The 1950s and 60s were a magical time for Jell-O treats. You may remember seeing those Jell-O gelatins with mixed vegetables in them. They may belong among the internet’s “cursed foods” of today, but there was a time when they were all about the craze. Today, we’re bringing you 10 Jell-O recipes your grandparents (or maybe even parents) enjoyed.
10. Rainbow Jell-O with Mixed Vegetables
One popular Jell-O creation involves layers of colored gelatin. But have you ever heard of the one with mixed vegetables in it? That’s right, we’ve got corn kernels, peas, and beets all inside your colorful Jell-O. It looks like a children’s arts and craft project, but hey, it’s nothing compared to the outrageous Jell-O creations of its time.
9. Sequin Salad
Sequin Salad was a 1950s creation that combined lime-flavored Jell-O with cauliflower and diced onions. Yup, you get the white sequin pieces that you can see from the gelatin. It’s commonly brought to bridge parties or ladies’ luncheons, where visual appeal is the top priority. Well, we’ll give the beauty to them, but its taste is pretty interesting.
8. Carrot Pineapple Salad
Another entry in the “vegetables belong in dessert” category, this orange creation combined the sweetness of gelatin with the earthiness of raw carrots to juicy pineapples. The carrots would retain their crunch, creating an odd textural experience that confused diners. It was often called “Sunshine Salad” despite containing no leafy greens whatsoever.
7. Sawdust Salad
Yup, cheddar cheese suspended in lemon Jell-O with pineapple chunks was someone’s idea of the perfect balance. The cheese would form odd clumps throughout the gelatin, creating surprise pockets of dairy in what looked like an innocent fruit dessert. This was often cut into squares and served on lettuce leaves as a “light lunch” option.
6. Lime Jell-O with Avocado and Grapefruit
The 1960s obsession with avocados led to this green-on-green Jell-O salad creation. This recipe combines sweet lime Jell-O with creamy avocado, grapefruit, and a mayonnaise twist on top. It was often molded into ring shapes and filled with more mayonnaise-based salads. The avocados would turn brown despite the gelatin’s protective coating, creating an unappetizing appearance that matched the weird fruity taste.
5. Cherry Jell-O with Cream Cheese and Celery
Yup, you’ve read that right. The crunch of celery in sweet cherry gelatin was supposed to add texture to this bright red creation. Your grandma would even fold in chunks some cream cheese for added richness. They’re often shaped in fancy molds and served as a centerpiece on holiday buffets.
4. Tuna Salad
As scary as it sounds, there is such a thing as a Tuna Salad, and no, it’s not the actual Tuna Salad served today. This recipe calls for some lime-flavored Jell-O that is mixed with tuna and all sorts of veggies. While the vegetables are beautiful to look at, we’re not sure about this one. But hey, it worked during your grandma’s time as one of Jell-O’s many recipes.
3. Shrimp Salad
This creation was the peak of 1950s creativity. You’ve got your c*cktail shrimp and mixed vegetables, all in an unflavored gelatin mixture. It’s something that would awe your grandparents’ guests, especially when the shrimps are arranged in a circular way. Well, 50s creation involves a lot of plating and centerpieces.
2. Rosy Beet Salad
This was a recipe from the late Rufus Holman, who served as the country’s senator during the 40s. It involves a raspberry-flavored Jell-O with horseradish, beets, and pineapple. It was used to serve during the holiday season due to its red color. Grandma may have kept a recipe for this, as it’s one of the many Jell-O treats she created back then.
1. Sauerkraut Jell-O
This pale yellow creation combined tart lemon Jell-O with tangy sauerkraut. Yup, this was supposed to be a dessert. The sauerkraut would retain its distinctive sour crunch. It was often served alongside other “ethnic” gelatin creations at church potlucks, where everyone would be served a square piece. This recipe goes way back to 1938.