Remember the days when a party wasn’t complete without coconut-covered pineapple and cream cheese stuffed celery? From the 1950s to the 1960s, party food was a reflection of the times – flashy, audacious, and above all, delicious!

In this article, we will dive into the classic recipes of the era, exploring the nostalgia of 1950s party food and exploring ways to recreate these treats today. From classic appetizers to crowd-pleasing desserts, you’ll be sure to find ideas to make your next shindig a hit.

So, get ready to get your party planning started with some iconic 1950s food — we guarantee your guests will come back for seconds.

Retro Jello Mold a perfect party food for a 1950s or 1960s party. Learn more at the Vintage Inn Blog.

Updated Feb 2024

Note: This post is an extension of “The Mini Guide to Hosting the Ultimate 1950’s Themed Party“. Inside this post, I talked about invites,decor, music, clothing and food, the essentials for a successful party. This article jumps into deeper into the food side.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy daily!

Party Foods of the 1950’s

Retro Food Vintage 50s Meals Products Cooking Pantry Groceries | Mid Century Modern — Source: Etsy

Let’s break out the Cheez Wiz and start the 1950’s food party, shall we?

1950s Cheez Whiz Ad for 1950s Party Food

Source: Flickr

From my original post:

For the most authentic experience for your party, you need to serve 1950’s food. If you want recipes or ideas see if you can find some old 1950’s cookbooks online (like Etsy) or in used book stores, they will really help plan your menu.

Vintage Cookbooks – Fantastic Party Food Ideas (Hare are some examples)!

NOTE: If the product is not available when you click thru, just do a search for other options. Etsy is always filled with “new” vintage items.

I have also created a collection of vintage cookbooks avail for purchase, I update monthly on Etsy that you can find HERE.

If you need a little more help then my resources of materials for how to host that 1950s party (see end of post), then you should pickup a book like the one pictured below. A 1957 printing of “Good Housekeeping Party Menus and Recipes“. Based on the original titled “Good Housekeeping Party Book”, this paperback book has 200 different menus and 1000 recipes and party ideas.

A 1957 printing of "Good Housekeeping Party Menus and Recipes". Based on the original titled "Good Housekeeping Party Book", this paperback book has 200 different menus and 1000 recipes and party ideas

The contents of the book. WOW so many helpful topics and recipes!

Source: Etsy

There is also this gem of a cookbook (avail as of Feb 2024 HERE) – 1950s Betty Crocker’s Bisquick Party Book. “97 gay new ideas and recipes…for coffee time through late T.V….from appetizers to desserts!”

Vintage Betty Crocker Bisquick Party Book - Baking with Bisquick - Vintage 1950's Cookbook

The vintage recipes include things like, Party Tuna Bake, Hamburger Onion Pie, Shrimp Salad Short Pie, Hamburger Turnovers and more!

I love a good tuna bake and make it all the time (my recipe is different from the one below though).

1950s Party Food as seen in a 1950s Betty Crocker Bisquick Cookbook. The vintage recipes include things like, Party Tuna Bake, Hamburger Onion Pie, Shrimp Salad Short Pie, Hamburger Turnovers and more!

Source: Etsy-familyhistoryfood

Check out this super cool vintage ‘Molly Magic Party Book’ . Compliments of Eagle Brand Condensed Milk – 1950’s era. AMAZING dessert recipes for any 1950s party you are hosting!

1950s Party Recipes-Desserts for your next 1950s party

1950s Party Recipes-Desserts for your next 1950s party. Brownies & cookies

Source: Etsy

“Entertaining with Stork“, was produced to promote the sale and use of Stork Margarine and has lots of recipes in it’s pages. Loads of fun ideas for your 1950s Themed Party (including how to feed your teenagers)!

1950s Themed Party food ideas from a 1950s vintage recipe cook book. Teenage party food ideas

Source: Etsy

The Good Housekeeping Appetizer Book. Loads of fun ideas!

Good Housekeeping Appetizer Book Cookbook vintage party foods-1950s

Good Housekeeping Appetizer Book Cookbook vintage party foods

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s Cream Cheese Cookbook – “Philly Dip Party Handbook” – Dips, Sauces, Party Food.

Source: Etsy

I own the 1950s Betty Crocker Cookbook in the image below it has been really helpful in creating that authentic 1950’s food experience. Here are a few recipes from my book you can use for your own party.

1950s party food ideas from a vintage betty crocker cookbook. 1950s appetizers

Jello Molded Salads will be a big hit with your guests…guaranteed.

1950s Jello mold salad recipe as seen in a Betty Crocker 1950s Cookbook

Pigs in the Blankets are a 1950s party food staple.

1950s party food ideas-Miniature Pigs in a Blanket recipe as seen in a 1950s vintage betty crocker cookbook.

Canapes are always a good way to go and they are quick to make.

1950s party food ideas-Cnapes for your appetizers. 1950s appetizer recipe as seen in a 1950s Betty Crocker Cookbook.

Drinks are a must and a good punch recipe should always be on hand. Here are 2 for you.

1950s Party Drink ideas-Punch recipe as seen in 1950s Betty Crocker Cookbook

Vintage Food Advertising w/ Recipes

Vintage advertising is an excellent source for 1950’s food ideas and recipes. Just type into Google ‘1950s vintage food recipes’ and watch the magic happen. Pinterest is also a great place for recipes and ideas.

1954 Food Ad, Hellmann's & Best Foods Mayonnaise, with Potato Salad Recipe. 1950s Vintage ad.

Source: Flickr

I showed you a Jell-O Mold Salad from my vintage cookbook above, here is another one for your eating pleasure.

Party Food Note: I’m pretty sure this won’t work at your event, but it was kind of fun to add because at some point SOMEONE thought this was a good idea.

1950s Jello-O Mod Lime Cheese Salad Recipe. 1950s Vintage Dessert Recipe as seen on a 1950s vintage ad.

Instead of a Jell-O mold how about Jell-O pudding? In particular ‘Frosted Fondant Pudding’ featuring Carnation Milk? What a delish 1950s ad!

Note: Want more 1950s dessert ideas? Then check out my blog post ‘1950s Dessert Ideas For Your Next Party‘

a vintage 1953 Jello/Carnation milk ad taken directly from the Star Weekly, May 30, 1953 edition. The 1950s ad features a vintage recipe for Jell-o frosted fondant pudding.

Source: Etsy

SPAM! Yes you need this (and can still be found in stores today)! Has anyone ever had a ‘Spam and cheese ribbon loaf?’

1950s vintage ad for SPAM featuring a 1950s recipe (perfect for a 1950s party) for Spam and cheese ribbon loaf.

Meat Loaf. Easy to make and a true 1950’s favourite (you could make mini ones for your party!).

1950s vintage ad for Hunts tomato sauce featuring 15 minute meat loaf recipe.

Source: McCallum Vintage Recipe Divas

Seven-Up Floats. Can be dessert, a drink option or a main dish.

Source: Pop Culture Safari

Ikea can easily supply you the next food option OR if you want to be authentic here is a recipe for Swedish Meat Balls.

1950s Swedish Meat Balls recipe. 1950s vintage recipe.

Source: Antique Alter Ego

Looking for some dessert ideas to sweeten the party up? Angel Food cake is oh so good, especially when it’s a ‘Betty Crocker Cherry Nut Angle Food Cake’. YUM!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Cake Ideas As Seen Thru 1920s-1950s Ads

Betty Crocker Softasilk Cake Flour, May 1951 vintage food ad. Featuring a 'Betty Crocker Cherry Nut Angle Food Cake' recipe. 1950s dessert.

Source: Flickr

Marshmallow Crispy Squares are so easy, even I can make them! ‘9-minute marshmallow crispy square’.

1950s Vintage Ad for Kellogg's Rice Krispies featuring a vintage recipe for Rice Crispy Squares.

Source: Flickr

Lastly here were my other suggestions from my original post:

French Fries
Hotdogs and Hamburgers
Celery & Cheese whiz
Devilled Eggs
Pineapple upside cake
Casserole…anything
Fondue
Fruit on Skewers
Roasts
Pound Cake
Fruit Cup
Meat Pies
TV Dinners
Soufflé
Grilled cheese
Ice Cream/Banana splits

REMINDER! Make sure you check out my Etsy collection that I update once a month with vintage cookbooks from the 1900s to 1960s avail for sale.

I hope this extension of my “How to host a 1950s Themed Party” blog post was helpful and got the wheels turning on what to serve at your own party. Good Luck and Happy Shopping!

Question Time: What are your favorite 1950s Party Foods that you would add to this list?

Further Reading:

Food:

Party Games, Party Decor, 1950s Music, 1950s Fashion & More

For further Inspiration please make sure to check out my Pinterest Board on “Vintage Cooking Ideas”.

https://www.pinterest.ca/egruening/vintage-cooking-ideas/?invite_code=d25a74885bc344bcaea3b026f237a30a&sender=204562145482899545

Liz

Long time ago I was given a 1950s Hardcover Betty Crocker cookbook as a gift and I have found it extremely interesting. Not only is it a cookbook with pictures of food it also is a history book, manners book, time management book and how to take care of your husband and kids book. It was really a one stop shop for a 1950s housewife to learn a high level overview of not only how to be the perfect wife but also the perfect host.

June 15th 2024 UPDATE: I found the exact same Betty Crocker 1950s Cookbook on Etsy (3 for sale at time of update).

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

So with that said I thought as recent newlywed that I would jump back into this book and see what I might learn on how to make my household the perfect harmony of food and love in a world where I cannot cook very well.

Take a look inside a 1950s Betty Crocker Cookbook

The Vintage Cooking Tips:

“Dress up your food for eye appeal for its the finish that counts”: Well that sure is a relief because I’m not the greatest cook so if I can make a tomato flower and put it on top of my not so well cooked casserole and that is all that counts..I’m golden in the eyes of my husband!

How to prepare food with a kick as seen in a 1950s Betty Crocker Cookbook. Vintage food tips.

“Measure exactly as a druggist follows a doctor’s prescription!”: Apparently two minutes measuring carefully may save you hours of grief.

Really?? No pinch here and pinch there as my mom always said? But my mom’s foods always turned out to be amazing, how can that be? I must remember this rule and stop listening to what my mom said because Betty knows better ;).

“Meal Planning has 5 steps”:

A) Appropriateness-Make sure you meal fits “the situation”, “the occasion” and “the family needs”.

One of the comments was that the wife cooks dinner for her young son and his needs and without cooking a separate meal she dresses up the meal for grownup tastes. And this is when kraft dinner and hotdogs was born my friends!

B) Appearance-Prepare, Serve & Present each food attractively for greater appetite appeal.

So basically cover up the burnt spots with the pretty tomato flowers I recently made….on it!

C) Satisfaction-Good cooking & seasoning; Right combination of food; Follow tested recipes carefully: And here is the poem that goes with it:

****”Something soft and something crisp should always go together, And something hot with something cold No matter what the weather; Something bland needs the complement Of something with tang and nip. Follow these rules and all your meals Will have taste appeal and zip.”****

D) Nutrition-Serve a wide variety of foods; Balance meals by including foods from the 7 basic groups; Breakfast should give about 1/3 of the day’s food supply.

I got this! 7 basic groups and a wide variety of foods easily go into my blender and become my breakfast for the day. I don’t think Betty meant all at once but I’m an overachiever at times.

E) Cost-A food budget will help you; Buy the basic food needs for the family first; Buy less of the more expensive foods and more of the less expensive foods; Grow your own fruits & Veggies if possible.

Wise words and words that easily apply to today’s world. My husband and I have a balcony and have grown our own veggies. Now maybe it was only enough for one salad but we saved $3 that week just enough to be put towards one Starbucks coffee.

Answers to questions on types of service (really there are TYPES??): Yes there are types!

1950's table service as seen in a 1950s Betty Crocker Cookbook. Vintage food tips.

A) English or Family Service-Food is served by the host or hostess from trays on the table (like many of us still eat today).

B) Russian Service–Formal service by the staff of the house. The host and hostess have no part in the serving.

C) Compromise or Mixed Service-Mains are served at the table while the rest of the dinner (soup, salad etc.) are brought from the kitchen by the help.

WAIT! Where is “Sit at the TV and eat”? Oh yes it is there under “Be flexible with mealtime locations”. Ahhhh…that is more my husband and I right now in our busy lives.

So what have I learned from this short lesson? I have learned that I love many things about the 50s but some of its ways of doing things in the kitchen don’t exactly work for me in my modern iPhone living world. I love my microwave and my husband being the cook and not worrying about what side my fork goes when I sit down to eat. I will tell you though, that I 100% LOVE the idea of garnishing everything I make and will be taking that lesson into the kitchen with me.

Last note, I did enjoy reading this cookbook and there were so many more fun tips and trick that I would love to share with you lovely readers in another post sometime soon. So stay tuned for some more helpful tips from Miss Betty Crocker.

FURTHER READING:

Liz

Tag: Betty Crocker