Real farmers share their favorite farm recipes. From hearty breakfasts that give them strength for the day, to homemade desserts for a well-deserved treat, these dishes have their stamp of approval.
50 Farmer-Approved Recipes
1/50
Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes
Mom always managed to put a delicious hearty meal on the table for us and for our farmhands. This all-in-one comforting pork chops recipe reminds me of home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
2/50
Farmer’s Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Between family and friends, we average 375 visitors a year! This casserole is super handy—you can put it together the night before and let the flavors blend, then bake it in the morning. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 239 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 170mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
3/50
Buttermilk Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother and grandmother made this pie with buttermilk and eggs from our farm and set it on the tables at church meetings and social gatherings. I did the same, and now our children make it too! —Kate Mathews, Shreveport, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 448 calories, 21g fat (9g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 388mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
4/50
Dutch Honey Syrup
From the Recipe Creator:
"I grew up on a farm where a big breakfast was an everyday occurrence," relates Kathy Scott of Hemingford, Nebraska. "Still, it was a special treat when Mom served this scrumptious syrup with our pancakes."
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 158 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
5/50
Salmon Chowder
From the Recipe Creator:
I've lived on a farm in the Yakima Valley all my life. I have a big garden, and by the end of fall, my cellar shelves are full of canned fruits and vegetables. This salmon chowder recipe uses some of the root vegetables I grow—along with the delicious salmon that is so plentiful here. —Josephine Parton, Granger, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 273 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 1060mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
6/50
Frozen Waldorf Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
While I was growing up on a farm in western Kansas, we always had lots of hungry men around during harvesttime. This salad is one we served often since it was easy to increase and we could prepare it ahead of time.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 257 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
7/50
Cowboy Pasta
From the Recipe Creator:
This Cowboy Pasta recipe combines ground beef, bacon, corn, tangy buttermilk and Monterey Jack cheese for an easy but hearty weeknight dinner. Add more chili powder or a chopped jalapeno to give this delicious pasta dish more of a kick. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 333 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 456mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
8/50
Strawberry Crumble Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I host an annual pie-making party before Labor Day. We have a pig roast on our farm, but the pies take center stage at the end of the meal. —Beth Howard, Donnellson, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 542 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 509mg sodium, 79g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
9/50
Pork Burgers
From the Recipe Creator:
We live on a working hog farm, and we love this savory, tasty burger. Everyone will love these burgers—even if your pork comes from the grocery store, not the farm! —Dawnita Phillips, Drexel, Missouri.
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 522 calories, 28g fat (11g saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein.
10/50
Cowboy Spaghetti
From the Recipe Creator:
Cowboy spaghetti starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven, giving you plenty of hands-off time to prepare a salad, or a dessert for after dinner. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, transfer the spaghetti mixture to a 13×9-in. baking dish before putting it in the oven. —Kerry Whitaker, Carthage, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 303 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 469mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
11/50
Beef and Lentil Chili
From the Recipe Creator:
Lentils were one of the crops on my dad's farm when we were growing up, and they're the best-kept secret in this delicious chili recipe. This dish is great for a large family meal and also freezes well. Everyone who asks for this recipe is amazed at how simple it is. —Cindy Agee, Lewiston, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 367 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 655mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein.
12/50
Pork and Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always loved pork and apples together, and this recipe combines them nicely to create a comforting main dish. It calls for a bit of preparation, but my family and I agree the wonderful flavor is well worth the effort. —Suzanne Strocsher, Bothell, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 467 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 603mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein.
13/50
Corn Chowder with Bacon
From the Recipe Creator:
I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 335 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 592mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
14/50
Amish Baked Oatmeal
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I had this treat was at a bed-and-breakfast in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. To me, it tasted just like a big warm-from-the-oven oatmeal cookie! —Colleen Butler, Inwood, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 235 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 460mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
15/50
Rhubarb Pineapple Jam
From the Recipe Creator:
Rhubarb, pineapple and strawberry make an awesome jam that brings back memories of living on a farm and growing my own rhubarb. —Debbi Barate, Seward, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 89 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
16/50
Cornbread
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this homemade cornbread recipe several years ago, and it's my favorite of all I've tried. I love to serve the melt-in-your-mouth side hot from the oven with butter and syrup. It gets rave reviews on holidays and at potluck dinners. —Nicole Callen, Auburn, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 262 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 395mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
17/50
Beef Cabbage Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a little girl, I helped my parents work the fields of their small farm. Lunchtime was always a treat when Mother picked fresh vegetables from the garden and simmered them in her big soup pot. We loved making this delicious recipe. —Ethel Ledbetter, Canton, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 116 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
18/50
Irresistible Coconut Cream Pie
My husband and I grow 500 acres of wheat on the farm his family homesteaded in 1889. I grind my own flour and love to use it in this recipe. The easy, pat-in crust has a rich grain flavor. It’s irresistible filled with old-fashioned coconut cream and topped with a fluffy meringue. —Roberta Foster, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
19/50
Fried Chicken
From the Recipe Creator:
Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 543 calories, 33g fat (7g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.
20/50
Cider Doughnuts
Here on our 1,250-acre farm, we usually have a quick breakfast on the go. So I often keep a batch of these light and moist doughnuts on hand. They disappear quickly because no one can eat just one! —Suzanne Christensen, Defiance, Iowa
21/50
Drop Biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was young, my mom would make these biscuits with fresh cream she got from a local farmer. I don't go to those lengths, but the family recipe is still a real treat. —Beverly Sprague, Baltimore, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 256 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
22/50
Strawberry Shortcake
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.
23/50
Church Supper Spaghetti
From the Recipe Creator:
Because this recipe feeds so many, I often take it to church dinners and potlucks. This colorful dish also comes in handy when we have lots of help to feed on our farm. —Verlyn Wilson, Wilkinson, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 290 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 259mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
24/50
Stovetop Chili
From the Recipe Creator:
Like most farmers, my husband loves a good hearty chili. With all the vegetables, cheese and meat in it, this dish makes a super supper—and it comes together in one skillet on top of the stove. I serve it frequently in fall and winter. —Katherine Brown, Fredericktown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 599 calories, 26g fat (11g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 1557mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 10g fiber), 38g protein.
25/50
Layered Fresh Fruit Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
People always pass on compliments when I take this salad to covered-dish suppers. It's nice on a hot day, with a winter meal, or as a dessert! We live on a small farm where my garden gives me lots of possibilities for fresh food. —Page Alexander, Baldwin City, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 110 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit.
26/50
Bread Pudding Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This unique dessert, a combination of pie and bread pudding, was created by my paternal grandmother's family. They had a farm and made their own bread, which made this a low-cost dessert. — Kelly Barnes, Lexington, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 314 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
27/50
Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Farmers Breakfast
From the Recipe Creator:
This hearty combination of sausage, hash browns and eggs is just right for any breakfast. &mdash:Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 330 calories, 24g fat (11g saturated fat), 364mg cholesterol, 612mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
28/50
No-Knead Knot Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom, Velma Perkins, loved to serve these light, golden rolls when I was growing up on our Iowa farm. They're extra nice since they require no kneading. The dough rises in the refrigerator overnight, so there's little last-minute fuss to serve fresh hot rolls with any meal. —Toni Hilscher, Omaha, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 102 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
29/50
Meatball Pie
I grew up on a farm, so I took part in 4-H Club cooking activities. I still love to prepare and serve classic, wholesome recipes such as this meat and veggie pie. —Susan Keith, Fort Plain, New York
30/50
Strawberry-Thyme Jam
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe using two ingredients that I love: strawberry and thyme. This recipe is ideal slathered on homemade farm biscuits.—Sharon Demers, Dolores, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 81 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 21g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
31/50
Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up on a farm, I often ate rhubarb, so it's natural for me to use it in a pie. I prefer to use lard for the flaky pie crust and thin red rhubarb stalks for the filling. These two little secrets helped this strawberry rhubarb pie recipe win top honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 531 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
32/50
Cheese & Garlic Biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
My biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 81 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
33/50
Farmhouse Barbecue Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
Tangy barbecue sauce, fluffy biscuits and cheddar cheese combine to make these hearty muffins. Try them with ground turkey or other shredded cheeses to vary the flavor if you'd like. —Karen Kenney, Harvard, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
Nutrition Facts: 1 muffin: 226 calories, 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 42 mg cholesterol, 477 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 14 g protein.
34/50
Creamy Mushroom-Potato Bake
From the Recipe Creator:
The day I first made this, we'd invited a neighbor—a bachelor farmer—over, and I wanted to fix something hearty. It was a hit instantly. These days, our three sons enjoy it as a change from regular mashed potatoes. We've found that it's best served with beef...either with or without gravy. —Kathy Smith, Granger, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 141 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 317mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
35/50
Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 548 calories, 34g fat (14g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 1135mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein.
36/50
Honey Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
My dad has been a wheat farmer all his life and my state is the wheat capital, so this recipe represents my region and my family well. This bread never lasts too long at our house. —Kathy McCreary, Goddard, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 149 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
37/50
Farmer’s Breakfast
From the Recipe Creator:
Start off your day on a hearty note. This one-dish wonder will easily keep your busy family satisfied until lunch. —Jeannette Westphal, Gettysburg, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 464 calories, 29g fat (11g saturated fat), 321mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein.
38/50
Apple Slab Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Apple slab pie is a terrific contribution to a covered-dish supper, picnic or potluck. It’s baked in a large 15x10 baking pan so it’s easy to make and tote, too. But be prepared—people always ask for a copy of the recipe! —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 317 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
39/50
Freezer Sweet Corn
From the Recipe Creator:
People ask me how to freeze corn on the cob because my frozen corn tastes as good as fresh! This way it stays crisp-tender and now I can have "fresh" corn any time of the year. —Judy Oudekerk, St. Michael, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 113 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
40/50
Amish Onion Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This rich, moist bread with an onion-poppy seed topping is a wonderful break from your everyday bread routine. You can serve it with any meat, and it's a nice accompaniment to soup or salad. I've made it many times and have often been asked to share the recipe. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 539 calories, 36g fat (22g saturated fat), 182mg cholesterol, 748mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
41/50
Blackberry Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up on a farm, and we always picked fruits in early summer and used them to make desserts. This blackberry pie recipe is a real stunner. —Gladys Gibbs, Brush Creek, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 524 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 407mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
42/50
Honey Garlic Meatballs
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I raise cattle on our farm here in southwestern Ontario, so it's no surprise that we're fond of these saucy meatballs. I know your family will like them too. —Marion Foster, Kirkton, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 48 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
43/50
Lemon Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This delightful lemon bar recipe is from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. They has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. —Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 263 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
44/50
Canadian Bacon Onion Quiche
From the Recipe Creator:
For more than 20 years, we sold our homegrown specialty onions at the farmers market. I handed out this favorite recipe for a classic quiche to all our customers. —Janice Redford, Cambridge, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 349 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
45/50
Rhubarb Citrus Punch
From the Recipe Creator:
Rhubarb grows abundantly in our large farm garden. I'll make this punch for summertime gatherings or for special occasions with our extended family. —Ina Frey, St. Clemens, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 153 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 9mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
46/50
Banana Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
These bars are always a hit at potlucks in the small rural farming community where my husband and I live. I also like to provide them for coffee hour after church. They're so moist and delicious that wherever I take them, they don't last long. —Karen Dryak, Niobrara, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 202 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
47/50
Authentic German Potato Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad. When the owner learned I was getting married, he gave me the recipe as a wedding gift! —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 344 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 719mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
48/50
Pineapple Cream Cheese Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made this pie many times for friends, relatives, guests, church suppers and bazaars, and I'm always getting requests for the recipe. I've lived on farms all my life—we used to have a potato farm on Long Island, and now my son farms his own land and manages mine here in Delaware, growing soybeans and wheat. —Elizabeth Brown, Clayton, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 380 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 503mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
49/50
Cashew Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Some merry dairy snacking is guaranteed when you pass out these cashew-packed goodies! I found the recipe years ago in a flier promoting dairy products. It's been this farm wife's standby ever since. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 100 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
50/50
Sour Cream Raisin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
The aroma of this pie baking in my farm kitchen oven reminds me of my dear grandma, who made this pretty pie for special occasions. —Beverly Medalen, Willow City, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 381 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 253mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
