The 1970s were a time to be alive, thanks to the odd food trends we had running around. Think of those savory Jell-O or he questionable mystery meat and fruit pairings. Well, this decade produced some of the most unforgettable food trends. Get ready to have a blast from the past as we bring you the 13 bizarre but nostalgic food fads of the 1970s.
13. Beef Stroganoff Casserole
Starting with the hearty classic, we had our weekend dinner of Beef Stroganoff Casserole. It features traditional Russian sauteed beef and sour cream sauce to adapt to the American casserole craze. The 1970s version turned ground beef instead of steak, and it’s mixed with egg noodles and canned mushroom soup. What a combination!
12. Deviled Egg Mold
The 1970s took the deviled eggs to a whole new level. There’s a kitchen gadget that allows hosts to create uniform egg appetizers with intricate designs. Of course, the process involves mashing hard-boiled egg yolks with mayonnaise and seasoning. After you press the mixture into the mold to create bizarre deviled eggs.
11. Tuna Casserole
Speaking of the popular casserole, there’s such a thing as a tuna casserole. It features canned tuna, egg noodles, and cream of mushroom soup, all baked together in a single dish. It was then topped with a crunchy layer of crushed potato chips or breadcrumbs, whatever is crispy available in the kitchen!
10. Pineapple-Upside Down Cake
This visually stunning dessert was a showstopper at 1970s dinner parties and potlucks. The pineapple upside-down cake features rings of caramelized pineapple and maraschino cherries. The cake was baked with the fruit and brown sugar at the bottom of the pan, then inverted after baking to reveal the jewel-toned topping. It was a simple dessert that could be made with canned pineapple and a box of cake mix.
9. Pigs in a Blanket
You probably remember these snacks at the gatherings your parents probably brought you to. They were these mini dough with a meat filling inside. Usually, they were made of canned biscuit dough and cocktail wieners. The best part? Those customizable dipping sauces on the table!
8. Fondue
Yup, those were the pots of melted cheese or chocolate that you commonly see at holiday parties. They used to be the centerpiece surrounded by cubes of bread, fruit, or meat that you got to dip in the fountain. Remember how adults used to surround the fondue like it’s a social place where everyone gets to talk with one another while dipping a cubed snack.
7. Cheese Balls
No 1970s party was complete without a cheese ball. It’s made from a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and various seasonings. It was a centerpiece of the buffet table as it’s rolled in chopped nuts, herbs, or bacon bits. Remember how it was served with a huge plate of crackers, allowing guests to help themselves.
6. Stuffed Celery
This appetizer features crisp celery stalks filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, herbs, and spices. The filling could be customized with everything from olives and pimentos to crab meat and curry powder. It was a low-effort, high-impact appetizer that could be made ahead of time, making it a favorite of busy hosts.
5. Cocktail Weenies in Grape Jelly Sauce
This unlikely combination of sweet and savory was a party favorite in the 1970s. Miniature hot dogs or cocktail weenies were simmered in a sauce made from grape jelly and chili sauce. It was a simple, three-ingredient recipe that could be made in a slow cooker, making it the perfect hands-off appetizer for any gathering.
4. Jell-O Salads
The 1970s were the heyday of the Jell-O salad. They were a versatile dish that could be made with a wide variety of ingredients, from fruit and marshmallows to vegetables and even meat! It was often molded into elaborate shapes, adding a touch of color to the buffet table.
3. Koogle
This bizarrely flavored peanut spread from Kraft was a short-lived but unforgettable 1970s fad. Koogle came in four flavors: chocolate, vanilla, banana, and cinnamon. It was marketed as a fun, kid-friendly alternative to regular peanut butter. The secret was that Koogle was only 60% peanuts, with the rest being a mixture of oil, sugar, and other flavorings. This made it more of a dessert spread than a true peanut butter.
2. Ham and Bananas Hollandaise
The recipe, which was featured in McCall’s Great American Recipe Card Collection, involved wrapping bananas in mustard-coated ham, baking them in the oven, and then topping them with a generous pour of hollandaise sauce. While the combination of ham and bananas may sound strange to modern palates, it was part of a trend toward sweet and savory dishes that was popular at the time.
1. Watergate Salad
This dessert “salad” was a staple of potlucks across the country. It’s made from pistachio pudding mix, canned pineapple, whipped cream, chopped nuts, and mini marshmallows. Its name came from a scandal that rocked the nation, only adding to its mystique. While it may seem like a strange combination of ingredients today, the Watergate Salad is a nostalgic reminder of a time when food was fun.