If you’ve been looking into survival food, Hardtack is a type of hard, dry biscuit or cracker commonly eaten by sailors and soldiers. It is made from flour, water, and sometimes salt and is designed to be long-lasting and easy to transport.
Hardtack was often used as a staple food on long voyages and during military campaigns, as it could be stored for long periods without spoiling. It was also relatively inexpensive and easy to make, making it a popular choice for those on tight budgets.
Despite its long shelf life and practicality, it was not particularly tasty and was often eaten with butter, cheese, or other foods to improve the taste. Time, you’ve probably heard of hardtack. It’s so popular for a good reason; it’s easy to make, doesn’t require a lot of ingredients, and lasts a long time!
In America, hardtack is most famous for its extensive use by both sides in the Civil War, but it is still eaten extensively in Alaska. Hardtack makes up much of the required survival food on flights in Alaska. Many villages also stock hardtack, even though other shelf-stable foods are available.
Manufactured hardtack is also an inexpensive long-term food storage item for preppers. There are several long-life foods available, but hardtack is cheap and versatile.
If you’re interested in what manufactured hardtack tastes like, you can buy it here.
In this article, we’re primarily going to focus on how to make hardtack.
The Taste and Texture of Hardtack
Hardtack is a very hard, dry, and dense cracker-like food that is not known for its taste. It is often described as bland and tasteless, with a hard and difficult texture. Some people compare it to eating a piece of cardboard.
Its texture is very hard, and it can break teeth if not careful. Due to its long shelf life, it can also be stale, making it even less appealing to eat.
In the past, hardtack was often eaten with butter, cheese, or other foods to improve the taste. It was sometimes soaked in water or coffee to soften it and make it more palatable.
Hardtack is not known for its taste; it is more commonly consumed as a survival food or during hard times, as it is long-lasting, easy to store, and relatively inexpensive.
How to Make Hardtack
Hardtack has as many recipes as any other type of food. They change based on who’s making it and what they have on hand when they’re making it.
These are some of the most common hardtack recipes.
Traditional Hardtack Recipe
Follow these simple instructions to make a hardtack that can last for years.
You can add more ingredients to make your hardtack taste better, but keep in mind that they will reduce the shelf life. Sugar, fats, and spices have all been added to make hardtack taste better.
Our first recipe for hardtack will have the longest shelf life and is the best for long-term storage. The other hardtack recipes will taste better but will have shortened storage lives. They’re best made for shorter outings where the longevity of the hardtack isn’t as critical.
Keep your hardtack dry to preserve its shelf life.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup water
- One teaspoon salt
The steps to make hardtack are very simple.
- Mix all ingredients until you have a stiff dough.
- Start with 1/2 cup of water and add more to complete your dough.
- Spread out on a baking sheet to roughly 1/4 inch.
- Poke holes in your rolled-out hardtack dough and cut into roughly 3″ squares.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees.
- Cook for 1 hour to check to make sure they do not burn.
- Remove them from the oven, flip them over, and cook for another 30 minutes.
The hardtack is complete when brown (not burned) on both sides and rock hard. If your hardtack isn’t hard enough, place it back in the oven until it is appropriately hard.
Store the completed hardtack in an airtight container for best results.
Alternate “Pioneer” Recipe
This version of hardtack was used primarily by American settlers moving from the East into the Western plains. This hardtack recipe requires more ingredients but is just as simple to make.
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour (any flour can work)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 cups buttermilk, cream, or yogurt
- One teaspoon salt
- One teaspoon of baking soda
- Mix all ingredients until you have a stiff dough.
- Roll the dough into a ball and sprinkle with flour.
- Roll out the dough as thin as you can. Once it is rolled out, you can sprinkle it with salt to add flavor.
- Poke holes in your rolled-out dough and cut into roughly 3″ squares.
- Place the dough onto a greased cookie sheet and cook until the edges are brown.
- Flip over and put the hardtack back into the oven until it is dry and lightly browned across the top.
Cool your fully cooked hardtack on a cooling rack and store it in an airtight container.
Confederate Soldier Style
This Confederate Soldier Hardtack recipe is rumored to have been made by Southern soldiers during the Civil War.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2/3 cup milk
- Two tablespoons of vegetable oil
- One teaspoon of baking soda
- One teaspoon salt
- butter for taste
- Mix all ingredients until you have a stiff dough.
- Roll the dough into eight evenly sized balls and flatten to roughly 1/4 inch.
- Bake the dough at 350 degrees on a greased cookie sheet until they turn golden brown.
Flip the hardtack and bake for a longer shelf-life until the top is evenly browned. This style of hardtack will have the shortest shelf life, but it tastes the best.
Serving Suggestions
Hardtack was often ground up and added to soups and stews as a thickener. This makes the hardtack more palatable for some people.
Almost any spread you would normally put on bread goes well on hardtack. Peanut butter, jellies and jams, honey, and applesauce are all commonly spread on hardtack.
If you’ve made an especially hard batch of hardtack (typically good for long-term storage), then softening the hardtack in water or coffee is recommended, so it’s easier to chew and not as hard on the teeth.
Nutritional Value of Hardtack
Hardtack is a relatively simple food primarily made of flour and water, meaning its nutritional value is relatively low. It is high in carbohydrates and low in fat, protein, and other essential nutrients.
100 grams of hardtack contains:
- 365 calories
- 74 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of protein
- 1 gram of fat
- 2 milligrams of sodium
- 2 grams of dietary fiber
It contains minimal vitamins and minerals and is not a good source of essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron.
While hardtack is an energy-dense food, it does not provide a balanced diet and is not suitable for long-term consumption. It is best consumed as a supplement to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein sources.
It should be noted that the nutritional value of hardtack can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used. Hence, reading the label or consulting a nutritionist if you have any concerns is essential.
Comparison of Hardtack to Other Long-Lasting Foods
Hardtack is a long-lasting food used for centuries, and several other foods share similar characteristics. Here are some comparisons of hardtack to other long-lasting foods:
- Jerky: Jerky is a type of dried meat that can be stored for long periods without refrigeration. It is high in protein and has a chewy texture. Jerky is generally considered more flavorful than hardtack and is often used as a snack.
- Pemmican: Pemmican is a traditional Native American food made from dried meat, berries, and fat. It is high in protein and fat and can be stored for long periods. Pemmican is considered to be more flavorful and nutritious than hardtack.
- Dried fruits and vegetables can be stored for long periods and retain much of their nutritional value. They can be eaten or used as ingredients in other dishes. Dried fruits and vegetables are generally considered to be more flavorful than hardtack.
- Canned goods: Canned goods, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, can be stored without refrigeration. They retain much nutritional value and are considered more flavorful than hardtack.
- Rice and Pasta: Rice and pasta are staple foods that can be stored for long periods. They are high in carbohydrates and can be eaten plain or used as ingredients in other dishes. Rice and pasta are generally considered to be more flavorful than hardtack.
Hardtack is a long-lasting food, but other options are more flavorful and nutritious, like Jerky, Pemmican, Dried fruits and vegetables, Canned goods, Rice, and Pasta.
Conclusion
Hardtack is a type of hard, dry biscuit or cracker that has been used as a staple food for centuries, particularly by sailors and soldiers during long voyages and military campaigns. It is made from simple ingredients such as flour, water, and salt and can be stored without spoiling.
Hardtack is relatively inexpensive and easy to make, making it a popular choice for those on tight budgets. Despite its long shelf life and practicality, it is not known for its taste and texture, often described as bland and tasteless, with a texture that is quite hard and difficult to chew.
It is often eaten with butter, cheese, or other foods to improve the taste. Hardtack is mainly consumed as a survival food or during hard times, as it is long-lasting, easy to store, and relatively inexpensive. Other long-lasting foods such as Jerky, Pemmican, Dried fruits and vegetables, Canned goods, Rice, and Pasta are more flavorful and nutritious.
