25 Unforgettable Recipes That Have Been Handed Down Through Generations

25 Unforgettable Recipes That Have Been Handed Down Through Generations

Read Time: 11 mins

25 Unforgettable Recipes That Have Been Handed Down Through Generations2/25 Bavarian Pot Roast 57 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bavarian Pot Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 45 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since all my grandparents were German, it’s no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked beef: 281 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg

cholesterol, 633mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein

cholesterol, 633mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. 3/25 Apfelkuchen 17 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple Cake) Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 422 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 50g

carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein

carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 4/25 How to Grill Ribs 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The Best Baby Back Ribs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first marinate each rack of ribs, then add a zesty rub before grilling them. They always turn out moist and flavorful. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 647 calories, 41g fat (13g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 2345mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein. 5/25 Green Tomato Pie 11 Reviews

6/25 Grandma Pietz’s Cranberry Cake Pudding 2

Test Kitchen Approved Green Tomato Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When frost nips our garden, I quickly gather all the green tomatoes still on the vine and make this old family favorite. It’s been handed down from my grandmother, and now my granddaughters are asking for the recipe.—Violet Thompson, Port Ludlow, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 433 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 71g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 6/25 Grandma Pietz’s Cranberry Cake Pudding 2

Simple and unusual, it remains a treasured family heirloom

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 15 servings (2 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For generations, our family has handed down this cake recipe starring cranberries. Simple and unusual, it remains a treasured family heirloom. —Lisa Potter, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece with 2 tablespoons sauce: 311 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 7/25 Butternut Goulash 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Butternut Goulash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings (2-1/2

The chili powder and cayenne really warm you up!

quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We make this treasured family goulash recipe using squash from our own backyard. The chili powder and cayenne really warm you up! —Allison Wilmarth, Forest City, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 196 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat. 8/25 Triple Ginger Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Triple Ginger Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

My dad loved ginger cookies

My dad loved ginger cookies. I tinkered with the recipe my grandma handed down by using fresh, ground and crystallized ginger for more pizazz. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 97 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 9/25 Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe

for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting

for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you’ll love the dreamy topping. —Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 243 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 145mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 10/25 Wine-Braised Chicken with Pearl Onions 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 7 hours 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a family favorite handed down from my grandmother in London. She made it for every family gathering. It was always the first food to go on the table and

the first one to disappear

the first one to disappear. —Wayne Barnes, Montgomery, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 2 chicken thighs with about 1/3 cup sauce (calculated without rice): 444 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 990mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 44g protein. 11/25 Baked Elephant Ears 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother-in-law handed down this recipe from her mother. These are a special treat—even better, I think, than those at a carnival or festival. —Delores Baeten, Downers Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 elephant

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat

ear: 109 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 76mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 12/25 Sloppy Ottos 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sloppy Ottos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My version of sloppy joes comes from an old family recipe. Make these sandwiches even more German by stacking everything on a pretzel bun. —Jason Koren, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 494 calories, 24g fat (7g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 1042mg sodium, 52g

carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein

carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein. 13/25 Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I practically grew up in my Polish grandmother’s kitchen, watching Babci cook and listening to her stories. I made her cabbage roll recipe healthier with whole grains and turkey, but kept the same rich flavors I remember. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cabbage roll with 3 tablespoons sauce: 202 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch

fat), 49mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch. 14/25 Amaretto Cheesecake 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Amaretto Cheesecake Recipe photo by Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sometimes the best-loved recipes are the most basic. Just ask my family who raves over this classic amaretto cheesecake. It’s rich, creamy and versatile to boot! —Barbara Caine, Sussex, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 632 calories, 43g fat (27g saturated fat), 199mg cholesterol, 423mg

sodium, 48g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein

sodium, 48g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein. 15/25 Turkey Sausage Bean Soup Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is from my great-grandmother, though I’ve added a few ingredients to make it my own. Serve it with a side salad and some artisan bread for a wonderful, hearty family dinner. —Terrel Porter-Smith, Los Osos, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without cheese): 168 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 585mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2

starch, 1 medium-fat meat

starch, 1 medium-fat meat. 16/25 Strawberry Shortcake 73 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Shortcake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I grew up helping my mom make a lot in our farmhouse kitchen; strawberry shortcakes, roasts, soups and pies. This sunny strawberry shortcake recipe brings back memories of family summers on the farm. —Janet Becker, Anacortes, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 231 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. 17/25 Cranberry Ketchup Test

This recipe was handed down to me from my mother

Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 1-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe was handed down to me from my mother. It may sound like a strange combination of flavors, but once you try it, you won’t want to go back to regular ketchup. —Jerome Wiese, Bemidji, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon: 35 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 148mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch. 18/25 Grandma’s Polish Cookies 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 20

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community

Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!

Subscribe Now

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *