25 Vintage Picnic Recipes for Summer Gatherings

When I think back to summers in the 1970s, I can still picture the red-and-white checkered tablecloths, Tupperware bowls filled with salads, and coolers packed with lemonade and watermelon. A good old-fashioned picnic wasn’t just about food-it was about family, friends, and recipes passed down from grandma’s kitchen. From fried chicken wrapped in wax paper to Jell-O molds that wiggled in the sunshine, these were the dishes that made summer gatherings unforgettable.

This roundup of 25 vintage picnic recipes celebrates those timeless flavors and simple joys, bringing back the dishes that filled picnic baskets, potluck tables, and backyard barbecues for generations.

1

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe

A creamy cheddar spread with mayo and pimentos. A Southern specialty that took off nationwide in the 1960s, perfect with crackers or sandwiches.

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2

Easy Cherry Dump Cake with Cake Mix

A simple dessert made by “dumping” canned cherry pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter into a pan before baking into a bubbly, golden treat. This effortless cake took off in the 1960s–70s because it was budget-friendly, used pantry staples, and baked up beautifully for church socials, backyard picnics, and family reunions where quick crowd-pleasers were a must.

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3

Pistachio Fluff Salad

This retro “fluff salad” gained fame in the 1970s and quickly became a staple at church potlucks, holiday buffets, and backyard picnics because it was inexpensive, colorful, and always the first to disappear.

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4

Traditional Southern Fried Chicken

Crispy, golden-brown chicken seasoned and fried. A Southern staple that became the ultimate picnic icon by the 1950s–70s.

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5

Potato Salad

Tender potatoes mixed with mayo or mustard dressing, often with eggs and celery. A post-WWII picnic must-have that’s still beloved today.

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6

Classic Southern Deviled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs halved and stuffed with tangy yolk filling. Since the 1950s, these were always the first to disappear at gatherings.

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7

Classic Macaroni Salad

Elbow macaroni tossed with creamy dressing, celery, and onion. A thrifty 60s–70s side that traveled well in grandma’s trusty Tupperware.

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8

Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

Chopped ham mixed with mayo and relish, spread onto soft bread. A 1950s church luncheon and picnic favorite that used up leftovers.

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9

Old Fashioned American Style Coleslaw

Shredded cabbage tossed in creamy or vinegar-based dressing. A Depression-era favorite that became a crunchy picnic side.

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10

Bologna Sandwich

Soft white bread with bologna and mustard or mayo. A 1960s–70s lunchbox classic that fit right into picnic baskets.

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11

Cornbread Muffins

Moist, golden muffins with a hint of sweetness. A Southern side that became portable perfection for summer outings.

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12

Jello Mold with Fruit Salad

Colorful gelatin with fruit or marshmallows suspended inside. A mid-century picnic table centerpiece, especially in the 1950s–70s.

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13

Cucumber Sandwiches

Thin cucumber slices layered on buttered bread. Light and refreshing, these became a popular choice at 1960s picnics and luncheons.

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14

Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade

Fresh-squeezed lemons mixed with sugar and water, poured over ice. A timeless summer drink that filled pitchers at every 20th-century picnic.

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15

Old Fashioned Baked Beans

Beans simmered in sweet-savory sauce with bacon or molasses. A Midwest favorite that’s been a picnic staple since the early 1900s.

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16

Watermelon

Juicy wedges of chilled watermelon. A quintessential 1960s–70s picnic treat that cooled everyone down.

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17

Chicken Salad

Chopped chicken mixed with mayo, celery, and sometimes grapes or nuts. A 1950s staple for luncheons and picnics alike.

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18

Rice Krispies Treats

Cereal bars made with marshmallows and butter. Invented in the 1930s, but by the 70s, no picnic was complete without them.

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19

Easy Berry Angel Food Cake

Airy sponge cake topped with strawberries or blueberries. A light 1950s summer dessert perfect for hot days.

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20

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Caramelized pineapple rings baked with cherries in yellow cake, cut into bars. Born in the 1920s but still showing up at 70s picnics.

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21

Chocolate Brownies

Fudgy chocolate squares, sometimes with nuts. A bake sale and picnic staple since the early 20th century.

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22

Fruity Punch

A mix of fruit juice, ginger ale, and sometimes sherbet. A 60s–70s classic often ladled from big glass bowls at socials and gatherings.

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23

Old Fashioned Vinegar Slaw

Crisp cabbage dressed in tangy vinegar and sugar. A Depression-era salad that held up well outdoors in the summer heat.

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24

Classic Pasta Salad

Pasta tossed with vinaigrette, olives, peppers, and salami. Rose to fame in the 1960s–70s as a zesty, colorful side.

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25

Hot Dog

Grilled hot dogs topped with relish, mustard, or onions. A backyard favorite that defined 50s–70s summer gatherings.

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Wrap-Up

Picnics in grandma’s day were more than just meals-they were memories. Whether it was fried chicken carefully wrapped for the car ride, Jell-O salads jiggling in the heat, or a pitcher of fresh lemonade, these 25 vintage picnic recipes brought people together in the best way. Dust off the Tupperware, grab a checkered blanket, and relive those sunny summer moments with recipes straight from the past.

FAQs About Vintage Picnic Recipes

Why were vintage picnic recipes so simple?

They had to be portable, budget-friendly, and easy to make with pantry staples, especially in the 1950s–70s.

What was the most iconic vintage picnic food?

Fried chicken was king, often served alongside potato salad and deviled eggs.

What drinks were most popular at old-fashioned picnics?

Lemonade and fruit punch were staples, often served in pitchers or coolers.