A Red Spatula logo
menu icon
search icon
×

Retro Flavors with 28 Vintage Recipes to Rediscover

Published: by · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Step back in time with "Retro Flavors with 28 Timeless Recipes to Rediscover." From the comforting warmth of cobblers and crumbles to the sweet indulgence of pound cake and strawberry fluff, these vintage recipes are a delightful journey through culinary history. Whether you're craving the nostalgia of a 7-layer salad or the simplicity of a classic dessert, these cherished dishes are sure to bring a taste of the past to your kitchen.

Southern Peach and Blackberry Cobbler Recipe

Peach Blackberry Cobbler in a cast iron.
Image Credit: A Red Spatula.

This peach and blackberry southern cobbler is a cherished vintage recipe, combining juicy fruits with a buttery, golden crust that evokes memories of simpler times. Perfect for gatherings, its timeless flavors and comforting warmth make it a beloved dessert that has been passed down through generations. Get the recipe: Link text

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Buttermilk Biscuits on a white plate.
Image Credit: A Farmgirl's Kitchen.

These are the BEST homemade biscuits! Homemade buttermilk biscuits are the perfect addition to any breakfast or main meal. This biscuit recipe uses 6-ingredients and yields soft, flaky, layers of goodness that are ready in less than 30 minutes! Get the recipe: Link text

7-Layer Salad Recipe

7-layer salad in a glass bowl.
Image Credit: Neighbor Food.

This 7 Layer Salad is the ultimate picnic salad! It’s not often you find a make ahead salad, but this is the one! With seven layers of crunchy lettuce, veggies, cheese, and bacon and a classic creamy dressing, this layer salad keeps for days and is perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs. Get the recipe: Link text

Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe

Knorr Spinach Dip in a bread bowl.
Image Credit: Neighbor Food.

This vintage Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe is a cinch to throw together and a proven winner. We love serving this cool, creamy spinach dip in a bread bowl with lots of veggies and hunks of sourdough for dipping. This easy recipe will be an instant party favorite! Get the recipe: Link text

Grandma's Potato Salad Recipe

Potato salad in a blue bowl.
Image Credit: Homan At Home.

Grandma's potato salad is a classic vintage recipe, featuring tender potatoes and tangy pickles, all tossed in a creamy, flavorful dressing. This timeless dish brings a sense of nostalgia and comfort, making it a beloved addition to family gatherings and summer picnics. Get the recipe: Link text

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake

Eclair cake on a white plate.
Image Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

This easy, no-bake dessert that the whole family will love – the Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake! This crowd-pleasing recipe features layers of honey graham crackers, creamy vanilla Instant pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and luscious canned chocolate frosting.  Get the recipe Link text

Fruit Salad With Cool Whip Recipe

Fruit salad in a yellow bowl.
Image Credit: The Short Order Cook.

This old-fashioned Fruit Salad with Cool Whip is a delightful recipe that everyone loves. Fresh sweet & juicy fruit folded with creamy whipped topping is so easy that you will be making this all spring & summer. Get the recipe: Link text

American Goulash Recipe (One-Pot)

American goulash in a white bowl.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

American Goulash is an easy, one-pot, classic comfort food made with ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles. Enjoy year-round, and delicious leftover, this irresistible Goulash Recipe is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters! Get the recipe Link text

Old-Fashioned Watergate Salad Recipe

Watergate salad topped with cherries in a white bowl.
Image Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

Vintage Watergate Salad is a cool and creamy dessert salad that is a family favorite and always a hit! Loaded with pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans, this is a treat that everyone enjoys! Get the recipe: Link text

Classic Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe

Apple Blueberry crumble on a white plate.
Image Credit: A Red Spatula.

This apple and blueberry crumble recipe is full of fruit flavor and a sweet, buttery, crunchy topping. It is a classic dessert that brings the natural sweetness of apples and the juicy goodness of fresh blueberries together for a delicious fruit-filled treat. It takes less than 10 minutes of prep time to get this crowd-pleasing dessert ready for the oven! Get the recipe Link text

Retro Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Ambrosia salad in a glass dish.
Image Credit: I Heart Eating.

Ambrosia salad is a retro dessert recipe! This traditional ambrosia salad recipe takes just 7 ingredients and 5 minutes to make. Ambrosia salad is a classic recipe for a reason! This easy dessert salad is the perfect mix of colorful fruit in a light and creamy fluff base. Get the recipe: Link text

Simple Strawberry Jello Trifle Recipe

Strawberry jello trifle in a glass dish.
Image Credit: Jello Joy.

You’ll just need 5 affordable everyday ingredients to make this showstopping (and ridiculously easy) strawberry jello trifle! With colorful layers of strawberries (and optional blueberries), jello, pudding, whipped topping and cake, this delicious layered dessert is ideal to feed a crowd, perfect for the summer holidays and big family gatherings! Get the recipe: Link text

Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad

Carrot Jello Salad on a white plate.
Image Credit: Jello Joy.

A classic mid-century recipe, the carrot and pineapple jello salad remains a potluck favorite. Great as dessert or side dish, its crisp and refreshing flavors make it a perfect summer salad! Get the recipe: Link text

Old-Fashioned Green Pea Picnic Salad

Pea salad in a light blue bowl.
Image Credit: Mom Foodie.

Old-fashioned pea salad is a classic cookout side dish and the recipe is easy to make. Your bowl of delicious green pea salad will stand out on the picnic table among all the potato and pasta salads. Get the recipe: Link text

Snicker Apple Salad Recipe

Snicker apple salad in a glass bowl.
Image Credit: Mom Foodie.

Snickers salad doesn't just serve for dessert this versatile chocolate candy bar salad with Granny Smith apples also works as a sweet side dish too. It is perfect to bring as a potluck dish to a church event or other casual gathering. Get the recipe: Link text

Strawberry Fluff Salad Recipe

Strawberry Fluff salad in a white dish.
Image Credit: She's Not Cookin'.

This Strawberry Fluff Salad recipe is quick and easy to make with just 5 ingredients. You will love how the natural sweetness of the strawberries combine with the marshmallows and whipped topping to create a wonderful light refreshing dessert. Get the recipe: Link text

Grandma's Baked Rice With Mushrooms

Baked mushroom rice on a white plate.
Image Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

This tasty baked rice recipe has beef broth and mushrooms to make it the perfect savory side dish. It only takes a few minutes to put together and is hands off once it’s in the oven. So it is an easy and delicious addition to a dinner menu. Get the recipe: Link text

Nana's Lemon Bars Recipe

lemon bar on a white plate with a fork.
Image Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

Bright lemon curd filling over a simple shortbread crust, these lemon bars are sure to please. They are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or parties anytime you just need something sweet! Get the recipe: Link text

Instant Pot Salisbury Steak Recipe

Salisbury steak on a white plate.
Image Credit: Norine's Nest.

Thick seasoned ground beef steak patties with a savory mushroom, garlic, and onion brown gravy served over mashed potatoes. It’s quick, easy, and a dish your family will L.O.V.E. Get the recipe: Link text

Retro Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Tuna pasta salad in a brown bowl.
Image Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

From the flavorful dressing to the mix of tender pasta and crunchy veggies, there’s bound to be someone who loves everything about what makes a tuna and pasta salad so delicious. Get the recipe: Link text

German Potato Salad Recipe

German potato salad in a white bowl.
Image Credit: The Peasant's Daughter.

A favorite side dish is a classic German potato salad with contrasting savory and fresh flavors. This traditional and authentic recipe will help you make the best version possible. It needs only a few ingredients. Get the recipe: Link text

Classic Waldorf Salad Recipe

Waldorf salad in a white bowl.
Image Credit: JCP Eats.

This classic Waldorf salad is a vintage delight, blending crisp apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy walnuts in a creamy, tangy dressing. A timeless recipe from the past, it brings an elegant touch of nostalgia to any meal, evoking the charm of bygone eras. To learn more: Link text

Vintage Ribbon Salad Recipe

ribbon salad on a white plate.
Image Credit: Ann's Entitled Life.

This Jello Ribbon Salad will take you back a few years with its colorful layers of fun. Layers of sour cream and six flavors of jello make up this old fashioned, and classic, salad. A great side dish or dessert for barbecues or any type of get together. Get the recipe: Link text

Old-Fashioned Sweet Glorified Rice Recipe

Glorified rice in a white bowl topped with cherries.
Image Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

A delicious, retro, and super easy dessert, this Glorified Rice recipe is a blast from the past! This sweet and creamy rice salad is packed with tangy fruit and plenty of mini marshmallows. Get the recipe: Link text

Retro Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

slice of chocolate mayo cake on a white plate.
Image Credit: Sunny Little Kitchen.

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is the easiest, most moist, and flavorful chocolate cake to make! Thanks to depression-era baking creativity, it’s made without the need for fresh eggs, milk, or butter! Get the recipe: Link text

Simple Cornbread Muffins Recipe

Stack of cornbread muffins in a gray dish.
Image Credit: Vintage Kitchen.

Traditional cornbread muffins with a hint of sweetness from the honey. They are easy to mix and ready in 30 minutes. Whether you eat them warm with a dollop of butter, or freeze them for later, they're the perfect side dish for chili, stew, soup. Get the recipe: Link text

Vintage Dump Cake Recipe

Dump cake in a white bowl with a spoon.
Image Credit: Vintage Kitchen.

Also known as a cobbler with cake mix or cobbler dump cake, this effortless fruit dessert is the classic, original dump cake recipe with a layer of canned pie filling and a biscuit topping. It's delicious, crowd-pleasing, freezes well, and you can mix and match different fillings with cake mix flavors. Get the recipe: Link text

Authentic Pound Cake Recipe

Pound cake on a white plate surrounded with fresh fruit.
Image Credit: A Farmgirl's Kitchen.

Southern pound cake is dense, yet soft, buttery, full of incredible flavor and just like grandma’s recipe. This pound cake recipe uses basic pantry ingredients, the perfect easy to make dessert and ready in about an hour! Get the recipe: Link text

«
»

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know!

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Carlee says

    I love classic recipes like these. There are a few on the list that I can't wait to try!

    Reply

    • Amy Sandidge says

      I love them too!

      Reply