Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (2024)

Celebrations | Celebrations | President's Day

ByStephanie Wilson

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read ourdisclosure policy.

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)

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email, and we’ll send it to your inbox.Plus, you’ll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!

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

Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (2)

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

Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (3)

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.”

Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (5)

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.”

Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (7)

More Recipes and Posts You May Also Enjoy

  • Chicken Fricassee with Kale: An Updated Classic
  • JFK’s Favorite New England Fish Chowder Recipe
  • 15 Classic United States History Books You Should Read
  • Pretzel Log Cabin
  • First Lady Dolley Madison’s Woodbury Cinnamon Teacakes
  • Simple Anytime Almond Cake
Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (2024)

FAQs

What was Abraham Lincoln's favorite dish? ›

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.

What kind of foods did George Washington 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 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 JFK's favorite food? ›

Kennedy (1961-1963) Boston-native JFK loved creamy New England fish chowder according to René Verdon, the chef at the White House during his presidency. The President was also fond of ice cream with hot fudge.

What was Washington's favorite food? ›

Family members and visitors alike testified that hoecakes were among George Washington's favorite foods. He invariably ate them at breakfast, covered with butter and honey, along with hot tea—a “temperate repast” enjoyed each morning.

What is Bill Clinton's favorite food? ›

Bill Clinton

Even after he "made a solemn vow" to eat better upon entering the presidency, Clinton was "partial to chicken enchiladas," the kind smothered in a Velveeta-like melted cheese, according to the owner of Juanita's, Clinton's favorite Little Rock, Arkansas, Mexican restaurant at the time.

What was John Adams' favorite dessert? ›

Listed below is the preferred sweet for each of our Commanders-in-Chief. George Washington – Martha Washington's Great Cake, which included fruit, nuts, and alcohol among its many ingredients. John Adams – Abigail Adams' Apple Pan Dowdy – closely related to apple pie, usually sweetened with brown sugar or molasses.

What was Thomas Jefferson's favorite food? ›

Thomas Jefferson – Mac and Cheese

A little-known fact about him, however, was his love for mac and cheese. During his time traveling in Europe, he discovered his taste for this dish, and was credited with popularizing it in the United States.

What kind of ice cream did George Washington eat? ›

Yes, it seems that Martha and George Washington enjoyed Parmesan ice cream as one of the popular flavors of their day. This information was part of a presentation on the history of ice cream in America given by Polly Bartow, Honorary State Regent from Biddeford on Tuesday, Aug.

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 are Donald Trump's Favourite foods? ›

We can safely assume that burgers are one of Trump's most prized foods. The former president is known to have dined at Jackson Hole Burgers regularly during his time in New York City. The restaurant typically serves classic burgers alongside a variety of styles of French fries, which sounds right up Trump's street.

What is the presidential state dinner? ›

A state dinner in the United States is a formal dinner held in honor of a foreign head of state, such as a king, queen, president, or any head of government.

What were Abraham Lincoln's favorite things? ›

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 did Abraham Lincoln served? ›

Abraham Lincoln (/ˈlɪŋkən/ LING-kən; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.

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 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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 6037

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.