A Blast from the Past: Exploring What People Ate in the 1960s

Are you curious about what people ate in the 1960s? This era was marked by significant cultural changes, including the rise of fast food chains and the popularity of convenience foods. Still, many families continued to cook and eat traditional meals at home.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the popular items on the dinner table and one of the most beloved meals of the 1960s.

Popular Items on the Dinner Table

The 1960s saw the emergence of frozen dinners, TV dinners, and fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King. However, many families still cooked meals from scratch and enjoyed traditional dishes such as pot roast, meatloaf, fried chicken, and spaghetti with meat sauce. Here are a few of the most popular ingredients of the era:

1. Canned goods: Canned soups, vegetables, and fruits were staples in many households, as they were cheap and easy to store. Popular canned goods of the time included Campbell’s tomato soup, Del Monte green beans, and Dole pineapple.
2. Jell-O: This gelatin-based dessert was a big hit in the 1960s. Many families enjoyed Jell-O salads, which were made by mixing Jell-O with canned fruit, marshmallows, and other ingredients.
3. Casseroles: Casseroles were an easy and convenient way to feed a family. Popular casseroles of the era included tuna casserole, green bean casserole, and chicken and rice casserole.

One Popular Meal: Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff was a popular dish in the 1960s, and it remains a classic today. This hearty meal is perfect for cold winter nights and is easy to make. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. beef sirloin, sliced into thin strips
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp. flour
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 lb. egg noodles

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, then remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
2. Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
3. Add the beef broth, flour, and paprika to the skillet, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add the sour cream to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the beef back to the skillet and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
5. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. Serve the beef stroganoff over the noodles.

The 1960s were a time of change in many areas, including the way we ate. While fast food and convenience foods gained popularity, many families still cooked traditional meals at home. Beef stroganoff was one of the most beloved dishes of the era and remains a classic today. Try making it at home to experience a blast from the past!