Aberdeen South Dakota World Famous “Pheasant Sandwiches”

Recipe Courtesy of: WWII Pheasant Canteen – Aberdeen, South Dakota. By the way… thank the service men and women for your freedom!

Pheasant Sandwiches

• 3 – cups cooked pheasant chopped fine
• 2 – hard cooked eggs chopped fine
• 2 – carrots grated
• 1/2 – medium onion finely chopped
• 1/2 – cup finely chopped celery
• 2 – teaspoon sweet pickle relish
• Salt/Pepper to taste
• Mayonnaise or salad dressing to blend nicely

Mix all ingredients together. Add dressing to taste, chill. Spread on sandwich bread.

The History of Pheasant Sandwiches!

Aberdeen’s rich history of hospitality continues to shine brightly, especially during WWII when the community came together to support troops passing through the city. The establishment of the Red Cross/USO Canteen at the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad depot provided essential meals to hungry servicemen and women. Local farmers contributed pheasants, leading to the creation of the famous pheasant sandwich, which quickly became a beloved menu item.

This incredible effort continued for 2.5 years, serving over 586,000 soldiers, with some days seeing as many as 1,500 troops arriving at once.

Today, the pheasant sandwich tradition lives on, as volunteers and the Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau prepare these sandwiches for out-of-state hunters during the pheasant hunting season opener. While some local restaurants feature pheasant dishes, the authentic recipe can only be enjoyed during the annual opener, held on the third weekend in October. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the city’s history and hospitality!