~ The best recipes of 2020 — reader favorites that helped make a difficult year a little brighter. Even if you’d like to forget most of 2020, these are dishes you’ll want to remember and make again and again! ~
It feels strange to pair the words “Best” and “2020.” So much about that year wasn’t great. Still, many of us found comfort and connection in cooking at home, and we focused more on healthy eating. Those are wins worth celebrating.
Delicious, easy, health-conscious recipes (THK-style) were a real bright spot in a rough year. As the calendar turned, I went through the year’s most popular recipes to see which family favorites became favorites among readers as well.
This is an annual ritual I look forward to every year. No matter how many celebrations 2020 interrupted, I wasn’t letting this tradition go.
How many of these best recipes have you tried? Which one did you miss that you can’t wait to make next?
Take a peek and see if your personal favorite made the list.
Best Recipes of 2020
Family-Favorite Instant Pot Sweet Potato Soup
This soup is a beloved family treasure — and clearly readers love it too. It’s richly creamy with a lovely balance of savory and sweet, brightened by orange juice and a warming trio of spices. It’s wonderful for lunch or as a starter, and it freezes well for easy meal prep.
Vintage Recipe for Easy Bread
This vintage no-yeast bread comes from my grandmother and remains a perfect homemade loaf today. It’s surprisingly tasty and nutritious, thanks to a couple of unexpected ingredients that make this unique bread special.
LOADED Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Inspired by a favorite restaurant dish, this version goes beyond typical buffalo cauliflower recipes. It’s piled with extra flavors, healthier than fried versions, and takes just five minutes to prep with no messy batter. Perfect as an appetizer or a game-day favorite.
Easy Corn Salsa (or Salad)
This super-easy corn salsa is delicious and versatile. Use raw or grilled corn, and serve it as a salsa dip or a side salad — or both. You can make it in about 10 minutes and prepare it ahead for gatherings.
Easy Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Made with just five common ingredients, this vinaigrette is remarkable. It’s the star dressing on our popular Salad with Goat Cheese, and I often whisk it together in about three minutes to dress simple greens on weeknights. Try it — you’ll be hooked.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
After testing, I found a few tweaks that make this Mexican street corn inspired salad lighter and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for Mexican night, picnics, or cookouts and can mostly be made ahead.
Grape Salad with Cream Cheese-Vanilla Dressing
This updated version keeps the refreshingly sweet flavors you love while using a lighter cream cheese-vanilla dressing. The result reduces fat and sugar so you can enjoy the classic taste without the guilt.
Apple Pie Overnight Chia Pudding
Following the popularity of our basic chia pudding recipes, this apple pie version was an instant hit. It’s like healthy apple pie for breakfast — comforting, flavorful, and easy to prepare ahead.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake
If you love zucchini bread and chocolate, this is a must-try. It’s incredibly moist with deep chocolate flavor and is a healthier take on dessert. It also freezes well, making it a great way to use excess summer zucchini.
Blueberry-Lemon Angel Food Cake Recipe
Simple and special, this five-ingredient dessert features sweet blueberry cream over warm angel food cake. It’s delightful grilled in summer and can be broiled or toasted year-round. No wonder it’s a fan favorite.
Our Own Personal Favorite Recipes of 2020
One ritual I enjoy after compiling the most-viewed recipes is looking at the ones that didn’t make the Top 10. It can feel a little sad — like some children left off the team — but often those recipes were published late in the year or have less obvious titles.
I don’t publish recipes I don’t love, so each year my family picks a few personal favorites that deserve extra recognition. For 2020, here are the picks we think should get a second look.
Comforting Stuffed Pepper Casserole with One-Step Italian Quinoa
Ty’s pick — he loves this comforting casserole. Published late in the year, it didn’t have as much time to gain traction, but it’s delicious and likely to win fans going forward.
Old-Fashioned Date Bar Recipe
Amy’s pick — this heirloom date bar recipe evokes home and family. Readers who tried it raved, and it quickly became a holiday favorite for many.
5-Minute Pomegranate Salsa
Scott’s pick — this fun, jewel-like salsa was a hit throughout the holidays. It’s playful to eat, tastes great, and is incredibly quick to make.
Christmas Fruit Salad
My pick — a fruit salad that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. It’s not much harder to make than ordinary fruit, but it adds festive flair to holiday meals. Definitely one to save for next Christmas.
More of Our Very Best Recipes
In case you missed any, here are collections of our most popular recipes through the years:
- 25 MOST POPULAR RECIPES OF A DECADE!
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2024
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2023
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2022
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2021
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2019
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2018
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2017
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2016
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2015
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2014
- Best Easy, Healthy Recipes of 2013
Welcome, 2021!
We were ready for a fresh start, and while much of 2020 is best left behind, the joy of cooking and the recipes we discovered are worth remembering. We’ll carry that into 2021 with excitement for more delicious recipes to come.