Some foods become inseparable from the people who loved them. For Elvis Presley, few dishes are more closely associated with his life at Graceland than the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. His cook Mary Jenkins recalled preparing this rich, buttery favorite, a combination of simple ingredients transformed in a skillet into something unforgettable.

Elvis preferred familiar Southern comfort food even after becoming one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers. This home-kitchen version honors the sandwich described by people who cooked for him, without claiming to reproduce an exact, authenticated Graceland formula.

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Recipe Information

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Difficulty: Beginner (1 of 5)
Cost: Budget ($ of $$$$$)
Region/Ethnic Origin: Southern United States

Ingredients

• 2 slices soft white sandwich bread
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 small ripe banana, mashed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided

Instructions

1. Spread the peanut butter evenly over one slice of bread.
2. Spread the mashed banana over the peanut butter, then close the sandwich with the second slice.
3. Melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
4. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the underside is evenly golden.
5. Lift the sandwich, melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter in the skillet, and turn the sandwich over. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until golden and warmed through.
6. Transfer to a plate, rest for 1 minute, and serve warm.

Kitchen Notes

Use a fully ripe banana for a soft, naturally sweet filling. Keep the heat moderate so the bread browns without burning before the center warms. Some accounts describe variations in how Elvis’s cooks combined the banana and peanut butter; this version keeps the ingredients distinct for an easy home preparation.

A Little Graceland History

Behind the famous sandwich was a working kitchen and the people who knew Elvis’s preferences. Mary Jenkins, who cooked at Graceland, became especially associated with the dish. Its enduring appeal is that the ingredients are ordinary, but the story is anything but.

Historical Recipe Disclaimer: This collection celebrates foods documented as favorites of Elvis Presley through historical accounts, interviews, family recollections, and published materials. Unless specifically identified as an authenticated historical recipe, the preparations presented here are carefully researched interpretations rather than exact reproductions of dishes served at Graceland. Carter Family Recipes is an independent culinary publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Graceland, or the Presley estate.