"The Swanson brothers had no idea what they were setting into motion with that first turkey and stuffing meal in 1953. Believe it or not, those early renditions weren't even designed for the microwave - ovens were the go-to, since microwaves hadn't yet become a common household item. Fast forward to today, and frozen dinner brands span the entire freezer aisle (and then some). Some are health-focused, while others are products of well-known restaurant chains."
"I recently loaded up on nine steak-filled frozen dinners from brands like Lean Cuisine, Stouffer's, and even Benihana. And when I say steak, I mean steak of all kinds. You'll see Salisbury thrown in, shredded beef steak, and garlic-coated cubes. The supporting sides and ingredients are even more diverse, spanning Americanized comfort foods to Mexican and Asian cuisines. I zapped each dinner in the microwave, gave them a try, and ranked them from my least favorite to my favorite."
TV dinners began with Swanson's 1953 turkey and stuffing and were originally designed for ovens before microwaves became common. The frozen-dinner market now includes health-focused options, restaurant tie-ins, and premium meals featuring steak. Nine steak-filled frozen dinners from brands such as Lean Cuisine, Stouffer's, and Benihana were microwaved, tasted, and ranked. Steak varieties included Salisbury, shredded beef, and garlic-coated cubes, with sides ranging from American comfort to Mexican and Asian influences. Ranking criteria prioritized tender, well-cooked beef that was available in good quantity, along with cohesive, steak-worthy sides.
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