here.

11: Native American Fry Bread

This is exactly what it sounds like, deep-fried bread. It can be eaten either plain, or with honey, jam, or whatever topping you’d prefer. You can find a recipe here.

12: Pioneer Cookies

Who doesn’t like cookies? These particular treats are made with oats, brown sugar, and a touch of vanilla.

My grandmother used to add syrup or honey instead of vanilla which added to the sugary sweetness! If you’d like to make these yourself, a recipe may be found here.

13: Pinole

Made from chia seeds and roasted cornmeal, Pinole is a high-energy food that will give you a boost without eating a large amount of it – unlike other energy foods. You can mix it into a drink, eat it as a cereal, or make it into cookies – yum!

This stuff tastes great and is super healthy; you can add almonds to it for extra flavor. If you want to try making pinole yourself, this is a good recipe to use.

14: Dumplings

This is one that I didn’t really expect. I’d always thought of dumplings as a Chinese thing so when I found dumplings listed among pioneer recipes it was a bit of a surprise.

Although, come to think of it; it probably shouldn’t have been. Anyways, a dumpling is made of pieces of dough wrapped around a sweet or savory filling of your choice.

The most common types of dumplings that I’ve seen have been steamed or fried but baking, simmering, and boiling are also options. You can find a recipe for dumplings here.

15: Pemmican

Pemmican is a Native American preservation method of meat and/or fish for an extended time period made from meat, rendered fat, and dried berries.

The berries are optional but they add a bit of flavor to your pemmican. If you want to try making pemmican, you can find a recipe here.

16: Hardtack

Also called survival bread, hardtack is a type of biscuit made from a mixture of flour, water, and salt.

Inexpensive and easy to make, this stuff has a very long shelf-life and was often used during long sea voyages and migrations where perishable foods would’ve gone bad before the journey had ended. You can find a recipe for hardtack here.

Fun fact: hardtack and salted pork were standard military rations throughout the 17th century all the way through the 19th century.

17: Rusks

Rusks are…well, I guess you could say they’re the South African version of hardtack. It’s essentially double-baked bread.

Portions of bread dough are packed into a baking tray and then baked. Once the dough is baked, it’s separated into portions and baked a second time to give it that dry consistency.

Rusks come in a variety of flavors, but the most common ones are plain, and there are a number of others from which to choose. Check out this recipe if you’d like to try making rusks for yourself.

18: Oxtail Potjie

Ah, potjie…one of the few things I was never able to get quite right. I tried twice to make a beef potjie whilst on a school retreat back in 7th grade and both times it didn’t come out right – although the second attempt was more edible than the first.

First off; potjie is a type of stew found in South Africa that’s typically cooked in a small, wrought-iron pot. Now, I will outright say I’ve never tried oxtail potjie myself but I know that oxtail is a…particular favorite in South Africa because of how soft and tender the meat is.

If you’d like to try making an oxtail potjie, here’s the recipe.

19: Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk…whenever I think of buttermilk I think of buttermilk rusks and initially that’s what I thought this was; another type of rusk – silly me.

First of all, biscuits are a flour-based food product and buttermilk is the liquid left behind in the process of churning butter from cream. When you mix the two together, you get a buttermilk biscuit. You can find a recipe for buttermilk biscuits here.

20: Apricot Oat Biscuits

Oat biscuits are a common favorite in my family (we call them crunches, if you’re curious). With that said, I don’t think I’ve tried an oat biscuit with apricot in it.

I do like dried fruits with apricot being a personal favorite so that would be interesting. You can find a recipe for this neat treat here.

21: Vetkoek

VETKOEK! Okay, I’ve listed a few South African favorites here but this one is probably the most popular of the lot. This is a very easy thing to make; it’s basically deep-fried bread dough – which you then fill with whatever you like.

We typically do it with mincemeat for savory vetkoek and jam for sweet vetkoek – apricot jam is the best! I’ve also tried it with a few types of syrup and it’s not bad per se, but I think I’ll stick to my mince and jam if you don’t mind. You can make vetkoek yourself with this easy recipe.

22: Spotted Pup

Spotted pup…that’s a very odd name for a dessert, but I guess they had to call it something. You know the saying ‘waste not, want not’ right? That’s kind of where this came from.

Wasting food is, in general, a bad thing, but it was particularly frowned on back in the day. So, when the pioneers had leftover rice on hand, they needed to figure out how to use it.

Then someone had the bright idea to mix the rice with sugar, raisins, vanilla, and a few other things and thus the Spotted Pup was born! This is super easy to make, and you can use this recipe to do it yourself.

23: Cornmeal Mush

I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t usually associate the term ‘mush’ with anything delicious. That said, this was typically a breakfast meal. It was easy to make and it was apparently very filling. You can find a recipe for cornmeal mush here.

Quick note: When I looked up cornmeal mush, I found that it was listed as a sort of cornmeal dessert. I guess that means the pioneers had dessert for breakfast – sounds like a good idea to me.

24: Fried Apples

Fried Apples were a perfect dessert for the pioneers because apples were one of the few fruits that would last to the end of the trip.

There are a variety of uses and recipes for this particular delicacy – including one that uses bacon – and it’s super easy to make. Don’t believe me? Try this recipe and see for yourself.

25: Cured Bacon

Here’s a fun fact for you guys: the average family of four consumed 400 pounds of bacon – 100 pounds of bacon per person. I know a few people who wouldn’t mind that.

Using this little fact, we can see that bacon was a major part of the pioneer diet. With that in mind, they had to figure out how to preserve their bacon; which they did by curing it.

Now, if you’re not familiar with curing, it’s a preservation process wherein the salt is used to draw out the moisture in foods like meat, fish, and vegetables. You can try curing bacon yourself with this recipe.

26: Jerky Gravy

I love gravy and I love biltong/jerky so when you combine the two…well; now you’ve got my attention. This was used as a stand-in, of sorts, when meat was in low supply; it could be spread over things like soda biscuits, potatoes, and cornbread for added flavor.

This is something that I’d never really considered; turning biltong into a gravy. Of course, it’d probably help if the biltong lasted longer than, I don’t know, a day.

Anyways, this is definitely something that I’d love to try and you can find a great recipe for it here.

27: Soda Biscuits

Speaking of soda biscuits, what are they? Well, they’re biscuits that have been baked with baking soda instead of baking powder.

These are super easy to make and can be eaten in a variety of ways – with jerky gravy for a savory flavor, or syrup if you want something sweeter. You can get a nice soda biscuit recipe here.

28: Norwegian Fruit Soup

This is one that I wasn’t too sure about…until I looked up some recipes for it. This stuff looks kind of like jam or marmalade and is pretty sweet – literally.

It’s made up of dried fruit(s), lemon juice, cinnamon, and a few other things to give us this particularly sweet treat. You can get a good recipe here.

29: Swedish Jam Cake

Swedish jam cakes are a fantastic treat for the whole family. I’m partial to apricot and strawberry jams but you can use any jam you like. If you want apricot, use apricot. If you want mixed fruits…you get the idea.

You can get a great recipe for Swedish jam cakes here.

30: Native Currant Whirligig

Okay, this sounds like some crazy dance routine but it’s actually an English recipe that looks absolutely delicious! It also strongly resembles a treat we have in certain places in South Africa.

Seriously, I looked at some of the pictures that I could find of this recipe and I was left wondering if we’d ripped off the recipe or just made a new variant. I’ll swing back to this in a second but first, what are currant whirligigs?

Currant whirligigs are baked bread treats styled to have a spiraling appearance. They’re usually made with wild currants (you can use cranberries as well if you’d prefer) and are a popular treat.

Now, in South Africa, we’ve got something similar; cinnabons (cinnamon buns with various toppings). This would be an interesting addition to the chocolate, caramel, and other flavors of cinnabons out there.

If you’d like to try making this sweet treat yourself, you can get a recipe here.

31: Currant Bread

This Welsh recipe was often used as a Christmas treat. The pioneers used wild currants; possibly drying them out for winter storage. The reason for using currants was that raisins weren’t available at the time. You can find a recipe for currant bread here.

32: Spiced Red Cabbage

Another Christmas dish, this one is from Germany. It’s essentially red cabbage cooked for a few minutes with mustard seeds and other spices and simmered with sugar. Here’s the recipe, if you’d like to try it.

33: Basic Brown Bread

Bread…what can I say? I tried to put all the interesting recipes I could find on this list but the bread kept chasing me, and so here it is on the list. Yes, bread was a thing with the pioneers too; although, they probably did things slightly differently to how we do it now.

Anyways, I digress; bread was an important part of the diet as well. Brown bread in particular was a common find as it was higher in carbohydrates than white bread and it has a nice flavor to it that white bread doesn’t have.

Now, to clarify: any bread can have a nice flavor when done properly; brown bread is just stronger in that department. If you’d like to try this one yourself then you can get a recipe here.

34: Basic Pioneer Cornbread

There are few things more delicious than a juicy piece of cornbread fresh out of the oven. And there are few recipes more classic than pioneer cornbread. Whether you’re looking for a hearty side dish or a simple snack, cornbread is the perfect solution.

Made with just a few basic ingredients, it’s also easy to prepare.

35: Pan-Fried Pork Chops

When it comes to classic comfort food, it doesn’t get much better than pan-fried pork chops. This dish has been a staple of the American diet for centuries, and it’s easy to see why.

Pan-fried pork chops are hearty and delicious, and they can be made with just a few simple ingredients. The key to success is in the cooking method.

First, the pork chops are coated in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper. Then, they are fried in a hot skillet until they are golden brown and cooked through. Serve with your favorite sides and you have a meal that is sure to please.

36: Apple Pie

While the origin of apple pie is unknown, this classic dish has been a staple of American cuisine for centuries. One of the earliest known recipes was published in an English cookbook in 1381.

The first recorded mention of apple pie in America comes from a letter written by a French Huguenot settler in 1659. Since then, apple pie has become one of the most popular desserts in the United States.

There are countless recipes for this iconic dish, but the basic ingredients include apples, sugar, flour, butter, and spices.

Whether served warm with a scoop of ice cream or cold with a dollop of whipped cream, apple pie is a delicious treat that is sure to please any crowd – from back in the pioneer days all the way until 2022!

37: Pioneer Bread

This classic recipe has been passed down for generations, and it is perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavor of homemade bread without any of the hassle.

The key to making perfect Pioneer Bread is to start with good quality flour. If possible, use unbleached flour for the best results.

Once you have the flour, simply mix it with water and salt until it forms a sticky dough. Then, turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes.

Once it is smooth and elastic, shape it into a loaf and place it on a greased baking sheet. Bake at a moderate temperature until the bread is golden brown and delicious.

38: Venison Stew

Venison stew is a hearty and flavorful dish that has its roots in the frontier days of the American West. The combination of tender venison, potatoes, and carrots simmered in rich gravy is sure to satisfy even the heartiest appetite.

While there are many different recipes for venison stew, the most important ingredient is good-quality venison.

The meat should be cut into small pieces and browned before being added to the stew pot. This browning helps to give the finished dish a deep flavor and beautiful color.

Fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, can also be added to the pot for an extra touch of flavor. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pioneer recipe or simply want to enjoy a delicious and warming meal on a cold winter’s day, venison stew is sure to hit the spot.

39: Fish on a Stick

If you’re looking for a delicious, hearty meal that will keep you full all day long, look no further than fish on a stick. This classic pioneer recipe is simple to make and can be easily adapted to fit whatever fish you have on hand.

The key is to first cook the fish all the way through, then dip it in a batter made from flour, eggs, and milk.

Once it’s coated, simply fry it in hot oil until it’s golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

40: Red Beans and Rice

Red beans and rice is a classic pioneer recipe that was traditionally made on Mondays. The dish is simple to make and uses inexpensive ingredients, making it a perfect meal for families who were trying to stretch their food budget.

The dish is also packed with protein and fiber, making it a filling and satisfying meal. While the exact origin of red beans and rice is unknown, it is thought to have originated in the American South.

The dish became popular during the era of westward expansion, when pioneers were looking for easy recipes that could be made with ingredients that were readily available. Today, red beans and rice remains a popular dish, and can be found on menus all across the country.

41: Mud Apples

Mud apples are a classic pioneer recipe that can be easily made with ingredients that are commonly found on the trail.

To make mud apples, simply mix together equal parts of flour and water until you have a thick, pudding-like consistency. Then, add a few drops of food coloring to create your desired shade of mud.

Finally, use your hands to mold the mixture into small balls. Allow the mud apples to air dry overnight, and then enjoy your sweet and squishy treat!

42: Eggless, Milkless, and Butterless Cake

Though the ingredients may sound unusual, an eggless, milkless, and butterless cake was a classic recipe of early settlers in America.

This cake was often made with flour, sugar, baking soda, water, and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. The lack of eggs made the cake denser than modern cakes, but it was still moist and delicious.

The cake was typically baked in a Dutch oven over an open fire, though it could also be cooked on a hot plate or griddle. While this cake might not be the most popular dessert today, it is a reminder of the resourcefulness of our early pioneers.

43: Side Pork and Mormon Gravy

In the early days of the Mormon pioneers, food was often scarce. One dish that was frequently on the menu was side pork and gravy.

This simple dish consisted of pork fat, flour, and water, which were boiled together until they formed a thick gravy. The gravy was then poured over biscuits or cornbread.

Although it may not sound appetizing by today’s standards, side pork and gravy was a filling and nutritious meal that helped the pioneers to survive in the harsh conditions of the American West.

Today, this classic pioneer recipe is still enjoyed by many Mormon families. When prepared correctly, it is a delicious and hearty dish that is sure to please even the most finicky eaters.

44: Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic pioneer recipe that was brought to America by English and Scottish immigrants. This dish has been a staple of the American diet for centuries, and it is still enjoyed by millions of people today.

The traditional recipe calls for boiled potatoes to be mashed with milk and butter, but there are many variations of this dish.

Some recipes include cream, cheese, or sour cream, while others add garlic or onions for extra flavor. No matter what ingredients are used, mashed potatoes are always a delicious and comforting food – and remain as such to this day!