1. Homemade Bread
In the past, baking bread was a weekly tradition in many households. Grandparents would often make loaves from scratch, using simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and salt. The aroma of freshly baked bread filling the kitchen was something to look forward to, and it was always served warm, with butter melting on top. This process could take several hours, with kneading and waiting for the dough to rise.
Today, most of us head to the store to grab a loaf, and with so many varieties available, it’s easy to see why. However, there’s something special about that homemade touch that can’t be replicated. Buying a loaf is quicker, but making bread from scratch was a labor of love that carried a sense of pride. Even though it’s less common now, the satisfaction of eating bread made from your own hands is still worth trying.
2. Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings was a staple in many homes during the ’40s and ’50s. It was one of those comforting meals that warmed you up on chilly evenings. Grandparents would stew chicken, create a rich broth, and then drop fluffy dumplings right into the pot. This hearty dish was easy to make from the basics and could feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
Fast forward to today, and it’s more common to grab a can of soup or frozen meal from the grocery store. While these shortcuts save time, they can’t match the flavor and love that goes into a homemade version. The process of simmering the chicken to perfection and making dumplings from scratch takes patience but is worth every minute. It’s the kind of meal that brings families together, even if we’re more likely to skip the effort and go for a ready-made version.
3. Canned Jams and Jellies
Grandparents often had a garden full of fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. After harvesting, they’d turn these fresh fruits into jams and jellies, sealing them in jars to enjoy throughout the year. The process of canning wasn’t just about preservation—it was about creating something special that could be savored during colder months.
Today, we can easily pop into the store and buy our favorite jam or jelly without a second thought. While store-bought versions are convenient, there’s something special about the homemade kind. The satisfaction of spreading homemade strawberry jam on toast, knowing it was crafted with care, is a taste that’s hard to beat. Plus, the variety of flavors available was unmatched, with grandma’s secret recipes offering unique twists on the classics.
4. Homemade Pie
A fresh pie, made from scratch, was the centerpiece of many family gatherings. Grandparents would make the dough by hand, roll it out perfectly, and fill it with fresh fruit or creamy custard. Whether it was apple, cherry, or pecan, homemade pies took time and skill, but the results were always worth the effort. After baking, the house would be filled with the sweet aroma of pie cooling on the windowsill.
Now, pies are much easier to come by, thanks to the convenience of pre-made crusts and filling at the grocery store. While the store-bought options are quick and affordable, they simply can’t compare to a homemade pie with a flaky, buttery crust and fresh filling. There’s a sense of nostalgia in each bite of a pie made from scratch, and it’s a tradition that’s slowly fading but still cherished when it happens.
5. Homemade Ice Cream
In the summer, homemade ice cream was a family event. Grandparents would bring out the old ice cream maker, add their ingredients, and spend the afternoon churning away. The whole family would gather around as the machine worked its magic, and after hours of waiting, they’d enjoy fresh, creamy ice cream in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.
Today, it’s far easier to grab a tub of ice cream from the store. With an almost infinite variety of flavors, it’s tempting to skip the old-fashioned method. But there’s something about making your own ice cream that brings back the magic of childhood. From mixing the ingredients to waiting for that first taste, it’s an experience that’s hard to replicate, even if we’ve mostly switched to store-bought versions.
6. Canned Vegetables
Canning vegetables was once an essential part of preserving a bountiful garden. Grandparents would can everything from tomatoes to green beans, ensuring there was always something fresh on hand during the winter months. The process took hours, with careful attention to sterilizing jars and sealing the produce.
These days, canned vegetables are still available, but many of us prefer the convenience of pre-packaged or frozen options. While canned vegetables from the store are quick and easy, they lack the homemade flavor and the satisfaction of knowing they were grown and prepared with care. The flavor of home-canned green beans or tomatoes, straight from grandma’s garden, has a certain authenticity that’s hard to find in today’s store offerings.
7. Homemade Soup
Soup was another dish that grandparents often made from scratch. They’d take whatever vegetables, meats, and spices they had on hand and slowly simmer them into a flavorful broth. Whether it was chicken noodle, vegetable, or beef stew, the process was an art, and the results were always comforting. Soup was a meal that could last for days, and the leftovers were just as delicious.
Today, many of us reach for a can of soup when we need a quick lunch or dinner. It’s a time-saver, no doubt, but it can’t replicate the depth of flavor that comes from slow-simmered homemade soup. The love and care that went into each pot of soup made by grandma is something that store-bought varieties can’t quite match. A homemade soup is rich in flavor and tradition, giving it a warmth that you just can’t get from a can.
8. Homemade Sausage
Making sausage from scratch was a skill passed down through generations. Grandparents would season fresh cuts of meat, stuff them into casings, and then hang them to dry or cook them up right away. Whether it was breakfast sausage, bratwurst, or Italian sausage, the homemade variety was always full of flavor.
In today’s world, sausage is often bought pre-made from the store, saving time and energy. While store-bought sausages come in countless varieties, they can’t quite compete with the richness of flavor and personal touch that comes with making your own. Homemade sausage, made with your favorite herbs and spices, tastes fresh and satisfying in a way that mass-produced versions don’t.
9. Gravy
Gravy was a staple in many households, especially during holiday meals. Grandparents would make their gravy from the drippings of roast meats, adding flour and stock to create a rich, velvety sauce. The process took time, but it was a labor of love, and no meal felt complete without it. Whether poured over mashed potatoes or turkey, homemade gravy added a comforting touch to any dish.
Today, many of us opt for store-bought gravy packets or jars to save time. While these options are convenient, they lack the depth of flavor and the homemade quality of gravy made from scratch. The satisfaction of spooning homemade gravy over your meal is something that can’t be replicated by pre-packaged versions, making it an experience worth savoring when you have the time to prepare it.
10. Stuffing
Stuffing, or dressing, was often made by grandparents from cubes of homemade bread, seasoned vegetables, and fresh herbs. It was the perfect side dish for holiday dinners, with the bread absorbing all the flavors of the turkey and broth. The process could take a bit of time, but the result was a comforting, savory side dish that everyone looked forward to.
These days, stuffing is often bought in a box, with all the seasonings and dried bread cubes pre-packaged for convenience. While the boxed versions save time, they don’t come close to the rich flavor of homemade stuffing. Making stuffing from scratch, using fresh ingredients and homemade bread, adds a layer of depth that pre-made mixes just can’t replicate. It’s the kind of dish that makes a holiday meal feel complete.
11. Casseroles
Casseroles were a go-to dinner for many grandparents, combining meats, vegetables, and starches into one hearty dish. These meals were easy to make, filling, and could be stretched to feed large families. Grandma would often bake casseroles from scratch, using whatever ingredients were on hand, and the results were always comforting.
Today, casseroles are still popular, but most of us rely on store-bought ingredients or frozen meals to save time. While these options are convenient, they don’t have the same homemade quality that comes from preparing everything from scratch. The flavor and heartiness of a casserole made by grandma is something that feels special, especially when it’s shared with loved ones.
12. Roast Chicken
Roast chicken was another dish that many grandparents made from scratch. They would season the bird, stuff it with vegetables or herbs, and roast it to perfection. The process took hours, but the result was a juicy, flavorful chicken that was perfect for a Sunday dinner.
These days, it’s easier to buy pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store. While it’s a convenient option, it lacks the depth of flavor and the satisfaction of preparing a whole chicken yourself. The slow-roasting process allowed the flavors to meld together, and nothing beats the taste of homemade roast chicken served with crispy skin and tender meat.
13. Homemade Pancakes
Pancakes made from scratch were a Sunday morning ritual in many homes. Grandparents would mix flour, milk, eggs, and a touch of sugar to create a batter, then fry them up on the griddle. The result was a stack of fluffy, warm pancakes that could be topped with butter, syrup, or fresh fruit.
Today, pancake mix makes breakfast faster and easier, but it doesn’t have the same charm as homemade pancakes. While the mix is convenient, the homemade version brings a sense of nostalgia that’s hard to replicate. The smell of pancakes cooking on a lazy morning and the joy of flipping them on the griddle is a tradition that has slowly faded, but it’s one that’s worth keeping alive.
14. Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese was a favorite comfort food that many grandparents made from scratch. They would boil pasta, then create a rich cheese sauce with butter, milk, and a blend of cheeses. The creamy, cheesy mixture was poured over the pasta and baked until bubbly and golden. It was a dish that brought everyone to the table, and leftovers were just as delicious.
Today, we often opt for the boxed version of mac and cheese, with its powdered cheese mix. While this is an easy meal for busy nights, it’s hard to beat the richness of homemade mac and cheese. The process of making the cheese sauce from scratch and baking it to perfection results in a dish that’s creamy, flavorful, and comforting in a way that the instant version just can’t match.
15. Biscuits
Homemade biscuits were another classic food that grandparents made from scratch. With flour, baking powder, butter, and milk, they’d whip up a batch of soft, flaky biscuits that were perfect for breakfast or dinner. Whether topped with gravy or served alongside eggs, biscuits were a beloved staple.
Now, biscuits are often bought pre-made from the store, but they just don’t have the same light, fluffy texture as homemade versions. The joy of making biscuits from scratch, with the dough turning out perfectly tender and flaky, is something that brings back memories of family gatherings. Even though we rely more on convenience these days, homemade biscuits are still one of those timeless recipes that deserve to be made from scratch.
16. Butter
Making butter used to be a regular part of life on the farm or even in town. Grandparents would churn cream by hand, patiently working until it thickened into butter. The process took time and strength, but the reward was fresh, golden butter that tasted far richer than anything from a store. Often, it was made from milk straight from the family cow, giving it a freshness that’s hard to find today.
Nowadays, most of us grab a stick of butter or a tub of margarine without thinking twice. Store-bought butter is convenient and consistent, but it lacks that creamy, homemade flavor. The art of churning butter has mostly disappeared, though some still do it for nostalgia’s sake. It’s one of those old-fashioned traditions that remind us how much care once went into the food we eat.
17. Applesauce
For grandparents, applesauce wasn’t just a side dish; it was a way to use up a surplus of apples from the orchard. They’d peel and simmer the apples with sugar and cinnamon until the mixture turned soft and fragrant. The result was a comforting treat that could be eaten warm or cold, and it was often canned to enjoy throughout the year.
Today, applesauce comes in jars, cups, and even pouches, ready for lunches and quick snacks. While the convenience is undeniable, store-bought applesauce doesn’t quite have that same cozy, homemade taste. The fresh aroma of simmering apples used to fill the whole house, making it as much about the experience as the flavor. Making it from scratch takes effort, but it brings back the warmth of simpler times.
18. Pickles
Pickling cucumbers was practically a summer ritual in many households. Grandparents would pack jars with cucumbers, dill, garlic, and vinegar, then let them sit for weeks until perfectly tangy. Every family had their own recipe—some spicy, some sweet—and it was a point of pride to share them at meals or gatherings.
Today, we have entire grocery aisles devoted to pickles in every variety imaginable. Yet, somehow, the store-bought versions can’t match the crispness and flavor of homemade ones. There was something special about opening a jar that you or a loved one had made months earlier. Homemade pickles were a blend of patience and love, something that just doesn’t come in a jar from the store.
19. Pasta
Before boxed pasta became the norm, making noodles from scratch was a kitchen skill many grandparents mastered. They’d mix flour and eggs, roll out the dough, and cut it into long, thin strands or small shapes by hand. The process was messy but deeply satisfying, and the result was fresh, tender pasta that soaked up sauce beautifully.
Now, we rely on boxed pasta for its convenience and long shelf life. While it’s a staple in nearly every pantry, it doesn’t have the same texture or flavor as homemade. The fresh pasta that once took all afternoon to make now comes pre-packaged in minutes, but it also loses a bit of that personal touch. There’s nothing quite like the taste of noodles made with care and shared at the dinner table.
20. Salad Dressing
Homemade salad dressing used to be the only kind there was. Grandparents would whisk together oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices right before serving a meal. Sometimes they’d even use drippings from cooked meats or fresh cream for richer versions. Every recipe was a little different, depending on what was in the pantry, and each one had its own charm.
Today, bottled dressings are everywhere, with hundreds of varieties that make salad prep effortless. But store-bought versions can’t quite capture the fresh, tangy flavor of a homemade vinaigrette. Making dressing from scratch only takes a few minutes, but it’s something few people do anymore. It’s a small but meaningful example of how homemade foods once made even the simplest meals feel special.