FROM THE FOUNDING TABLE TO YOUR KITCHEN
POTUSPLATETHE PRESIDENTIAL TABLEHISTORY IS SERVED.
Presidents/Harry S. Truman

AT THE TABLE WITH HARRY S. TRUMAN

Backyard grilled steak

Move the steaks to a cooler part of the grill if the outside browns too quickly.

Dinner25 minServes 4
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Backyard grilled steak — a little vintage colour
A little vintage colour · Serving illustration

THE STORY ON YOUR PLATE

Truman wrote down his own dinner

More about Harry S. Truman →

The thirty-third president came from Missouri.

Documented meal / preference

Truman’s diary for 3 January 1952 describes steak with vegetables and fruit ice as part of his evening routine. Our grilled steak supplies the recorded main course, with resting time built into the method.

The president & the table

In his diary for 3 January 1952, Truman described a daily pattern that included fruit, egg and bacon at breakfast, and steak, vegetables and fruit ice in the evening. His own record is a better starting point than a menu assembled from presidential stereotypes.

Behind this story

Harry S. Truman diary, 3 January 1952; Bess Truman’s Ozark pudding tradition.

APRON ON. HISTORY CAN WAIT.

Make it at home.

Our home adaptation · Serves 4 · Not yet kitchen-tested

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

  1. Mix butter, parsley and garlic. Heat the grill to medium-high.

  2. Pat steaks dry, rub with oil and season. Grill for 3–5 minutes per side, adjusting for thickness.

  3. Check the centre with a thermometer. For a food-safety baseline reach at least 63°C / 145°F, then rest for at least 3 minutes.

  4. Top each steak with herb butter and serve.

About this home version

A modern home recipe with practical ingredients and measured quantities.

Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.

STAY FOR ANOTHER COURSE

More from this table.