As another year comes to an end, I thought I’d keep tradition and share some reflections, alonside all the juicy 2025 rankings from Don’t Go Bacon My Heart (Spotify, please don’t sue me).

collage of dgbmh top 2025 recipes with text overlay

Another year gone, another year I feel blessed to be sitting here writing to you. DGBMH has continued to thrive, with millions of people continuing to visit and trust me in providing recipes. My social media accounts also continue to grow, with videos still reaching millions of new people. It’s difficult to put into words how fortunate I feel to sit here and say all this, but to say I’m ecstatic to experience another year of successful blogging would be an understatement.

2025 started with a (long overdue) full blog redesign. I’m so pleased with how it turned out, and most importantly, the feedback has been amazing. I really try to keep things as user-friendly as possible around here, and to know that searching, saving and making recipes got a little bit easier this year, truly means the world to me.

2025 was also the year that I celebrated my 10 year blogiversary. Yes, you read that right. I created my blog 10 years ago. Even still, just typing that out makes me want to faint; but nevertheless, we still celebrated.

chris collins holding small burger cake with candles

In September, I moved house, which meant a new Don’t Go Bacon My Heart kitchen was on the cards. I’ve always dreamed of having a kitchen with an island, and I finally got my hands on one. Having a new kitchen has made testing and filming recipes so much easier (and quite frankly, more enjoyable too). I can’t wait to continue dreaming up new dishes in this dream kitchen of mine!

photo of chris collins stood in new kitchen

Alongside continuing to upload plenty of delicious recipes to the blog, I was fortunate enough to continue eating my way around the world, including a trip to Paris with 9 other food bloggers. I rarely go to blogger or ‘influencer’ events, but it ended up being an awesome experience. Hey, maybe I might become more social in the blogosphere next year, you never know!

What’s in store for 2026?

In short, I’m going to continue providing trustworthy, delicious and simple recipes.

Truth be told though, the world is changing pretty rapidly, and more specifically, how we consume content is too. And I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way – there’s so much to look forward to. But whilst I say I’ll simply ‘continue making recipes’, how I go about doing that and how I then present the recipes might change a little. I think 2026 is going to be the year of adapting, but I’m ready for the challenge and feel very optimistic about things.

2025 wrapped, let’s go!

Before we get into the all important top 5 recipes of the year, I’m going to share a few new rankings this year. At this point, there are so many recipes on this blog, I wanted to shine a light on a few extra, regardless of whether they made the top 5.


Social Media Star

The recipe video that garnered the most views across social media.

Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Stacks

7 garlic butter sweet potato stacks on small marble board

What’s crazy is that I originally posted these back in 2023. I reposted them this year, just for those who might have missed the recipe and boom – 13.5 million views. Since posting this recipe 2 years ago, the video has now garnered a whopping 35.6 million views!

Grab the recipe HERE


The Newcomer Award

The recipe that garnered the most amount of visits that was uploaded in the year of 2025.

Thai Cashew Chicken

close up shot of Thai cashew chicken in wok with wooden spoon

This recipe holds such a dear place in my heart. I grew up on this dish and still eat it all the time to this day. It’s a recipe passed down from my stepmother, and I’m so pleased it has resonated with so many people since I chose to upload the recipe.

Grab the recipe HERE


My Personal Favourite 2025 Recipe

Whilst I do love all my recipes dearly, I’m going to break all the rules and tell you my personal favourite recipe that I uploaded this year.

Hash Brown Crusted Chicken

hash brown chicken served on small white plate with salad and coleslaw

I feel this recipe really encapsulates so much of what I try to achieve with this blog. It’s creative, but it’s something you can easily make and will actually cook on the regular. It’s also delicious and only requires basic ingredients. This recipe went down a storm on social media, gaining millions of reviews and tonnes of incredible reviews.

Grab the recipe HERE


The Wooden Spoon Award

Before we get into the most visited recipes of the year, I wanted to keep it real with you. Where there are winners, there are also losers, and I have no shame in shining a light on the poor recipe that came in last place. I’m truly proud of every single recipe on this blog and believe even the least-visited recipe deserves to be made!

Pita Chips

overhead shot of bowl of pita chips, focus on one

I was somewhat relieved when I saw this recipe came in last place, and not some extravagant recipe that took me weeks to test and one that I poured my whole heart into. Show some love to the pita chips people! They’re delicious, I promise : )

Grab the recipe HERE


Top 5 Blog Recipes of 2025

The top 5 recipes that garnered the most amount of visits this year.

5. Creamy Prawn Linguine

close up shot of creamy prawn linguine on small white plate with silver fork on the side

This 2022 recipe is down one spot from last year and is still clinging on to the top 5. This truly is a gem of a dish – so simple, yet so delicious.

Grab the recipe HERE


4. Garlic Butter Chicken

close up shot of chicken in skillet garnished with parsley

This recipe climbs up one spot, switching places with the Creamy Prawn Linguine. I originally uploaded this recipe in 2019, and it has been in the top 5 of the year ever since!

Grab the recipe HERE


3. Easy Chicken Noodle Stir Fry

Chicken Noodle Stir Fry in the wok close up

I won’t lie, this recipe did catch me off guard. I first uploaded this recipe in 2018, but it has yet to appear in the top 5 of the year. Then this year it shoots to number 3! It’s probably one of my ‘healthiest’ recipes too, which makes things even more surprising. Regardless, this recipe deserves nothing but praise – it’s beyond easy to make, quick to whip up and really does bless the taste buds.

Grab the recipe HERE


2. Chilli Con Carne

overhead shot of chilli in a bowl served with golden spoon and fork on slate

Last year’s number 1 has fallen down one spot to number 2! This recipe continues to get absolutely glowing reviews and bring so much joy to those looking for some proper delicious comfort food.

Grab the recipe HERE


1. Cowboy Butter

close up shot of hand dunking slice of steak into small pot of cowboy butter

And there we have it – our 2025 most visited post. This recipe ranked at number 3 last year and continues to grow in popularity. Cowboy butter – thank you for your service, and may you continue to bless many more people’s steaks in 2026.

Grab the recipe HERE


One final thing to say is whether you’ve been here for 10 years or 10 minutes, thank you for welcoming me into your kitchen and trusting me with your meals. I’m beyond excited to continue dreaming up new recipes next year, and I hope you’ll join me along the way. See you in 2026!

Chris x

Chris Collins, food blogger at Don't Go Bacon My Heart in white jumper eating a slice of garlic flatbread
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38 Comments

  1. Anne Heaton says:

    I still say your chilli con carne is the best I’ve ever tasted. Love all your recipes (well not ones with things that live in water, I don’t…yuk!) and I even like the Pita Chips. Thanks for all you do and long may it continue. Just off to cook your version of cottage pie Happy New Year all at DGBMH

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks for the lovely comment, Anne! Happy new year to you too 🙂 C.

  2. Sara Daly says:

    I absolutely love your recipes and the name of your site is fantastic, you’ve brought me so much joy cooking your recipes and the family loves it!!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      This is awesome to read, Sara! Happy New Years to you 🙂 C.

      1. Jude says:

        Hi.
        Happy New Year.

        I made your chilli Con carne yesterday and it was delicious so much so I have asked you to send me the recipe.

        Thank you 🙂

      2. Chris Collins says:

        So pleased it went down well, Jude! Happy new year to you! C.

  3. Becky Sorrell says:

    The very first recipe I made from your blog was the Cream Cheese Chicken! Still my favorite chicken recipe, I have made it for just about everyone I know and everyone loves it! 2026 may be the year I try a different chicken recipe of yours…maybe

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks Becky! Hopefully you get to try another one! But I do love that recipe, so it’s fair haha! C.

  4. Anne love says:

    Hi Chris hope your well and happy lovie x

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Cheers Lovie! 🙂 C.

  5. Guy says:

    Great recipes, super tasty!!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks Guy! 🙂 C.

  6. Deborah Morse says:

    You never fail me with inspiration, your recipes are so easy to follow, and the end product is always a success. Thank you.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      This is lovely to hear, Deborah! Thank you. C.

  7. Dave says:

    Thanks for all the tasty recipes through 2025 ……..Best wishes for 2026

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks Dave! Best wishes to you and yours. C.

  8. Wendy says:

    Just love your recipes.
    Easy to follow & delicious xxx

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks so much Wendy! 🙂 C.