There’s something undeniably sweet about Grandma’s love for the classics—recipes she’s made for decades, often with a side of nostalgia. But let’s be honest: not every traditional dish has aged well. Some of these meals are more about memories than actual flavor, and we’ve been politely pretending to enjoy them for far too long. It might be time to retire a few of these old favorites and make room for something a little more modern. Sorry, Grandma—but we just can’t keep faking it anymore.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer's personal beliefs.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are pungent, mushy, and have a taste that we just can’t stomach. They are in season in the winter, which is probably why they end up on everyone's holiday table. But you may have noticed that the big tray of Brussels sprouts is still full at the end of every meal. Don’t waste your time making Brussels sprouts for any holiday or dinner. No one will miss them!
Jello Mold
Jello molds used to be fancy several decades ago, but we have all moved on from this gross creation. So, we don’t know why they still turn up at every family event. Tell your grandma that you love her but please leave the Jello Mold at home this year. It is just weird, and nobody wants to eat it.
Candied Yams
Candied yams may sound yummy, but they are actually bland, gooey, and a side dish that everyone skips. Try making homemade sweet potatoes or just a different side dish altogether. There are so many better options out there for you to try! Candied yams simply belong in the trash.
Green Bean Casserole
Nobody wants soggy mushroom-flavored green beans. So why do we all keep making green bean casserole? This is a food that everyone secretly hates but we all feel compelled to make it anyway. We are telling you now- it is okay to NOT make green bean casserole ever again. Get your veggie side dishes in another way.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is another grandma's classic. We aren’t quite sure if Grandma thinks we should serve this dish as a dessert or with the main course. We actually just don’t want to serve it at all. Marshmallows and canned oranges covered in yogurt are just strange and not appropriate for any meal.
Canned Cranberry Sauce
Slipping cranberry sauce out of a can and saying you cooked is just wrong. It is especially weird when people leave the cranberry sauce in the shape of the can. You don’t even have the energy to squish it up and make it look homemade? You might as well just skip the cranberry sauce altogether.
Turkey
This is a controversial topic, but the truth is that most people hate turkey. Turkey is a very dry, flavorless meat, and many people don’t cook it correctly, which means it tastes even worse. While we probably can’t skip the turkey at Thanksgiving, we can try to avoid it the rest of the year!
Stuffing
Stuffing used to be put inside a turkey as a way to keep it moist as it cooked and added flavor. Now, people just make trays of dry bread stuffing that nobody really enjoys. Let’s all agree to do away with the stuffing and just eat regular rolls and bread instead.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Not only are stuffed mushrooms hard to make, but they are also gross. Mushrooms by themselves are pretty bad, but fill them with dry breadcrumbs, and they are even worse. If you plan on serving this appetizer, expect people to complain.
Green Salad
Okay. Who said we needed to eat salad for every meal? Nobody wants that green salad so stop making it! We want to eat the butter-filled mashed potatoes, not the healthy greens. Let us eat our unhealthy foods without taunting us with a boring salad!
Pearl Onions
Nobody wants to eat whole onions. Pearl onions are an awful side dish, especially when they come right out of a can. If you see a plate of onions on your grandma's table this year, you should just pick it up and throw it straight in the garbage. Everyone will be happy that you did! Sorry, grandma.
Tuna Casserole
Why do grandmas love to serve tuna casserole? It is such an awful dish! There is something very gross about warm tuna fish and mayonnaise, and we are really not sure why people keep making this casserole. There are so many better ways to use tuna. We hope to never see a tuna casserole again.
Creamed Corn
Why do all grandmas insist on over cooking corn? Creamed corn may be one of the worst side dishes of all time. It is overly sweet, way too mushy and a food that no one wants to eat. Classic corn on the cob is just fine! Why ruin a good thing?
Mashed Cauliflower
Cauliflower has an awful taste. It is smelly, tangy, and not nearly as good as regular mashed potatoes. Don’t make mashed cauliflower and pretend that it is better than mashed potatoes. Yes, it may be healthier, but still...
Fruit Cake
No one likes sticky, dense, overly sweet fruit cake. We know that it has been a traditional cake for centuries, but we think it is time for this tradition to go away. There are so many more delicious desserts that we love, so why are we still making awful fruit cakes? Let's all stop!
This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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