Top Recipes of 2016

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Inquiring Chef_Top Recipes 2016

Here, at the beginning of 2017, are the top recipes of 2016. We do it every year, but admittedly, 2017 is off to a slow, meandering start.

Hopefully it’s better late than never though because here are the Top 10 Inquiring Chef Recipes of 2016, based on traffic. Enjoy!

10. 20-Minute Chicken Ramen Stir-Fry

Fast, healthy dinner recipes – you guys love these as much as we do! I’ve got loads of ideas for more recipes as easy and delicious as this 20 minute stir-fry.

Chicken Ramen Stir-Fry in a bowl with chopsticks

9. The Best Chocolate Bundt Cake

Oh goodness – what can I say about this cake. It really is the best. Dense and moist and with a bit of coffee to cut through the richness. We had this cake over the weekend for a family birthday and I fell in love with it again. If you haven’t made it yet, you should – you won’t regret it!

Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Glaze on a cake plate

8. Cauliflower Rice

It’s not flashy, but cauliflower rice has been a favorite on the pages of this blog as well as in our kitchen. Light, fluffy and easy to freeze this is one of those recipes that is perfect for the healthier eating so many of us gravitate towards this time of year.

Cauliflower Rice in a blue bowl with chopsticks

7. Thai-Style Meatballs with Peanut Sauce

I’m easily sold on any recipe that includes Thai Peanut Sauce, but these Thai-inspired meatballs are made for that sauce.

Thai Meatballs in a lettuce cup

 

6. Braised Red Wine Short Ribs

Learning that it is super easy to make short ribs at home was one of my favorite kitchen discoveries of 2016. It’s understandable that it’s one of our top recipes of 2016. You all loved this recipe as well, and told me that you especially liked the idea of creamy parmesan polenta to serve with these tender bites of meat.

Braised Short Ribs over Parmesan Polenta in a white bowl

5. Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Smoothie

Oats give these smoothies a whole grain boost and thick, creamy texture. Powdered peanut butter gives them tons of peanut flavor without all the calories – we make this one again and again around here.

 Smoothies in glass jars with straws

4. Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet and a little spicy, I could dip everything in this sauce. And it’s so easy to make at home – never buy the store-bought stuff again.

a small white bowl of thai chili sauce

3. Slow Cooker Turkey, Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

Toss it all in the slow-cooker, set it and go. This super easy, protein packed recipe was a hit in 2016. I just heard from a reader (hi Kristina!) who said that her quinoa-averse kids even liked it.

a white bowl of chili topped with cheese and sour cream

2. Vietnamese Shrimp Noodle Bowls

Noodle bowls make everyone happy. I love that this shrimp version got so much love in 2016 because we just shared a similar recipe earlier this week.

Shrimp Noodle Bowls on a wooden table

1. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

And the top recipe of 2016 is this colorful side dish. Humble Brussels sprouts seem like the least likely thing to inspire clicks, but 2016 was definitely the year for this recipe. The bacon surely doesn’t hurt. 😉

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a cast iron skillet

 

Favorite Tools

If you liked these, check out previous years’ top recipes:

2011 Top Recipes
2012 Top Recipes
2013 Top Recipes
2014 Top Recipes
2015 Top Recipes

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About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

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