The 20 Best Recipes of 2026...So Far

I blinked and somehow we are over halfway through 2026. If you understand how that happened, enlighten me please! It’s been an especially delicious year at Bon Appétit. Of course we’ve had plenty of write-home-about desserts courtesy of Bon Appétit Bake Club from senior Test Kitchen editors Shilpa Uskokovic and Jesse Szewczyk. We’ve also kicked off a new healthy cooking column, Good for You, from Test Kitchen editor Rebecca Firkser. And we’ve embraced the changing seasons, first with a sprightly spring collection (hello, baked leek pasta), then with a grill-forward summer mix (hi, green sauce tofu) and our bated-breath return of the Farmers Market Challenge (applause!). Check out the best of the bunch with our top 20 recipes of 2026 so far, in descending order. Who will wear the crown come December? Only time will tell. It’s in your hands!

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20. Baked Cheddar and Leek Pasta

Not stuffed shells. But not not stuffed shells either.

19. Cottage Cheese Caramelized Onion Dip

Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.

18. Tiny Tomato Galettes

With a crisp crust, garlicky mayo, and a juicy slice of tomato.

17. Gochujang Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.

16. Berry Protein Smoothie

With cottage cheese blended right in—yes—this smoothie will keep you full until lunch.

15. 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse

It comes together in a blender and just happens to be dairy-free.

14. Cheddar Biscuits With Old Bay

These cheesy biscuits are a dream savory breakfast. Or pile them in a basket to round out any dinner.

13. Need-More-Fiber Lentil Salad

Because most of us do!

12. 10-Minute Bone Broth Soup

With a gingery egg drop, lots of kale, and toast on the side.

11. Peruvian-Style Tofu With Creamy Cilantro Sauce

The high-impact flavors traditionally used in the marinade for Peruvian chicken—soy sauce, cumin, and paprika—are applied to grilled tofu with resounding success.

10. Homemade Bagels

Crusty, chewy, and actually easy. No lye or barley syrup needed.

9. Smashed Broccoli Pasta

A feel-good dinner designed to cram a ton of veg in each serving.

8. Strawberry Shortcake Roll

A birthday favorite in the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen.

7. Miso-Peanut Hibachi Chicken

The magical combination of miso and peanut butter beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.

6. Super Seedy Power Cookies

As energizing as an energy bar, with a much simpler ingredient list.

5. Gluten-Free No-Knead Oat Chia Bread

An easy one-bowl recipe, no shaping or scoring required.

4. Whole Lemon Bars

Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.

3. Speedy Chicken Stroganoff

This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.

2. Chocolate Guinness Cake

A generous glug of stout gives this snackable loaf a malty depth.

1. Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon

This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.