Top 12 Reader Favorite Recipes of 2022: Unforgettable Flavors That Stood the Test of Time
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to celebrate the culinary creations that truly captured your hearts – and taste buds! We’re thrilled to unveil the most beloved recipes of the past year, a collection of dishes that consistently ranked as your favorites. Each one is a testament to bold flavors, comforting textures, and the sheer joy of home cooking. These were the top 12 reader-favorite recipes from 2022, chosen by you!
It’s that special time of the year again when we reflect on all the delicious meals we’ve shared and discovered together. As we look back at the culinary landscape of 2022, one thing becomes abundantly clear: our community knows good food, and you’re not afraid to embrace incredible flavors!
We’re absolutely delighted to present the definitive countdown of the top reader-favorite recipes for 2022! These aren’t just any recipes; these are the dishes that resonated most deeply with our audience, the ones you returned to time and again throughout the year, earning their spot in your regular meal rotations. From sizzling, saucy wings perfect for game day to hearty, soul-warming stews, and from quick weeknight solutions to impressive weekend feasts, this list truly has it all.
Through the years, as I’ve proudly shared the reader-favorite recipe roundups from 2021, 2020, and earlier, one overarching theme consistently emerges: your love for robust, vibrant FLAVOR mirrors my own passion. We wholeheartedly believe that food should be exciting and never bland. Around here, we celebrate the generous use of fresh herbs and aromatic seasonings, making every bite an experience to savor. It’s truly inspiring to see how much you all appreciate well-spiced, deeply satisfying meals.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into this delicious journey and reveal the top recipes that made 2022 a truly unforgettable year for food. Get ready to discover new favorites and revisit some cherished classics as we officially get this countdown started! 🎉🎉
12. Firecracker Chicken Wings
Kicking off our list at number 12 are these incredibly addictive Firecracker Chicken Wings. These aren’t just any wings; they’re renowned for their extra crispy texture and a sauce that packs a perfect sweet and spicy punch. Whether you’re preparing for an exciting game day gathering or simply craving a satisfying snack, these wings are an absolute essential. They can be perfectly cooked in either the air fryer for speed and efficiency or the oven for a classic crisp, utilizing a secret ingredient that ensures maximum crunchiness every time. If your palate craves more wing adventures, don’t miss out on the zesty lemon pepper ones or the rich and savory garlic parmesan varieties, both deserving of honorable mentions for their exceptional flavor profiles.
11. Halal Cart Chicken and Rice Bowls
Securing the 11th spot, the Halal Cart Chicken and Rice Bowls proved to be an overwhelming hit, and for good reason. This particular recipe has been a staple in my kitchen throughout the year, recreated countless times due to its unparalleled popularity and deliciousness. It masterfully captures the essence of your favorite New York City food cart experience, right in your own home. Picture tender, perfectly seasoned chicken, served atop a bed of fragrant turmeric rice, all generously drizzled with an abundance of creamy, tangy white sauce. It’s a complete meal that delivers on both flavor and satisfaction, transporting you straight to the bustling streets of NYC with every mouth-watering bite.
10. Lebanese Rice Pilaf
At number 10, we have the timeless and universally loved Lebanese Rice Pilaf. This recipe holds a special place, as it’s a dish I’ve been perfecting and enjoying for many years. It was a joy to finally share its detailed preparation on the blog this year, and its popularity quickly soared. This aromatic rice pilaf, with its delicate balance of flavors and fluffy texture, is the epitome of versatility. It serves as the absolute perfect accompaniment to a wide array of main courses, whether you’re pairing it with savory beef shawarma bowls, succulent kebobs, hearty stews, or simply enjoying it as a flavorful side. Its understated elegance makes it a staple for any meal.
9. Birria de Res
Coming in at number 9, Birria de Res proves that patience is indeed a virtue when it comes to crafting extraordinary flavor. It took dedicated effort to truly perfect this rich and deeply savory Mexican beef stew, but the results are unequivocally worth it. This tender, flavorful dish can be prepared the traditional way on the stovetop for those leisurely weekend cooking sessions, or in the Instant Pot when you need a quicker, yet equally delicious, version. It features succulent chunks of seared beef, slow-simmered with a complex blend of onions, robust chile paste, fragrant garlic, and an abundance of aromatic herbs and spices. The resulting shredded birria is incredibly versatile, making it the star ingredient for phenomenal quesabirria tacos or even a unique and comforting birria ramen.
8. Extra Crispy Beef Samosas
At the 8th spot, we celebrate a true family treasure: my mom’s recipe for homemade Extra Crispy Beef Samosas. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a taste of my childhood, a beloved comfort food I grew up savoring and still crave constantly to this day. These perfectly spiced, crisp-on-the-outside samosas filled with savory beef are simply irresistible. They are incredibly convenient to have on hand; we often keep a large bag full of these delightful parcels in the freezer, ready to be quickly air-fried or deep-fried whenever a craving strikes. I promise you, these won’t just satisfy; they’ll utterly delight your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
7. Chile Colorado
Taking the 7th position is the deeply comforting and soul-warming Chile Colorado. This robust stew recipe is designed to heat you to your very bones, making it an ideal choice for cooler evenings or whenever you need a culinary embrace. Crafted with a rich, vibrant red chili sauce, tender chunks of beef, and an ample infusion of savory onions and garlic, it embodies all the quintessential elements that define a truly cozy and satisfying meal. I find it absolutely perfect when served alongside fluffy Mexican rice, allowing the rice to soak up every drop of that incredible sauce. Alternatively, pair it with soft, warm homemade flour tortillas for a comforting and authentic dining experience.
6. Fancy but Easy Salmon Piccata
Landing at number 6, the Fancy but Easy Salmon Piccata is truly the piccata recipe you never knew you needed, but quickly realized you couldn’t live without! This dish effortlessly combines elegance with simplicity, resulting in a meal that is genuinely restaurant-worthy yet incredibly straightforward to prepare at home. It’s the perfect choice for a romantic date night, a special Valentine’s Day dinner, or when you’re hosting guests and want to impress without the stress. From start to finish, this delightful salmon dish can be on your table in approximately 30 minutes, especially when served with a simple pasta and a side of perfectly tender garlic sautéed broccolini.
5. Crunchy Chicken Caesar Wraps
Securing the 5th spot, these Crunchy Chicken Caesar Wraps are consistently on cue for those moments when you need a quick, satisfying, and utterly delicious desk lunch or a speedy weeknight dinner. The magic begins with our celebrated homemade chicken tenders (and yes, that recipe is coming up higher in our countdown!), which provide the perfect crispy foundation. These golden tenders are then generously loaded into soft tortillas, along with crisp, refreshing lettuce and a generous dollop of my sensational 2-minute Caesar dressing. The combination of textures and flavors makes these wraps an irresistible and convenient meal solution that you’ll want to make again and again.
4. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
At number 4, it’s no secret that these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders have become an absolute game-changer in my kitchen. I can honestly say I officially can’t live without my trusty air fryer now, especially for whipping up these tenders for wraps, salads, or just a quick snack. The secret to their incredible crunch lies in soaking the chicken in buttermilk before coating it in a savory, crunchy cornflakes mixture. Then, they’re perfectly air-fried to golden perfection. The result? Chicken tenders that are just as delicious and satisfying as their deep-fried counterparts, but with the added benefit of being a much lighter option. They’re truly a testament to healthy comfort food done right!
3. Halal Cart White Sauce
Breaking into our top three, the Halal Cart White Sauce has achieved an almost legendary status among our readers. It’s hard to believe, but this sauce proved to be even more beloved than the Halal Cart Chicken and Rice Bowl itself! This homemade white sauce is an uncanny replica of the iconic, creamy condiment found on those famous NYC chicken and rice bowls. What makes it truly astonishing is just how incredibly easy it is to prepare right in your own kitchen. Its versatility is boundless; we find ourselves seriously drizzling this magical sauce on just about EVERYTHING whenever it’s available. It adds a burst of tangy, savory flavor that elevates any dish, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables, making it an indispensable condiment.
2. Avgolemono Soup (Greek Lemon Soup)
Taking the impressive number 2 spot, the Avgolemono Soup, also known as Greek Lemon Soup, is the ultimate expression of warm and cozy comfort food. This classic Greek delight is a culinary masterpiece of simplicity and profound flavor. You’ll need just a few key ingredients to create this velvety smooth and tangy soup: rich chicken stock, fresh eggs, bright lemon juice, tender shredded chicken (a rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for extra speed!), and a touch of rice for body. Simmer all these ingredients together until they transform into a wonderfully warm and comforting concoction, then finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh dill for an aromatic flourish. It’s a hug in a bowl, perfect for any time of year.
1. The Best Garlic Bread You’ll Ever Have
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Drumroll please… The number one reader-favorite recipe of 2022 is none other than The Best Garlic Bread You’ll Ever Have. When you, our amazing readers, collectively decide that garlic bread is the top recipe of the entire year, I know I’ve truly found my people! This isn’t just a bold claim; I genuinely guarantee that my recipe for garlic bread is unlike any you’ve tasted before. The secret to its unparalleled deliciousness and depth of flavor lies in a small but mighty splash of truffle oil, which elevates it from merely good to absolutely extraordinary, seamlessly bringing the entire symphony of flavors together. It’s crispy, garlicky, unbelievably fragrant, and truly a culinary revelation that perfectly complements any meal or stands alone as an irresistible snack.
As we wrap up this incredible countdown, I want to extend my deepest and most sincere gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these recipes, for sharing your wonderful feedback by leaving comments, and for enthusiastically sharing my creations with your friends and family. Your engagement, your trust, and your passion for good food are truly the driving forces behind everything I do. You are honestly the reason I get to pursue what I love, day in and day out, and I cannot adequately express how incredibly glad and fortunate I feel to have you all here as part of this vibrant culinary community!
Did your personal favorites make it onto this celebrated list? What was the one recipe that stood out as your absolute favorite from the past year? I’d love to hear your thoughts and continue our delicious conversation in the comments below.
Here’s to an amazing, flavor-filled, and joyful 2023 for all of us!