OWYD 2021 Highlights and Impact

2021 was a year many of us were eager to leave behind, but before it fully fades into memory I wanted to highlight some of the wins and delicious moments from the kitchen. If you’re feeling nostalgic, come take a look back at the recipes that stood out to me this year.

Nicole’s 2021 Recipe Favorites

Below are the recipes from 2021 that I keep returning to—my absolute must-makes. These dishes delivered big flavor and were consistently crowd-pleasers in our house. Try them out and tell me which ones you love.

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Smoked French Onion Soup

This soup surprised me with how transformative a recipe it is. I already loved anything French-onion–flavored, but turning it into a smoky, caramelized-onion-forward soup lifted it into another league. The deep, savory broth and melted cheese make it comfort food at its best.

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Boats

A perfect use for chuck roast—slow-cooked until tender, bathed in rich gravy, and spooned into hollowed-out sub buns for an over-the-top sandwich experience. These are messy, satisfying, and ideal for feeding a hungry group.

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Another celebration of chuck roast—this version leans Mexican: smoky shredded beef with bold seasonings, wrapped in tortillas and smothered in enchilada sauce and cheese. Pro tip: pre-smoking and portioning roasts into vacuum-sealed bags for the freezer saves huge amounts of time later.

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Smoked Garlic Goat Cheese

Smoking soft cheeses is such an effective technique. I loved smoked cream cheese, but smoked goat cheese quickly became a favorite—tangy, smoky, and wonderfully spreadable. It’s brilliant on crackers, stirred into dips, or crumbled over salads and roasted vegetables.

Surf and Turf Seafood Feast

This luxurious sheet-pan spread combined lobster tails, king crab, shrimp and scallops with perfectly cooked filet mignon and little hasselback potatoes—an indulgent, celebratory board that’s ideal for holidays or any special gathering.

Butter Swim Biscuits and Gravy

Butter Swim Biscuits—tender, flaky biscuits cooked with a touch of wood-fired smoke—paired with fresh sausage gravy were a revelation. The combination of smoky biscuits and rich gravy makes for an unforgettable brunch or weekend comfort meal.

Filet Mignon with Whiskey Garlic Shrimp Sauce

This dish seemed to show up in more of your photos than any other recipe this year—perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, or romantic dinners. The combination of tender filet and a bold garlic-whiskey shrimp sauce was a real crowd-pleaser.

Readers’ 2021 Recipe Favorites

Readers had their own set of favorites, and surprisingly there wasn’t much overlap with my personal picks. Here are the posts they made and loved most in 2021.

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60+ Blackstone Recipes

If you own a griddle, this collection is worth bookmarking. It gathers a wide variety of recipes tailored for the Blackstone griddle—everything from breakfast to dinner ideas that shine on a flat-top surface.

Blackstone Fried Rice Collection

Fried rice on the Blackstone is fast, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. This roundup brings together our favorite fried rice recipes and tips for getting great texture and flavor on the griddle.

Smoked Country-Style Pork Ribs

Whether it was belt-tightening beef prices or just a surge in pork appreciation, these smoked country-style ribs caught a lot of attention. They’re meaty, smoky, and straightforward to prepare—no wonder readers loved them.

Shredded Beef Dip (Sandwich)

This take on the classic dip transforms a smoked roast into tender, saucy shredded beef piled onto halved French rolls with melted cheese. It’s indulgent, hearty, and utterly craveable—an American-style dip sandwich that’s hard to resist.

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Blackstone Chicken Breasts

Perfectly cooked chicken breasts don’t have to be dry. This post shares techniques for juicy, flavorful breasts on the griddle. Use them in salads, sandwiches, pastas, or any dish that benefits from dependable, tender cooked chicken.

Blackstone Steak Fajitas

Fajitas are tailor-made for a griddle. With a large Blackstone you can cook enough sizzling steak, peppers, and onions for a crowd—perfect for backyard gatherings or family-style meals.

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Air Fryer Parmesan-Crusted Halibut

We didn’t publish a ton of air fryer recipes in 2021, but this one reminded me why I love the appliance. A crisp, cheesy crust on flaky halibut comes together quickly and makes weeknight seafood feel special.

Blackstone Griddle Frozen French Fries

Skip the oil-filled tray method—cook frozen fries directly on the griddle for a crispy finish. A squeeze bottle of oil helps distribute just the right amount for great texture and faster results.

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Smoked Over the Top Chili

The “over the top” trend took off in 2021, and this chili—rich, smoky, and loaded with toppings—was a standout. It’s a great choice when you want bold flavor and a fun, loaded presentation.

Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked cream cheese became a viral favorite for a reason: it’s unexpectedly delicious. We used it as an appetizer, stirred into dips, and even as a melty center in stuffed bites. Once you try it, it’s easy to see why it caught on.

What did you make from OWYD this year?

Did you try any OWYD recipes in 2021? Share which ones you made in the comments and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog for a delicious 2022.