10+ Prison Recipes: Creative and Delicious Meals for Culinary Adventures Behind Bars

Prison recipes offer a unique glimpse into how inmates creatively cook using limited ingredients and tools. In challenging environments, inmates show how simple items can be transformed into satisfying meals.

Many people might wonder what goes into these dishes and how they differ from typical meals. You’ll find that they often use readily available foods like ramen noodles and snack items, turning them into something special despite the constraints of prison life.

1) Prison Ramen Tamale

Making a Prison Ramen Tamale is a fun way to get creative with limited ingredients. To start, gather your ramen noodles and other items from the commissary.

You’ll need to crush the ramen into small pieces. Then mix it with some seasonings and enough water to form a dough-like consistency.

Next, prepare your filling. You can use items like canned tuna or beans. Once you’ve got your filling, spread the ramen dough out, add the filling, and shape it like a tamale.

Wrap it in plastic or parchment paper and steam it if you can. Enjoy your unique creation!

Ingredients

• Ramen noodles
• Canned tuna or beans
• Seasonings (like chili powder or hot sauce)
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Crush the ramen noodles into small pieces.
2. Mix with seasonings and enough water to make a dough.
3. Prepare your filling with canned tuna or beans.
4. Spread the ramen dough, add the filling, and shape it.
5. Wrap it and steam until warmed through.

2) Jailhouse Burritos

Jailhouse burritos are a fun and creative meal you can make with simple ingredients. They often include ramen noodles, chips, and various snacks. This recipe gives you a tasty way to enjoy a filling dish.

To make jailhouse burritos, you will need to crush your favorite chips, like Takis or Hot Cheetos. You can add cooked ramen noodles for extra texture. Mix in some jerky or Slim Jims for added protein.

The magic happens when you combine everything in a bag. You can use the chip bag as a way to shape your burrito. Just add your ingredients, mix well, and enjoy this unique meal!

Ingredients

• 1 bag of ramen noodles (any flavor)
• 1 bag of chips (like Takis or Hot Cheetos)
• Jerky or Slim Jims (optional)
• Hot water

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water to cook the ramen noodles.
2. Crush the chips into small pieces.
3. Mix the crushed chips with cooked ramen in a bag.
4. Add jerky or Slim Jims if using.
5. Enjoy your jailhouse burrito!

3) Chi Chi (Instant Ramen Mix)

Chi Chi is a popular prison recipe that turns instant ramen into a filling meal. It’s easy to make and uses common ingredients that you might have on hand.

To start, you need two packs of instant ramen. You can cook the noodles in boiling water for about two minutes. Then, add your favorite mix-ins for flavor and texture.

Some people enjoy adding American cheese, jalapeños, or even pickles. Others might mix in beef sticks or hot cheetos to spice things up.

The base idea is simple: you mix everything in a bowl and enjoy a tasty meal that’s quick to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 packs of instant ramen
• American cheese slices
• Jalapeños
• Pickles
• Beef sticks or hot cheetos (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 2 cups (500 ml) of water.
2. Add the ramen noodles, cooking for about 2 minutes.
3. Drain excess water (optional).
4. Mix in your chosen ingredients.
5. Enjoy your Chi Chi!

4) Cell Block Cheesecake

Cell Block Cheesecake is a popular treat made in prison using simple ingredients. It’s easy to make and offers a sweet taste that many enjoy. You can create this cheesecake using items from the commissary.

To start, you will need some crushed graham crackers for the crust. Mix them with margarine to hold it together. Next, you will need cream cheese, sugar, and optional toppings like fruit or chocolate for flavor.

Ingredients

• Crushed graham crackers
• Margarine
• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Optional toppings (fruit, chocolate)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix crushed graham crackers with melted margarine.
2. Press the mixture into the bottom of a bowl or container.
3. In another bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
5. Add any optional toppings.
6. Chill in a cool place for a few hours before serving.

5) Prison Pad Thai

Prison Pad Thai is a creative twist on the classic dish. You can make it with simple ingredients found in many places. It’s a fun way to enjoy a flavorful meal even in limited situations.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken-flavored ramen noodles, chunky peanut butter, sriracha, and dehydrated broccoli. These ingredients combine to create a tasty and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

• Chicken flavored ramen noodles
• Chunky peanut butter
• Sriracha
• Dehydrated broccoli (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and add the ramen noodles. Cook according to package instructions.
2. Drain the noodles and add a spoonful of peanut butter.
3. Mix in sriracha to taste.
4. If using, add the dehydrated broccoli.
5. Stir well and enjoy your Prison Pad Thai!

6) Hooch (Inmate-Made Alcohol)

Making hooch is a common practice in prisons. Inmates use what they have to create a fermented drink. The main ingredients often include fruit, sugar, and yeast.

You can start with something like oranges or fruit cocktail. Mix in sugar and some ketchup to help with fermentation. Place everything in a bag and let it sit in a warm area.

After a few days, you may notice bubbling. This means your hooch is fermenting. The alcohol content can range from light beer to stronger wines.

Ingredients

• 10 oranges
• 8 ounces of fruit cocktail
• Sugar cubes (about 1 cup)
• 6 teaspoons of ketchup
• A one-gallon plastic bag

Cooking Instructions

1. Mash the oranges in the plastic bag.
2. Add the fruit cocktail and sugar.
3. Mix in the ketchup.
4. Seal the bag and leave it in a warm spot for about 5-7 days.
5. Check for bubbles, then enjoy responsibly.

7) Ramen Instant Karma

Ramen Instant Karma is a fun and easy recipe you can try. This dish combines flavors and ingredients often found in prison meals, making it unique and tasty. You can create this comforting bowl of ramen in just a few simple steps.

Ingredients

• 1 package of instant ramen noodles
• 1 can of tuna, drained
• 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
• 1/4 cup of crushed Doritos or similar chips
• 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
• Optional: chopped green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix the tuna, hot sauce, mayonnaise, and crushed chips together.
3. Combine the tuna mixture with the cooked ramen noodles.
4. Serve and top with green onions if desired. Enjoy your meal!

8) Prison Pizza

Prison pizza is a fun and unique dish you can make with limited ingredients. It’s a creative way to enjoy pizza flavors while using what’s available.

You start by mixing crushed saltines and Ritz crackers for the crust. Add some ramen noodles for extra texture.

Then, you can top your pizza with items like tuna, pepperoni, and BBQ sauce for flavor. A little pickle juice can add a nice zing too!

Ingredients

• 1 sleeve of saltines
• 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
• 1 pack of ramen noodles
• Tuna or pepperoni
• BBQ sauce
• Pickle juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Crush the saltines and Ritz crackers in a bowl.
2. Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions.
3. Mix the crushed crackers with cooked noodles.
4. Spread the mixture on a microwave-safe plate.
5. Add your toppings.
6. Microwave for about 2 minutes (120°C/245°F).
7. Enjoy your prison pizza!

9) Crabapple Jam

Crabapple jam is a tasty and fun recipe you can try making. It has a tangy flavor that pairs well with toast, scones, or even as a glaze on meats. Making it is simple and requires just a few ingredients.

To start, you’ll need crabapples, sugar, lemon juice, and water. These ingredients combine to create a sweet and tart jam that’s perfect for breakfast or snacks.

Ingredients

• 4 cups crabapples, chopped
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and chop the crabapples.
2. In a large pot, combine crabapples, water, and lemon juice.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
4. Add sugar, stirring until it dissolves.
5. Cook until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
6. Pour into sterilized jars and let cool before sealing.

10) Orange Porkies

Orange Porkies is a fun and tasty prison recipe. It’s easy to make using simple ingredients you might have on hand. This dish combines flavors that give a unique twist to ramen noodles.

To start, you will need chili ramen, white rice, pork skins, and orange-flavored drink mix. This mix of ingredients creates a crunchy and flavorful meal.

You can prepare this dish by boiling water and cooking the ramen noodles. Once cooked, mix in the rice, pork skins, and orange drink. Combine everything well for a delicious result.

Ingredients

• 1 pack chili ramen
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• ½ bag of pork skins
• Orange-flavored drink mix

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 1 cup of water in a pot.
2. Add the chili ramen and cook according to package instructions.
3. In a bowl, combine the cooked ramen, cooked rice, and pork skins.
4. Mix in the orange-flavored drink mix thoroughly.