6 Vintage Thanksgiving Side Dishes No One Makes Anymore

Thanksgiving time is indeed special. Family members gather from near and far. Classic dishes fill the table. We enjoy eating cherished recipes. Memories are made around the meal. It brings people happy feelings.

As the celebration starts, food is the centerpiece. These traditional dishes define the feast. Each dish tells some kind of story. Generations pass down these favorite dishes. It’s a time for sharing kindness. We find comfort in familiar tastes.

This article looks at holiday foods. We explore six popular items. These are often found at the dinner. Learn about these Thanksgiving classics. Get insights into their charm. Discover why people still make them now.

1. **Cranberry-Mayo-Jell-O Candle Salad**: There’s truly nothing that pairs more “uniquely” with the tangy, invigorating zing of cranberry sauce than a concoction of gelatin blended with salt-laden, sulfurous mayonnaise. This peculiar recipe doesn’t stop there; it instructs you to shape this curious mixture into cylindrical forms, adorn each one with a generous dollop of authentic mayonnaise, and then proceed to insert an actual candle right into the middle.

Light it up, and voila! You’re left with a creation that suggests dining around the slowly melting wax, though one can’t help but wonder—could the dripping wax possibly double as an unconventional seasoning?

2. **Classic Herb Stuffing/Dressing**: This side dish uses dried bread cubes. It is mixed with herbs and broth. Onions and celery are also common ingredients. Some cook it inside the turkey. Others bake it separately. It’s called dressing outside the bird.

Making stuffing allows for variations. You can add sausage or apples. You can use different kinds of bread. The herbs like sage are important. Its flavor is savory and comforting. It soaks up gravy just right.

It’s perhaps the most essential side dish. Many feel that the meal isn’t complete without it. Its texture is soft inside the bird. Baking it separately makes it crispier. It’s a dish loved by all. The smell fills the kitchen wonderfully.

3. **Hot Dr Pepper**: Back in 1968, Dr Pepper rolled out an unconventional suggestion in its advertisement: serving the soda “piping hot” and garnished with lemon slices. This offbeat beverage choice was certainly a “novelty” to treat Thanksgiving guests to.

According to Serious Eats, Dr Pepper crafted this warm soda creation during the 1960s with a strategic aim—to bolster profits during the holiday season when sales of chilled sodas typically took a nosedive. The drink became a sensational hit, particularly in the Southern United States, though its popularity has since dwindled over the years.

4. **Tomato Aspic**: It sounds strange for a Thanksgiving meal to people today. But this savory gelatin dish was once seen as highly fancy. It was made by mixing tomato juice, gelatin, and seasonings together. This wobbly creation often included chopped vegetables inside. Sometimes it even had tiny shrimp added as well. Serving it cold provided a tangy contrast to warm dishes.

Preparation took some effort; timing was important for the gelatin to set correctly. Its odd texture and appearance weren’t loved by many guests. Younger family members particularly disliked how it looked. As a result, Tomato Aspic slowly vanished from the dinner table. Simpler, more popular salads took its place instead.

It probably won’t be widely a main favorite again. But Tomato Aspic might suit adventurous eaters today. They could add a cool retro touch to their holiday spread. Using heirloom tomatoes or new seasonings changes it. It can easily move from an old oddity to a fun conversation starter.

5. **Cabbage Rolls**: They often showed up at Thanksgiving dinner in homes. This was especially true for families with Eastern European backgrounds or heritage. Tender parcels were stuffed with a mixture of meat, rice, and spices. Simmered in tomato sauce, they made a hearty, satisfying dish. They paired nicely with other Thanksgiving staples that people like.

Over time, Cabbage Rolls lost favor with many families. This probably was because they took much time preparing. More modern side dishes became popular options quickly. Younger people, not knowing the dish, liked it less usually. Compared to newer choices, it just wasn’t appealing.

However, Cabbage Rolls are really ready for people to make them again. Global foods gaining popularity helps bring old dishes back. People are interested in traditional recipes more now. This dish could easily be on the table again. Think of modern versions with lentils for a new twist.

6. **Creamed Corn**: An advertisement featured in the 1948 edition of the Ladies Home Journal extolled the virtues of canned creamed corn, urging readers to “give it a go — it’s velvety, rich, and packed with tender, succulent kernels that elevate any meal to a delightful dining experience.”

However, over the past several decades, there’s been a noticeable shift in consumer preferences, with fresh food taking center stage over canned goods. Consequently, canned creamed corn, once a staple on many dinner tables, has seen a decline in popularity.

Thinking about these vintage Thanksgiving side dishes is interesting. Each one holds a unique past and food history inside. Many have fallen out of favor today unfortunately. But they show us creative ways past families celebrated holidays. Maybe we should bring some forgotten classics back to dinner. We can blend old traditions with new tastes easily. Thanksgiving means honoring history and sharing memories. Creating delicious new ones is part of it all.

Related posts:
7 Vintage Candy Bars No One Remembers Anymore
A Woman Thinks She Might Be The A**Hole After Telling Her Sister Not To Bring “Experimental” Food To Thanksgiving