Our 50 Favorite Recipes of 2019

Updated December 19, 2019
Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kay Clarke

Even amidst the holiday festivities and chaos, the end of the year is always a good time to pause and reflect: What have you accomplished this year? What did you cook? More importantly, what do you wish you’d have cooked? As we close out 2019, it only seemed right that we look back over the recipes we’ve published this year, and pay homage those which we consider our personal best. Some recipes made the list because of brilliant time-saving or flavor boosting technique; others, because of how happy they made our own families. And some made the list due to sheer creative wow factor. (All of which is to say, if cooking more in 2020 lands among your resolutions, this list is a mighty fine place to start.) Here are the 50 recipes our editors fell in love with this year.

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1 of 50

Lasagna Dip With Pasta Chips

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Robby Melvin

Lasagna Dip With Pasta Chips Recipe

This party-perfect recipe dissolves the already fine line that separate casserole from dip. Plus, homemade pasta chips are an absolute game-changer.

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2 of 50

Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast Beef

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast Beef Recipe

The Instant Pot transforms this budget cut of beef into a succulent, sliceable hunk of paradise. It's true meat magic.

3 of 50

Foolproof Chuck Steak with Smoky Chimichurri

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Foolproof Chuck Steak with Smoky Chimichurri Recipe

Another cheap cut of beef made into a melt-in-your-mouth steak dinner via the genius technique known as a "reverse sear."

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4 of 50

Cashew Butter Cookies

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Elise Mayfield; Prop Styling: Kay Clarke and Laura Evans

Cashew Butter Cookies Recipe

These gluten-free cookies may appear unassuming, but they're one of the most satisfying, buttery bites we enjoyed this year.

5 of 50

Ultimate Coconut Cake

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Elise Mayfield; Prop Styling: Kay Clarke and Laura Evans

Ultimate Coconut Cake Recipe

You may think know coconut cake, but trust us—you haven't had coconut cake until you've tried this coconut cake.

6 of 50

Sesamillionaire’s Shortbread

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Robby Melvin

Sesamillionaire’s Shortbread Recipe

A layer of sesame shortbread, a layer of tahini caramel, and a layer of dark chocolate. Yeah, of course these bars taste like a million bucks.

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7 of 50

Two-Toned Scalloped Potatoes

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Two-Toned Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

A little sweet, a little savory, a whole lot of impressive. This is a potato side dish that looks as good as it tastes—and that's saying something.

8 of 50

Vegan Corndogs

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Vegan Corndogs Recipe

This incredible reinvention of the corndog—a food that's rarely acclaimed for being a wholesome, homemade treasure—deserves a round of applause.

9 of 50

Sheet Pan Thai Red Curry Mussels

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey

Sheet Pan Thai Red Curry Mussels Recipe

We all know a sheet pan dinner is wonderfully convenient, but rarely are they "exciting." These sheet pan mussels are a proud exception.

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10 of 50

Instant Pot Dal Makhani

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Instant Pot Dal Makhani Recipe

This lentil recipe converted multiple Instant Pot non-believers into diehard converts. Simply put, they're freaking delicious.

11 of 50

Salty Dog Slushes

Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Salty Dog Slushes Recipe

These pretty-in-pink summertime sippers provide a frosty reminder that pretty much all drinks are better in slushy form.

12 of 50

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Robby Melvin

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

This is one of those recipes we weren't expecting to be all that wowed by... but then we had our socks knocked off. Moral: Do not underestimate the power of these mighty meat-wiches.

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13 of 50

Aperol Spritz Cake

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Sarah Epperson

Aperol Spritz Cake Recipe

We turned 2019's hottest cocktail into a cake and she couldn't be more lovely. Just look at her!

14 of 50

Miso Walnut Sticky Buns

Credit: Annie Campbell

Miso Walnut Sticky Buns Recipe

Once you go miso caramel, you can't go back. For a freshly baked weekend treat, it doesn't get any better than these homemade sweet rolls.

15 of 50

Tamarind Peach Cobbler

Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Tamarind Peach Cobbler Recipe

Just when you thought peach cobbler couldn't get any better... along came tamarind with a delightfully tangy flavor pop.

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16 of 50

Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes Recipe

Are you actually going to make these salad inspired ice cream sundaes? Let's be real, you probably aren't. But if you did, you would be so pleased. Because they're incredible.

17 of 50

Rotel Potatoes Aligots

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Rotel Potatoes Aligots Recipe

When Rotel dip meets classic French cuisine, beautiful things happen. Here's the proof, friends.

18 of 50

Blueberry Pound Cake Muffins

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling Kay Clarke

Blueberry Pound Cake Muffins Recipe

You could think of these as better blueberry muffins or you could think of them as pound cake cupcakes. Either way, they will make you a baking legend among your friends.

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19 of 50

Cobb Salad Stuffed Burgers

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Robin Bashinsky

Cobb Salad Stuffed Burgers Recipe

The next time you're having that existential crisis over whether to eat a salad or a cheeseburger, here's the recipe you reach for.

20 of 50

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

Here's a recipe many of us were skeptical about ("creamy" and "cucumber" just don't seem like a natural match), but it turned out to be the easy, refreshing side we couldn't get enough of this summer.

21 of 50

Raspberry, Sumac, and Almond Snack Cake

Credit: Annie Campbell

Raspberry, Sumac, and Almond Snack Cake Recipe

When you discover a dry spice that delivers a vibrant punch akin to fresh citrus, it's kind of a big deal. This cake is simple to make and utterly impressive to serve.

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22 of 50

Korean Fried Chicken

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Korean Fried Chicken Recipe

Hands down—this is the best fried chicken any of us have ever experienced. If you're heat-averse, skip the sauce and eat it naked. It's still obsession worthy.

23 of 50

Basic Cheese Dip

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Basic Cheese Dip Recipe

It's basic but beautiful. This is the only homemade cheese dip recipe you'll ever need in life. Jazz it up however feels right.

24 of 50

Taco Mac & Cheese

Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Taco Mac & Cheese Recipe

For a weeknight skillet supper the whole crew is gonna enjoy, this is a stand-out winner. And if you want to see a bunch of adults crowd around a pan of mac and cheese with forks, make it for your friends.

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25 of 50

Endless Summer Salad

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Endless Summer Salad Recipe

This bountiful bowl of produce encapsulates everything we love about summer. Not to mention, that dressing is everything.

26 of 50

Kung Pao Chicken Salad

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Food Styling: Ivy Odom; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Kung Pao Chicken Salad Recipe

Not that there's anything wrong with classic chicken salad, but chicken salad featuring spicy chile crisp and Kewpie mayo is in a league of its own.

27 of 50

Ramen Casserole

Credit: Antonis Achilles; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay Clark

Ramen Casserole Recipe

Folks, this is a casserole for 2019. It's all of the warming comfort of ramen, conveniently baked into an 11x7-inch masterpiece.

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28 of 50

Instant Pot Korean BBQ 

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Instant Pot Korean BBQ  Recipe

Just another dish that proves the almighty kitchen power of the Instant Pot.

29 of 50

Baileys Pecan Pie

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Baileys Pecan Pie Recipe

Baileys Irish Cream is such an easy but impactful upgrade to traditional pecan pie. Not sure how we didn't think of it sooner.

30 of 50

Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Ranch Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Sure, you could make basic mashed potatoes... or you could make these mashed potatoes loaded with fresh herbs and completely delight everyone at the table.

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31 of 50

Garlic Knot Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Anna Theoktisto

Garlic Knot Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe

These sliders were a recipe revelation. More sandwiches should really be served on oversized garlic knots.

32 of 50

Apple Pie French Toast Casserole

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Anna Theoktisto

Apple Pie French Toast Casserole Recipe

This is the kind of make-ahead, crowd-pleasing breakfast recipe that virtually everyone needs in their back pocket.

33 of 50

Tri Tip Roast with Porcini-Shallot Butter

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Tri Tip Roast with Porcini-Shallot Butter Recipe

Clearly, anytime we can take a traditionally inexpensive (and generally less beloved) cut of meat and make it into something deliciously memorable, we are all about it.

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34 of 50

Green Chile Apple Pie