Google Just Released the Top-Searched Recipes of 2017—And We Have Feelings

The people have spoken—or in this case, Googled. Each year, Google compiles its top-searched terms across topics from news to sports to dog breeds. With the 2017 list recently released, we couldn’t wait to glimpse which topics speckled Americans’ minds this year. Among the top 10 most-searched terms were Hurricane Irma, Meghan Markle, and the solar eclipse. Fidget spinners—those wildly popular toys of questionable purpose—nabbed the #10 spot.

Related: These Were the 10 Most Popular Cooking Light Recipes on Pinterest this Year

Regardless of what search term is popping on Google’s list, there’s one topic that’s always trending in our minds—food. With that said, we naturally flocked to Google’s top recipe search terms of the year. Whether you dive deep into one or look at them as a whole, these recipes provide a fascinating window into the American food psyche. While several of the terms relate to food holidays such as Thanksgiving, others are strong evidence that some foods—no matter how old-school they may seem—never go out of style. Below, we analyze the top five Google recipe searches of 2017, and pair a delicious Cooking Light recipe with each one.

Really? (We had our money on avocado toast—just kidding.) Beef stroganoff may sound like an unlikely victor, but this humble dish is timelessly comforting, crowd pleasing, and most importantly of all—downright tasty. The traditional recipe of tender sliced beef, mushrooms, and creamy sauce over wide noodles (commonly egg noodles) is an easy weeknight hit. Whether you top yours with chicken, veggies, or stick to the classic recipe, stroganoff is taking the Internet by storm and we might as well jump on the bandwagon.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Stroganoff

Okay—we totally get this one. Easier than pie but just as craveworthy, apple crisp perfectly embodies comfort. Whether it’s the magical aroma that fills the house, balance of tangy-sweet flavors, or that addictive crunchy topping, we think apple crisp is more than worthy of its #2 ranking. When served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream over the top, apple crisp is even more divine. 

Get the Recipe: Rhubarb-Apple Crisp

A cross between cornbread, creamed corn, and fluffy soufflé, corn casserole is pure old-school cool. What is it about this Southern side that Googlers loved so much this year? The creamy (and sometimes cheesy) staple dish of potlucks and holiday gatherings is stick-to-your-bones comfort food. And while we may think of it as retro, renditions of corn casserole fed Native Americans and early colonists hundreds of years ago. So, let’s honor our country’s culinary heritage, and show corn casserole the love it deserves.

Get the Recipe: Easy Corn Casserole

We’ve always believed that a brined bird makes a more delicious bird, so we’re thrilled to see this term rank at #4 on Google’s list. Typically a simple solution of water, salt, vinegar, and aromatics such as fresh herbs and spices, brine keeps meat moist during cooking and also infuses it with pungent flavor. While you’ll most commonly see a brined Thanksgiving turkey, you can also brine chicken, shrimp, and even pork chops. This is one technique we hope holds strong in search results for 2018.

Get the Recipe: Honey-Bourbon Spatchcocked Turkey

It’s obvious why this summer farmer's’ market staple captivated Googlers this year—zucchini is easy to love, easy to cook, and endlessly versatile. Whether you grill it, saute it, roast it, or steam it, zucchini’s mild flavor makes it the perfect addition to salads, pasta dishes, casseroles, sandwiches, whole grain bowls, and so much more. Heck, you can even make Zucchini Butter. You’re a winner in our books, zucchini.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pie

The Bottom Line: While it’s easy to think that trending foods like kombucha, poké bowls, and kale salads would rule the land of Google, the #1 searched recipe of 2017—beef stroganoff—proves otherwise. Stroganoff or corn casserole aren’t necessarily buzzy or Instagram-worthy, but they do send a powerful food message. Comfort food is an enduring, timeless trend, and we’re perfectly okay with that.