In 2025, the recipes people bookmarked, saved and made again and again read like a mood board: hungry, practical and a little worldly. Across big-name food sites the same themes kept popping up — weeknight heroes that double as leftovers, tried-and-true casseroles for company, and an appetite for global plates adapted for home kitchens.
The year the chicken reigned
If there’s one clear pattern from the year-end roundups, it’s this: Americans really, really like chicken. One publisher’s list of the 25 most-saved dinners was dominated by the bird — everything from the viral “Marry Me” chicken to Hawaiian shoyu thighs and creamy Dijon one‑pan dinners. Another site’s most-loved recipes included chicken shawarma sheet-pan dinners, chicken lo mein and air-fryer Greek chicken.
Why the obsession? Chicken is forgiving, fast, and wildly adaptable. It models easily into luxury (creamy Tuscan sauce), convenience (sheet-pan and one-pot methods) and nostalgia (chicken and dumplings–adjacent comfort). For busy households it’s a reliable protein that plays well with new flavors — lemon-herb braises one night, gochujang or jerk riffs the next.
Comfort food — upgraded and evergreen
Casseroles and comforting bakes were everywhere: King Ranch chicken casserole, breakfast bakes that feed a crowd, goulash that cooks the pasta in the sauce. Southern Living’s most-saved recipes leaned into the dessert and party‑food end of the spectrum — pecan pie dump cake and hummingbird cake featured alongside creamy, cheesy staples.
At the same time, classic techniques were getting refreshed. Sheet-pan dinners and one‑pot skillets deliver fewer dishes and more flavor; slow cookers turned complex braises into hands-off weeknight wins; and the air fryer kept showing up as the quick shortcut for crisp textures without a deep fryer.
A hunger for the world, made at home
Saveur and other editors highlighted recipes that pointed to a growing curiosity about regional and international dishes: fried Thai-style chicken with sweet chili sauce, paneer bhurji from South Asian kitchens, Bahamian barbecue oxtail, Syracuse salt potatoes and a Japanese take on the Negroni. These are not just exoticities—many appeared in family-heritage posts or as accessible adaptations that keep the spirit of the original while simplifying technique and ingredients.
This year’s lists suggest home cooks are comfortable taking inspiration from streets and shorelines far from home, provided the recipes are clear and forgiving.
Baking and pantry projects held steady
Baking staples — banana bread (with a twist), scones, and a very old-school chocolate decadence cake — kept showing up on readers’ must-make lists. There was also interest in small projects: a homemade Dijon mustard recipe made one roundup’s top dozen, proof that people still enjoy easy projects that upgrade the everyday.
Quick wins that became routines
Several practical patterns ran through different sites’ favorites:
- High-protein, quick bowls (egg roll bowls, chicken and broccoli stir-fries) for weekday lunches and meal prep.
- Slow‑cooker and sheet‑pan dinners that minimize active time.
- Recipes that turn cheap pantry staples into something special (ramen hacks, cheesy casseroles, hearty bean and sausage skillets).
Put plainly: convenience without compromise was the dominant appetite.
What this says about home cooking in 2025
Taken together, the year-end lists suggest the average home kitchen in 2025 balances three impulses: ease, comfort, and curiosity. People want dinners that are fast and forgiving, desserts that read like tradition, and a few ambitious or global dishes to keep dinner interesting. That mix explains why the same dishes — a creamy chicken, a hearty casserole, a bright international classic — reappear across very different publications.
If you’re looking to cook like 2025: keep your pantry stocked with staples (chicken, beans, good canned tomatoes), learn one versatile sauce (think lemon-cream or a garlicky nam jim), and don’t be afraid to try one recipe that tells a story from another place. The result will be meals that fit your week and feed curiosity at the same time.
Featured recipes mentioned in this round-up: Marry Me Chicken; Chicken Shawarma Sheet-Pan Dinner; Egg Roll Bowl; King Ranch Chicken Casserole; Pecan Pie Dump Cake; Chocolate Decadence Cake; Paneer Bhurji; Barbecue Oxtail; Homemade Dijon Mustard.