Top Recipes of 2021

It’s always interesting for me to look back on my most popular posts from the past year because it inevitably reminds me that sometimes posts that don’t get as much engagement on my site (recipes!) are still worth sharing. Blogs and the internet have changed so much and with the onset of social media, people are much more likely to comment on an Instagram picture than a blog post (and I don’t blame them — it’s easier and faster!) but blog posts that have few comments sometimes are still very popular in terms of pageviews. Case in point: Recipes!

My recipes often don’t get a lot of comments or engagement initially but when I look back on the past year, recipes were some of my most popular blog posts in 2021. (Seven of my top 10 overall most popular posts were recipes!) A lot of the recipes I’m highlighting in today’s top recipe posts of 2021 are old favorites but it was fun to see a new recipe claim a top spot, too!

Here’s a peek into the most popular recipes on PBF in 2021!

Top 10 Recipes of 2021

• Easy Orange Juice Marinated Chicken

This blog post was actually my most popular blog post overall in 2021! I’m not sure why this recipe stood out more than others but I think it might be because it’s rather specific. I know that sometimes I Google recipes around one ingredients I have on hand that I want to use (in this case orange juice!) and I imagine others might be out there doing the same. This recipe is naturally sweet and savory and we love it so I hope that those of you who have tried it have enjoyed it as well!

• Three Minute Egg White Oatmeal

This has been on of my most popular recipes for years and the pictures from this three-minute oatmeal finally got a little refresh this year! Any recipe that can be made in a limited amount of time is always a hit with me and I have a feeling the fact that this recipe can be made in three minutes only adds to its appeal.

• Greek Yogurt Rotisserie Chicken Salad

This is another recipe that continues to claim a top spot on the blog year after year. It spikes in popularity in the summer months but proves popular all year long. It’s an easy one to make and is a mayo-free recipe for chicken salad that seems to appeal to a lot of people!

• Simple Shrimp Dip

Always a hit around the Fourth of July and during the holidays, this simple shrimp dip has been a popular blog recipe since it was originally shared back in 2017. The recipe comes from my family archives and is a dip you can be sure you’ll find at any big family party thrown by my mom’s side of the family.

• Everything Bagel Seared Tuna

I’m so happy to see this recipe crack into the top 10 most popular recipes of 2021 because it’s a personal favorite. Seared tuna is intimidating to a lot of people, myself included before I discovered it is a breeze to make! I love using ALDI’s wild caught sushi-grade frozen tuna for this recipe because it’s crazy inexpensive (only $5 for 12 ounces!) and I just thaw it out before coating it in simple seasonings. I tastes restaurant-quality for waaay less!

• Paleo Chicken Thigh Marinade

I love it when a recipe our family makes on repeat pops up as a popular one on the blog! This recipe is easily one of the recipes from my blog that our family personally makes the most in our house so it’s fun to see so many of you enjoying it, too. If you haven’t made this chicken marinade yet, please give it a try! I promise it’s popular for a very good reason!

• Winning Cornbread Recipe

This recipe gains major traction in the fall and around the holidays but also seems to be quite popular around Easter, too! Apparently any time of year is a good time of year for cornbread! This recipe is basically the only cornbread recipe we make in our house anymore and pairs perfectly with a warm bowl of soup or chili.

• Crockpot Chicken Corn Chili

If I ever need a last-minute dinner idea, this recipe is one I turn to time and time again. It’s so simple to make and involves absolutely no chopping. You basically just dump a bunch of things in the slow cooker and wait for the magic to happen. It’s also a crowd pleaser (it’s the chili recipe that won an award for best non-traditional hcili at a chili cook off!) so it’s a recipe I also enjoy making for friends and family.

• Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf

Finally a recipe I shared in 2021 made the list! This recipe for a turkey vegetable meatloaf was shared in the spring of last year and quickly became a recipe I made a TON for our family. It’s veggie-packed and so delicious! I love that so many of you and your little ones love it, too!

• Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Overnight Oats

This throwback blog recipe has been a popular one for years and years and I finally got around to updating the pictures in this post! They desperately needed a refresh and hopefully helped increased the appeal of this simple but tasty breakfast recipe.

Question of the Day

What kind of recipes would you like to see more of on this blog in 2022?