Top 10 recipes of 2023

10. Crispy potato-topped beef pie

In 2023 we launched the great value recipe hub in collaboration with Woolworths Everyday WList™. The hub shares inspired budget-friendly recipes made with ingredients on the Woolworths Everyday WList™.  This crispy potato-topped beef pie by Clement Pedro comes from that hub and was a sensation on social media. On Instagram alone, it has 259k views and 17,351 interactions. So it's no surprise to see this one on the top 10 recipe list! To quote Kim Ilana Jansen who commented on the video: "Now this is the kind of quality, yet affordable recipe I’m here for"

 

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Find the recipe for crispy potato-topped beef pie here. 

9. Homemade Cape Malay-style pickled fish

Every single year around Easter, without fail, this pickled fish recipe skyrockets to the top of site metrics. We knew it was popular, but we had no idea that it was so popular as to make this annual list! Especially since it only peaked for a few weeks this year. It's proof that when a recipe is tried and tested, it will always be popular.

Find the recipe for homemade Cape Malay-style pickled fish here. 

8. Tuna pasta bake

This recipe is another one from the great value recipe hub! It intrigued a lot of people because of Clement Pedro's interesting white sauce hack. He used sunflower oil instead of butter to make the white sauce, which sparked a lot of conversation online. Some were unsure about it. Others felt it was genius. There were a lot of recommendations on how you would change up the recipe to your liking. The recipe also comes in at R30 per serving for 6 people. It's definitely a win!

 

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Find the recipe for tuna pasta bake here. 

CHECK OUT: Great value recipe hub

7. Oxtail stew

Mogau Seshoene, a.k.a. The Lazy Makoti, shared this as a Christmas recipe, but it works for special occasions, Sunday lunches or when you just want something slow-cooked and hearty. You keep coming back to this recipe no matter the time of year.

Find the recipe for oxtail stew here.

Find all The Lazy Makoti recipes here. 

6. Peri-peri chicken livers with Portuguese rolls

Chicken livers are one of those ingredients that don't get a lot of attention. But clearly, they have a special place in our hearts. This peri-peri chicken liver recipe by Hannah Lewry always ranks high on the site, and we totally get it. It's budget-friendly, bursting with flavour and super easy to make.

Find the recipe for peri-peri chicken livers with Portuguese rolls here. 

5. Banana loaf

It may have been 2023 - but it seems many of you were not over the banana bread obsession of 2020! So much so that this recipe by Clement Pedro made it to the number five spot on the list. We get it, banana bread remains the best (and tastiest) way to use up overripe bananas. Plus, it's great for teatime and lunchboxes. You can also customise it to your liking.

Find the recipe for banana loaf here. 

4. Melkkos

Nostalgia in a bowl!  Hannah Lewry shared a basic, smooth version of melkkos made with a whisk, but you can also mix with a wooden spoon if you prefer lumps. Some recipes even add pasta or sago, while others call for Maizena or condensed milk. The possibilities are endless.

Find the recipe for melkkos here. 

3. Classic Cremora tart

One thing we've learnt from observing our popular recipes is that classic recipes are tops. Add a South African element and it's a surefire winner. We shared this recipe by Bianca Strydom on social media as part of a proudly South African dessert round-up and this is one of two recipes that made it on this list. Clearly, we as a nation have our favourites.

Find the recipe for classic Cremora tart here. 

ALSO READ: 8 proudly South African desserts that always steal the show

2. Peppermint Crisp tart

Ans here's recipe two from the proudly South African dessert round-up. Peppermint Crisp tart is without a doubt THE favourite South African dessert. So it's no wonder it's so high on this list. In fact, since we know this recipe by Sam Woulidge is a top performer, we made a TikTok of it with a Christmas twist in December and in a few weeks it reached 3.5 million views! It's currently on 5.5 million views.

@wwtaste Hands up if you’re planning on making Peppermint Crisp tart at least once this holiday? In the event that you don’t have a solid recipe, @clempedro.mancrave is here with a real classic. #decembertreats #peppermintcrisptart #christmasdesserts #southafrica ♬ Christmas - JerryJeyy

Find the recipe for Peppermint Crisp tart here. 

ALSO READ: 20 of your favourite TASTE recipes of all time

1. The fluffiest flapjacks

Brunches, high teas, school holiday treats – no matter the reason, flapjacks are always a good idea. Plus, you most likely have all the ingredients to make on hand at any given time. And if you're going to make flapjacks, why not make the fluffiest flapjacks? This recipe by Hannah Lewry hits all these notes. It's no wonder it's your favourite recipe of the year.

Find the recipe for the fluffiest flapjacks here.