Let’s pause for a second helping to celebrate the most-loved recipes of 2025 from Southern Bite – the ones y’all made on repeat, shared with friends, and came back to again and again.
If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked me, “Stacey, what’s everybody been cooking lately?” I’d have enough money to buy the fancy butter I keep telling myself I don’t need.
So here it is: the recipes y’all cooked, shared, saved, and came back to again and again in 2025. These are the tried-and-true favorites that made their way onto weeknight tables, holiday spreads, and “I need something easy but still impressive” moments. In other words… the kind of recipes I live for.
And I love this list for one big reason: it’s not about what’s trendy. It’s about what actually works when you’re tired, hungry, and trying to feed people you love without turning your kitchen into a crime scene.
Why these recipes rose to the top this year
Some recipes hit because they’re fast. Some hit because they’re cozy. Some hit because they use ingredients you already have and don’t require a second mortgage at the grocery store. But the real winners? They’re the ones that make you feel like you’ve got it together… even if you’re wearing pajama pants at 5:30pm.
This year’s favorites had a few things in common: simple ingredients, big comfort, and that “make it once and it goes in the rotation” magic.
See previous year’s lists: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
A little thank-you from me
If you cooked even one Southern Bite recipe this year, you’re part of what makes this whole thing special. Every comment, photo tag, “my picky kid actually ate this,” and “my husband asked when I’m making it again” message means more than you probably realize.
Because at the end of the day, I’m not trying to win the internet. I’m just trying to help you get supper on the table and maybe make it feel a little more like home while you’re at it.
Here’s to more good food, less stress, and a whole lot more “what’s for supper?” in 2026.
Barbara Nichols-Dyson Miller
Happy New Year. I love your recipes. I hope you start thinking on a Cooking at Chinaberry Cookbook. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. I love you.
Happy New Year, friend! Thank you so much for the kind note and for loving my recipes. A Cooking at Chinaberry cookbook is such a fun idea. I really appreciate your prayers and your sweet words, and I’m sending you my best for a wonderful year ahead.
GAIL FREGO
Hey Stacey! I made around 300 of your Pecan Snowball Cookies on December 18, 2025. I made a trial batch and my husband and I (and our housecleaning lady) sampled them and oh my goodness! They have now permanently replaced my Mama’s Sandtarts recipe which I “used to make” every year. I took a bunch of them on a tray to our extended family gathering on December 20 in Ramer, Alabama and gave small boxes of them as gifts at that gathering, and also gave several boxes to our friends when we got back home to Fairhope. I have had so many thanks and compliments – they said “don’t ever bring anything else but these…” and “I thought the Sandtarts were good but they don’t hold a candle to these…” and many more comments and “Ummmmmm…”s. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Hey, Gail! I’m so glad you loved them, and I’m honored they replaced your Mama’s Sandtarts. The fact that folks are saying, “Don’t bring anything else,” tells me everything I need to know. Thank you for making and sharing so many, and for coming back to tell me!
BJ Hall
I have gone through a lot of food (recipe) sites over the last few years and I would like you to know that yours is one of the best. I really enjoy your newsletters and the little notes about your life. I do not cook much anymore but just reading your recipes give me a lot of enjoyment. Have a Happy New Year!!🤗🤗
Thank you so much for this sweet note. I’m really glad you enjoy the newsletters and the little life updates, and it means a lot to hear the recipes still bring you joy. Wishing you a very Happy New Year, too!
Rebecca Morris
I recently tried your Easy Hamburger Steaks. My husband doesnt like new meals, he wants to stick to same old same old meals. He kept asking during dinner where did I get recipe, what was in it. I assumed this was headed to a negative. Quite the opposite ! He asked that I save recipe and fix again. WOW! Thanks Stacey, you just made my life easier.
Well that’s a kitchen win right there! I’m so glad the Hamburger Steaks passed the “same old, same old” test and earned a repeat request. Thanks for coming back to tell me, and I’m happy it made supper a little easier at your house!
Gene Jantzen
Stacey,
Greetings from Texas on New Year’s Eve. I always enjoy your posts, have tried and kept many and have capitalized on your talents to supplement my home cook knowledge and mistakes. Cooking for just two most of the time I have to pare the recipes down from 9×13 casseroles to something that eliminates leftovers. We did retire and move closer to family a few months back and now have my wife’s two daughters’ families with 7 grandchildren, 17 to 10. Then, I double or more the recipe.
Thanks so much, Gene! Great to hear from you!
Janis
I only found your website earlier this year when I was searching for a chicken and rice dish I was tasked to make for Wednesday night bible study at church. I rarely cook chicken, but I found your Fajita Chicken and Rice recipe – it was perfect.
I also shared the recipe with my niece, and she has made it at least 4 times since then.
Thanks so much, Janis! Love hearing that!