Discover the Most Popular Recipes of 2022: Just a Taste’s Top 10 Reader Favorites
Embark on a delightful culinary journey as we revisit the most beloved recipes that captivated taste buds throughout 2022 on Just a Taste. From hearty breakfasts to indulgent desserts, this curated collection represents the dishes our incredible community cooked, shared, and adored the most. It’s a true testament to the power of simple, yet utterly delicious home cooking.
Another incredible year has come to a close, marking the 13th anniversary since I first pressed “publish” on Just a Taste. It’s truly astonishing to reflect on how this small corner of the internet, born from a simple desire to share my mom Noni’s legendary baby back ribs recipe, has blossomed into a thriving online destination. Today, Just a Taste proudly features over 1,100 diverse and delicious recipes, reaching millions of readers across every single continent of the globe. This growth and global embrace are beyond my wildest dreams, and it’s all thanks to you.
I extend my sincerest gratitude to each of the 12 million of you who virtually pulled up a chair at my table this past year. Your engagement, through comments, emails, and social media messages, is the very heartbeat of this blog. It’s the constant inspiration that drives me to continue creating easy-to-follow, yet undeniably impressive recipes that bring joy to families everywhere. Knowing that my recipes are making their way into your kitchens and onto your dinner tables is the greatest reward.
As we look ahead, the coming year promises to be the most exciting one yet for Just a Taste, and I am bursting with anticipation to share all the new culinary adventures and innovations we have in store. But before we dive into the future, let’s take a moment to celebrate the past. Get ready to discover the dishes that captured your hearts and became your go-to favorites throughout 2022. This countdown is a delicious reflection of your collective cooking spirit!
The recipes you’ve championed this year span a wonderful range, from comforting classics with a twist to innovative dishes that make mealtime fun and flavorful. They embody the philosophy of Just a Taste: simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and sensational results. Whether you were looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a delicious dessert, or a clever way to use up leftovers, these top 10 recipes proved to be your most-cooked and most-loved selections. Let’s count them down!
10. Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
Coming in at number ten, this Greek Yogurt Banana Bread offers a delightful twist on a timeless classic. It’s not just your average banana bread; the addition of Greek yogurt is the secret to its incredibly moist texture and subtle tang, elevating the rich banana flavor to new heights. This recipe is perfect for using up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter, transforming them into a breakfast treat, a satisfying snack, or even a light dessert.
Readers loved this recipe for its simplicity and the way it consistently delivers a perfectly golden, tender loaf every time. It’s an ideal recipe for bakers of all skill levels, requiring minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, pack it in lunchboxes, or serve it warm with a pat of butter for an irresistible indulgence. This healthy-ish banana bread truly earned its spot on your favorites list.
9. Cheesy Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes
Who doesn’t love a clever way to repurpose leftovers? These Cheesy Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes became an instant hit for their ingenious approach to transforming day-old mashed potatoes into something utterly new and exciting. Crispy on the outside, fluffy and cheesy on the inside, these savory pancakes are a revelation. They’re a fantastic side dish for almost any meal or can even stand alone as a light lunch or appetizer.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its ease and incredible flavor. With a few simple additions like cheese and herbs, your leftover mashed potatoes are given a second, more delicious life. Serve them with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives or scallions for an extra touch of gourmet. Readers praised this recipe for its minimal waste, maximum flavor, and comforting appeal, making it a staple for holiday leftovers and beyond.
8. 5-Minute Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Every baker, amateur or experienced, needs a go-to frosting recipe, and this 5-Minute Chocolate Buttercream Frosting clearly became yours! This recipe proves that you don’t need hours to create a rich, velvety, and utterly decadent chocolate frosting. In just five minutes, you can whip up a batch that’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or even just eating by the spoonful (we won’t tell!).
What makes this frosting so popular is its incredibly quick preparation time and its consistently smooth, pipeable texture. It’s deeply chocolatey, perfectly sweet, and incredibly versatile. Home bakers appreciated how easily it comes together, saving precious time while still delivering a professional-quality finish to their baked goods. Say goodbye to store-bought frosting and hello to your new favorite homemade chocolate buttercream, a truly essential recipe for any sweet tooth.
7. Easy Taco Salad Cups
Fun, flavorful, and incredibly versatile, these Easy Taco Salad Cups were a major hit for good reason! They take all the deliciousness of a classic taco salad and package it into convenient, individual serving cups, making them perfect for parties, appetizers, or a customizable weeknight dinner. The crispy tortilla cups provide a delightful crunch, holding a vibrant mix of seasoned meat, fresh veggies, and your favorite taco toppings.
Readers loved the interactive aspect of this recipe, allowing everyone to build their own cups with preferred ingredients. It’s an excellent way to get kids involved in cooking and eating their vegetables. Whether you opt for ground beef, chicken, or a vegetarian filling, these taco salad cups are always a crowd-pleaser. They’re quick to assemble, visually appealing, and bursting with fresh, Tex-Mex flavors, proving that healthy eating can be exciting and delicious.
6. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Combining two beloved classics – Caesar salad and pasta salad – this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad proved to be a genius fusion that readers couldn’t get enough of. It’s a complete meal in one bowl, featuring tender pasta, juicy grilled or roasted chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a creamy, tangy Caesar dressing that ties everything together. This dish is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Its widespread appeal comes from its familiar flavors and hearty nature. It’s substantial enough to be a main course but still feels fresh and light. The balance of textures and flavors makes every bite enjoyable, and it’s incredibly adaptable to various dietary preferences by swapping out ingredients. This recipe became a go-to for many looking for an easy, make-ahead meal that travels well and pleases everyone at the table, securing its spot as a top favorite.
5. Quick and Crispy Vegetable Fritters
Vegetables have never been so exciting! These Quick and Crispy Vegetable Fritters are a brilliant way to sneak more greens (or any veggies!) into your diet in a deliciously irresistible form. Golden brown and perfectly crisp on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, these fritters are incredibly versatile. They make an excellent appetizer, a delightful side dish, or a light vegetarian main course when paired with a fresh salad.
Readers adored this recipe for its adaptability and the sheer satisfaction of biting into a perfectly cooked fritter. You can customize them with whatever vegetables you have on hand, making them a fantastic solution for using up leftover produce. Serve them hot with a dollop of Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a tangy dipping sauce. This recipe proved that healthy eating can be incredibly appealing and easy, making vegetables the star of the show.
4. Monster Cookies
Embrace your inner child with these glorious Monster Cookies, a recipe that clearly brought a lot of joy to your kitchens in 2022! These aren’t just cookies; they’re a party in every bite, packed with all the good stuff: peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and colorful M&Ms. Chewy, chunky, and utterly satisfying, these monster-sized treats are perfect for celebrations, bake sales, or simply indulging your sweet tooth.
What makes Monster Cookies so popular is their irresistible combination of textures and flavors, offering a nostalgic trip for many. They’re substantial, comforting, and incredibly fun to make and eat. This recipe is a fantastic choice for feeding a crowd or for stocking your cookie jar with truly impressive homemade goodies. Readers loved how easily these came together and the consistent rave reviews they received, making them a top-tier dessert favorite.
3. Quick and Easy Corn Fritters
Sweet corn, crispy texture, and minimal effort – it’s no wonder these Quick and Easy Corn Fritters landed in the top three! This recipe perfectly captures the essence of fresh, sweet corn in a crispy, golden package. Whether made with fresh, frozen, or canned corn, these fritters are a delightful side dish for summer barbecues, a quick appetizer, or even a savory breakfast item.
Their popularity stems from their incredible simplicity and fantastic taste. They come together in a flash and fry up beautifully, offering a delightful contrast of sweet corn kernels encased in a savory, crispy batter. Serve them with a simple sour cream dip, a dash of hot sauce, or alongside grilled meats. This recipe proved to be a versatile and beloved way to enjoy corn, showcasing how simple ingredients can create truly memorable flavors.
2. 5-Ingredient Zucchini Fritters
When zucchini season hits, you need reliable recipes to use up that abundant harvest, and these 5-Ingredient Zucchini Fritters became your absolute favorite! This recipe is a masterclass in simplicity, proving that incredible flavor doesn’t require a long ingredient list. With just five core ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these golden, savory fritters that are crispy on the outside and tender within.
The widespread appeal of this recipe lies in its incredibly straightforward approach and how effectively it transforms humble zucchini into something truly special. They make a fantastic side dish for any meal, a light vegetarian main, or even a delicious appetizer. Serve them with a cooling dollop of sour cream or a zesty lemon-herb yogurt sauce. Readers celebrated this recipe for its ease, health benefits, and its fantastic ability to make everyone love zucchini, securing it as the second most popular recipe of 2022!
1. Easy Beef and Broccoli
And the reigning champion, your absolute favorite recipe of 2022, is the Easy Beef and Broccoli! This takeout classic, made effortlessly at home, clearly stole the show. Tender strips of beef and crisp-tender broccoli florets are coated in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet sauce that rivals any restaurant version. It’s a quick, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal that comes together faster than delivery.
The immense popularity of this dish stems from its perfect balance of convenience and flavor. It’s a complete meal that’s both comforting and packed with essential nutrients, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice or noodles for a truly authentic experience. Readers raved about how simple it was to achieve such a robust and authentic flavor, solidifying its place as the undisputed number one recipe in your hearts and kitchens for 2022. It’s truly a testament to how easy it is to create impressive, restaurant-quality meals right in your own kitchen.
Thank you again for another wonderful year of cooking, sharing, and delicious moments. Your enthusiasm fuels everything we do here at Just a Taste. We hope this countdown has inspired you to revisit some old favorites or discover new ones to add to your rotation.
Craving even more culinary inspiration? Make sure to subscribe to Just a Taste to get new, exciting recipes and a delightful newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And for all the latest updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and vibrant food content, stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Happy cooking, and here’s to an even more delicious year ahead!