Some dishes have a reputation that far exceeds their actual appeal. You know the ones—those foods everyone claims to adore, but deep down, you know they’re just being polite. From questionable casseroles to desserts that should have stayed in the ‘60s, these are the recipes people pretend to love just to keep the peace.
Fruitcake
Fruitcake is the holiday tradition no one asked for. Packed with dense, sticky sweetness and those weirdly colorful candied fruits, it’s the gift that gets re-gifted until someone finally tosses it. People smile and nod, but deep down, they’re just trying to figure out who they can pass it off to next.
Liver and Onions
Ah, liver and onions—a dish your grandparents probably loved but everyone else secretly dreads. The metallic taste of liver paired with the sharpness of onions isn’t exactly a crowd-pleaser. People might pretend to enjoy it out of respect for tradition and potential health benefits, but they’d rather be eating just about anything else.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a nostalgic blast from the past, but let’s be honest: the combination of canned fruit, marshmallows, and whipped cream is a textural nightmare. It’s more of a dessert in disguise, and not a good one at that. Folks might smile politely, but they’re probably thinking about the dessert they really want.
Meatloaf
Meatloaf is one of those dishes that’s always there but rarely celebrated. Sure, it’s a comforting classic, but it’s also heavy, bland, and often dry. People might say they love it out of habit, but deep down, they’re wishing for something with a bit more flavor and excitement.
Gelatin Salad
Gelatin salad is a retro dish that looks like a fun, colorful treat—until you realize it’s filled with fruit, veggies, or even cottage cheese. The wobbly texture alone is enough to make you question your life choices. It’s more about the presentation than the taste, and most people secretly wish it would disappear.
Tuna Casserole
Tuna casserole is a comfort food staple that’s best left in the past. Made with canned tuna, noodles, and a can of cream-of-something soup, it’s a dish that’s more about convenience than taste. People might pretend to enjoy it, but they’re really just longing for something fresher and less… fishy.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a potluck favorite, but let’s face it—the rich, mayo-laden filling isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. People might pop one in their mouth to be polite, but inside, they’re hoping no one sees them discreetly avoiding the rest of the tray.
Beef Wellington
A fancy dish that sounds impressive, but truth be told, beef Wellington is a lot of work for a rather underwhelming payoff. Between the overcooked beef and soggy pastry, it’s more effort than it’s worth. People might pretend to love it for the prestige, but secretly they’re dreading the dryness.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts have had a bit of a comeback, but there are still plenty of folks who aren’t buying the hype. No matter how they’re cooked, these mini cabbages often end up bitter and unappetizing. People might pretend to enjoy them to look healthy, but they’d really rather skip them altogether.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving staple, but it’s mostly there for tradition. Whether it’s the canned stuff or homemade, it’s often too tart or too sweet, and ends up being pushed around the plate. People might pretend to like it, but they’re just trying not to offend Grandma.
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Strongly disagree on most of these. In our family, we love tuna casserole, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs and Jell-O salad! not going to dispute the liver and onions, though!