Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (2024)

Celebrations | Celebrations | President's Day

ByStephanie Wilson

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Celebrate Presidents Day by bringing to life historic recipes loved by Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The following are the favorite foods of both men, and are comfort food classics, easy to make at home!

Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (1)

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Presidents Day, a federal holiday celebrating the birth of two revered United States presidents, is always celebrated on the third Monday of February. Our first president, George Washington, as well as the great emancipator, President Abraham Lincoln.

Wouldn’t it be fun to step back in time and celebrate Presidents’ Day with foods of the era? Even better, favorite foods of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln?

After all, birthday celebrations should include the favorite recipes of the guest or guests of honor.

Thankfully, archives of these two men have records and even recipes they loved and are easily made today. Keep reading for a menu we’ve put together of their favorite foods.

If you love seafood, you might also want to check out President John F Kennedy’s favorite Fish Chowder recipe.

More President’s Day posts >>

History of Presidents’ Day

President George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, and President Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809.

In 1879, by an Act of Congress, Washington’s birthday became a United States federal holiday. While President Lincoln’s birthday never became such, “nearly half of the state governments have officially renamed their Washington’s Birthday observances as ‘Presidents’ Day’, ‘Washington and Lincoln Day’, or other such designations.”

President George Washington

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From the Mount Vernon archives, we find, “George and Martha Washington welcomed thousands of guests to Mount Vernon and were well known for their boundless hospitality, frequent and memorable parties, and for the wide variety of culinary treats served.”

President Abraham Lincoln

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We are fortunate to have a record of some of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite recipes through the book, “Abraham Lincoln in the Kitchen.”

Abraham Lincoln in the Kitchen is a culinary biography unlike any before. The very assertion of the title–that Abraham Lincoln cooked–is fascinating and true. It’s an insight into the everyday life of one of our nation’s favorite and most esteemed presidents and a way to experience the flavors and textures of the past.

Presidents’ Day Menu

Celebrate with friends and family the favorite foods of these two great leaders.

Washington’s Green Peas Soup

The name comes from the Paris suburb of St.-Germain-en-Laye, where young peas, a rarity in the early eighteenth century, were sown in boxes for early-spring cultivation. The addition of onions and spinach provide a traditional French touch, making this soup a flavorsome beginning for a spring menu.

Washington’s A Ragoo of Asparagus

“Adapted from Hannah Glasse’s The Art of Cookery, the recipe for this tasty, easy-to-prepare ragout combines asparagus with several other vegetables that were grown at Mount Vernon.”

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Washington’s Corn Fritters

“George Washington’s papers contain many references to corn, a popular vegetable that was enjoyed fresh during the summer, or dried for winter use, ground into meal for breads, or made into mush.This recipe, virtually identical to most modern versions, is adapted from one in the Mary Custis Lee Papers at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond.”

Lincoln’s Chicken Fricassee

Chicken Fricassee: Abraham Lincoln, well known for his love of food and cooking, had a favorite chicken recipe for a beloved comfort classic skillet chicken dish. And, it’s easy to make at home. This recipe is adapted from “Abraham Lincoln in the Kitchen” by Rae Katherine Eighmey. Saleratus biscuits, otherwise known as Baking Soda Biscuits, are especially good with this dish.

Lincoln’s Chicken Fricassee Recipe >

Lincoln’s Favorite White Almond Cake

“This adaptation is from an 1828 recipe, which advises the cook to allot two days to make the cake as the almonds need to be blanched, peeled, and pounded into a paste the day before baking. With modern kitchen equipment and ingredients, this cake is ready in an hour or so.”

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Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (2024)

FAQs

Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln? ›

Lincoln's Favorites

Some sources note President Lincoln did have two favorite dishes, Chicken Fricassee with Biscuits and Oyster Stew. His preferred dessert was Apple Pie.

What was Abraham Lincoln's favorite food? ›

Lincoln's Favorites

Some sources note President Lincoln did have two favorite dishes, Chicken Fricassee with Biscuits and Oyster Stew. His preferred dessert was Apple Pie.

What was Teddy Roosevelt's favorite food? ›

Theodore Roosevelt- Steak and Gravy

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President, is remembered for his adventurous persona and commitment to wildlife preservation. As an avid hunter, he loved game, but counts steak and gravy among his favorite meals.

What foods did George Washington like to eat? ›

George Washington is often associated with cherries (cherry tree, cherry pie etc.). According to his biographers, our first president did, indeed, love cherries. He also loved a wide variety of fruits, nuts, and fish. He preferred simple meals over fancy ones.

What was Abraham Lincoln favorite hobby? ›

Other than his jokes, avid reading, swapping stories and gossip with friends and cronies, an occasional game of chess, the theater, and poetry writing, Lincoln enjoyed little else. He detested hunting and did not like participating in group games or structured events if he could avoid them.

What was Abraham Lincoln's favorite pet? ›

Fido was a favorite of Lincoln and his younger sons, Willie and Tad. He was known to wait for Lincoln outside the barber shop and would sometimes carry a parcel in his mouth when going home with his master.

What was Ulysses S. Grant's favorite food? ›

Grant: Rice pudding. Ulysses S. Grant kept things simple with his favorite — rice pudding.

What was FDR's favorite meal? ›

According to Henrietta Nesbitt, the White House housekeeper, FDR had very simple American tastes in foods; he liked foods "he could dig into." Among his favorite dishes were scrambled eggs, fish chowder, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and fruitcake.

What did Ronald Reagan eat for breakfast? ›

His Historic Diet — Although he loved eating jelly beans (which he started eating when he gave up smoking a pipe), Reagan loved sitting down with First Lady Nancy for a breakfast of juice, fruit, cereal, a boiled egg, and decaf coffee. Lunch was usually soup and bread.

What is the best thing to buy for Presidents Day? ›

Clothing, large appliances, and mattresses will likely dominate most sales, but electronics and furniture are worth checking out, too. Some people may know Presidents' Day only as part of a long holiday weekend, but it's also a prime opportunity to save on a variety of products — including big-ticket items!

What is the most imp meal of the day? ›

Breakfast is often called 'the most important meal of the day', and for good reason. As the name suggests, breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health.

What room does the President eat in? ›

The State Dining Room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and Cabinet Room.

What did Abraham Lincoln eat? ›

Frequently he would simply eat an egg, toast, and milk or coffee for breakfast. Lunch was an apple, or biscuit, and milk. Apples feature in a classic Lincoln story, in which he reveals his opinion of those who could only focus on their narrow interests rather than the risks to the nation.

What did John Adams like to eat? ›

John Adams

The first President to live (and serve food) in the White House, he preferred simple fare like codfish cakes and potatoes.

What is Washington's traditional food? ›

Washington state is known for its fresh coastal seafood, eastern vineyards and, of course, abundant coffee shops. But it's also home to a diverse community of farmers and foragers that grow and harvest ingredients like lavender, asparagus, mushrooms and peated barley.

What did Abraham Lincoln eat for his last meal? ›

What was on the menu? Andrew Caldwell, author of “Their Last Suppers: Legends of History and Their Final Meals,” suggests mock turtle soup, roast Virginia fowl with chestnut stuffing, baked yams and cauliflower with cheese sauce as the doomed president's last meal.

What was Abraham Lincoln's fun facts? ›

At 6 foot, 4 inches, Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president. ➢ Lincoln was the first president to be born outside of the original thirteen colonies. ➢ Lincoln was the first president to be photographed at his inauguration. John Wilkes Booth (his assassin) can be seen standing close to Lincoln in the picture.

What was Abraham Lincoln's favorite sport? ›

As a teenager, when he wasn't doing agricultural work, the Kentucky native competed in catch-as-catch-can wrestling - also known as catch wrestling - which is a tough, hand-to-hand version of the sport that was included in the Olympic Games St. Louis 1904.

What did people eat in the 1860? ›

Meals often consisted of beef, eggs, hot biscuits, corn bread, hot cakes, porridge and seasonal vegetables and fruits. Coffee, tea, water or cocoa were consumed in “large quantities.” Whiskey, inexpensive and readily available, was the most popular alcoholic beverage, Cooper recorded, especially in the South and West.

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