Happy new year — I hope you had a fabulous end to the holiday season!
Ours felt fuller then ever before — in slightly stressful ways (does crying in your car prior to a media event count as being stressed out?!) but also in truly wonderful ways. We took Gwen and my niece to the Nutcracker ballet, my Mom and I took in a Christmas Eve-Eve Mannheim Steamroller concert, Ben and I hosted our first holiday party, and I played so much Amy Grant that Gwen memorized the lyrics to Tender Tennessee Christmas, bahaha.
All that said, I was excited to get the house turned over, cleaned out, and welcome the new year with open arms. 2022 was one for the books both personally and professionally, and I am so excited to see what 2023 has in store!
Before we forge ahead, I want to share the top 10 new recipes in 2022 as voted on by your clicks, views, and shares. This is my favorite post of the year because I love to see what YOU loved!
This was a special year for IGE because I started working with an old blogging pal turned food photographer to take over photographing my recipes. Together Ashley and I released dozens of new recipes this year, and updated photos for oldie but goodie recipes like Caprese Skewers, Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Pasta Pomodoro, Gluten Free Sugar Cookies, Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes, and more. As you know, we eat with our eyes first so to have photos that truly represent how delicious these existing recipes are was a MAJOR highlight of 2022.
As we move into the new year, let me know if you have any recipe requests! What do you want to see more of? I’m here to help. :)
Last thing – are you on my email list? It’s completely free, and the best way to stay up to date on new recipes as they’re posted, as well as weekly updates with seasonal/timely recipes. I’d love to have you! Simply sign up below.
Without further ado — let’s get into it!
Top Recipes from Previous Years
- 2021 Reader Favorite Recipes
- 2020 Reader Favorite Recipes
- 2019 Reader Favorite Recipes
- 2018 Reader Favorite Recipes
- 2017 Reader Favorite Recipes
- 2016 Reader Favorite Recipes
- 2105 Reader Favorite Recipes
#1 Jennifer Aniston Salad
Every year there’s a new recipe that goes “viral” on social media, and it’s so much fun to wait and see which one it will be. In 2022 it was, without a doubt, the Jennifer Aniston Salad. Y’all LOVED making this protein-packed, plant-based recipe for healthy, ready-made lunches in 2022.
Reader Nikole says: “This salad is so delicious. There is so much explosion of flavor happening and the next bite is never the same from the last. I could eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner and not grow tired of it.”
#2 Oven Baked Burgers
You loved this burger-baking hack for when it’s too cold to grill outside, or you want to keep your stovetop clean from grease, as much as I did! These juicy burgers are still on repeat at my house.
Reader Taryn says: “These are the best! My husband kept saying how good they were. I added Montreal Steak seasoning to my meat and it was perfect. Game.Changer.”
#3 Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
Craving enchiladas but not the stuffing and rolling required? I’ve got you! This easy skillet recipe combines all the ingredients for beef and vegetable enchiladas into one delectable recipe. So, so simple.
Reader Nancy says: “We made this for supper last night and my husband is still talking about it this morning! Definitely going into the menu rotation.”
#4 Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing
I daydream about this toppings-packed salad at least once a week – the peanut sauce is soooo good. Ben and I both got into adding cooked quinoa to our lunch time salads this past year as a way to add staying power. It really makes a difference.
Reader Gale says: “I made the mistake of making the dressing way ahead of time, and now I can’t stop sneaking a small taste of it (just for quality control, you know . . .). Next time, I’d better make double!”
#5 Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl
In 2022 we saw the prices of groceries and meals out soar — I think that had a lot to do with the success of my Spicy Tuna Roll Bowls. All the flavor of a restaurant’s spicy tuna roll, made with fridge and pantry staples. Totally delicious!
Reader Megan says: “Wow, this recipe was phenomenal!! It tasted EXACTLY like a scrumptious spicy tuna roll! My husband requested I make it every week and I just may have to oblige.”
#6 Shrimp & Asparagus Risotto
I was thrilled to update the photos for this oldie but goodie recipe to introduce it to new readers, and re-inspire those who may have seen it in the past. I have yet to have an unhappy customer when they make this luscious yet easy risotto recipe.
Reader Betty says: “Loved this recipe so much. I have never cooked risotto before but your instructions worked perfectly. Finished product was delicious. The leftovers were even wonderful.”
#7 Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
The idea for this pasta salad recipe has been on my “to make” list for YEARS — so glad this was this year to make and share it because you loved it too! Great to serve at everything from a summer BBQ to a scrumptious spring dinner, and every moment in between. This is another recipe I daydream about often!
Reader Kristen says: “I absolutely LOVE this salad I’ve made it at least three times in the last week!!”
#8 Creamy Mushroom Parmesan Pasta
This gluten free pasta recipe was inspired by a meal Ben and I had in New York during the 2021 holiday season. It was a dead ringer for the restaurant meal. I loved bringing a little bit of NYC to your kitchen via this recipe.
Reader Janan says: “This pasta dish is amazing!! All my fav veggies – bacon, mushrooms, spinach, heavy cream. Lol. It will be on repeat for our house. So easy too!”
#9 Quick & Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
If you havn’t had a chance to try my new in 2022 Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread recipe, I urge you to hop to the kitchen ASAP! It is so moist and tender – truly the most perfect pumpkin bread…made gluten free.
Reader Emma says: “Wow! What an incredible recipe! I used King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten free flour and this turned out so moist and flavorful! We will be making this again and again!”
#10 Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp and Vegetables
I loved seeing how you all cooked this easy sheet pan recipe in 2022. Some served it for company because of how gorgeous it is, while others used it as a quick and easy way to get a protein and veggie-packed meal on the table because it cooks in just 15 minutes. YES, 15 minutes!!
Reader David says: “I made this the other night. It was really good. I mean REALLY good! Easy to prepare, easy to clean up. My teenage son said, ‘Whoa!’ after the first bite. He had seconds then thirds. This recipe is a new family favorite.”
Wishing you and yours an INCREDIBLE and delicious 2023! I look forward to serving you in the new year!
Happy new year! For new recipe requests, I love one pot/pan recipes or crockpot things. We’re a house with two working parents and two very little kids, so time is of the essence. Thank you for all the work you do; so many of your recipes are family favorites!
You got it, Olivia! I totally understand the struggle! To get you started, here are all my one pot/one pan meals: https://iowagirleats.com/category/recipes/one-pan/ Happy new year, and thank you SO much for your readership!!
I have followed you for YEARS and make and share many of your recipes… Thank you for all of the work you have put into them! Over the past couple of years we’ve moved to whole food plant-based eaters and I’ve been able to modify many of our favorites to fit our style. That said, any future recipes that are veggie or bean centered will be especially welcome.
Pls forgive any typos…the ad keeps climbing over the comment box as I type on phone.
Thank you so very much for your long time readership, Bonnie – I appreciate you more than you know!! Thank you also for sharing your recipe wish list – we are moving more in this direction also, and so I am excited to develop more plant-based recipes this year. Lastly, I’m so sorry to hear about the ad climbing over the comment box. Are you on your iphone?
Hi Kristin – I was typing on my android phone where the ad kept climbing up, but it’s fine on my laptop now.
Good luck as you move to more whole food plant-based recipes – I have been surprised at how scrumptious they’ve been and it keeps it affordable as prices for meat, dairy and eggs keep rising. Lunch today was your red beans and rice recipe without the sausage, with brown rice and doubled the peppers and onions – delish. Honestly, so many of your recipes are in my binder of regular meals. A few I now miss (oh your sweet corn and bacon skillet mac and cheese – OMG that was superb) but still recommend to young adults asking for meal ideas! Sorry to ramble – just appreciate all the work you put into your recipes/blog that enables me to put a good dinner on the table.
You aren’t rambling! I really appreciate your kind and supportive words – I’m so glad that many of my recipes have made it into your regular rotation, and that you’ve found ways to modify them to your changing food choices. I love the idea of that meatless red beans and rice. I’m going to try it. My kids love that meal!