A recent study by the #1 ranked culinary school in the USA, Escoffier, examined Google search data for October 2024 to identify the top ten most popular recipes in each US state. By analyzing search volume, ingredient costs, and YouTube view counts, the study highlights regional food trends and the dishes Americans are most eager to recreate at home.
- A new study identifies the most popular recipes in each US state by tracking Google search data, the cost and ingredients of each recipe, and the YouTube view count.
- The banana bread recipe leads with 672,000 searches, particularly being popular in Alaska.
- Lasagna has the most watched recipe in 10 states, with many eager to cook this dish at home, resulting in over 93 million views on YouTube.
Methodology: The #1 Ranked Culinary School in the USA, Escoffier, conducted a study to determine the top ten most-searched recipes in the United States from October 2023 to October 2024. The research is based on the search volumes of the recipes using the SEO platform Ahrefs. After identifying search volumes, Google Trends pinpointed the top five states showing the most interest in each recipe. Google Trends ranks states based on their interest in a search term relative to all other searches in that state.
For example, suppose Alaska ranks first for banana bread. In that case, it means that banana bread searches made up the largest share of all web searches in Alaska, not necessarily that Alaska had the highest search volume. This may introduce a slight bias toward smaller states with a narrower range of searches, allowing common searches, like recipes, to rank higher.
To determine the cost per serving for each recipe, Escoffier selected the most popular recipe on Allrecipes and used pricing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve or, when unavailable, from Walmart. This analysis reveals regional and national trends, showing that a love of food unites people nationwide.
Findings summed up
| Recipe Name | Type | Search Volume | Total Making Cost per serving | YouTube views Globally | State where it’s most popular |
| Banana bread recipe | Dessert | 672K | $0.23 | 12M | Alaska |
| Meatloaf recipe | Main Dish | 410K | $1.34 | 3.9M | West Virginia |
| Chili recipe | Main Dish | 373K | $2.92 | 12M | Colorado |
| Pancake recipe | Breakfast | 351K | $0.17 | 36M | Vermont |
| Chocolate chip cookie recipe | Dessert | 342K | $0.23 | 38M | Montana |
| French toast recipe | Breakfast | 306K | $0.23 | 43M | North Dakota |
| Lasagna recipe | Main Dish | 269K | $2.83 | 93M | Vermont |
| Alfredo sauce recipe | Main Dish | 195K | $1.47 | 22M | Wyoming |
| Margarita recipe | Cocktail | 183K | $2.18 | 5.1M | New Hampshire |
| Old fashioned recipe | Cocktail | 182K | $1.86 | 6.2M | West Virginia |
Topping the list is banana bread, with Alaska leading in search interest. This classic recipe has earned 672,000 searches nationwide, driven by its affordability—it costs just $0.23 to make a serving—and simple ingredients commonly available.
Meatloaf is the second most popular dish Americans seek to cook at home, with 410,000 online searches. This recipe is the No. 1 most-searched recipe in West Virginia. Despite its higher cost of about $1.34, largely due to ingredients like ground beef, the recipe has nearly 4 million YouTube views, making it one of the top-searched main dishes in the country.
Colorado leads in chili recipe searches, helping it secure third place on the list with 373,000 searches. While similar to meatloaf in its use of ground beef, chili is slightly more expensive to make at $2.92 per serving. Its 12 million YouTube views reflect the dish’s widespread appeal, especially in colder states.
In fourth place is the Pancake recipe, with 351,000 searches. Vermont is searching for pancake recipes more than any other state. At only $0.17 per serving, pancakes are the most budget-friendly recipe on the list. The “How to Make It” video on YouTube has been viewed over 36 million times.
The chocolate chip cookie recipe rounds out the top five in the list of most popular recipes in each US state, with 342,000 searches. This classic American treat, made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, and chocolate chips, is the most favored in Montana. Preparing the dessert costs around $0.23.
French toast ranks sixth, with 306,000 searches, most notably in North Dakota. This breakfast favorite is both easy to make and affordable, costing only $0.23. Globally, French toast has racked up 43 million YouTube views, proving its popularity as a weekend brunch option.
Seventh on the list is the Lasagna recipe, with 269,000 searches. Vermont shows a particular interest in making this dish at home. It is the second most expensive to prepare at $2.83. The Lasagna recipe has 93 million YouTube views—the highest among all the recipes listed.
The only sauce on the list, Alfredo, ranks eighth with 195,000 searches. The recipe, made with cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese, is a favorite, particularly in Wyoming, and can be prepared for just $1.47. Its 22 million YouTube views suggest a growing interest in this versatile pasta sauce.
Ninth on the list is the Margarita recipe, with 183,000 searches. This recipe is the top searched one in New Hampshire. Preparing this cocktail at home costs $2.18, and its “How to Make It” video on YouTube has gained 5.1 million views.
Closing the list is another cocktail recipe, the Old Fashioned, trailing just 1,000 searches behind the Margarita recipe. Search data shows this was the No. 1 most-searched recipe in West Virginia. Compared to the Margarita, the Old Fashioned is more affordable to make at home, with ingredients costing $1.86.
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