Just a Taste’s 2019 Year in Review: Celebrating Milestones and Unveiling Top 10 Beloved Recipes

Join us on a nostalgic journey as we reflect on the remarkable year that was 2019 at Just a Taste, highlighting unforgettable moments and counting down our community’s top 10 new favorite recipes.

Looking back, I truly could not have envisioned the incredible transformation and growth that 2019 would bring to Just a Taste. It soared beyond all expectations, becoming undeniably the most invigorating and fulfilling year yet for our vibrant food blog. Frankly, as I embarked on the year, I was mentally preparing for a controlled chaos – the demanding juggle of nurturing a rapidly expanding business while also being a hands-on mom to two wonderful children under the age of two. Yet, 2019 surprised and delighted in countless ways, turning so many long-held aspirations and professional dreams into tangible realities.

The past twelve months were punctuated by several monumental achievements and cherished moments that collectively made this year exceptionally memorable and deeply rewarding:

• My First Cookbook Deal: A lifelong dream came true when I signed my very first cookbook deal with the esteemed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This incredible partnership means that The Secret Ingredient Cookbook will officially hit shelves in Spring 2021! This project has been a labor of love, and I am so excited to share a fresh collection of innovative and approachable recipes with all of you. It’s a testament to years of recipe development and the unwavering support of the Just a Taste community.
• Hosting on Food Network Kitchen: I dove into the exciting world of live culinary instruction by beginning to host live and on-demand cooking classes within the brand-new Food Network Kitchen app. This platform has allowed me to connect with home cooks in real-time, sharing tips, techniques, and, of course, some of Just a Taste’s most delicious dishes. It’s a thrill to interact directly and help you master new recipes from your own kitchens. Make sure to download the app and come cook alongside me!
• Continued Appearances on Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family: My journey with Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family continued strong, offering me a wonderful opportunity to share more of Just a Taste’s most beloved and sought-after recipes with a wider audience. The warmth and camaraderie on set are always fantastic, and I cherish the chance to bring our culinary creations to more homes. Keep an eye out for my next segment, airing on January 15th!

Every single minute spent creating engaging content, developing new recipes, and interacting with the passionate Just a Taste community has been an absolute joy. This incredible journey, however, would not have been possible without the tireless dedication and exceptional efforts of my wonderfully hardworking teammates, Libby and Peter. They are the backbone of our operation, consistently going above and beyond behind the scenes. Together, we’ve truly blossomed into a cohesive and efficient machine, and I am profoundly grateful for their commitment, creativity, and unwavering support. Their contribution is invaluable to everything we achieve here at Just a Taste.

As we eagerly step into our twelfth (!) year of sharing recipes and culinary inspiration, I wanted to take a moment to offer a concise yet insightful snapshot of the site’s performance in 2019, highlighting some notable numbers and fun facts that truly illustrate the breadth of our community and reach:

• Remarkable Audience Growth: We were absolutely thrilled to welcome more than 8.4 million unique individuals to the Just a Taste site throughout 2019. This staggering number represents a testament to the power of our recipes and the growing appetite for delicious, approachable home cooking.
• Social Media Prowess: Our leading social media referrer continued to be Pinterest, a platform perfectly suited for visual recipe discovery and planning. Following closely behind were our vibrant communities on Facebook and Instagram, where daily interactions and recipe sharing thrive.
• Savory Reigns Supreme: For an impressive second consecutive year, the #1 most popular recipe across the entire site was once again a delightful savory creation. This trend truly highlights our community’s love for hearty, flavorful main dishes and appetizers that satisfy every craving.

Speaking of popular recipes that captured the hearts and palates of millions, let’s dive into the highly anticipated countdown of the top 10 new recipes that made their debut on the site in 2019 and quickly rose to superstar status. These dishes were instant hits, proving to be both innovative and incredibly delicious:

10. Elote Corn Salad

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Kicking off our list at number 10, the Elote Corn Salad brought the vibrant, tangy, and irresistible flavors of Mexican street corn right into your kitchen. This refreshing side dish, brimming with sweet corn, creamy chili-lime dressing, and a generous sprinkle of Cotija cheese, quickly became a go-to for summer gatherings and a perfect accompaniment to any meal. It’s easy to see why this bright and zesty salad captured so many hearts.

9. Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas

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Securing the ninth spot, these Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas became an instant weeknight hero. Utilizing pre-cooked rotisserie chicken significantly cuts down on prep time, making this hearty and flavorful dish achievable even on the busiest evenings. Rich, cheesy, and utterly satisfying, these enchiladas are comfort food at its finest, proving that delicious meals don’t have to be complicated.

8. The Ultimate Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

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At number eight, we have a dessert that screams indulgence: The Ultimate Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie. This giant, warm, and gooey cookie baked in a skillet is designed for sharing (or not!). Served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion, from casual family nights to impressive dinner party finales. Its simplicity and wow-factor made it a quick favorite among our sweet-toothed followers.

7. 30-Minute Homemade Flour Tortillas

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Coming in at number seven, these 30-Minute Homemade Flour Tortillas proved that fresh is always best, and incredibly achievable! Forget store-bought; these soft, pliable, and utterly delicious tortillas elevate any taco, quesadilla, or fajita night to an entirely new level. The ease and speed with which you can whip up a batch made them an essential addition to many home kitchens in 2019.

6. Thai Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

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The sixth most popular new recipe of 2019 was our vibrant Thai Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce. These fresh, light, and flavor-packed rolls offer a wonderful balance of crisp vegetables, herbs, and protein, all perfectly complemented by a creamy, savory homemade peanut dipping sauce. They’re a fantastic appetizer or a light, healthy meal option that brings exotic flavors to your table with surprising ease.

5. Easy Beef Bulgogi Bowls

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Cracking the top five, the Easy Beef Bulgogi Bowls offered a taste of authentic Korean cuisine made accessible for home cooks. Tender, marinated beef, served over rice with an array of fresh toppings like fried eggs, cucumber, and kimchi, creates a perfectly balanced and incredibly flavorful meal. It’s a quick, satisfying, and deeply delicious dish that quickly became a fan favorite for its impressive flavors and simple preparation.

4. Easy General Tso’s Chicken

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Taking the fourth spot is our incredibly popular Easy General Tso’s Chicken. This homemade version of the classic takeout dish beats any restaurant rendition with its perfectly crispy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce with just the right kick. Our recipe simplifies the process, making it possible to enjoy this beloved Chinese-American staple fresh from your own kitchen with minimal fuss.

3. Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip

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Our bronze medalist for 2019’s new recipes is the Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip. This classic party staple gets a fresh, vibrant upgrade when made from scratch, proving that simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. Creamy, tangy, and bursting with savory onion goodness, this dip quickly became a go-to for game days, casual gatherings, or simply an elevated snack time. It’s undeniably superior to anything you’ll find in a store!

2. Easy Taco Salad Cups

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The runner-up in our top new recipes of 2019 is the incredibly fun and flavorful Easy Taco Salad Cups. These individual, perfectly portioned taco salads are served in crispy tortilla cups, making them ideal for entertaining, kid-friendly meals, or a light yet satisfying dinner. They’re fully customizable with your favorite taco fillings and toppings, offering a delightful twist on a classic and becoming a beloved choice for their convenience and vibrant taste.

1. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

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And finally, claiming the coveted number one spot for the most popular new recipe introduced on Just a Taste in 2019 is the absolutely phenomenal Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad! This ingenious fusion combines the beloved flavors of a classic Caesar salad with hearty pasta and tender chicken, creating a complete meal that is both refreshing and filling. It quickly became a runaway hit for potlucks, weeknight dinners, and meal prep alike, proving to be a perfect blend of comfort and fresh flavors that our community couldn’t get enough of. Its versatility and widespread appeal cemented its place as the reigning champion of the year.

As we close the chapter on an extraordinary 2019, our team is already bustling with creativity, hard at work dreaming up and testing an array of deliciously new dishes for 2020. I genuinely cannot wait to share all of our exciting new culinary creations with you throughout the coming year! As always, you can consistently find all of our tested and approved recipes right here on Just a Taste. For an extra dose of culinary inspiration, exclusive content bonuses, and first access to new recipes, be sure to sign up for our completely free weekly newsletter.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being an integral part of the robust, incredibly fun, and energetically supportive Just a Taste community. It is a profound dream come true for me to witness and hear about all of you cooking and proudly sharing my recipes from your kitchens all around the world. Your enthusiasm and engagement are what fuel this passion project every single day. Here’s to an even more spectacular and delicious 2020 – truly the best year yet for all of us!