History Cookbook: Trench Stew
This recipe is in category Edwardians and WW1
About this recipe
Healthiness : (1516 votes)
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: 3 - 4
Serving suggestions: For authenticity, allow to cool and serve with a cup of stewed tea
This recipe is based on the recollections of a soldier from the 9th Bedfordshire Regiment, who served in the trenches during WW1. Getting fresh hot food from the field kitchen to the front lines was impossible when a battle was raging. Soldiers lucky enough to have a small stove, or even candles, would boil up any food including stale biscuits or add these to the canned food provided.
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: 3 - 4
Serving suggestions: For authenticity, allow to cool and serve with a cup of stewed tea
This recipe is based on the recollections of a soldier from the 9th Bedfordshire Regiment, who served in the trenches during WW1. Getting fresh hot food from the field kitchen to the front lines was impossible when a battle was raging. Soldiers lucky enough to have a small stove, or even candles, would boil up any food including stale biscuits or add these to the canned food provided.
Ingredients
- 1 turnip
- 2 carrots
- ½ tin corned beef
- ¼ stock cube (improves flavour. The canned stews and soups would have had some flavourings. However we are not sure if this would have been available in the field kitchens in times of shortages)
- one or two biscuits (optional)
- 1 pint of water
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Measuring jug
- Pan
- Chopping board
- Masher
- Wooden spoon
Making and cooking it

- Put the water on to boil
- Slice up the turnip and carrot
- Add to the boiling water
- Add the stock and stir then leave for 10 minutes
- Mash up corned beef and add to the mixture
- Add the biscuits and stir (optional)

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Name: Andrew MacMartin | 29th April 2020 |
I made this and I can tell you as an ex soldier, this recipe is fantastic and the result delicious. Thank you. Best eaten out of a Mess Tin when the weathers cold and grey, nothing better ;o) |
Name: 21 | 18th September 2019 |
Trying It |
Name: POTATOLOVER | 16th March 2019 |
DO NOT DO THIS YUKZ |
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