The Year We Cooked Together
If there’s one thing I never want to get used to, it’s this: you letting my recipes be part of your real life. Not just the pretty, planned-out meals—but the weeknights when everyone’s hungry right now, the weekends when you finally have time to cook something cozy, and the holidays when the table feels a little more meaningful.
So today I’m sharing the top recipes of 2025—the most popular recipes on A Southern Soul this year. These are the ones you clicked, saved, made again, and sent to friends. And if you’re new around here, this list is a pretty great place to start.
With a grateful heart,
PS…If you’re building your weekly meal plan, bookmark this post. It’s like your “best-of” shortcut.
What Makes A Southern Soul Different (And Why I’ll Always Cook This Way)
This year reminded me why I’ll always love home cooking: it’s not just food—it’s comfort, care, and connection. And if I’m being honest, 2025 also showed me how much we all need recipes we can trust. The kind that don’t require fancy steps or a ton of babysitting, but still feel like something you’re proud to serve.
Every recipe on this site is tested in my own kitchen, written with clear steps, and updated when I learn a better way—so you can trust what you make. When you tell me, “This turned out perfectly,” or “My family asked for it again,” that’s everything to me.
Thank you for cooking with me this year—for your comments, your shares, your messages, and for inviting me into your meals and celebrations. I truly do not take that lightly.
Reader Favorites (Most Popular Overall)
These are the recipes that kept rising to the top—steady favorites that work year-round.
Classic Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip is rich, creamy, and super easy to make in the slow cooker. This cheesy, warm dip with swirls of fresh spinach and artichokes is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for your next party, game day celebration, or when you're entertaining.
The BEST Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
Juicy, fall-apart chicken thighs slow-cooked in a bold, savory-sweet sauce made with garlic, honey, and soy. It’s comfort food with big flavor—just the kind of dish that makes weeknights easier and weekends even better.
Crock Pot Potato Soup
Crock Pot Potato Soup is rich, creamy, and packed with amazing flavors. Topped with bacon, cheese, and chives, this easy-to-make soup tastes like a loaded baked potato spoonful after spoonful!
Caprese Pasta Salad (Fresh and Easy)
This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect for a simple family meal or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love.
Easy Crock Pot Baked Beans
Slow-Cooked, sweet and savory baked beans with brown sugar and bacon is a side dish recipe that's pure perfection! For any cookout, barbecue, or summer party, these Easy Crock Pot Baked beans will be a hit.
Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs
Easy Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs made with pineapple, BBQ sauce, and ginger. Sweet, tangy, and tender — perfect as a party appetizer or weeknight meal.
Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili Recipe
The Best Chili recipe starts off with beef and beans in a rich sauce is loaded with amazing flavor! That's perfect for tailgating, game day, or when you're feeding a crowd. Simmered for hours, it is comfort food at its BEST.
Homemade Sausage Gravy
Homemade Sausage Gravy ladled over warm biscuits is a classic Southern recipe that's the ultimate breakfast comfort food. This simple, delicious dish, made with just 3-ingredients, in 20-minutes is a great way to start the day and is delicious for dinner!
Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, cookouts and family gatherings.
Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Buttery croissants, smokey ham, and gooey cheese are all baked together for the ultimate breakfast casserole. Inspired by the French classic, Croque Monsieur, this is an easy-to-make recipe that's heavenly served with powdered sugar, jam and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and a must for the holidays.
Weeknight Dinners You Made on Repeat
Quick enough for real life, comforting enough to feel like you actually cooked.
Oven Fried Chicken (Crispy And Juicy)
Learn how to make crispy, succulent chicken in the oven, without sacrificing flavor or texture! This simple recipe for Oven Fried Chicken is a winner on busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want delicious fried chicken without a lot of work.
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
My Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe, packed with savory ground beef, ripe tomatoes, garlic, and a blend of aromatic herbs, is about to become your go-to for family dinners! Whether served over a big bowl of pasta or used in your favorite Italian-inspired recipes, it’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but you can have it ready in about an hour!
Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
Make the best Oven Baked BBQ Chicken with this easy 4-ingredient recipe! The chicken is moist and juicy with a sweet BBQ glaze that is so good you won't believe it was made in the oven.
Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef is fall-apart tender and has deep, rich flavor. Made with green chiles and a handful of staple spices, this simple recipe for beef Barbacoa is fantastic for tacos, nachos, salads and so much more!
Sheet Pan Hamburger Steak
This recipe is short on work and big on flavor and it's all made on a single pan. Juicy hamburger steaks along with savory mushrooms and onions is a perfect dinner made for 2 and easy enough to make for a crowd.
Holiday + Party Hits
These are the ones that showed up for the big moments—potlucks, holidays, and last-minute guests.
Slow Cooker Beef Queso Dip
Queso Beef Dip is creamy, cheesy, loaded with ground beef, and simple to make in the slow cooker! This velvety smooth dip with swirls of green chilies, salsa, and jalapeños is a crowd-pleasing appetizer at any party, game-day celebration, or when you're entertaining.
Ranch Fire Crackers: Spicy No Bake Recipe
These no-bake Ranch Fire Crackers are a bold, spicy snack made with saltines, ranch seasoning, and red pepper flakes—easy to make and impossible to resist!
Easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip
Get your cheesecake fix with this sweet, creamy, easy to make dip! This no-bake dessert has all the classic flavors of cheesecake yet it's taken to a whole new level with the addition of fresh fruit, cookies and savory pretzels for dipping.
Candied Jalapeños Recipe (Cowboy Candy)
It doesn't matter if you call them Candied Jalapeños or Cowboy Candy, this sweet and spicy concoction is downright irresistible! With just a few ingredients, fresh jalapeños are turned into something extra special and perfect with burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers or anything else that suits your fancy.
Antipasto Skewers: The Ultimate Appetizer or Side Dish
These Antipasto Skewers are a fun, make-ahead appetizer packed with bold Italian flavors. Great for parties, easy dinners, or serving alongside soup or grilled meats—this is finger food done right.
My “Cook With Confidence” Tips for 2026
If you’re heading into the new year wanting easier dinners and less stress in the kitchen, here are a few simple habits that genuinely help:
- Plan two anchor meals each week. One hands-off dinner (slow cooker, casserole, sheet pan) and one quick stovetop meal.
- Keep a short list of go-to pantry staples. When the basics are stocked, dinner decisions get easier fast.
- Cook once, eat twice when you can. Doubling a recipe that freezes well is one of my favorite tricks.
- Build a plate when you’re stuck. Protein + something hearty + something fresh = a solid meal almost every time.
Quick FAQ: Top Recipes of the Year
I pull this list from the recipes that performed best this year—based on reader traffic, saves, and repeat visits. In other words: the recipes you kept coming back for.
Many of the most popular recipes are make-ahead friendly (and I always include storage tips on each post). If you’re planning for a party or holiday, look for casseroles, dips, and slow cooker meals first.
Bookmark this post, pin your favorites, or save the recipes to your phone. If you’re a meal planner, this list is a great “go-to” resource when you need reliable dinner ideas.
Looking Ahead to 2026
I’m walking into 2026 grateful—and excited. I’ve got new comfort food recipes coming, more easy entertaining ideas, and the kind of practical kitchen tips that make you feel steady and capable even on your busiest days.
And if there’s something you want more of this year—quick dinners, holiday menus, casseroles, desserts, slow cooker meals—leave a comment and tell me. I pay attention, and your feedback genuinely shapes what I create next.
My New eBook!
The Effortless Host
Hosting doesn’t have to mean stress, long to-do lists, or staying stuck in the kitchen. The Effortless Host is your shortcut to pulling off beautiful gatherings with confidence and ease.
Happy New Year!
Bring a Little Southern Soul Into Your Kitchen
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