People.com
Food
PEOPLE's 55 Greatest Recipes Ever

PEOPLE's 55 Greatest Recipes Ever

We've chosen the tastiest and most iconic dishes from PEOPLE's last four decades

By People Staff

Updated March 20, 2018 01:52 PM

Products in this story are independently selected and featured editorially. If you make a purchase using these links we may earn commission.

Skip gallery slides

1 of 55

November 5, 1974

Credit: Alison Miksch/Getty

C.V. Wood Jr.'s World
Championship Chili
Would you have guessed that the first recipe to run in PEOPLE would be for chili? C.V. Wood Jr. might not be a name you recognize now, but he was the winner of the International Chili Society's cook-off in 1974.

2 of 55

February 24, 1975

Credit: Lew Robertson/Getty

Rocky Aoki's Benihana Steak Recipe
Nothing says "seventies kitsch" like a meal from Benihana. After the hibachi-happy chain celebrated a decade in business, PEOPLE shared the recipe for Japanese steak, which is served with a special mustard sauce.

3 of 55

May 19, 1975

Credit: Dan Goldberg/Getty

The Queen of Creole Cuisine's Redfish Courtbouillon
Even before they loomed large on channels like the Food Network, famous chefs have always had a home in PEOPLE's pages. Ella Brennan was part of the family that owned Brennan's in New Orleans, and she went on to open the now-legendary Commander's Palace. Redfish courtbouillon is a Louisiana specialty, and Brennan's version is still a classic.

Continued on next slide.

4 of 55

August 25, 1975

Credit: Susan Wood/Getty

Hemingway's Granddaughter's
Favorite Picnic
Joan "Muffet" Hemingway, granddaughter to Ernest Hemingway, was a 1970s food personality: She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and wrote a cookbook called The Picnic Gourmet. PEOPLE took Muffet out for a picnic (a "moveable feast," get it?) and she shared her recipe for this four-bean salad, which was adapted from a family friend.

5 of 55

March 29, 1976

Fish in Cream amp Cognac from
Alice's Restaurant
While the famed restaurant from Arlo Guthrie's 1967 song had gone through many iterations by the time this recipe ran in PEOPLE, it doesn't take away from just how good the poached fish in cream sauce is.

6 of 55

October 15, 1979

Credit: Eriko Koga/Getty

Luciano Pavarotti's Blue Cheese
amp Butter Sauce
As part of a story about celebrities getting back in the kitchen, which included Emmylou Harris, Suzanne Somers and Billy Crystal, among others, PEOPLE published Pavarotti's favorite blue cheese and butter sauce for pasta. Sadly, the famous tenor had given it up in an attempt to be more health-conscious.

Continued on next slide.

7 of 55

May 26, 1980

Credit: Alexandra Panella/Getty

George Harrison's Lentil Soup
In the early 1980s, the rock-and-roll lifestyle often included good food. PEOPLE ran a profile on Mary Frampton and her cookbook of her musician friends' favorite recipes. Not only did this issue include Harrison's soup recipe, but also one of the Bee Gees's favorite Yorkshire pudding recipes.

8 of 55

October 13, 1980

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Cheryl Tiegs's Oriental Pudding
We're betting that if this recipe ran in the pages of PEOPLE today, it would have a slightly different name. However, this trailblazing tofu-based pudding hinted at the health-food craze that would come to characterize the eighties.

9 of 55

August 15, 1983

Credit: Bayside/Getty

Fudge from the Brigittine Monastery
A monastery that supports itself by making amazingly delicious fudge: It's a story that's seems tailor-made for PEOPLE's human-interest pages. We can't help but wonder whether it's the rule of silence in the kitchen or the homemade marshmallow cream that made this candy taste so divine.

Continued on next slide.

10 of 55

August 18, 1986

Credit: Howard Shooter/Getty

Nora Ephron's Key Lime Pie
Some may remember the unfaithful husband who got a pie to his face in Nora Ephron's movie Heartburn. As a sidebar to an article about marital troubles, the director shared her own recipe for the dessert.

11 of 55

May 16, 1994

Credit: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty

Oprah Winfrey's Un-Fried Chicken
When Oprah Winfrey's chef Rosie Daley published a cookbook of the television host's favorite dishes, it became so popular that stores struggled to keep it in stock. This baked chicken recipe comes from her book and uses yogurt in place of oil.

12 of 55

April 21, 1997

Credit: Kurt Wilson/Getty

Suzanne Somers's Chicken Piccata
Who knew that Suzanne Somers had grown up loving to cook? The actress and fitness guru used to read cookbooks before bed, and started helping out in the kitchen as a young girl. And this chicken piccata recipe is one of her staples.

Continued on next slide.

13 of 55

Winter 2000

Credit: Rob Fiocca/Getty

Jacques Pepin's Buche de Noel
Pepin shared this recipe as part of PEOPLE's first-ever Home Entertaining issue. A traditional Yule log cake might be time consuming to make, but since this one involves a vanilla-bourbon buttercream, we think it's well worth the effort

14 of 55

May 27, 2002

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Matt Damon's Saffron Risotto with Steamed Asparagus
When Matt Damon needed to slim down for The Bourne Identity, he hired personal chef Alex Hilebronner to help him reach his goal weight. The star raved about her risotto, saying, "I can't believe I can eat this!"

15 of 55

April 28, 2003

Credit: Joff Lee/Getty

George Foreman's Curried Salmon
You might be expecting steak to go with a story about George Foreman and his grilling empire. But this curried salmon is a fitting choice to highlight his commitment to healthy eating.

Continued on next slide.

16 of 55

May 10, 2004

Credit: Ray Kachatorian/Getty

Rachael Ray's Quick Tiramisu
As part of 2004's 50 Most Beautiful People issue, Ray shared this dessert recipe with PEOPLE. It's fast, straightforward and epitomizes the star's unpretentious cooking style.

17 of 55

Winter 2004

Credit: Howard Shooter/Getty

Maya Angelou's Buttermilk Biscuits
In honor of the holidays, PEOPLE’s Family Celebrations issue shared traditional recipes from several celebrities. These buttermilk biscuits came from Maya Angelou's cookbook Hallelujah! The Welcome Table.

18 of 55

Summer 2006

Credit: Jamie Grill/Getty

Emeril Lagasse's Applesauce
Though he's usually known for his big flavors and beloved Creole recipes, Lagasse is also a father of four and has published three children's cookbooks. The chef shared a simple, kid-friendly applesauce recipe for a special PEOPLE issue about celebrity babies.

Continued on next slide.

19 of 55

Fall 2007

Credit: Brian Hagiwara/Getty

Martina McBride's Lemon-Ginger Cheesecake
For this country special issue, Martina McBride shared a behind the scenes look at her home and her vintage dishware collection. But we were most excited to see this dessert recipe, which she makes for pals like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

20 of 55

November 21, 2007

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty

Ashley Tisdale's Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
Even celebrities can't resist Christmas cookies. The High School Musical star shared a beloved family recipe for a special section of PEOPLE.

21 of 55

June 23, 2008

Credit: Fergus Greer

Gordon Ramsay's Sticky Lemon Chicken
The best thing about this delicious chicken recipe from the Hell's Kitchen host is that it doesn't require any special gadgets or ingredients. It's an easy-to-make crowd pleaser – a.k.a. the holy grail of dinner.

Continued on next slide.

22 of 55

December 10, 2008

Credit: Verdina Anna/Getty

Faith Hill's Coca-Cola Cake amp Frosting
Hill talked to PEOPLE about baking cookies and other holiday traditions she shares with husband Tim McGraw and her three daughters. She also shared this sweet, Southern-inflected dessert recipe for a cake and frosting made with Coca-Cola.

23 of 55

March 2009

Credit: Mark Coffey/Getty

Make Your Own Girl Scout Cookies
As part of a country special issue, PEOPLE shared recipes for make-at-home versions of three popular Girl Scout cookies – Do-Si-Dos, Samoas and Thin Mints. They're perfect for those times when you've depleted your stash for the season, but it's too early to order more.

24 of 55

April 27, 2009

Credit: Ray Kachatorian/Getty

Eva Longoria's Guacamole
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Eva Longoria shared her guacamole recipe from Beso, the now-shuttered restaurant she owned with chef Todd English. Longoria recommends pairing her dip with lime-flavored chips.

Continued on next slide.

25 of 55

May 11, 2009

Credit: Ha Huynh/Getty

Tom Colicchio's Meatloaf
Although he's known for his elegant restaurant fare, turns out that Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio is also a master meatloaf maker. He makes this classic even better by adding dijon mustard and fresh oregano.

26 of 55

June 29, 2009

Credit: Silvia Jansen/Getty

Sean Combs's Chicken with Sweet Hickory Merlot Rosemary BBQ Sauce
Diddy served this sweet-meets-savory chicken at one of his legendary summer parties in the Hamptons where guests were required to wear all white attire. Let's hope he offered plenty of wet wipes on the side.

27 of 55

August 17, 2009

Credit: Annabelle Breakey/Getty

Julia Child's Quiche Au Roquefort
To celebrate the release of Julie amp Julia, Julie Powell, who wrote the book the movie was based on, shared one of Child's most foolproof recipes. This foodie film is worth a rewatch, preferably with a slice of quiche in hand.

Continued on next slide.

28 of 55

November 30, 2009

Credit: Rita Maas/Getty

Elizabeth Hurley's Pork Chops
amp Baked Apples
We’ve always loved finding out which celebs are secret foodies, like the glamorous Hurley, who lives on a farm in the English countryside. She loves to make these pork chops with brown sugar, sage and white wine, and serves them with baked apples for a classic pairing.

29 of 55

December 30, 2009

Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty

B. Smith's Biscuit Bread Pudding
What better recipe for a New Year's issue of PEOPLE than this cozy and comforting biscuit bread pudding? Model and restaurateur B. Smith's version includes a wintry mix of cinnamon, raisins and caramel sauce.

30 of 55

February 1, 2010

Credit: MediaPunch/Face to Face

Robert DeNiro's Marinated
Chicken Alla Griglia
The Oscar-winning actor can’t take “all” the credit for this delicious chicken recipe with rosemary and white wine. He got some help from chef Andrew Carmellini, his co-owner at Locanda Verde restaurant in N.Y.C.

Continued on next slide.

31 of 55

March 8, 2010

Credit: Joseph De Leo; Courtesy Harpo Inc.

Dr. Oz's Spicy Chili
Nothing's better on a cold winter evening than a bowl of spicy chili. Thanks to Dr. Oz's recipe you can feel a little less guilty about indulging since his low-fat version calls for lean ground turkey.

32 of 55

June 7, 2010

Credit: Getty; AP Photo

The Obamas' Favorite
Grilled Chicken Tacos
POTUS and FLOTUS enjoyed this flavorful dish at Frontera Grill, the popular Chicago restaurant run by chef Rick Bayless. It's easy to see why these tacos have earned the presidential seal of approval: They're made with cinnamon and cloves and paired with a zesty tomatillo salsa.

33 of 55

September 20, 2010

Credit: Getty; WireImage

Alma Wahlberg's Macaroni Salad
Named for the matriarch of the Wahlberg family, this macaroni salad, which is made with red onion, bell peppers and parsley, is still one of her sons' favorites. Chef Paul Wahlberg, who appears on the Walhburgers series with brothers Mark and Donnie, serves it at his other restaurant, Alma Nove.

Continued on next slide.

34 of 55

February 28, 2011

Credit: Joseph De Leo; Landov

Kate Middleton's Sticky Toffee Pudding
While this might not be a treat that the Duchess makes herself, she is a fan of the version served at the Old Boot Inn near her hometown. It's made with dates so that totally makes it count towards a daily fruit serving, right?

35 of 55

Spring 2011

Credit: Anna Williams; Splash News

Tina Knowles's Cajun Green
Bean Stir-Fry
What’s the secret to making this green bean dish taste so good? (Beyoncé raves that they taste like steak.) Bacon, of course! They probably don't count as healthy, but they're so delicious that we don’t mind a bit.

36 of 55

April 11, 2011

Credit: Getty; WireImage

Richard Gere's Cinnamon Rolls
Not only is Gere an award-winning actor, he is also co-owner of a bed and breakfast in Bedford, New York. Guests enjoy these cinnamon rolls in the morning, which are easy to make thanks to a little help from frozen biscuit dough.

Continued on next slide.

Account

More

PEOPLE's 55 Greatest Recipes Ever

1 of 55

November 5, 1974

1 of 55

2 of 55

February 24, 1975

2 of 55

3 of 55

May 19, 1975

3 of 55

4 of 55

August 25, 1975

4 of 55

5 of 55

March 29, 1976

5 of 55

6 of 55

October 15, 1979

6 of 55

7 of 55

May 26, 1980

7 of 55

8 of 55

October 13, 1980

8 of 55

9 of 55

August 15, 1983

9 of 55

10 of 55

August 18, 1986

10 of 55

11 of 55

May 16, 1994

11 of 55

12 of 55

April 21, 1997

12 of 55

13 of 55

Winter 2000

13 of 55

14 of 55

May 27, 2002

14 of 55

15 of 55

April 28, 2003

15 of 55

16 of 55

May 10, 2004

16 of 55

17 of 55

Winter 2004

17 of 55

18 of 55

Summer 2006

18 of 55

19 of 55

Fall 2007

19 of 55

20 of 55

November 21, 2007

20 of 55

21 of 55

June 23, 2008

21 of 55

22 of 55

December 10, 2008

22 of 55

23 of 55

March 2009

23 of 55

24 of 55

April 27, 2009

24 of 55

25 of 55

May 11, 2009

25 of 55

26 of 55

June 29, 2009