There’s something special about recipes passed down from our grandmothers, especially the frugal ones. They often become the highlight of family gatherings and memorable meals. This collection of 15 grandma-inspired dishes that cost under $2 to make brings those cherished flavors to your kitchen. Each one promises to be a hit that’ll have your guests requesting the recipes. From savory meals to sweet treats, these dishes connect us to traditions. They create new memories around the dining table.
Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht
Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht combines beets, carrots, and potatoes in a rich broth, ready in about an hour. This classic Eastern European soup delivers a tangy and sweet flavor that has guests often asking for the recipe. Its vibrant red color enhances any dining table, making it a centerpiece at family gatherings. This grandma dish brings traditional warmth to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht
Argentinian Empanadas
Argentinian Empanadas are filled with sweet corn, spinach, or cheese and take about two hours to prepare. Their flaky pastry and rich filling are a hit at any gathering, with guests frequently requesting the recipe. This dish is a staple in many Argentinian grandmas’ kitchens, perfect for celebrations. The savory taste pairs beautifully with a spicy chimichurri sauce.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanadas
Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions
Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions offers a hearty side that’s ready in 45 minutes. Its deep, comforting Slavic flavors make it a family favorite, often leading guests to ask for the recipe. This grandma dish is a testament to traditional home cooking. It pairs well with meats or can be enjoyed on its own.
Get the Recipe: Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions
Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies take just under 30 minutes to bake, providing a zesty and aromatic treat. These cookies blend sweet and herbal notes, making them a sophisticated addition to any tea time, and a recipe guests often request. They reflect the kind of timeless recipe passed down in families. A perfect example of grandma’s baking finesse.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Black Sesame Sourdough Buns
Black Sesame Sourdough Buns take about 20 hours from start to finish, incorporating unique flavors. These buns combine the softness of sourdough with the nutty richness of black sesame, making them a conversation starter and a recipe frequently requested at gatherings. This dish showcases a blend of traditional techniques with a twist, much like a grandma’s secret recipe. Ideal for breakfast or as a meal’s side.
Get the Recipe: Black Sesame Sourdough Buns
Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios
Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios is ready in 20 minutes and combines sharp citrus flavors with a spicy kick. Topped with crunchy pistachios, this vibrant salad is refreshing and often has guests asking how it’s made. It’s a modern take on grandma’s recipe book, perfect for summer dinners or festive occasions. A delightful blend of taste and tradition.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios
Ukha Russian Fish Soup
Ukha Russian Fish Soup is a simple yet elegant soup that takes about an hour to prepare. This clear broth with delicate fish flavors is a staple in Russian grandmas’ kitchens and a comforting dish that often prompts recipe requests. Light and nourishing, it is typically enjoyed with sour cream and fresh dill. Ukha is a classic example of soul-warming family cooking.
Get the Recipe: Ukha Russian Fish Soup
Tomato Tart
Tomato Tart features fresh tomatoes and a savory pastry, requiring just over an hour to bake. The combination of sweet tomatoes with a buttery crust creates a dish that tastes like late summer and often has guests asking for the recipe. This grandma dish is perfect for brunch or as an elegant starter, showcasing the beauty of simplicity. A family favorite that speaks of home.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Tart
Easy Gluten-Free Samosas
Easy Gluten-Free Samosas are made in about 45 minutes with a spicy potato and pea filling inside a crispy gluten-free crust. These samosas are a popular request at gatherings, perfect for dipping into various chutneys. They carry the legacy of grandma’s cooking, blending traditional flavors with modern dietary needs. A must-try that brings everyone to the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten-Free Samosas
Chocolate gluten-free rugelach
Chocolate Gluten-Free Rugelach feature a chocolate filling and a tender pastry, ready in about an hour. These pastries are a holiday favorite, often leading to requests for the recipe. They reflect the kind of cherished treats found in grandma’s recipe box, ideal for sharing over coffee. A delightful treat that brings back fond memories.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate gluten-free rugelach
Classic mushroom bourekas recipe
Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe takes about 35 minutes to bake, filled with flavorful mushrooms and onions. These bourekas disappear quickly at family events, with many guests asking how to make them. They are a perfect example of grandma’s culinary wisdom, simple yet profoundly satisfying. Ideal for sharing and reminiscing over old times.
Get the Recipe: Classic mushroom bourekas recipe
My grandmother’s peach Swiss roll
My Grandmother’s Peach Swiss Roll blends fresh peaches with cream in a gluten-free sponge, prepared in about an hour. This light and fruity dessert often leads to recipe requests at family reunions. It captures the essence of summer and the sweetness of grandma’s baking. A cherished recipe that’s always a hit.
Get the Recipe: My grandmother’s peach Swiss roll
Mujadara
Mujadara is a lentil and rice dish topped with caramelized onions, ready in 40 minutes. This Middle Eastern staple is comforting and often leads guests to ask for the recipe, making it a popular dish in grandma’s kitchen. Filling and nutritious, it’s perfect for a casual dinner. A simple yet beloved family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Mujadara
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies offers a flavorful meal with minimal cleanup, ready in about an hour. This dish combines juicy chicken with vibrant vegetables, all seasoned with paprika. It’s a family recipe that often leads to requests for a copy, embodying the practical yet delicious approach of grandma’s cooking. Perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie takes a bit over an hour to prepare, featuring a classic apple filling encased in a gluten-free lattice crust. This pie is a testament to traditional baking and often has guests asking for the recipe. It’s a highlight at any family gathering, capturing the essence of grandma’s kitchen. A timeless dessert that’s both beautiful and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie