Horrifying Recipes From The 70s And 80s That Will Make You Grateful For Modern Cuisine

Relive the culinary chaos of the past and be grateful that it’s over.

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 9, 2024

The '70s and '80s were a time of bold fashion, even bolder hairstyles, and food choices that can only be described as…questionable. If you’ve ever wondered how creativity in the kitchen took a wild detour into the land of gelatin molds, mayonnaise disasters, and unholy combinations, you’re in for a treat—or, rather, a stomach-churning surprise.

This era was full of culinary risks—and let’s say not all of them paid off. We’re talking about dishes that make you question reality; to be honest, most of them seem more like abstract art than something anyone would want to eat.

It was as if someone thought, “What’s the weirdest combination of ingredients possible?” and then decided to serve it at a dinner party. But, for some reason, these insane creations were the height of home cooking back then.

Yes…people actually loved them. Perhaps it was the cultural excitement of a new era of food technology, or maybe it was just a phase where anything and everything was worth a try—no matter how strange the food was.

Whatever the reason, these recipes now live on as hilarious reminders of a time when dinner parties were truly unpredictable.

So, brace yourself as we take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most outrageous and eyebrow-raising dishes that ever graced a dining table. Prepare your stomachs—because things are about to get weird.

1. Because nothing says ‘gourmet’ quite like slapping a blob of Miracle Whip on your meatloaf. Revolutionary!

2. Ever wonder what happens when you mix bananas and bacon? Neither did anyone else, but here we are, defying culinary logic.

3. For when you want to make breakfast... inside a loaf... covered in who knows what.

4. Celebrate the season with a dessert no one asked for—tomato soup cake! Apparently, red velvet was too mainstream.

5. This ‘cake’ will have your guests running for the hills.

6. Perfect for those who love their meat.. jiggly

7. Think eggs and curry don’t belong together? Well, the 70s didn’t get the memo, and they threw in some dried fruit for good measure.

8. If you were wondering what nightmares were made of, now you know.

9. Who knew chicken could be even better trapped in a mayo-covered gelatin shell? The 70s were wild, folks.

10. A salad? A dessert? Not sure, but it’s definitely unforgettable.

11. When you're craving a snack, why not throw vegetables, sausage, and bread into the strangest combo known to man?

12. When tuna, cheese, and macaroni come together, you get this... loaf. It's a casserole’s awkward cousin, perfect for brave souls.

13. I’m pretty sure this defies every culinary rule known to man.

14. Move over, Christmas ham! The tuna tree is here to take center stage at your next festive gathering.

15. A salad that wiggles, jiggles, and puzzles.

16. Meet the ‘enchilada’—a curious, open-faced mystery blend of cheese, sauce, and whatever else Marcy had in her fridge that day.

17. Who needs gravy when you can just smother your meatloaf in applesauce?

18. This should include a label that says ‘serve with caution.’

19. Behold, the mustard ring! Perfect for when your dinner guests deserve a challenge.

20. The carbonated milkshake absolutely no one asked for.

21. Why choose between breakfast and dinner when you can have both?

Looking back, it’s a miracle anyone survived the gelatin-suspended horrors of 70s and 80s cuisine. So, before you get nostalgic for the good ol' days, remember: not everything from the past was worth bringing back.

If anything, these recipes are a testament to how far we’ve come in the world of food—thank goodness!

Jesse