Bette Davis was one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, but off the silver screen, she had a deep love for simple, hearty food. Raised in New England, her tastes stayed close to home no matter how glamorous her life became.
From humble potatoes to smoky fish dishes, her food choices tell a surprisingly warm and relatable story. Get ready to explore the delicious world on Bette Davis’s plate.
1. Potatoes
Nicknamed “Spuds” by those who knew her best, Bette Davis had an almost legendary love for potatoes. She once said she could live happily on them alone, and friends took that seriously.
Whether boiled, mashed, or roasted, potatoes were her ultimate comfort food.
There is something deeply honest about loving a simple spud above all else. For Davis, it was never about fancy cuisine.
It was about satisfaction, warmth, and a taste of home.
2. Red Flannel Hash
Few dishes capture New England mornings quite like red flannel hash, and Bette Davis had her very own recipe for it. Her version combined potatoes, beets, and corned beef, all cooked together into a hearty skillet meal.
She often crowned it with a perfectly poached egg on top.
The deep red color from the beets makes this dish as eye-catching as it is filling. It was a weekend breakfast staple that connected Davis to her roots every single time.
3. Boiled Eggs
A three-minute egg was Bette Davis’s go-to breakfast item, and she was reportedly quite particular about the timing. Soft in the center, just barely set, it was the kind of simple pleasure she returned to again and again.
No fuss, no drama, just a perfectly cooked egg.
Boiled eggs are one of those timeless breakfast staples that never go out of style. For Davis, starting the morning with one felt grounding and satisfying before a long day on set.
4. Boston Baked Beans
Boston baked beans were more than just a dish for Bette Davis. They were a piece of her childhood and New England identity.
She grew up eating them and never stopped loving them as an adult. At one memorable party, she reportedly had 21 pounds of beans flown in directly from Boston.
That kind of dedication to a dish says everything. Sweet, smoky, and deeply satisfying, these beans carried the flavor of home no matter where she was in the world.
5. Split Pea Soup
Back in 1933, Bette Davis contributed her split pea soup recipe to a published cookbook, which shows just how seriously she took this comfort food. Her version used a ham bone, onion, celery, evaporated milk, and a surprising touch of mint.
Croutons on top gave it a satisfying crunch.
Mint in pea soup sounds unexpected, but it brightens the whole bowl beautifully. This recipe reflects Davis’s confident, no-nonsense approach to cooking, where simple ingredients are treated with real care and intention.
6. Corned Beef
Corned beef showed up regularly in Bette Davis’s kitchen, most often as a key ingredient in her beloved red flannel hash. But on its own, this salty, tender meat held a special place in her New England-style cooking.
It is the kind of ingredient that turns a simple meal into something memorable.
Rich in flavor and deeply satisfying, corned beef has been a staple of American home cooking for generations. Davis clearly appreciated its hearty, unfussy character, which matched her own personality perfectly.
7. Finnan Haddie
Bette Davis called finnan haddie her favorite Sunday morning meal, which is a pretty bold claim for a dish most Americans have never tried. Finnan haddie is a Scottish smoked haddock with a delicate, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with butter and cream.
It feels luxurious without being complicated.
Choosing a smoked fish for Sunday breakfast shows real culinary confidence. Davis was never afraid to lean into bold, distinctive flavors, and finnan haddie was her quiet, sophisticated weekly indulgence that most guests probably did not expect.
8. Spinach-Stuffed Fish Fillets
Bette Davis shared her recipe for spinach-stuffed fish fillets, using sole or flounder rolled around a filling of cooked onion and spinach, then baked in a simple cheese sauce. It sounds elegant, but the method is actually quite approachable for a home cook of any skill level.
What makes this dish special is the balance of flavors. The mild fish lets the earthy spinach and creamy cheese sauce shine.
It is the kind of recipe that feels impressive on the table without requiring hours in the kitchen.
9. Homemade Burgers
For all her Hollywood glamour, Bette Davis loved making simple homemade burgers for herself and her family. There is something wonderfully down-to-earth about a movie legend standing at the stove flipping patties on an ordinary evening.
It speaks to who she really was away from the cameras.
A good burger does not need much, just quality meat, a sturdy bun, and a little care in the cooking. Davis clearly understood that some of the best meals are the ones made at home with your own two hands.
10. Cucumber Salad
Cool, crisp, and refreshing, cucumber salad was one of Bette Davis’s simple pleasures. It does not take much effort to prepare, which may have been part of the appeal for a busy woman with a demanding career.
Sometimes the lightest dishes are the most satisfying ones at the end of a long day.
Cucumber salad works beautifully as a side dish or a light lunch on its own. Davis’s appreciation for it hints at a practical, unfussy side to her eating habits that balanced out her more indulgent favorites.
11. Croquettes
In a 1965 interview, Bette Davis openly declared her love for croquettes, those crispy, pan-fried cylinders of seasoned filling that were popular in mid-century American cooking. Given her devotion to potatoes, hers likely featured a creamy potato base coated in golden breadcrumbs.
They are crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle.
Croquettes have a playful, satisfying quality that makes them hard to resist. They require a bit of effort to make properly, but the reward is absolutely worth it, which sounds like something Davis herself would agree with completely.
12. Cornish Game Hen
Cornish game hen was among the dishes Bette Davis liked to cook, and it is easy to see why. Small enough for one or two people, it roasts beautifully and feels special without requiring a massive production in the kitchen.
The crispy skin and juicy meat make it a genuinely satisfying meal.
For someone who valued hearty, home-cooked food, a roasted game hen fits perfectly. It carries the same warmth as a full roast chicken but with an elegance that suits a woman of Davis’s refined yet grounded taste.
13. Fresh Berries with Cold Cream
When it came to dessert, Bette Davis kept it beautifully simple with fresh berries and cold cream. No baking required, no complicated technique needed, just ripe, juicy fruit and a generous pour of cream.
It is the kind of dessert that lets natural flavors do all the talking.
There is a quiet elegance to this choice that feels very Davis. She did not need elaborate sweets to feel satisfied.
A bowl of cold, creamy berries at the end of a meal was pleasure enough, simple and perfect.
14. Clam Bakes
Nothing says New England summer quite like a clam bake, and Bette Davis embraced this coastal tradition with genuine enthusiasm. Clams, corn, potatoes, and sometimes lobster all steamed together over hot rocks or in a large pot, it is a communal feast that brings people together in the best way.
For Davis, clam bakes were likely tied to warm memories of New England summers growing up. Food shared outdoors with good company has a magic that no fancy restaurant can replicate, and she clearly knew that well.
15. Corn Pudding
Corn pudding made it onto Bette Davis’s 1983 Thanksgiving menu, and it is a dish that earns its place at any holiday table. Sweet, creamy, and custardy, it sits somewhere between a side dish and a dessert, making it one of the most beloved items at a traditional American feast.
What makes corn pudding so comforting is its simplicity. Made from sweet corn, eggs, butter, and cream, it bakes into something that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.
Davis clearly had excellent taste when planning her holiday spread.
16. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie was the dessert Bette Davis chose to close out her 1983 Thanksgiving dinner, and honestly, it is hard to argue with that decision. Warm spices, silky filling, and a buttery crust make it one of the most iconic American desserts ever created.
It is the taste of autumn in every single bite.
Choosing pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving feels both traditional and personal. For Davis, ending a meal she cooked herself with this classic dessert was a fitting finish from a woman who always knew exactly what she wanted.