They say everything eventually comes back into style, and we can think of more than a few retro recipes that deserve a comeback (and perhaps a few that don’t—sorry jellied meat molds). We’re talking about some of Mom’s and Grandma’s most requested dishes, like grasshopper bars, bean salad and sloppy Joes. Find some of our favorite recipes—all with a few modern twists—HERE.
Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
This addictive finger food is a mash-up of two of our favorite Southern classics: Deviled Eggs and Pimento Cheese! For perfectly shaped egg whites, use slightly older eggs – they’re easier to peel. While the eggs are boiling, give them a gentle stir once or twice so that the egg whites distribute in the shell and are shaped evenly when cooked.
Three Bean Salad
Tart, tangy, and the perfect side to cut through the richness of a juicy burger or steak, three-bean salad has been a classic cookout staple for decades. This variation adds a fourth bean into the mix and dresses it all in a light, pantry staple vinaigrette.
DIY Corn Dogs
Win summer—with kids and grownups alike—with these super-simple mini corn dogs. The batter comes together with a few easy ingredients—just dip in your dogs and fry until golden brown.
Sloppy Joes
Move over Manwich—once you’ve made these homemade sloppy Joes you’ll never crack open the canned stuff again. Plus, once it’s cooked you can freeze it for an easy, wholesome dinner on the fly.
Cheesy Spoon Bread
There are so many reasons spoon bread makes such a great cookout contribution—it’s beloved by everyone, you can make it in advance, and it’s underrated just enough that you’ll know yours will be the only one on the table.
Layered Picnic Salad with Yogurt Ranch Dressing
There is always a place in our hearts for the old school bacon-and-iceberg lettuce layered salads of our childhood, but these days we’re loving this healthier, more colorful, modern version. Standing in for the heavy mayo dressing is a light – but equally creamy and flavorful – yogurt ranch dressing. For vegetables, I use super-crunchy, sturdy vegetables like broccoli, radish and shredded cabbage that stand up to the dressing over time.
Grasshopper Brownies
The retro dessert to win all retro desserts, these minty grasshopper bars combine a fudgy layer of brownie, a crème de menthe-spiked buttercream middle and a deep, dark chocolate ganache on top. Basically, mint brownie perfection. Grandma would be so proud.
Sparkling Fruit Jell-O Mold
Jell-o gets a very elegant upgrade in this fruit-studded dessert from The Kitchn. Sparkling wine adds festive bubbles while floral elderflower liqueur adds a subtle honeysuckle scent. For the best results, let your gelatin seize up slightly before adding the fruit. This will guarantee that the fruit is suspended in the mold versus sinking to the bottom.
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