Our Guide to Iconic American Foods in the 1950s
Updated: Apr. 23, 2024
Go put on an Elvis record and your poodle skirt—we're taking a trip back in time to enjoy 1950s food.
Few decades pique American interest as much as the 1950s. From sock hops to drive-ins, poodle skirts to rock n’ roll, there’s a lot to remember. And here at Taste of Home, we relish the iconic food from the 1950s.
I mean, who can forget the towering Jell-O molds grandma used to serve or the tuna casserole that made an appearance at every church potluck. There was SPAM and Chex-Mix and pineapple, too. Today, we’re going to answer the question, what food was popular in the 1950s? Join us as we take a look back in time and enjoy some good ol’ fashioned nostalgia.
Psst! Check out these vintage cookbook for more old-school recipes.
1950s Breakfasts
In today’s day and age, many of us are used to grabbing a granola bar or smoothie for breakfast—if we even eat at all. But what did people eat for breakfast in the ’50s? A full-fledged meal with bacon, eggs and toast was a common occurrence, even on weekdays. Mornings included grabbing a cup of coffee and perusing the paper before rushing out the door for school or work. Life was a little simpler, that’s for sure.
More 1950s-Inspired Breakfasts
1950s Lunches
The 1950s was an era of invention, and many homemakers were inundated with new appliances, products and electronics. (Looking at you, television!) This innovation made its way to the grocery store, too, as new convenience products hit the market. So, what did people eat for lunch in the 1950s? In many cases, it was a pared-down version of dinner, consisting of meat, sides and veggies. Sandwiches were also popular, particularly bologna, as were soups packed in a thermos. And on a special day, you might have dined at a Department Store restaurant.
More 1950s-Inspired Lunches
1950s Appetizers
There was a lot to celebrate in the 1950s—particularly the end of World War II just a few years prior. Theme dinners—think Hawaiian luau—and outdoor barbecues were popular, as were traditional cocktail parties. Before dinner, all sorts of finger foods, snacks and apps were served, oftentimes dictated by the occasion. Stuffed celery was always a popular choice, as were pinwheels, shrimp cocktail and canapés.
More 1950s-Inspired Appetizers
1950s Dinners
There was no such thing as the keto diet in the 1950s—meat and potatoes reigned supreme. You’d find hearty main dishes like Salisbury steak, beef stroganoff and meat loaf on a ‘50s dinner menu, plus scrumptious sides. Casseroles were also popular, particularly those featuring seafood or ham.
More 1950s-Inspired Dinners
1950s Desserts
Finally—our favorite course! 1950s desserts were downright iconic. You have Jell-O mold recipes, of course. (Here’s how to make one!) Plus show-stoppers like baked Alaska. Other popular recipes featured new-to-the-U.S. ingredients like pineapple and coconut, reflecting the era’s new obsession with global cuisine.
More 1950s-Inspired Desserts
1950s Cocktails
Pre-dinner drinks were pretty common in the 1950s. I mean, there’s a reason most homes had a bar cart front and center! Classic drinks—like Manhattans, martinis and old-fashioneds—were always on the menu. As were some new drinks, like the Pink Squirrel—a tantalizing combo of crème de Noyaux, crème de cacao and cream.
More 1950s-Inspired Drinks
1950s-Style Kitchen Decor
Between the bold Pyrex patterns and unique kitchen tools, there’s a lot to love about 1950s decor. Bright colors were all the rage, especially on appliances. You’d also find plenty of Jadeite, a beautiful jade-hued glassware. Other common items include a percolator (here’s how to use one!), a bread box and a cake stand.
Smeg Drip Coffee Maker
Sure, a percolator might be the 1950s way to make a pot of coffee, but you can really customize your brew with a modern drip coffee maker. This retro kitchen appliance looks like it came right out of the atomic age, but it has all the bells and whistles you're looking for, including a timer, strength settings, and small pot brewing options (for when you want just one cup).
Chantal Vintage Tea Kettle
It tea is more your style, invest in a vintage-style tea kettle. It's an affordable way to give a nod to the '50s and it's super functional. We love it in turquoise—one of the must-have kitchen colors of the day. Pair your cuppa with one of these recipes from the 1950s.
Stack of Vintage Cookbooks
If you're going to create a kitchen that takes inspiration from the past, you'll want to look at recipes from back in the day, too. If Grandma isn't quite ready to put a few of her books on permanent loan, invest in some of our favorite vintage-inspired cookbooks. The Vintage Baker is the perfect place to start if you love sweets.
Jadeite Mixing Bowls
Jade-hued glassware (often called jadeite) was all the rage in the midcentury. The vintage stuff is hard to come by, but you can find new versions of jadeite kitchen gear today. We recommend starting with these pretty, multi-functional mixing bowls.
Smeg Blender
If you can't get enough of that '50s jade color, add a pale green blender to your countertop. Sure, use it to blend up smoothies or even soups. Where this appliance really shines, though, is making retro ice cream cocktails. Grasshopper, anyone?
Vintage-Style Bread Box
Invest in a vintage-style bread box for two reasons: It looks so cute and '50s-esque on the counter and it really does keep bread fresh.
Fiesta Disk Pitcher
A retro kitchen is not complete without at least one piece of Fiesta dinner- or serveware. One of our favorites, though, has to be the brand's iconic pitcher. Get it in plenty of colors to match your vintage (or modern) kitchen and use it to make a great iced tea.
Vintage-ish Oven Mitts
Have a little fun with your retro kitchen. These oven mitts from Always Fits look just right for the era but are a little cheekier than what you'd find in Grandma's kitchen.
Cut Glass Drinkware
Whether you were pouring a dirty martini or just a glass of lemonade in the '50s, you'd want to reach for stylish drinkware. Back then, cut glass and etched stemware was all the rage. You can replicate the feeling of retro glasses today with this line from Crate and Barrel.
Vintage Pyrex Anything
If you've got a vintage kitchen of any era, chances are you have a few pieces of vintage Pyrex hiding in the cupboards. Show off your love of this retro kitchenware with a cute print showing off all the Pyrex patterns to be found.
Cake Dome
Baking up a vintage cake? Display it with pride on your countertop the way Grandma would have back in the day. This cake dome is great for showing off your latest creations. Got a party coming up? Flip over the dome and it turns into a punch bowl. Fill it with this delicious punch.
Big Chill Retro Appliances
If you're really committed to making your kitchen look as authentic as possible without sacrificing the functionality of modern kitchens, invest in retro-style appliances from Big Chill. This company makes stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves that look like they belong on the set of I Love Lucy but are equipped with all the modern bells and whistles (including ENERGY STAR ratings).
Originally Published: November 17, 2020
