10 Vintage Jell-O Flavors You Won’t Believe Existed

There’s no denying that Jell-O has a permanent place in the home cooking Hall of Fame. Each box of flavored instant gelatin has the ability to transform fruit, vegetables and even whipped topping into kaleidoscope salads. This Simple Lime Gelatin Salad is proof! But it hasn’t always been made in flavors like cherry, strawberry and lime. The unusual flavors of vintage Jell-O gave cooks the ability to make all sorts of on-trend gelatin salads.

Can you believe Jell-O has been on the shelf for more than 120 years? Find the other vintage foods have been around longer than you think!

Why ’50s Cooks Loved Jell-O

In the 1950s, most Americans were embracing innovative convenience foods, and Jell-O was heavily marketed to homemakers as the most versatile ingredient in kitchen. You could use Jell-O to make food more flavorful! Your leftovers could be used up! For the diet-conscious, Jell-O was low in calories! Plus, foods suspended or coated in Jell-O stayed fresher longer—and that includes vegetables, meats and even sandwiches.

Jell-O molds and salads gained popularity. The creativity of home cooks was on display in visually dazzling creations, perfect for parties, potlucks and church suppers.

Here’s what you can make with Jell-O, even today.

Yes, Cooks Even Loved Savory Jell-O Salads

Jell-O was always a natural pairing for desserts, with flavors like lemon, lime and cherry working beautifully in recipes made with fresh fruit, marshmallows and whipped cream. But mid-century, savory Jell-O recipes were also very popular! Molded salads using veggies (like in this asparagus salad), hard-cooked eggs (here’s one) and meats were en vogue for social events like luncheons, bridge games and cocktail hours.

See 11 more fun things you didn’t know about Jell-O.

They Made What Flavors?

Not surprisingly the creators of Jell-O have introduced—and subsequently discontinued—dozens of flavors over the decades, hoping to keep the Jell-O craze alive. Here are some of the most surprising savory Jell-O flavors that have come and gone:

• Celery
• Italian Salad
• Mixed Vegetable
• Seasoned Tomato

Not every sweet flavor makes the cut, either:

• Bubble Gum
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Cola
• Cotton Candy
• Orange-Pineapple
• Maple Syrup
• Sparkling Mandarin Orange

By the ’80s, the popularity of Jell-O dwindled, especially for savory recipes. The company refocused on sweets and snacks, especially products geared towards kids. (Have you heard about Jell-O’s edible slime?) Fortunately, you can still find a lot of Jell-O creativity out there! What will we see next?

The Jell-O Recipes That Will Amaze Your Guests

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7-Layer Gelatin Salad

Here's an eye-catching salad that my mother makes for Christmas dinner each year. You can choose different flavors to make other color combinations for specific holidays or other gatherings. —Jan Hemness, Stockton, Missouri

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Pretzel Jello Dessert

This is one of my mother's absolute favorite desserts. The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling. —Erin Frakes, Moline, Illinois

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Cherry Chiffon Gelatin

I've made this recipe so often, I can hardly read the card any longer. It's a beautiful salad or dessert, but beware. Once you've made this, they'll ask for it again and again! —Michelle Smith, Sykesville, Maryland

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Sweet & Tart Lemon Jell-O

With its sunny lemon color, this gelatin mold brightens up any table. I usually make two molds for parties because it disappears so quickly. —Patricia Ryzow, Thousand Oaks, California

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Stained Glass Gelatin

Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Rainbow Gelatin Cubes

These perky gelatin cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion - pink and blue for a baby shower, school colors for a graduation party, etc. Kids of all ages snap them up. -Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut

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Simple Lime Gelatin Salad

Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

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Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad

Salty pretzels pair nicely with sweet oranges in this refreshing layered salad. It’s a family favorite that's a slam dunk at Thanksgiving and fall potlucks. —Peggy Boyd, Northport, Alabama

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Cranberry-Eggnog Gelatin Salad

Refreshing and bursting with flavor, this festive salad is a great choice for a holiday potluck. The sweet pineapple-eggnog layer contrasts nicely with the cool and tangy gelatin on top. Since it has to chill overnight, it’s a good pick for those dishes you want to prepare a day ahead. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

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Layered Christmas Gelatin

Christmastime always means that this recipe comes out of my recipe box. The traditional holiday colors in this salad make the buffet table look so pretty. —Diane Schefelker, Ireton, Iowa

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Jellied Champagne Dessert

This refreshing dessert looks just like a glass of bubbling champagne.—Vickie McLaughlin, Kingsport, Tennessee

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Peach Bavarian

Fruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey

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Patriotic Gelatin Salad

Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a "bang" at our July Fourth meal. It's exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Lemonade Cheesecake Parfaits

My friends like the tartness of the pink lemonade layer against the sweetness of the cheesecake layer. For a pretty look, I top the parfaits with crushed pomegranate seeds and lemon zest. —Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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Snowy Raspberry Gelatin Mold

This mold is always on our holiday table. The raspberry layer makes an eye-catching base for the creamy cream cheese layer. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Swedish Creme

This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota

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Creamy Blueberry Gelatin Salad

Plump blueberries and a fluffy topping star in this pretty, refreshing salad. My mom's blueberry salad was served at every holiday and celebration. Now my grandchildren look forward to sampling it at holidays. —Sharon Hoefert, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Cherry Gelatin Supreme

When I was growing up, this yummy, easy-to-make dessert was always on the menu at holiday get-togethers. Years ago, my aunt gave me the recipe, and now when I make it for my family, I think of her. —Janice Rathgeb, Brighton, Illinois

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Swedish Rice Ring

This recipe, which originated in Sweden, is famous at church suppers with our Minnesota neighbors. It's a delicious addition at family gatherings and parties, too. I usually make a double batch because it's so good! —Lori Jeane Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota

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Orange Fluff Salad

My sister gave me this fluffy salad recipe that whips up in a jiffy. Unlike many gelatin recipes, there's no need to have the salad set for hours, so it's great for unexpected company. —Stacey Meyer, Merced, California

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Chocolate Bavarian with Strawberry Cream

Strawberries are my favorite fruit, so I'm always looking for new ways to use them. This elegant, fancy-looking dessert is an easy way to impress guests.—Rachel Fankell, Grayson, Kentucky

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Apricot Salad

Colorful gelatin salad adds a spot of brightness to any table. It blends well with this holiday feast. We children didn't know if it should be a salad or dessert, with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.—Fae Fisher, Callao, Virginia

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Red-White-and-Blue Berry Delight

Loaded with fresh strawberries and blueberries, this luscious JELL-O is perfect for any Fourth of July celebration! —Constance Fennell, Grand Junction, Michigan

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Cool Cucumber Salad

This Salad is a refreshing complement to any meal, and it's attractive on the table. Whenever I'm asked to bring a dish to a potluck dinner, I prepare this salad. I often make it for friends and neighbors, too. It's always much appreciated. —Elisabeth Garrison, Elmer, New Jersey

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Spiced Orange Gelatin Salad

This lovely molded salad looks and tastes festive. Its orange and cinnamon flavor combination will make it a popular side dish for most any entrée.—Jennifer Kauffman Figueroa, Greenville, South Carolina

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