Jackie Kennedy’s Favorite Foods

Grace Mannon

By Grace Mannon

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated on Feb. 03, 2026

Find out what one of America's most popular First Ladies wanted on her plate.

Jackie Kennedy was many things, including the sophisticated wife of a former president, an international icon of style…and a picky eater. She was very particular about her food and followed quite a few diets in her lifetime. Take a look at what some of those diets entailed, and then go see what other First Ladies claimed as their favorite foods.

1/12

Slow-Cooker Baked Potatoes

0 Reviews
Total Time:8 hours 10 min
Servings:6 potatoes
Test Kitchen Approved
Slow-Cooker Baked Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: These slow-cooker baked potatoes are so easy—just add your favorite toppings. Save any extra potatoes to make baked potato soup the next day. —Teresa Emrick, Tipp City, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 potato: 217 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 59mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
go to recipe

One of Jackie’s diets consisted of a single baked potato topped with caviar and sour cream, and that’s all she would eat for the day. If you like a little more variety, here are some different baked potato recipes to try.

2/12

Fruit Salad in a Pineapple Boat

0 Reviews
Total Time:50 min
Servings:10 (1-1/3 cups sauce)
Test Kitchen Approved
Fruit Salad in a Pineapple Boat Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: A sweet, summery treat that looks as good as it tastes! No one, young or old, will be able to resist this healthy fruit salad. Amy Short, Lesage, WV
Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 81 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 21mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit.
go to recipe

At their wedding reception in 1953, Jackie and JFK feasted on a course of fruit salad served in a pineapple—so tropical! Here’s proof that fruit salad doesn’t have to be fancy to be delicious.

3/12

Pear Cottage Cheese Salad

0 Reviews
Total Time:10 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Perfect anytime, this quick-fix salad makes a terrific snack, too! —Jeannie Thomas, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 135 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.
go to recipe

At one point in her life, the former First Lady followed a strict diet that included a simple dish of cottage cheese with fruit for lunch. We wonder if Jackie or her chefs knew that cottage cheese is packed with protein?

4/12

Spring Green Risotto

0 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:45 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME
From the Recipe Creator: Once a week I create a new recipe for my blog, An Officer and a Vegan. I first made this risotto when I needed something cheerful and comforting. It would be fantastic with asparagus, zucchini or summer squash, but use whatever veggies are in season. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 198 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 477mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
go to recipe

Jackie loved spinach risotto, but made hers unique by skipping the cheese. Here’s our guide that not only defines risotto but also describes how to make the best version possible!

5/12

Lemon Strawberry Shortcake

0 Reviews
Total Time:30 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
Lemon Strawberry Shortcake Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: I love a good strawberry shortcake, but this recipe is my favorite by far. The citrus zest in the dough adds a refreshing zip to the sweet dessert. —Nancy Hooper, Glen Burnie, Maryland
Nutrition Facts: 1 shortcake: 394 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 286mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
go to recipe

One of Jackie’s favorite dessert dishes was strawberries Romanoff, which is essentially strawberries topped with sweet whipping cream. This sweet treat is similar and would’ve met her cravings for shortcake, too.

6/12

Citrus Melon Mingle

0 Reviews
Total Time:20 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: This refreshing fruit salad has a hint of mint, honey and ginger that adds subtle flavor to the sweet combination of melons, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple and bananas. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 125 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 11mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fruit.
go to recipe

When Jackie felt she had been eating too heavily, she would go on a fruit fast, eating only fruit in an effort to cleanse her body and get her diet back on track. See what JFK was eating in the meantime.

7/12

Parmesan Ranch Popcorn

0 Reviews
Total Time:10 min
Servings:3-1/2 quarts
Test Kitchen Approved
Parmesan Ranch Popcorn Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Whether you need a quick gift idea or yummy munchies for movie night, we've got you covered with this cheesy twist on regular popped popcorn. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 112 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 243mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
go to recipe

Jiffy Pop popcorn, which was created back in 1959, was a fun, fast snack that Jackie reportedly enjoyed. See what store-bought popcorn brand won our taste test.

8/12

Slow-Cooker Salmon

0 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 40 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: I love this slow-cooker salmon recipe because it's healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
Nutrition Facts: 1 salmon fillet: 272 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat.
go to recipe

There was often poached chicken or fish on the menu for Jackie’s meals, and if someone was going to pick one favorite food for her, it would have to be poached salmon.

9/12

Hard-Boiled Eggs

0 Reviews
Total Time:20 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: In the kitchen, it's important to start with something simple, like how to cook hard-boiled eggs. Use this egg recipe in plenty of dishes, or eat them plain for a quick protein fix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 egg: 75 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat.
go to recipe

It seems that Jackie absolutely preferred simple fare—her most typical breakfast was a basic boiled egg with a cup of tea. This is the right way to boil eggs.

10/12

Brownies

0 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:50 min
Servings:3 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME
From the Recipe Creator: As someone who grew up in the country, I love getting out into nature whenever I can. I also love home-style recipes, including these yummy brownies. —Carol Prewett, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts: 1 brownie: 159 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 73mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
go to recipe

Jackie’s live-in assistant revealed that the sophisticated and disciplined lady wasn’t above swiping a brownie from the kitchen. Everyone deserves to splurge!

11/12

Rack of Lamb

0 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:40 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
Perfect Rack of Lamb Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Rack of lamb is elegant. It’s special. And it will have your guests thinking you went all out. They don’t have to know how simple rack of lamb really is to prepare. —Susan Nilsson, Sterling, Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1/2 rack: 307 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.
go to recipe

Lamb was reportedly one of Jackie’s favorite meals, and it was served at the Kennedys’ first state dinner as well as several other official luncheons and dinners.

12/12

The Best Shepherd’s Pie

0 Reviews
Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
The Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 472 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein.
go to recipe

Jackie wasn’t opposed to good, old-fashioned comfort food and sometimes feasted on shepherd’s pie with her kids.

Author
Grace Mannon
Grace is a full-time mom with a master’s degree in food science. She has worked for clients like a bakery, a baby food company and a snack food company. Now a Taste of Home contributor, she curates recipe collections and shares baking techniques. She loves to experiment in the kitchen and writes about her hits (and misses) on her blog, A Southern...
Read More
Grace Mannon