Vintage Outdoor Cooking Cookbook — Betty Crocker’s Outdoor Cook Book (1961) — Golden Press | First Edition, Third Printing, Outdoor Cooking & Barbecue

Betty Crocker’s Outdoor Cook Book is peak mid-century summer-in-the-backyard energy—part recipe collection, part how-to guide for eating well outside. Inside you’ll find menus and tips for barbecues, picnics, shore cooking, and packtrip/camping meals, plus over 200 tested recipes spanning meats, fish and shellfish, vegetables, breads, salads, and desserts.

The charm is real: color illustrations by Tom Funk, plus photo sections (including a step-by-step “Down-East” clambake feature called out on the back cover).

Photo-verified edition details below—ready for grill season.

Quick Specs

• Item Type: Vintage cookbook (spiral/comb-bound softcover)
• Size: 8" x 6" x 0.25" 
• Material: Paper; spiral/comb binding (appears metal)
• Color: Cream cover with green tree graphic; orange/blue accents; aqua endpaper shown
• Origin or Maker: Golden Press, New York (Betty Crocker / General Mills)
• Year or Era: 1961 (copyright)
• GENRE: Outdoor Cooking & Barbecue / Camping & Picnic Cooking
• Language / Pages: English / 176 pages 
• Identifiers: Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 61-9892 (visible); ISBN Not provided (pre-ISBN)

Edition & Features

• Condition/Printing: First Edition, Third Printing (visible on title/copyright page)
• Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Color illustrations by Tom Funk; photo sections noted (back cover mentions 16 pages of full-color photographs)
• Extras: Outdoor meal-planning + equipment basics, plus themed sections (barbecues, shore cooking/clambake, packtrip cooking, etc.)

Condition Grade: Good

Notes: Noticeable vintage handling wear: cover edge/corner wear, general surface rubbing/soiling, and age-toning visible. Binding appears intact and functional; interior pages shown are clean and readable.

• See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.

About the Author: Betty Crocker (General Mills)

Betty Crocker cookbooks are classic American test-kitchen staples—practical, reliable, and built for cooks who want recipes that work. This outdoor-focused volume leans into mid-century entertaining and camp-style simplicity in the best way.

If you love vintage cookbooks that double as a time capsule for summer weekends, this one belongs in your kitchen.

Shelf-worthy vintage finds you can trust. Find Your Story.

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Disclaimer  

The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.

Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.