The 10 Most Popular Real Simple Recipes of 2022
Here’s what you made most this year.
DEBBY LEWIS-HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES
Since the year is coming to a close, we thought it would be a great time to look back on the previous 12 months and see which recipes really resonated with you—our readers. With that in mind, we compiled a list of the 10 most popular Real Simple recipes of 2022. These dishes, which include appetizers, cocktails, desserts, and more, were the recipes you clicked on most this year.
While the list includes a few longtime favorites—we see you, melting potatoes!—you’ll also find new recipes in the bunch that were published earlier this year. Not surprisingly, many of the newbies are dishes (or drinks) that were made popular on TikTok. Lettuce chips, anyone?
Keep reading for the complete list of the 10 most popular Real Simple recipes of 2022!
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Classic Amaretto Sour
Our most popular recipe of the year was this beloved cocktail, which requires just five ingredients and takes as many minutes to make. The amaretto liqueur is key here, while the “sour” element comes from freshly-squeezed lemon juice and a slice of orange. For a vacation-approved version of this drink, try our amaretto slushie!
Melting Potatoes
Potatoes are delicious in just about any form, but they are especially tasty when they are transformed into creamy, caramelized coins, as is the case with this popular recipe. All you need to do to make this dish is toss thick slices of potato in melted butter, roast ‘em in a very hot oven, add chicken stock at the end of the baking time, and serve ‘em with the reduced stock on top. Easy enough, right?
3-Layer Magic Cake
While we love classic cakes like carrot cake and chocolate layer cake, there’s just something about this easy-to-make magic cake that sets it apart from other desserts. The key to this sweet treat is creating three distinct layers—a thick, fudgy bottom layer, a custard center, and a top layer of delicate sponge cake. Trust us when we say that this dessert doesn’t disappoint!
Easy Homemade Mild Salsa
A salsa recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes? Consider us intrigued. This classic dip, which is easy enough to make every time you have company over, is the perfect dish to serve with tortilla chips, but it’s also great spooned over a taco or on the side of some cheesy scrambled eggs. If you’re not a fan of spice, just skip the minced jalapeño and seeds.
Ranch Water
If you love to sip on a margarita every now and again, consider giving ranch water a try. The drink, which originated in Texas decades ago, is billed as a lighter version of a classic margarita, and with good reason. It’s made with tequila, plenty of fresh lime juice, and Topo Chico—a beloved Mexican sparkling mineral water brand—and doesn’t skimp on flavor. To elevate your ranch water, consider using a flavored Topo Chico variety, adding a classic salt rim, or swapping tequila for some smoky mezcal.
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2-Ingredient Rolled Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream generally requires some time and effort to make, but this popular rolled ice cream recipe can be whipped up with just 20 minutes of hands-on work. The well-known Thai frozen dessert, which calls for just three ingredients, can also be tailored to your own taste. Once you have your base, you can customize the treat using chocolate chips, fresh fruit, cookies, and more.
Lettuce Chips
This TikTok recipe went viral around March, which clearly helped it earn a spot on this list. While not as tasty as, say, potato chips, lettuce chips are considered a healthy alternative to the popular snack food. To make lettuce chips, all you need is lettuce (obviously), fresh lemon juice, red (or white) wine vinegar, black pepper, and pink Himalayan salt. Then, to get that chip shape, simply tear into a big head of lettuce with your bare hands and toss the pieces in a bowl with the dressing. And that’s it!
Royal Icing
Since royal icing is used in many ways to decorate a variety of well-known desserts, it’s no surprise that this was one of the most popular recipes of the year. The sweet topping is essentially frosting that's made from confectioners' sugar, egg whites, and flavorings. Once you master this recipe, you can decorate sugar cookies, zhuzh up a gingerbread house, and adorn a cake or cupcakes with a bevy of interesting decorations.
Crispy Chickpeas
While not a brand-new dish, we’re guessing that the recipe for these crispy chickpeas was so popular this year, in part, because of the snack’s incredible versatility. Whether you want to eat these chickpeas by the handful or toss ‘em in a salad or soup, you really can’t go wrong. The key to an excellent level of crispiness is placing the chickpeas on a preheated sheet pan. This allows them to crisp up right away without burning.
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Dirty Shirley
It shouldn’t come as a shock that the drink of the summer was able to nab the final spot on our list of the most popular recipes of the year. This cocktail, which went viral on TikTok at the start of the summer, is basically a grownup version of the childhood classic. The “grownup” portion is courtesy of a shot of vodka, which is joined by typical Shirley Temple ingredients such as grenadine and lemon-lime soda. If you’re not a vodka fan, feel free to substitute tequila, rum, or gin instead.
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