16 Strange Frozen Foods from the ’70s and ’80s That Didn’t Survive
Here's a retro roundup of frozen meals and snacks from the ’70s and ’80s that faded into culinary obscurity.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The frozen food aisle in the ’70s and ’80s was full of bold experiments and weird creations. From frozen salads to TV dinners with unexpected ingredients, these oddball meals were once part of dinner tables nationwide. Most disappeared quietly, leaving behind nothing but head-scratching memories.
1. Libbyland Dinners
Jamie on Flickr
Marketed to kids, these colorful meals came with playful names like “Pirate Picnic” and “Sundown Supper.” Each tray included basic proteins, a dessert, and a powdered drink mix.
2. Morton Twinkie Supper
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, this was a TV dinner featuring a fried chicken leg, corn, mashed potatoes, and a Hostess Twinkie. The idea was to combine convenience with dessert in one tray.
3. Swanson International Dinners
Thomas Hawk on Flickr
These frozen meals tried to introduce Americans to “global” cuisine like Swedish meatballs or “Chinese” pepper steak. The execution was bland, and the authenticity was questionable.
4. TV Brand Mexican Combo Dinners
Sergio Arreola
Offered as a frozen taste of the Southwest, these included enchiladas, tamales, and refried beans. However, the rubbery textures and muted spices didn’t win fans.
5. Lender’s Frozen Bagels with Pizza Toppings
Pixabay on Pexels
A mashup of breakfast and dinner, these topped bagels were intended as a quick fix for snack cravings. However, the crust became too tough, and the cheese rarely melted right.
6. Weight Watchers Frozen Fish Mousse
Annie on Flickr
Designed for dieters, this odd gelatinous fish dish was light on calories and taste. It baffled people more than satisfied, and it’s no surprise it never became a staple.
7. Banquet Macaroni and Cheese with Hot Dogs
Amy Jane Mitchell on Flickr
A childhood favorite turned freezer fail, this combo never cooked evenly. Either the pasta dried out or the hot dogs turned rubbery.
8. TV Brand Salisbury Steak with Apple Cobbler
Dana Moos on Flickr
This attempt to balance savory and sweet fell flat with its overly sugary dessert and mystery meat texture. The apple cobbler often bled into the gravy section.
9. Minute Maid Frozen Orange Burgers
Jamie on Flickr
Not actual burgers, but sweet patties meant to be eaten cold or microwaved. They were a strange cross between dessert and main course.
10. Swanson Breakfast TV Dinners
SenseiAlan on Flickr
These frozen breakfasts, complete with pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs, were a weekend novelty. Unfortunately, the eggs turned rubbery, and the syrup always ended up in the sausage.
11. Kid Cuisine’s Pepperoni Pasta Wheels
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
A spin on pizza and pasta in one frozen dish, it tried to appeal to picky eaters. The texture was gummy, and the flavor was underwhelming.
12. Jeno’s Pizza Rolls with Cheeseburger Filling
Jonas Horsch on Pexels
This variation on the classic pizza roll went in a bizarre direction. The beef and pickles combo didn’t quite hit the mark.
13. Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza with Broccoli
Jonathan Lidbeck on Flickr
Trying to be trendy and healthy, this combo of cheese, sauce, and broccoli on bread never quite worked. The broccoli got soggy, ruining the texture.
14. Morton Chicken Chow Mein
Biswarup Ganguly on Wikimedia Commons
A far cry from actual Chinese takeout, this watery dish included limp veggies and bland sauce. Even by frozen standards, it was uninspired.
15. Sara Lee Frozen Cheeseburger Cake
Mike Mozart on Flickr
A dessert styled like a cheeseburger — with layers of chocolate, yellow cake, and red icing “ketchup.” It was more novelty than tasty.
16. Hungry-Man Roast Beef with Chocolate Pudding
Mike Mozart on Flickr
The idea was a hearty meal for a hearty appetite, but this combo missed the mark. The meat was tough, and the pudding often scorched during heating.