Welcome to Hill River Homestead, where we embrace time-honored traditions through homemade recipes, canning, and simple living. Whether you’re learning to cook from scratch or preserve food, you’ll find inspiration to slow down and enjoy the old ways.
This cherry jelly recipe is made from scratch using real cherries, not store-bought juice. It’s the same simple method passed down in my family, and once you make it this way, you won’t go back.
Feeding your family on a tight budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. Explore 58 affordable, filling dinner ideas that’ll keep everyone satisfied, no matter how tight the grocery budget is.
Homesteading doesn’t start with land, barns, or animals—it starts with how you live. If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming more self-sufficient, here’s a realistic guide to starting your homestead right where you are.
This old-fashioned pistachio pudding dessert is a classic layered dessert with a buttery nut crust, creamy cream cheese layer, pistachio pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. It’s easy to make, perfect for potlucks and holidays, and always one of the first desserts to disappear.
I keep grilling simple — good seasoning, paying attention to the food, and not overcomplicating things. This is one of my go-to side dishes when the grill is already hot.
This strawberry rhubarb jam with Jell-O comes straight from Scott’s grandma’s handwritten recipe card. It’s sweet, simple, and one of those old-fashioned jams that deserves to be made again and again.
This classic puppy chow recipe is an old-fashioned no-bake treat made with Crispix cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Also known as muddy buddies, it’s simple to make and always disappears fast at potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings.
This HuHot copycat recipe brings the Mongolian grill experience home with a sweet and savory stir fry sauce and customizable bowls everyone will love. It’s fun, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a hungry family without leaving the house.
These old-fashioned peanut butter oatmeal cookies are a classic, just like Grandma used to make. Soft, chewy, and baked in the oven, this simple recipe makes a big batch that’s perfect for family gatherings and everyday treats.
This easy chicken pot pie is one of those meals that feels like home the moment it comes out of the oven. Made with leftover chicken, a creamy homemade filling, and a flaky double crust, it’s simple, hearty, and perfect for family supper.
This bread machine white bread recipe is simple, reliable, and perfect for everyday sandwiches and toast. It’s an old-fashioned family recipe that’s been made again and again, because it just works.
This crockpot ranch BBQ chicken is an easy, hands-off dinner that practically makes itself. Slow-cooked until tender and shredded, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or piled high on buns for game day sliders.
This is the chocolate chip cookie recipe I make every single time — soft, chewy, and always a hit with my boys. It’s simple, dependable, and the kind of cookie you turn to when you just want something that works.
This old-fashioned cream of vegetable soup is simple, comforting, and made completely from scratch. It’s the kind of cozy, no-fuss supper that’s perfect with a grilled cheese on a chilly day.
This classic banana bread recipe is soft, moist, and full of rich banana flavor thanks to sour cream and frozen overripe bananas. It’s an easy, dependable loaf that comes together with simple ingredients and works every time.
This smothered chicken and rice is a creamy, oven-baked farmhouse dinner made with simple ingredients and plenty of rich gravy. It’s the kind of comforting, filling meal that feeds a hungry family without a lot of fuss.
Dream Mint Brownies are a family favorite made with a fudgy brownie base, a creamy mint layer, and a smooth chocolate topping. This easy mint chocolate brownie recipe comes from an old community cookbook and has been a go-to dessert around our table for years.
Cooking from scratch doesn’t mean making everything from scratch — and it definitely doesn’t mean doing it all at once.
This hearty sausage and kale soup is one of our favorite rustic, from-scratch meals on cold days. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients and has that old-fashioned feel we love around here.
These no-bake peanut butter bars have been my absolute favorite dessert for as long as I can remember, especially at Christmas. With a creamy peanut butter base and a smooth chocolate topping, they’re simple, nostalgic, and always a crowd favorite.
This 5-can chicken is the easiest crockpot chicken recipe you’ll ever make. You just dump everything in, turn on the slow cooker, and walk away.
Celebrate the season with a collection of old-fashioned Christmas treats just like the ones our moms, grandmas, and great-aunts filled the holiday tables with. These nostalgic candies and cookies bring back the simple joy of homemade sweets and the traditions that made Christmas feel magical.
This cabbage potato soup is hearty, simple, and full of old-fashioned flavor. It’s a cozy homestead meal made with rustic potatoes, tender cabbage, bacon, and Italian sausage.
These Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips and cool peppermint flavor. They’re festive, easy to make, and the perfect addition to your holiday cookie platter.
This classic homemade lasagna is simple, hearty, and layered with rich homemade spaghetti sauce, tender noodles, and plenty of cheese. It’s the old-fashioned, Minnesota-style version we make by measuring with our hearts — and it always tastes like home.
These Cranberry Orange Muffins are light, fluffy, and full of sweet-tart flavor. Topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel, they’re the kind of homemade muffin that makes every morning feel a little more special.
This homemade chicken noodle soup is classic comfort food made simple. It’s warm, hearty, and perfect for using up leftover chicken on a cold Minnesota day.