Cooking in the summer is exciting. There are all kinds of fresh, local produce to take advantage ofl cookouts and parties are in full swing; and grilling poolside is back on the menu. People have been honing summer eating habits for generations, and the way grandma and grandpa celebrated the season is worthy of a comeback. Here are all kinds of vintage recipes
1. Tomato Pie
When you have baskets overflowing with garden tomatoes and you’re sick of BLTs, tomato pie is a great way to use them up. It’s savory, not sweet, and flavored with bacon, basil, and sharp cheddar.
Recipe: Southern Living
2. Egg Salad Sandwiches
We love a salad sandwich. Egg salad is a classic, and it’s great for a light summer dinner when the only heat needed is for boiling some eggs.
Recipe: Tastes Better From Scratch
3. Strawberry Shortcake
Buttermilk makes these biscuits tender and flavorful bases for loads of fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Make sure you mix the strawberries with the sugar at least a half hour before you want to eat so they get nice and syrupy.
Recipe: Taste of Home
4. Pickled Shrimp
Pickled shrimp are a Southern specialty that’s like a shrimp cocktail only way more flavorful. Cooked shrimp are marinated with dill, lemon, garlic, and Cajun seasoning for at least a day for the best flavor.
Recipe: The Spruce Eats
5. Banana Split Ice Cream Pie
This ice cream pie has all the flavors of a banana split: strawberries, pineapple, chocolate, and cherries, of course. Keep it in the freezer ready for company or to indulge in a slice once in a while.
Recipe: Allrecipes
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6. Wedge Salad
We love a good throwback steakhouse recipe, including this wedge salad. Bacon, cherry tomatoes, and onions all get covered with homemade blue cheese dressing.
Recipe: Tastes Better From Scratch
7. Refrigerator Pickles
You don’t have to sterilize or boil anything if you’re making refrigerator pickles; you just need to keep them chilled. Fresh dill, coriander, and garlic are traditional flavorings, but you can try anything that strikes your fancy.
Recipe: Once Upon a Chef
8. Macaroni Salad
Good old macaroni salad might seem boring to a lot of people, but it’s a staple at summer cookouts for a reason. This recipe has plenty of yellow mustard and chopped bell pepper, both of which are necessary, if you ask us.
Recipe: Allrecipes
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9. Succotash
Succotash is a Southern classic that makes great use of summer produce, including corn, peppers, tomatoes, and okra, in this case. Bacon and tomato sauce give this version a rich undertone.
Recipe: Grandbaby Cakes
10. Banana Pudding
Most banana pudding recipes are use shortcuts like instant pudding mix, but not this one. This is the homemade pudding and meringue topping version that will blow everyone’s socks off.
Recipe: Brown Eyed Baker
11. Icebox Cake
No-bake cakes are summer staples, and this retro recipe is one of the easiest. Just layer chocolate wafers with whipped cream, then pop it in the fridge or freezer until it’s soft.
Recipe: Smitten Kitchen
12. Boston Baked Beans
What goes better with grilled hot dogs and picnic food than baked beans? Bacon and molasses flavor these for a rich, deep, and flavor and color.
Recipe: Brown Eyed Baker
13. Green Goddess Dressing
Green goddess dressing was all the rage in he 1970s, but it’s a shame that it’s mostly disappeared since then. Throw this tangy herb-filled dressing on a veggie tray or your salad.
Recipe: Love & Lemons
14. Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomatoes
For some reason, you only find tuna salad-stuffed tomatoes in diners nowadays, but they’re a fantastic way to use up summer garden tomatoes.
Recipe: Ovenspiration
15. Three Bean Salad
Three bean salad used to be everywhere. Bring it back with this updated version full of tart apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and fresh parsley.
Recipe: Budget Bytes
16. Zucchini Bread
Move over banana bread, because zucchini bread deserves a spot on your breakfast table too. The abundant squash adds lots of moisture to the bread, while cinnamon makes it smell amazing as it bakes.
Recipe: Spend With Pennies
17. Seven Layer Salad
Bring the 1970s back to your pool parties with this potluck classic. The seven layers are traditionally iceberg lettuce, peas, onion, celery, hard boiled eggs, cheese, and bacon, but you can switch some out for whatever you prefer.
Recipe: Julie’s Eats & Treats
18. Pasta Primavera
Though it’s thought of as a spring dish, primavera is great all summer. Use whatever fresh veggies you have in your garden or you can find at the farmers market, like those adorable patty pan squash.
Recipe: Two Peas and Their Pod
19. Creamy Cucumber Salad
It seems like every grandmother made this super easy salad all summer long. It’s just cukes and onions in a simple sour cream dressing with dill, but everyone loves it.
Recipe: Budget Bytes
20. Blackberry Slump
Slumps are like cobblers, but they’re made on the stove so there’s no heating of the oven required. The batter cooks like a dumpling in the fruit’s juices, making for a delectable dish.
Recipe: Simply Recipes
21. Gazpacho
Though it’s gotten a bad rap over the years, gazpacho is one of summer’s greatest dishes. It relies on the freshness of the vegetables, so only farm fresh will do. Don’t omit the sherry vinegar because it’s essential to the final dish.
Recipe: Gimme Some Oven
22. German Potato Salad
German potato salad has no mayonnaise, so it’s great for outdoor parties. The vinaigrette dressing is made with bacon, onions, and mustard, and is great alongside grilled bratwursts. It can be served at any temperature, including hot.
Recipe: House of Nash Eats
23. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Rhubarb is an underutilized summer ingredient, and it especially shines in in a pie with strawberries. Though the recipe calls for a homemade crust, you could easily used store-bought to save time.
Recipe: Sally’s Baking Recipes
24. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetable platters feel very ’90s, but they should never have gone away. They’re absolutely delicious, healthy, and easy to make and serve. These veggies are coated in a balsamic dressing filled with garlic and herbs.
Recipe: Food Network
25. Fried Peach Pies
Old fashioned hand pies are often deep fried for the ultimate indulgence. Try it yourself this summer with this Southern classic filled with peaches.
Recipe: Spicy Southern Kitchen
