If you enjoy exploring new flavors and cuisines, you’re in luck. The year 2023 is shaping up to be a delicious one, with intriguing culinary innovations that promise to delight your senses and ignite your culinary creativity. From briny seafood to bright citrus to regenerative agriculture, here are some of the hottest food trends of 2023 in the US that you need to try.
Briny Seafood
Seafood is having a moment in 2023, especially the salty kind that brings a burst of salinity and umami to your palate. Think oysters, clams, mussels, anchovies, sardines, and seaweed. These foods are not only tasty but also nutritious, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and minerals. They’re also sustainable, as they require minimal inputs and have a low environmental impact.
Briny seafood adds flavor and texture to pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, and dips. You can also enjoy them raw or cooked with simple seasonings like lemon, garlic, parsley, or butter. Some of the best places to try briny seafood in the US are Saltie Girl in Boston and LA, Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston and Burlington, The Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle, and Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York.
Bright Citrus
Citrus fruits offer not only a refreshing burst of juiciness but also a wide spectrum of flavors and colors that can elevate any culinary creation. With their tangy sweetness and vibrant hues, they have the power to invigorate dishes in various ways. As we enter 2023, anticipate a surge in the availability of citrus varieties and flavors both in dining establishments and on store shelves. While familiar options like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits continue to be beloved, explore a rich tapestry of citrus diversity. Delight your taste buds with yuzu, calamansi, kumquat, bergamot, and finger lime – each bringing its unique essence.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture represents a farming approach dedicated to revitalizing soil health and promoting sustainable land management, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and water cycles. It goes beyond organic farming by using cover cropping, crop rotation composting, and holistic grazing to improve the ecosystem and mitigate climate change.
Regenerative agriculture is not only good for the planet but also for the people who eat the food produced by it. Regenerative foods are more nutritious, flavorful, and ethical than conventional foods. They’re also more transparent, as consumers can trace where their food comes from and how it was grown.
Regenerative foods will become more accessible and affordable in 2023 as more farmers adopt this practice
and more retailers support it.
Some of the best places to buy or try regenerative foods in the US are Thrive Market, Patagonia Provisions, General Mills, and Chipotle.
Spicy Bakes
Baking is not just for sweet treats anymore. In 2023, expect to see more spicy bakes that combine the heat of chilies, peppers, and spices with the comfort of bread, pastry, and cake. Spicy bakes are a great way to add excitement and variety to your breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Spicy bakes can range from savory to sweet, from mild to fiery, from simple to complex. Some examples are jalapeño cornbread, harissa scones, gochujang croissants, cardamom buns, gingerbread, and chili chocolate brownies. You can make spicy bakes at home with recipes from The Spicy Baking Club or buy them from bakeries like Hot Bread Kitchen in New York, Baker Miller in Chicago, Bread Lounge in LA, and Bakery Nouveau in Seattle.
Reducetarian Eating
Reducetarian eating is a flexible and inclusive approach to eating less meat, dairy, and eggs for health, environmental, and ethical reasons. It’s not about giving up animal products completely but reducing them gradually and mindfully. Reduced eating is a way to enjoy the benefits of plant-based foods without feeling deprived or guilty.
Reducetarian eating is becoming more popular and easier in 2023 as more people embrace this lifestyle
and more options become available. Some of the best places to try reducetarian eating in the US are By Chloe,
Next Level Burger, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Sweetgreen.
International BBQ
BBQ is not just an American tradition anymore. In 2023, expect more international BBQ styles and flavors on menus and stores, from Korean to Brazilian to South African. International BBQ is a way to explore different cultures and cuisines through the universal language of grilled meat (or veggies).
International BBQ can be enjoyed in many forms: as a main course, a side dish, a sandwich, a salad, or a snack. It can also be paired with various sauces, rubs, marinades, and condiments to enhance the flavor and texture. Some of the best places to try international BBQ in the US are Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong in New York and LA (try their Korean BBQ), Fogo de Chão in various locations (try their Brazilian BBQ), Shebeen Pub & Braai in Charlottesville (try their South African BBQ), and Loro in Austin (try their Asian BBQ).
A New Wave of Plant-Based Pasta
Pasta is one of the most beloved and versatile foods in the world, but it’s also one of the most carb-heavy and gluten-rich. That’s why, in 2023, a new wave of plant-based pasta is emerging, offering more nutritious, gluten-free, and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional wheat pasta.
Plant-based pasta is made from legumes, vegetables, grains, and seaweed that provide more protein, fiber, and vitamins than wheat pasta. They also have different textures, shapes, and colors that make them more fun and appealing. Some of the best places to buy or try plant-based pasta in the US are Banza,
Explore Cuisine, Trader Joe’s, and Sfoglini.
Savory-Sweet Treats
Sweet treats are always a delight, but sometimes they can be too sweet or too boring. In 2023, savory-sweet treats are taking over, combining the best of both worlds: the sweetness of sugar, chocolate, and fruit with the saltiness of cheese, nuts, and bacon. Savory-sweet treats are a way to satisfy your cravings and surprise your senses with unexpected flavors and textures.
Savory-sweet treats can be enjoyed as desserts, snacks, or breakfasts. These can vary from uncomplicated to intricately detailed, from classic to innovative. Some examples are bacon chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake pops, peanut butter and jelly donuts, and salted caramel brownies. You can make your savory-sweet treats at home with recipes from Salty Sweets or buy them from bakeries like Milk Bar in various locations, The Salty Donut in Miami and Dallas, Baked in New York and Tokyo, and The Pie Hole in LA and Durham.
Tinned Fish
Tinned fish is not just a pantry staple anymore. In 2023, tinned fish is becoming a gourmet delicacy, featuring high-quality fish like sardines, anchovies, mackerel, tuna, and salmon preserved in olive oil, vinegar, spices, herbs, and other flavorings. Tinned fish is not only delicious but also nutritious, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and iron. They’re also sustainable, as they use small fish that are abundant and low on the food chain.
Tinned fish can be enjoyed straight from the can or used in salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, and crostini. These delectable treats have the delightful versatility to accompany gourmet options such as cheese, artisanal bread, crisp crackers, flavorful olives, and exquisite wine for a simple and elegant snack or appetizer. Some of the best places to buy or try tinned fish in the US are Conservas USA, Scout Canning, Salt & Tin, and Bar Cava.
Naturally-Sweet Dates
Dates are not just for Ramadan anymore. In 2023, dates are becoming a popular natural sweetener, replacing refined sugar and artificial sweeteners in many recipes and products. Dates are not only sweet but also chewy,
nutty, and caramel-like. They’re also nutritious and rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.
Dates can be used in many ways: as a snack, a dessert, a spread, a sauce, or a drink. They can also enhance the flavor of other ingredients like nuts, chocolate, and cheese. The best places to buy or try dates in the US are Joolies, Date Lady, Date Bar, and Bateel.
Conclusion
2023 will be a feast for the senses, with amazing food trends that will make you want to try new things and enjoy old favorites. Whether you’re looking for salty seafood, bright citrus, regenerative agriculture, spicy bakes, reducetarian eating, International BBQ, plant-based pasta, savory-sweet treats, tinned fish, or naturally sweet dates, you’ll find something to suit your taste buds and your lifestyle. So indulge yourself in the hottest food trends of 2023 in the US!
Keep Reading…
Sources
- Food Trends of 2023 | Top 22 Trends | Cozymeal
- The Top 10 Food Trends of 2023 – IFT.org
- 50 Foods You Have To Try In 2023 – Food Trends For 2023 – Delish
- The 11 biggest food trends for 2023 in the UK, from hot honey to Korean corn dogs
- New Food Trends for 2023 | U.S. News – US News Health
- 19 Food and Drink Trends That Are Going to Blow up in 2023 – Parade
