38 Vintage Lunches Worth Trying Today
Updated: May 03, 2024
Everything old is new again, including recipes! Just as tasty today as they were decades ago, these vintage lunch recipes are making a comeback. They'll bring a touch of nostalgia and a whole lot of flavor to your lunchtime!
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Mushroom-Stuffed Tomatoes
This light dish is inexpensive, quick to prepare and always a favorite. With plenty of mushrooms, the cheesy mixture stuffed into tomatoes is really decadent. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois
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Classic Egg Salad
Egg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan
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Cranberry Waldorf Gelatin
We enjoy this easy-to-make salad in the fall when apples are in season. Their crisp freshness adds so much to a favorite dish. — Debbie Short, Carlisle, Iowa
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Best Ever Fried Chicken
The best fried chicken recipe is super crunchy on the outside but oh-so juicy and tender on the inside. Surprisingly enough, we make it without buttermilk!
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Hot Pineapple Ham Sandwiches
Your trusty slow cooker lets you make these warm, gooey sandwiches without heating up the house on a hot day. The mustard and brown sugar give them such satisfying richness. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
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Chicken Salad Croissants
This tempting chicken salad that gets its special taste from Swiss cheese and pickle relish. It's a favorite of my brother, who insists I make it whenever he visits. —Laura Koziarski, Battle Creek, Michigan
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Stuffed Shrimp Endives
This refreshing hors d'oeuvre has gained a big following since a friend shared her family recipe with me. My son says it best: The celery and shrimp are so good together. —Solie Kimble, Kanata, Ontario
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BLT with Peppered Balsamic Mayo
Here’s my twist on the classic BLT. Creamy avocado, balsamic mayo and crisp salad greens make this version legendary in my book. For a lighter take, I often use turkey bacon. —Ami Boyer, San Francisco, California
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Pina Colada Molded Salad
My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
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Ham Salad
This ham salad recipe is the perfect way to use up your leftover roasted ham, as well as the rolls you served with it!
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Easy Crab Cakes
Just a few ingredients, including already-cleaned fresh or frozen crabmeat, make these easy crab cakes something you can throw together any day of the week.
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Healthy Tuna Salad
You do not need full-fat dressing to make a great tuna fish sandwich. Learn how to make healthy tuna salad with a recipe that cuts down on calories and fat, but keeps the classic flavor (and crunch!).
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Macaroni Coleslaw
My friend Peggy brought this coleslaw to one of our picnics, and everyone liked it so much, we all had to have the recipe. —Sandra Matteson, Westhope, North Dakota
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Meat Loaf Burgers
These hearty meat loaf sandwiches are delightful for potluck dinners. Served on hamburger buns, the beefy patties get extra flavor when topped with the seasoned tomato sauce. —Peggy Burdick, Burlington, Michigan
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Classic Cobb Salad
Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I plant everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
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Delicious Apple Salad
This yummy fruit salad was a favorite of my great-grandmother’s. My family always enjoys it, and I’m happy knowing it’s good for them, too. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Fruited Tuna Salad Pitas
One bite, and you'll swear you're at a restaurant. This bistro-worthy recipe is simple to prepare, yet special enough for lunch guests. —Shelly Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon
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Molded Cranberry-Orange Salad
When I take this dish to potlucks during the holidays, people always ooh and aah. Feel free to top with whipped cream for added appeal. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
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Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
A wedge salad gets the creamy treatment when topped with blue cheese dressing. Keep the dressing as a topper, or make it a dip for Buffalo wings. —Jenn Smith, East Providence, Rhode Island
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Croque-Madame
My son and I love having a croque-madame (a fried egg atop our grilled ham and cheese) for lunch. If eggs aren't your favorite, you can make the sandwich without it (which makes it a croque-monsieur). —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
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Fluffed Fruit Salad
I like this recipe since I can prepare it in advance when entertaining. Even people who don't care for cranberries usually like this treat.—Christine Halandras, Meeker, Colorado
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Broiled Parmesan and Swiss Tomatoes
Planning to serve steak or tenderloin? These cheesy tomatoes make the ideal accompaniment. Plus, the recipe is simple to double for guests. —Mary Price, Youngstown, Ohio
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Hot Dog Pie
A co-worker who loves hot dogs shared this recipe with me. Baked in a purchased pastry shell, the pie is easy to assemble and is on the table in just 30 minutes. —Amy Bullis, Henryville, Pennsylvania
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Salmon Mousse Cups
I make these tempting little tarts frequently for parties. They disappear at an astonishing speed, so I usually double or triple the recipe. The salmon-cream cheese filling and flaky crust will melt in your mouth. —Fran Rowland, Phoenix, Arizona
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Loaded Stuffed Potato Pancakes
When I make mashed potatoes, I always cook extra so I can prepare these over-the-top potato pancakes. Fill them with sour cream, ranch dressing or melted cheese—or all three. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
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Cucumber Party Sandwiches
This is one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is cooking. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky
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Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a retro dessert that’s so good, it has stood the test of time. Whip up this fruity, airy, marshmallow-studded treat for summer gatherings or winter holidays.
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Roast Beef Finger Sandwiches
These simple sandwiches are ideal for a bridal shower, brunch or high tea, when the menu is a bit more substantial. The mustard adds a nice kick without being overly spicy. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
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Sangria Gelatin Ring
This gelatin is enjoyed by everyone because you just can't go wrong with fresh berries. —Nicole Nemeth, Komoka, Ontario
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Tuna Noodle Casserole
We make this tuna noodle casserole recipe with canned tuna, tender vegetables, cream of mushroom soup and egg noodles. Top it off with a crisp bread crumb topping for a warm and cozy meal-in-one.
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Cherry Waldorf Salad
We combine apples with tart cherries and dried cranberries to give an autumn twist to classic Waldorf salad. —Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
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Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada
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Bacon Grilled Cheese
Level up your grilled cheese with this bacon grilled cheese sandwich. Featuring mustard, mayo, tomato, onion and two cheeses, this sandwich is anything but boring. Serve it with tomato soup and salad for a complete meal.Originally Published: May 17, 2018
