30+ Best Recipe Creators to Follow on Instagram in 2026
Updated Thursday, January 22nd, 2026.
If your saved folder is overflowing and your group chat is always asking “where did you find that recipe?”, this list is for you.
In 2026, the top recipe creators on Instagram shape what home cooking looks like in real life, sharing dishes people actually make, repeat, and pass along. From weeknight staples to standout comfort food, these are the creators consistently earning a spot in your kitchen.
1. Lindsay Ostrom - @pinchofyum
Lindsay Ostrom is the creator of Pinch of Yum, a popular food blog known for fresh, flavorful recipes made for real, everyday cooking. What began in 2010 as a side project while she was teaching fourth grade has grown into a full-scale food brand reaching millions of home cooks each month. Her recipes focus on food that’s approachable, exciting, and genuinely enjoyable to make.
Based in Minnesota, Lindsay shares mostly healthy comfort food along with glimpses of life beyond the kitchen. Together with her husband Bjork, she also co-founded Food Blogger Pro, an education platform for food creators. Through Pinch of Yum, Lindsay encourages home cooks to feel confident and inspired in the kitchen.
2. John Kanell - @preppykitchen
John Kanell is the founder of Preppy Kitchen, a beloved destination for confident, foolproof cooking and baking. Launched in 2015, Preppy Kitchen grew from John’s passion for teaching into a trusted resource followed by millions of home cooks. His background as a former middle school teacher shapes his clear, encouraging approach to recipes and techniques.
Known for meticulous testing and reliable results, Preppy Kitchen focuses on helping cooks succeed at any skill level.
3. Lexi Davidson - @lexiscleankitchen
Lexi Davidson, creator of Lexi’s Clean Kitchen, focuses on healthy, flavorful recipes made without gluten, grains, dairy, or refined sugar. Her cooking philosophy proves that nourishing food can still feel comforting and indulgent. From weeknight dinners to baked treats, Lexi’s recipes help readers embrace wellness without sacrificing taste. Lexi is also featured our top recipe developers to follow on Facebook!
4. Kelly Kwok - @lifemadesweeter
Kelly Kwok is the creator of Life Made Sweeter, where she shares allergen-friendly recipes shaped by her health journey and family life. A former lawyer turned cookbook author, Kelly specializes in paleo, Whole30, low-carb, and Asian-inspired meals. Her dishes are designed to be practical, flavorful, and easy enough for busy households.
5. Gaby Dalkin - @whatsgabycookin
Gaby Dalkin is the creator of What’s Gaby Cooking, known for vibrant, California-inspired recipes that balance fresh flavors with indulgence. A trained chef and former private cook, she now shares over 1,000 approachable dishes. Through her blog, cookbooks, and product line, Gaby encourages a relaxed, joyful approach to cooking and entertaining.
6. Nicole Modic - @kalejunkie
Nicole Modic, known as Kalejunkie®, creates simple, whole-food recipes rooted in balance and inclusivity. Her viral dishes range from nourishing salads to decadent desserts, all made with real ingredients. Nicole’s intuitive eating philosophy encourages people to enjoy food freely while still prioritizing wellness.
7. Natasha Kravchuk - @natashaskitchen
Natasha Kravchuk is the founder of Natasha’s Kitchen, a trusted resource for easy, family-friendly recipes. What began as a personal blog has grown into a platform with over 1,200 recipes, a popular YouTube channel, and a bestselling cookbook. Her clear instructions and warm teaching style make cooking feel approachable for all skill levels.
8. Catherine McCord - @weelicious
Catherine McCord is the founder of Weelicious, a platform built to help families cook nutritious, kid-friendly meals with confidence. She’s also the co-founder of One Potato and author of multiple cookbooks focused on simple, wholesome food. Catherine’s approachable recipes make healthy family cooking feel achievable, not overwhelming.
9. Andrew and Larissa - @thenarddogcooks
Andrew and Larisha are the creators of Make It Dairy Free, a plant-based food platform focused on accessible vegan cooking. Their recipes range from quick everyday meals to elevated, restaurant-style dishes. Together, they share practical guidance and allergen-friendly options that make plant-based living feel realistic and enjoyable.
10. Daven Gates - @onestopchop_
Chef Daven G., known as One Stop Chop, is a self-taught home cook from Queens whose content centers on food, family, and conversation. His approachable cooking style and live kitchen sessions helped him build a massive following in a short time. Featuring his son and extended family, Dave’s content feels personal, warm, and deeply relatable.
11. Chungah Rhee - @damndelicious
Chungah Rhee is the creator of Damn Delicious, a hugely popular food blog known for quick, flavorful meals made from simple ingredients. What began in 2011 as a grad school hobby has grown into a full-time brand with a global audience. Chungah’s recipes focus on making homemade cooking feel effortless, even on busy weeknights.
Inspired by her Korean background and love for approachable comfort food, Chungah shares step-by-step recipes and videos designed for everyday home cooks. Through Damn Delicious, she shows that cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.
12. MacKenzie Smith - @grilledcheesesocial
MacKenzie Smith is the chef behind Grilled Cheese Social and a two-time Food Network competition winner. Known for bold comfort food and playful creativity, she combines professional culinary experience with standout food styling. MacKenzie also collaborates with national brands and shares her love of indulgent cooking across multiple platforms.
13. Jordan Hanger - @ninjacue
Jordan Hanger is an outdoor cooking and grilling creator known for blending American barbecue with Korean flavors. His bold, crowd-pleasing recipes are rooted in connection and shared experiences. Jordan’s work has been featured on national television, and his content continues to bring new energy to backyard cooking.
14. Taneisha Morris - @theseasoned.skillet
Taneisha Morris is the creator of The Seasoned Skillet, where she shares comforting recipes inspired by her Jamaican heritage. Her content blends food, culture, and storytelling, highlighting how meals connect generations and communities. Taneisha’s recipes celebrate warmth, tradition, and the joy of gathering around the table.
15. Natasha Bull - @saltandlavender
Natasha Bull is the creator of Salt & Lavender, a blog dedicated to easy, mostly from-scratch meals. Her recipes focus on comfort and convenience, including quick dinners, slow cooker meals, and cozy classics. Natasha’s straightforward instructions make her content especially popular with busy home cooks.
16. Cole Roberson - @thatsavagekitchen
Cole Roberson, known as ThatSavageKitchen, is a self-taught chef who built a massive following by sharing fun, approachable recipes online. His relaxed style and creative flavor combinations make cooking feel less intimidating. Cole’s content is all about confidence, experimentation, and enjoying the process.
17. Manuela Mazzocco - @cookwithmanuela
Manuela Mazzocco shares Italian-inspired recipes rooted in tradition, simplicity, and family life. Born in Venice, she brings authentic flavors to modern home kitchens through clear, step-by-step guidance. Her blog reflects a love for homemade meals and the joy of cooking for those you care about.
18. Jeanine Donofrio - @loveandlemons
Jeanine Donofrio is the creator of Love and Lemons, where she highlights seasonal, plant-forward cooking. Her recipes emphasize fresh produce, creative techniques, and balance. Jeanine makes vegetarian cooking feel vibrant, satisfying, and approachable for cooks at any level.
19. Holly Nilsson - @spendpennies
Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend with Pennies, a long-standing favorite for comforting, dependable recipes. Her blog features thousands of family-friendly dishes made with simple ingredients. Holly’s mission is to help home cooks create meals that feel familiar, satisfying, and worth gathering around.
20. Becky Hardin - @thecookierookie
Becky Hardin founded The Cookie Rookie to help beginner cooks feel confident in the kitchen. Known for easy, family-friendly recipes, her site has grown into a widely trusted cooking resource. Becky now leads multiple food brands focused on simplifying everyday meals.
21. Alessandra Ciuffo - @flavorsbyalessandra
Alessandra Ciuffo is an NYC-based chef blending Italian roots with modern, approachable cooking. Her energetic personality and educational content have earned her TV appearances and a growing fan base. Through Flavors by Ale, she encourages creativity, curiosity, and confidence in the kitchen.
22. Jessica Merchant - @howsweeteats
Jessica Merchant is the creator of How Sweet Eats, known for comforting recipes and relatable storytelling. A bestselling cookbook author, she shares everything from indulgent desserts to seasonal dinners. Her content blends food, family life, and humor in a way that feels personal and welcoming.
23. Chef Lennard Yeong - @lennardy
Chef Lennard Yeong is a Singapore-based creator known for blending Asian flavors with refined technique. After leaving engineering, he found his calling in the kitchen and now serves as in-house chef at Miele Singapore. His content reflects thoughtful cooking and cultural exploration.
24. Heifa Odeh - @fufuinthekitchen
Heifa Odeh is the creator of Fufu’s Kitchen, where she preserves and shares Palestinian and Arab recipes. Inspired by her upbringing, she focuses on accessible dishes that feel both traditional and family-friendly. Heifa is also the author of Dine in Palestine, a cookbook featuring 60 cherished family recipes..
25. Kathleen Ashmore - @katcancook
Kat Ashmore is a professionally trained chef known for simple, nourishing recipes that feel elevated but unfussy. A former Martha Stewart recipe developer, she shares mostly gluten-free meals designed for everyday life. Her debut cookbook became a New York Times bestseller.
26. Michelle Tam - @nomnompaleo
Michelle Tam is the creator of Nom Nom Paleo and a three-time New York Times bestselling author. Her work emphasizes whole foods, bold flavors, and practical cooking techniques. Today, she promotes a flexible, balanced approach to healthy eating that fits real life.
27. Bailey Ryan - @wholekitchensink
Bailey is the creator of Paleo Bailey and Whole Kitchen Sink, where she shares wholesome recipes rooted in real-life health transformation. Her journey into cooking and wellness began in 2015 after adopting a Whole30 and Paleo-inspired lifestyle, which reshaped both her health and relationship with food. What started as personal exploration evolved into a platform focused on sustainable, nourishing meals.
Through her recipes and writing, Bailey emphasizes practical, feel-good cooking that supports everyday life. Her content blends Whole30- and Paleo-friendly dishes with encouragement, helping readers build healthier habits without perfection or pressure.
28. Michaela Vais - @elevegan
Michaela Vais, known as ElaVegan, creates plant-based recipes that are simple, nutritious, and approachable. Her dishes are often gluten-free and refined sugar-free, focusing on whole ingredients. With a large global following and a bestselling cookbook, she champions conscious, joyful cooking.
29. Alica Ramkirpal Senhouse - @alicaspepperpot
Alica Ramkirpal Senhouse is the creator of Alica’s Pepperpot, a food blog dedicated to preserving Guyanese and Caribbean culinary traditions. Launched in 2010, her site features both traditional and modernized recipes inspired by the dishes she learned cooking alongside her family. Her work celebrates the rich, multiethnic flavors of Guyana and the Caribbean.
Originally from Queens, New York, Alica began documenting her family’s recipes as a way to stay connected to home and help others recreate nostalgic meals with clear, approachable guidance. Now based in Florida, she uses Alica’s Pepperpot to inspire home cooks to explore Caribbean flavors while making each dish their own.
30. Melissa Gourmand - @mamagourmand
Melissa Gourmand runs MamaGourmand, specializing in gluten-free, family-friendly meals. Her recipes emphasize comfort, simplicity, and affordability. Drawing from personal experience, Melissa helps families enjoy gluten-free cooking without feeling restricted or overwhelmed.
31. Chef Dennis Littley - @askchefdennis
Dennis Littley is the creator of Ask Chef Dennis, where he shares restaurant-style recipes designed for real home kitchens. A classically trained chef with decades of experience in the food service industry, Dennis focuses on teaching simple techniques that make cooking feel approachable, not intimidating. His recipes range from comforting family favorites to classic restaurant dishes adapted for everyday cooking.
Through Ask Chef Dennis, he offers time-tested recipes, chef tips, and practical guidance to help home cooks create high-quality meals without spending hours in the kitchen. His goal is to show that great food comes from understanding fundamentals, using good ingredients, and enjoying the process.
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