15 Outrageous 70s Foods That Would Never Fly Today
The 1970s were a wild time for food experimentation. Convenience reigned supreme, and strange combinations became the norm.
It was a decade of gelatin molds, canned everything, and questionable ideas that pushed creativity to the limit. While some dishes became classics, others faded into obscurity for good reason.
Let’s take a fun and cringeworthy look back at 15 outrageous 70s foods that would raise eyebrows—and possibly stomachs—if served today!
1. Aspic Salads
Gelatin-based savory salads were the height of culinary “sophistication” in the 70s. Picture shrimp, vegetables, or even chicken suspended in a wobbly, translucent mold of flavored gelatin. It was meant to impress, but today, most people would find the sight (and texture) unsettling.
2. Ham and Banana Hollandaise
Yes, you read that right. This dish involved wrapping bananas in slices of ham, baking them, and topping the whole thing with hollandaise sauce. The combination of sweet, salty, and creamy might have sounded creative then, but it’s a hard pass now.
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3. Liver Loaf
Liver loaf was a common party snack in the 70s, often served in a loaf shape for easy slicing. Made with ground liver and mixed with breadcrumbs or gelatin, it had a distinct, overpowering flavor that doesn’t fit modern palates.
4. Tuna and Jello Pie
This dish combined canned tuna, vegetables, and lime gelatin in a pie crust. Sweet and savory gelatin-based concoctions were oddly popular at the time, but most people today would balk at the idea of seafood in dessert-like form.
5. Hamburger Helper Lasagna
While Hamburger Helper itself still exists, the lasagna version of the 70s was a far cry from authentic Italian cuisine. Powdered cheese, processed pasta, and pre-seasoned beef came together in a way that was more “survival meal” than comfort food.
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6. Spaghetti-O Jell-O Mold
This one took canned Spaghetti-Os and set them in gelatin to create a dish that was as weird to look at as it was to eat. The texture clash of rubbery pasta and firm gelatin likely made it one of the more unsettling culinary experiments.
7. Watergate Salad
Named after the infamous scandal, this dish combined pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped topping. While technically a dessert, its green hue and overly sweet flavor make it an oddity by today’s standards.
8. Deviled Ham Spread
Canned deviled ham was a pantry staple in the 70s, often whipped into spreads for crackers or sandwiches. Its overly salty, processed flavor and mushy texture make it a relic of the past that few would voluntarily revisit.
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9. Mock Turtle Soup
This soup was an imitation of a delicacy, made with ingredients like organ meats or veal. While it aimed to recreate the taste of turtle meat, the idea of consuming such a concoction feels far removed from today’s preferences for fresh, wholesome ingredients.
10. Perfection Salad
Another gelatin-based masterpiece, this one combined shredded cabbage, carrots, celery, and vinegar in a lemon gelatin base. It was meant to be served as a side dish, but the sour-sweet combination in a jiggly form is hard to stomach now.
11. Baked Alaska Meatloaf
This odd hybrid involved covering a meatloaf with mashed potatoes and then browning it in the oven, mimicking the dessert’s meringue topping. While creative, this dish doesn’t hold up to modern culinary expectations.
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12. Hot Dog Crown Casserole
Hot dogs sliced lengthwise and arranged in a “crown” around a casserole of mashed potatoes, peas, and cheese? It was kitschy and economical, but today’s foodies would call it bland and overly processed.
13. Cheese and Pineapple Skewers
Often served at parties, these skewers paired cubes of cheddar cheese with chunks of canned pineapple. While not offensive, the flavor combination feels dated and lacks the sophistication of today’s appetizer trends.
14. Boiled Canned Peanuts
A Southern staple in the 70s, boiled canned peanuts were served as a snack. The soft texture and briny flavor might still have niche appeal, but most modern snackers prefer crunchier, fresher alternatives.
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15. Viennetta Sandwich Loaf
Not to be confused with the dessert, this loaf was a sandwich filled with layers of deli meats, cream cheese, and veggies, stacked into a cake-like shape. While it looked impressive, the heavy, mayonnaise-laden layers feel out of sync with today’s lighter, fresher food trends.
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