The 8 Most Important Food Inventions In The '70s

The 1970s were marked by an explosion of convenience foods, from boxed dinner mixes and ready-to-eat snacks to tempting frozen desserts. This was a time when food manufacturers were looking for ways to make cooking easier and treats more exciting. Over the course of the decade, countless new products hit grocery store shelves, and while some are now nothing more than a distant memory, others are still going strong today.

Many of the foods released in the '70s made a lasting impression on American food culture. In fact, plenty of modern-day staples were born out of this era. On the fast food scene, the decade also saw the introduction of many iconic menu items, as chains rapidly expanded their offerings and adapted to changing tastes.

Today, we're celebrating eight foodie inventions that have truly stood the test of time. These fuss-free favorites continue to deliver the comfort and convenience that helped them rise to fame, along with a good dose of nostalgia. While some of the products listed were technically in development before the '70s, this was the decade that saw them officially hit the market; hence, this was the start of their journey to becoming beloved household names.

Amidst rising beef prices in the early '70s, a new product arrived with a clever solution. Hamburger Helper was launched by General Mills in 1971, and this nifty boxed dinner mix helped families stretch a pound of ground beef into a hearty meal for five people. Better still, it could be cooked in one pan, so the prep was wonderfully simple too.

The original Hamburger Helper lineup featured five flavor options, including Beef Noodle, Potato Stroganoff, and Chili Tomato, and the concept proved to be an instant hit. In 1977, the brand introduced its now-famous mascot, a smiling white-gloved hand later named Lefty, and over the decades, the range continued to expand. Spin-offs such as Tuna Helper and Chicken Helper gave shoppers even more choice, and the brand (now simply called "Helper") continues to hold its own in the boxed dinner market.

Today, there is a wide range of Hamburger Helper flavors available in most large grocery stores. Each box comes with dried pasta and a powdered sauce mix, which are combined with the browned ground beef or other protein, along with a splash of water and milk, before everything is simmered to perfection. This retro favorite has maintained a steady fan base since its launch over 50 years ago, but it's had something of a resurgence in recent years, likely due to increased demand for quick and affordable home-cooked meals.

A true icon of the McDonald's breakfast menu, the Egg McMuffin has been around for over half a century. Before the sandwich hit the menu in 1975, the chain was primarily known for its burgers and fries. However, that all changed when McDonald's franchisee Herb Peterson set out to create a portable breakfast inspired by eggs Benedict. The traditional Hollandaise sauce proved tricky to incorporate, so he settled instead for a combination of egg, cheese, and Canadian bacon, all served on a toasted English muffin.

The success of this satisfying sandwich helped pave the way for the chain's first U.S. breakfast menu (introduced in 1977), which included hotcakes, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. While the menu has shifted over time, Egg McMuffins have remained a core offering, and today, these protein-packed sandwiches are available in various formats across the world. Regional specialties see the egg enhanced with everything from beef patties to spicy seasonings. Plus, you can easily upgrade your sandwich by layering in a crunchy hash brown or adding a dollop of your favorite sauce.

Crispy, nutty, and irresistibly sweet, Reese's Pieces have been delighting customers since 1978. The brand had already had success with its decadent Peanut Butter Cups, and this new candy offered another way to enjoy that winning salty-sweet combo. Each bite-sized morsel consists of a peanut butter center encased in a crunchy candy shell for a satisfying contrast of textures, and the colorful treats remain a go-to for many.

Although Reese's Pieces initially attracted attention, their big break came a few years later. It was in 1982 that the candies featured prominently in Steven Spielberg's sci-fi classic "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," in which the protagonist Elliott uses the sweets to lure the friendly alien out of hiding. Funnily enough, Spielberg actually intended to use M&Ms for this iconic scene but failed to obtain permission from the manufacturer. Hence, Reese's Pieces got their moment in the spotlight, with the movie's success boosting sales dramatically and securing the candies a place in confectionery history.

Launched in 1978, Ben & Jerry's ice cream was first sold from a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Little did founders Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen know that their humble scoops would go on to become one of the most recognizable ice cream brands in the world. Known for its indulgent, fully loaded ice creams, Ben & Jerry's offers a vast selection of flavors, with many featuring chunks of cookies, nuts, and fruits. Now, there are over 600 Ben & Jerry's scoop shops worldwide, and tubs of the ice cream are readily available to buy in grocery stores too.

The company's playful approach to ice cream has long helped it stand out from the competition. Classic flavors like Cookie Dough, Half Baked, and Phish Food have earned themselves cult status amongst ice cream lovers, while others like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Oh Pear, and Creme Brulee are remembered only in the infamous Flavor Graveyard. Either way, Ben & Jerry's has certainly helped change expectations of what ice cream could be.

You'll find dozens of cereal bar brands on the shelves today, but in the '70s, Nature Valley was at the forefront of a new kind of snack. This brand is the self-proclaimed creator of the world's first granola bar, which hit the market in 1975. Made with oats and honey, the crunchy bars took the wholesome appeal of granola and packaged the beloved breakfast staple into a portable, convenient snack that could be enjoyed on the go. It's easy to see why the bars took off, and other brands soon followed suit. Despite this, Nature Valley bars have remained a top pick amongst shoppers.

Throughout the years, the Nature Valley product range has grown significantly. The brand's signature Crunchy bars are available in a range of flavors, such as Maple Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, but the range doesn't end there. Nature Valley now offers a wide selection of protein bars, soft-baked breakfast bars, and chunky fruit and nut bars, all perfect for busy mornings, packed lunches, and outdoor adventures alike.

Stuffing is an essential part of any holiday spread, but enjoying that familiar blend of buttery, aromatic ingredients doesn't have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. Enter Stove Top Stuffing, which completely removes the hassle from this classic side dish. Ready in just five minutes, the dry stuffing mix is combined with boiled water and butter, yielding a fluffy, hearty dish packed with savory flavor.

This product was the brainchild of General Foods home economist Ruth Siems, who developed the base of the mix by drying and grinding breadcrumbs to a precise moisture level and particle size. This ensured that once the bread was rehydrated, it would possess the perfect mouthfeel. Stove Top Stuffing was officially launched in the early '70s, and customers soon caught on to its convenient approach and impressive taste.

Over the decades, Stove Top has become a pantry staple for many. In 1989, General Foods merged with Kraft, which still produces the mix in a range of flavors today. You'll find chicken, turkey, and sage varieties on grocery store shelves, all ideal for serving with roasted meats, veggies, and other cozy sides.

Jelly bean candies are thought to date back to the late 1800s, but Jelly Belly's world-famous version of these colorful treats got its start in 1976. David Klein, who conceived the Jelly Belly brand, wanted to create gourmet jelly beans with distinctive, true-to-life flavors using natural ingredients. The original eight flavors included Very Cherry, Grape, and Root Beer, and what set them apart was the company's unique flavoring process, which infused both the shells and centers. This gave each bean a more pronounced taste and helped Jelly Belly stand out from its competitors.

Jelly Belly's flavor range has expanded considerably since those early days, earning itself a loyal following along the way. The brand also gained a high-profile fan in former President Ronald Reagan, who famously served a patriotic trio of red, white, and blue beans at his inauguration.

From juicy fruit flavors and classic sweets to wacky drink- and dessert-inspired varieties, there's a bean to suit every taste, and the company's inventive approach and bold branding have clearly been a recipe for success. Jelly Belly's ever-expanding lineup continues to tempt shoppers today, with the beans now sold in over 70 countries.

A nostalgic treat for Gen Xers and Millennials alike, Pop Rocks deliver an unmistakable crackle with every mouthful. The first of its kind, this fizzy confection was developed in 1956, when chemist William A. Mitchell was attempting to create an instant soda mix for General Foods. In the process, he accidentally created a candy with an incredibly unique mouthfeel. The popping sensation came from bubbles of carbon dioxide trapped within each sugary morsel, which burst as the sweets dissolved in the mouth. It was a completely new concept, and one that was initially met with skepticism from General Foods executives. 

In 1961, the process for making Pop Rocks was finally patented, but it wasn't until 1975 that General Foods first test-marketed the product in Canada. The candies were a big hit and were introduced in the U.S. the following year, where they've continued to delight generations of candy lovers ever since. Pop Rocks now come in several sweet and fruity flavors, from Watermelon to Cotton Candy, and the brand's current product lineup also includes dippable lollipops and crackling gum.