Growing up in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and early ‘70s, baby boomers experienced a distinctive society with its own fashions, music, and profound social changes. They also witnessed a significant shift in the American food scene, and many will remember certain foods that were unique to the era. Here’s a look at 19 nostalgic foods that will surely trigger both good and bad memories for any boomer!
TV Dinners
TV dinners emerged in 1953 as a modern, post-war convenience that many American families ‘enjoyed.’ Smithsonian Magazine reports they came in aluminum trays and generally involved meat (like Salisbury steak), canned vegetables (corn was common), and a starchy side like mashed potatoes. They weren’t exactly gourmet, but at least you could watch Lassie at the same time!
Jell-O Molds
This colorful dessert made with flavored gelatin has been around since the late 1800s, but it didn’t reach peak popularity until the 1950s and 1960s. This was partly due to its versatility and the availability of various molds, from swans and fishes to elaborately decorated tiered creations. These party centerpieces often involved canned fruit or even meat, fish, and vegetables!
Tuna Noodle Casserole
This was perhaps THE quintessential comfort food of the Boomer era, and many busy mothers prepared it at least once a week. It was easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and fairly nutritious, involving cream of mushroom soup, canned tuna, egg noodles, and peas or corn topped with a crispy layer of fried onions or breadcrumbs for texture.
Tater Tots
Tater Tots were branded, deep-fried potato bites that almost all children of the era enjoyed, thanks to their simplicity and soft texture. They were actually invented in the 1950s by a food service equipment salesman looking to reduce potato waste, but they quickly became a popular weeknight side dish. They were perfect for dipping in ketchup or gravy.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
A timeless comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich remains popular today and was a common after-school snack or quick lunch for Boomer kids. Simple yet satisfying, it typically involved soft, white bread filled with cheddar or American cheese and grilled in a frying pan or skillet until the cheese melted and the bread was golden brown. Yum!
Pop-Tarts
According to History.com, Kellogg’s enlarged their breakfast range by introducing Pop-Tarts in September 1964, creating a sweet, convenient option for busy mornings. These toaster-friendly pastries came in a variety of sugary flavors like strawberry, chocolate, and sugar/cinnamon. Many boomers will remember burning their mouths on the jam-like fillings!
Green Bean Casserole
Casseroles were popular at the time, and the green bean variety was a delicious side dish, especially at Thanksgiving. Boomer-era mothers would mix canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, crispy fried onions, and sometimes slivered almonds in an oven-proof dish and bake it until the top was crispy and golden. It was a simple yet crowd-pleasing dish.
BLT Sandwiches
Sandwiches filled with thick, salty bacon, crispy lettuce, and juicy tomatoes were a popular choice in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and remain popular even today. The bread was often sliced white or a sub roll, and typically toasted before being filled. Many boomer kids loved the combination of different flavors, especially with the addition of creamy mayonnaise.
Ice Cream Sundaes
This was the ultimate dessert for children of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and many American ice cream parlors and diners offered sundaes in various forms, although many mothers also made them at home. Vanilla ice cream was the most common base, served in a glass dish with a variety of toppings like chocolate syrup, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top.
Footlong Hot Dogs
There are a few occasions that boomers may associate with oversized hot dogs, like baseball games, picnics, and backyard barbecues. They were typically extra-long frankfurters served on supersized hot dog rolls, either enjoyed plain or with a variety of condiments and extras, including ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, and even sauerkraut.
Fish Sticks
Another convenient and kid-friendly meal, fish sticks were a common mid-week dinner choice for busy mothers. They were often made from the cheapest, lowest-quality fish available, like pollack, but cod varieties also existed. Daily Choices states that they’ve not stood the test of time, and most modern consumers would rather pay extra for a whole fish filet, like salmon.
Chef Boyardee Ravioli
A pantry staple for many boomer households, this branded ravioli offered a quick and easy meal solution—perfect for those days just before you did the weekly grocery shopping. The ravioli was canned and came in various flavors, like cheese and beef. While most people heated it up on the stovetop, it could also be eaten cold, straight from the can!
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Like many foods on our list, ‘Smash’ style mashed potatoes were a time-saving convenience food popular in the decades after World War II. These dehydrated flakes of potato were quickly transformed into a fluffy mashed potato side dish when rehydrated with hot water and perhaps some milk or butter. It may not have tasted as good as regular mashed potatoes, but it was much simpler to make.
Milkshakes
Ice cream parlors of the 1950s and ‘60s didn’t just serve sundaes—they also offered delicious, thick, and creamy milkshakes made with a scoop or two of real ice cream, milk, and flavored syrups. The most popular flavors were the classic three—chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla—and boomers might recall enjoying their favorite milkshake after school or as a weekend treat.
SpaghettiOs
SpaghettiOs were a canned pasta product popular with busy families during the Boomer era. They lasted almost forever and could be quickly opened and heated up for a light meal or served with grilled cheese sandwiches or garlic bread for a more filling dinner-time meal. The soft, miniature pasta rings were very popular with Boomer-era kids, even the fussier ones!
Deviled Eggs
Paste Magazine claims that deviled eggs originated in ancient Rome but didn’t become exceptionally popular in America until after the 1940s and have recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Boomer mothers often prepared them with eggs that were boiled, halved, and then filled with their own smashed yolks mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings.
The Brownie
What chocolate lover doesn’t like this fudgy, rich, and decadent dessert cake? The brownie has endured since the ‘50s and ‘60s but was especially popular at this time. It was either purchased from a bakery or made at home using dark chocolate, newly available after the rationing of World War II. Many boomers will remember eating it cold or warm from the oven, topped with vanilla ice cream.
Kool-Aid
Not technically a food but still a childhood favorite for many boomers, Kool-Aid was a powdered drink mix that came in a variety of sugary flavors. The most common were cherry, grape, and orange, and once mixed with water, they all had a distinctive, bright color. It was the staple drink for birthday parties, backyard barbecues, or any event with a lot of children.
Rice Krispie Treats
A classic dessert bar made with Rice Krispies, melted butter, and marshmallows, this was a common creation in boomer households, especially those with children. They were easy to make at home, had few (relatively cheap) ingredients, didn’t require baking, and were beloved by most kids, who loved eating the sticky, overly sweet bars and could even help make them.