Since its debut in 2016 -17 and rise to popularity between 2019 and 2020, TikTok has become the Holy Grail of viral content for younger Millennials and Gen Z. With over 1.6 billion active users, this short-form video platform has relatable content that goes viral within hours. It is reshaping the global culture, with dance challenges, trending songs, fashion advice, makeup products, and delicious recipes on FoodTok. 

FoodTok videos allow people to share recipes, their stories, and culture – in a genuine and insightful way. Unlike Instagram, which revolves more around aesthetics and picture-perfect meals, on FoodTok, you get the raw version of the cooking process in real time, and you see how it isn’t always easy. With as much FoodTok content and people of all skill levels, from beginners to pros, it is not an overstatement that TikTok is teaching people how to cook, or at least giving them the confidence to try. 

Here are some of the most viral TikTok recipes to try with a desi twist. This way, you get to preserve the original version of the recipe while playing around with flavors and products that you are most familiar with.  

Replicating popular TikTok recipes with a desi twist!

From Tini’s Mac & Cheese to the Baked Feta Pasta, Spiral Potatoes, and Cucumber Salad, a ton of different TikTok recipes have attracted public attention over the years. People like to recreate these recipes as is or sometimes add a personal twist to make things exciting. 

Fans of the desi culture fall into the second category – we try to put something extra here and there for familiar flavors. Here is our take on some all-time trending TikTok recipes and how to replicate them in your kitchen with a little traditional desi magic. 

#1 – TikTok smashburger tacos 

A fusion of American and Mexican cuisines, a smashburger taco brings you the best of both worlds. A super thin and crispy beef patty that is perfectly juicy on the inside, on a warm, soft tortilla with a classic burger sauce and cheese. 

Quick recipe idea: Try this Beef smashburger taco recipe by Bailey that features a yummy sauce and great toppings. It comes together in under 15 minutes, so it’s an excellent dinner option on busy days. 

Desi tip: To add familiar flavors to this basic recipe, use Beef Chapli Kabab by Colonel Kababz for the patty. These spicy hot kebabs are made from all-natural meat (beef & lamb), seasoned with herbs and spices, mixed with onions and tomatoes. They come ready to cook, so you can smash them thin onto the tortilla just as you would a traditional beef burger. Add all the other ingredients as in the recipe and enjoy!

#2 – TikTok breakfast sandwich

This recipe is more of a hack that went viral on social media because it is a simple one-pan recipe, highly customizable, and tastes great. It features eggs, beaten with salt and pepper, and bread of your choice. The egg mixture goes into a pan with slices of bread on top. The bread gets coated with the egg as it cooks. A vigilant and timely flip ensures a great sear. You can add fresh greens or some meat to make the sandwich more filling.

Quick recipe idea: This recipe for the TikTok Egg Breakfast Sandwich by Dani is the easiest and comes together in ten minutes or so. The best part is that you can try this TikTok recipe and experiment with different toppings until you find a combo that hits home!

Desi tip: To add more protein to your sandwich and make it more filling, use Chicken Shami Kabab by Colonel Kababz. Made from all-natural chicken and lentils, seasoned with herbs and spices, these patties only require a few minutes of shallow frying in a non-stick skillet. You can have them ready on the side to add to your TikTok breakfast sandwich alongside the greens, before you wrap it up. The result is quite akin to a bun kebab – a popular South Asian street food, known for being a delicious and filling desi fast food item. 

#3 – TikTok spaghetti

If you can’t decide whether you want pasta with a red or white sauce, you have to give this recipe a go. TikTok spaghetti, pretty similar to the Million Dollar spaghetti, started trending in 2022 and contains the elements of both – the rich Alfredo sauce coats the spaghetti, topped with a rich meat sauce and mozzarella cheese, baked until fully done. This creamy spaghetti is perfect for an indulgent dinner. 

Quick recipe idea: This recipe for the TikTok spaghetti by Lauren Habermehl gives you an excellent step-by-step run-through of what you need to do. 

Desi tip: Instead of using raw ground beef like they have in this recipe, try the Beef Seekh Kabab by Colonel Kababz. You can crumble these kebabs into a coarse mince and then follow the recipe as is. Made from all-natural beef seasoned with herbs and spices, these kebabs are flame-grilled and fully cooked. You only need to heat them before use. This desi twist adds a smoky flavor to your pasta dish. 

#4 – TikTok chicken tacos 

While it is simple and more of a TikTok food hack than a recipe, it is an interesting take on tacos. The corn tortillas get toasted in the same oil that cooks the meat with seasoning, and get a crispy, flavorful crust. With the soft, juicy chicken inside, topped with pico de gallo, it is the perfect meal. 

Quick recipe idea: Give this recipe for TikTok chicken tacos by Hannah Twietmeyer a go. It comes with a recipe for homemade pico de gallo, and you can assemble it within minutes for the perfect TikTok chicken tacos. 

Desi tip: Add a desi twist to your tacos and slash cooking time – use Kaiser’s Chicken 65. Although it comes fully cooked, we recommend you sauté it in a pan with a little oil as you warm it up thoroughly. Next, remove it from the pan, add the corn tortillas to the oil flavored by the seasoned chicken, and toast for a crispy crust. Assemble your tacos drizzled with the salsa, and enjoy!

Concluding words…

TikTok lets users share content about food, but that is not all. It’s more like a cultural exchange, in under a minute or so. People like to share not just recipes but their unique interactions with food, introducing their audience to the lesser-known ingredients from their part of the world (think: kimchi, durians, century eggs, and more). The viral culture of FoodTok videos also means that it does not stay limited to TikTok – it spreads to Instagram and Facebook as more and more people hop onto the trend to recreate the recipe with their personal touch. 

Replicating these viral TikTok recipes with flavors from the Indian subcontinent will not just make them taste familiar but open up a world of food fusion for you to try. Pick one, and put your desi spin on it. Who knows, it might just go viral.