What Is TikTok’s Viral Girl Dinner?
Updated: Mar. 12, 2024
From mac and cheese to aesthetically pleasing charcuterie board-inspired meals, we've got you covered on the trend that has taken the internet by storm.
If you’re a dedicated TikTok user, you probably haven’t been able to escape the “girl dinner” trend—or the catchy song that goes with it—over the past month. And if TikTok isn’t your thing, well, chances are you still may have heard about it.
However, if girl dinner still doesn’t ring any bells, not to worry. We’re here to break down the trend that highlights women piecing together low-maintenance meals consisting of exceptionally random food items.
This trend has exploded across the internet in the past few weeks, garnering over 990 million views on TikTok with no signs of slowing down. So, if you enjoy aesthetically pleasing meals that are at times nonsensical, feel free to sit back while we explain.
What Exactly Is Girl Dinner?
Girl dinner is the epitome of various snacks coming together into one effortless meal. We’re talking unsophisticated charcuterie boards (in the best way) to random assemblages based on fridge and pantry findings. However, because girl dinner is whatever you make it, it can also be a go-to comfort dish rather than arbitrary appetizers.
Many have praised the trend for turning a traditional dinner—full of preparation and labor—on its head. Girl dinner is the easy meal you turn to after a tiring day when you just want to stay home. It relies on carefree satisfaction with your kitchen’s contents.
@liviemaher
The trend comes from TikTok user Olivia Maher whose social media handle is @liviemaher. In her original TikTok, which now has over 1.5 million views, Maher captures a plate featuring a glass of red wine, pieces of bread, butter, cheese, grapes and pickles. “I call this girl dinner,” she asserts “or medieval peasant.” Fellow TikTok users could relate, to say the least. Thus, thousands of videos and likes later, the viral girl dinner trend is a sensation.
In fact, the trend was so popular Popeyes even decided to offer its own rendition of girl dinner. The chain’s “girl dinner” order was comprised of classic Popeyes sides—mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, Cajun fries, coleslaw, biscuits and red beans with rice.
Is Girl Dinner Healthy?
There is some controversy surrounding this trend, and with good reason. Experts across the internet warn that girl dinners should be eaten in moderation—not for every dinner of the week—in order to get nutritional balance. Because of the contents of what frequently makes up a girl dinner, and the often small portion sizes, the trend could diverge into toxic diet culture if users are not wary.
However, experts agree that if, at the trend’s core, it inspires people to occasionally throw together an assortment of whatever sides or tried-and-true dishes come to mind or to their liking, then go for it. A girl dinner can be both an act of self-care and indulgence.
On the viral trend, Maher explains the versatility and intention of empowerment behind girl dinner. In an interview with Today, Maher says that “Girl dinner can look like many things. But what matters is the feeling it evokes,” she says. “Giddiness often goes along with it, because it’s what you want. It satisfies you.”
Girl Dinners We’ve Always Loved
These are some of our timeless personal favorite girl dinners:
- Mac and cheese with chicken tenders: There’s nothing like the classic combo of mac and cheese with chicken tenders. And we especially love the special touch of eating it out of a wine glass! Talk about aesthetically pleasing.
@brookiebarry Girlllll dinnerrrrr #food #macandcheese #dinonuggets #dinnerideas
- A bowl of noodles: After a long day, cooking up a quick bowl of pasta is certainly a girl dinner that does the trick. Especially when it’s easy enough to make a bowl of pesto pasta in just 15 minutes.
@tragidy101 ✨ Girl dinner ✨ #girldinner #fyp #trending #viral #chefskiss
- Hummus and veggies: Grabbing whatever veggies you have on hand with some hummus? Check.
@gab_nyc hummus instead of cottage cheese ofc #girldinner #veggiesandmustard #glutenfree #dairyfree #wellness #heartsofpalm #traderjoes
- Frozen waffles: We’ve seen a few renditions of a frozen waffle girl dinner. Whether with a banana, or even adding some sauce and cheese to it and popping it in the air fryer to conjure up a mini pizza, the culinary world is your oyster.
@samaahmed380 My girl dinner=making a pizza out of anything #girldinner #wafflepizza #lilsnackysnack
And for more ideas of girl dinners made up of more bizarre food pairings that are actually delicious, we’ve got you covered.
