Banquet Cooking Bags (or "Boil-in-Bag") were popular frozen meals in the 1960s-80s, featuring items like turkey on toast or chicken a la king, discontinued as microwaves became common; they offered convenience but limited texture for dishes like beef gravy, which got soggy, and are remembered fondly by many for their quick, simple cooking, even if the food quality was basic. While the specific bags are gone, the concept of convenient, pre-packaged meals lives on in different forms, but these retro dinners remain a nostalgic item for many who grew up with them.

What They Were

Convenient: Pre-portioned meals in a plastic bag, boiled directly in water for quick heating.

Variety: Included items like sliced turkey on toast, chicken a la king, and beef with gravy.

Pre-Microwave Era: Popular before household microwaves became standard in the 1980s.

Why They Disappeared

Microwave Dominance: Microwaves offered even faster cooking and better results for many foods, making boil-in-bag less necessary.

Texture Issues: The boiling process didn't always allow for browning or crisping, leading to soggy bread in some meals.