This depression era recipe got my grandfather through the hardest years. Now it is our family comfort food every spring!

This slow cooker 4-ingredient potato and canned salmon patty stew is my pared-down take on the kind of dish that carried families through the Depression era. My grandfather used to tell stories about stretching a few pantry staples into something warm and filling enough to feed a crowd, especially in the spring when money was tight but you still needed something hearty after a long day. Potatoes, canned salmon, a bit of onion, and just enough broth to bring it all together—nothing fancy, but deeply comforting. Over the years, this has become our own spring comfort food: simple, economical, and easy to let simmer while you go about your day, with tender potatoes and flaky salmon patties melting into a light, savory broth.

Serve this stew straight from the slow cooker into warm bowls, with plenty of the broth and big spoonfuls of the tender potatoes and salmon. It’s lovely with a slice of crusty bread or a simple pan of cornbread to soak up the juices. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness, and if you want a bit more comfort, add a side of buttered peas or green beans. Leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day and are especially good with a squeeze of lemon or a grind of black pepper just before serving.

Servings: 4

4 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

Prepare the potatoes and onion: Peel the potatoes and cut them into roughly 1-inch chunks so they cook evenly and hold their shape while still becoming tender. Finely chop the onion. Keeping the pieces consistent in size helps everything cook at the same rate and gives the stew that homey, chunky look.

Build the base in the slow cooker: Add the potato chunks and chopped onion to the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle lightly with salt and black pepper if using. In leaner times, my grandfather would barely season this, relying on the slow simmer to coax flavor from the few ingredients he had.

Shape the canned salmon patties: Drain the canned salmon well, then gently break it up in a bowl, picking out any large pieces of skin or bone if you prefer a smoother texture. Using clean hands, lightly press the salmon into loose, palm-sized patties—about 6 to 8 patties total. They don’t need to be perfect; in fact, their rough edges help them break down into tender chunks as they cook.

Layer the salmon patties over the potatoes: Arrange the salmon patties in a single layer over the potatoes and onions in the slow cooker. Some can overlap slightly if needed. This keeps the patties somewhat intact at the start, so they slowly soften and flake into the broth, just like the rustic stews older generations relied on.

Add the broth: Pour the chicken or vegetable broth gently over the salmon patties and potatoes. The liquid should mostly cover the solids; a few edges peeking out are fine. If your slow cooker is very wide, you may need to add up to 1/2 cup more broth or a splash of water so everything is mostly submerged.

Slow cook until tender: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork and the salmon patties are starting to fall apart. The stew should look brothy but slightly thickened from the starch released by the potatoes, with pale potato chunks and pink salmon flakes throughout.

Gently break up the patties: About 20 minutes before serving, use a spoon to gently press and stir the salmon patties into the potatoes. You want a mix of larger flakes and smaller bits of salmon, not a smooth mash. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with a little more salt and pepper if needed. Cover again and let the stew sit on WARM or LOW so the flavors meld.

Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls, making sure each serving gets a generous amount of potatoes, salmon, and broth. This is meant to be humble and hearty, not fussy—just the kind of bowl that would have been set on the table after a long, hard day, with everyone leaning in for seconds.

To keep the spirit of a Depression era dish, the core four ingredients—potatoes, canned salmon, onion, and broth—do most of the work, but there’s room to adapt based on what you have. If you need to stretch the stew for more people, add an extra potato or two and up to 1 additional cup of broth; the flavor will stay balanced. For a richer, creamier texture, stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of milk or evaporated milk during the last 15 minutes of cooking, taking care not to let it boil to prevent curdling. A bay leaf or a pinch of dried thyme can be added with the broth for subtle herbal notes, though earlier generations often skipped extra seasonings to save money. If you prefer a more pronounced salmon flavor, use red sockeye instead of pink salmon, or leave some of the soft bones in for added calcium; they become very tender during cooking. For a lighter version, choose low-sodium broth and season gently, then brighten the finished stew with a squeeze of lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar. Food safety tips: Always use canned salmon that is within its expiration date and discard any can that is bulging, rusted through, or has a broken seal. Drain the salmon into a clean container and wash your hands after handling it and shaping the patties. Keep the slow cooker covered while cooking, and do not let the stew sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours after serving; cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate in shallow containers. Reheat leftovers to a simmering temperature (at least 165°F/74°C) before eating. If you add dairy at the end, avoid reheating repeatedly, as this can cause separation and affect texture.