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A nostalgic look at some discontinued frozen foods that once graced our freezers and lonely Friday nights in our apartments.
Swanson Turkey TV Dinners were introduced in 1953 as a solution to a massive turkey surplus. These were revolutionary in the freezer era, being one of the first meals you could buy that was pre-packaged, stored in a freezer, and ready to eat by tossing it in the microwave.
These iconic frozen meals were uber successful in the beginning, but the dinners were eventually discontinued due to intense competition on the frozen aisle and the emergence of fast food drive-thrus.
Before Eggo Waffles, we had the Downyflake Care Bear Waffles.
This was a frozen food breakfast item that kids loved in the mid-1980s.
You might remember them for their colorful packaging with the beloved Care Bears characters.
The frozen waffles didn’t last long, only enduring from 1985 to 1986.
Trader Joe’s Arugula Pizza was a cult frozen pizza hit.
The pizza had a unique combination of Italian-imported ingredients, including mozzarella, arugula, and cherry tomatoes. Many people loved it for its blend of gourmet cheeses and authentic taste.
It was trendy among vegetarians.
Sadly for those veggie bros, the pizza was discontinued in January 2022 due to supply chain issues.
Betty Crocker Mug-O-Lunch was an innovative frozen food developed in 1976.
The food line consisted of pasta dishes in a mug designed for quick preparation with just hot water.
It had a good run but was eventually discontinued as the mug broke in 1981.
Noodles Romanoff was a comfort food originating from Los Angeles Italian restaurants in the mid-20th century.
Looking to monetize the trend, Betty Crocker launched a frozen boxed version called Stouffer’s Noodles Romanoff.
It eventually failed and was put in the consumer food graveyard in the early 2000s.
Howard Johnson’s was a famous restaurant chain in the 1960s.
One of their most famous items was their shrimp croquettes. Looking to make money on the peak frozen food wave, they launched this popular appetizer as Howard Johnson’s Frozen Shrimp Croquettes.
The famous frozen food item lasted for many decades but was discontinued in the late 2000s due to the closure of manufacturing facilities.
Trader Joe’s Chile Relleno was a frozen version of the traditional Mexican dish.
It was a fan favorite and gained many loyal fans for its convenience and authentic flavors.
However, it was discontinued in late 2019.
Birdseye International Frozen Vegetables was founded by Clarence Birdseye in the early 1920s.
They were a pioneer in the food industry and developed a flash-freezing technology.
They became known for their frozen peas and fish fingers.
They lasted for almost a century but were shut down following an acquisition by Conagra Brands in 2018.
Chef Boyardee made a big splash in frozen pizzas in the late 1980s, looking to expand beyond canned food.
They struggled within the competitive frozen food landscape.
It eventually was discontinued due to its inability to compete.
And we have one more Trader Joe’s frozen food for you—the Frozen Truffle Mac & Cheese.
It was a beloved frozen meal that combined classic comfort food with the luxurious flavor of truffles. It is marketed to people seeking a gourmet twist on a familiar dish.
Despite its popularity, the product was eventually discontinued due to Trader Joe’s policy of rotating different foods and flavors.
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