We’ve seen it all, so naturally we think we know it all! I’m kidding of course, but we do have some insightful ideas, so we’ve compiled them all here. These are our Food Trend Predictions for 2023!
What will we be cooking next year? We’ve weathered through a global pandemic, returned to office, and are now struggling to combat with rising food and product costs. Our Wolf Pack has teamed up to deliver this fun list of our 2023 food trend predictions, including some fads we think are exiting the spotlight!
Read along and let us know in the comments if you agree about the rise and fall of these certain food trends.
Rising Food Trend Predictions for 2023
Backyard Pizzas
If quarantine taught us anything over the last few years, it’s how to make our own bread. That movement has quickly dripped into pizza making, and every grill brand out there wants us to know it! Many major grill brands have released their version of a pizza oven in the last 18 months including various sizes of a traditional wood-fired oven, pellet-fueled ovens, or even a gas-powdered ovens.
Even our Wolf Pack got together to take advantage of this rising trend to create our own fun flavors! Pizza is rising (#dadjoke) and we can’t wait to see new recipes.
Cheaper cuts
There’s no question that meats are more expensive right now, and that doesn’t seem to be changing soon. People will be looking for more bang for their buck, stocking up on cuts like chuck roast to make over-the-top delicious meals like Chipotle Garlic Chili Con Carne or ground beef for a Cheese Stuffed Smoked Meatloaf.
Burnt Ends
Step aside chuck roast, there are so many variations of “burnt ends” we can’t even keep up! From Salmon Burnt Ends to Pineapple Burnt Ends, we’re seeing every variation under the sun.
Home cooks are looking for new and creative ways to smoke and sauce a combination of just about any meat, transforming it into a sticky, smoky snack. The popular Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Pastrami Pork Belly Burnt Ends and Maple Bourbon Pork Belly Burnt Ends are nowhere short of topping the charts (yes, we have many different flavors featured here).
Shredded Meat
Along the idea of using cheaper cuts, we feel that flexible meals are going to go a long way. Smoking and shredding meats are not only a fun way to barbecue, but provides a number of options for meal planning such as using Pulled Beef Chuck Roast, Smoked Pulled Ham, or even Pulled Pork Belly.
Now the real question is, are you going to put the smoked shredded meat in a taco or a sandwich?
Nostalgic Food
With everything we’re navigating, another Food Trend Prediction we have is that people will going to go back to feel-good food that reminds us of simpler times. There are fun recipes like Smoked Bologna and Beef Strogonaoff Burgers, or just keeping it simple and classic like Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese.
It’s hard to beat nostalgia, especially when we’re considering the average person is transitioning back into a normal work life while dealing with the current economy. There won’t be a shortage of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and roasted veggies. So just gimme all of that gravy and call it a night.
Stuffed & Smoked
We are seeing just about every type of food getting stuffed and smoked from the classic Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Poppers to the unusual (and delicious) Mega Armadillo Egg.
It’s a simple process that really gained popularity when home cooks started perfecting the jalapeno poppers. Texas has quite a few classics, such as the Texas Twinkie which takes advantage of simple shredded smoked meat stuffed inside of chiles. We are here for it, so keep on stuffing your meatloaf, peppers, and burgers. Just don’t forget to wrap it in bacon!
Flat top grills
From propane-powdered griddles to wood-fired planchas, we are seeing it all. Most home chefs tend to own either a gas grill or pellet smoker and are seeking a new toy for 2023. There are so many different options with flat top grills varied in costs, features, and size.
Don’t limit your imagination to simply pancakes or Cheesesteak Quesadillas, think about all of the French Onion Patty Melts you can make! Though we won’t fight against a griddle full of crispy hashbrowns and scrambled eggs. Classic and delicious.
Falling Food Trend Predictions for 2023
Tomahawk Steaks
Tomahawk steaks are impressive, but very expensive. Yes, I’ll say it… you’re paying for the bone. It’s a trophy ribeye that’s double the cost of a traditional steak, and with current meat prices they just aren’t as accessible. Social media has already seen a shift with video content, focused on showcasing more affordable cuts.
Don’t get me wrong, they taste great and you should absolutely cook them if you get your hands on one! Check out Ditry Tomahawk Steaks with Steakhouse Butter if you want an explosive recipe that will impress your guests. I feel we’re going to see less of them on social media and food blogs during the next year.
Pellet smokers
We feel people will gravitate more towards open-flame cooking this year. Given that there were a surplus of individuals which entered the game of low-and-slow barbecue with pellet smokers during quarantine, we’re seeing a major slowdown in the markets.
If you already have a smoker, it’s likely a pellet smoker. What’s next? Our Food Trend Prediction is the resurgence of charcoal grilling and live-fire cooking. Good news… we’ve got you covered with plenty of resources. Check out either one of Derek’s cookbooks:
- Food x Fire to get you started with the core recipes and cooking methods.
- Flavor x Fire to step up your creativity, pairing unique flavor combinations and ingredients.
Sous Vide & Searing
We’ve seen many recipes with that wall-to-wall pink steak with the perfect crust. Sous vide is a fun technique to create a consistent steak every time, but we’re seeing less and less of it show up in recipes.
Do you think it’s because of the time involved? It could also be that the surprise of a perfectly cooked steak just isn’t as surprising anymore. Maybe it’s also because reverse-searing has taken over (check out How to Reverse Sear a Steak), adding an element of smoke flavor. No matter the reason, we don’t believe it’s going to keep trending.
Scratch Cooking Everything
Our time stuck at home taught us one thing: We can make everything from scratch. Want to watch a video for a burger recipe? Get ready to sit through the chef making homemade buns and ketchup, long before they reach the actual burger and toppings. Our Food Trend Prediction is that this is going out of style.
Not only is our attention span totally over watching all of those details, but we just don’t have the time anymore. Plus, I enjoy eating Duke’s mayo, so I don’t always need to whisk up my own.
Japanese Wagyu
The highly-marbled cuts are impressive, whether you’re wanting to devour it or can’t stand the high fat content. Spending $200 for a couple of fat-marbled steaks just isn’t a regular activity. We’ve seen everything from steak slices to Japanese wagyu briskets, and it’s just too much.
So we think the easier-to-find, affordable grade beef will be the mainstream. American wagyu might still stick around, given that it’s significantly more affordable than A5, but we’ll see…
Birria-Inspired Dishes
A few years ago the US was widely exposed to the sensation of red-orange, dripping wet, crispy tacos filled with tender shredded beef, cheese, and herbs. Birria hit social media like a storm, furthermore mesmerizing audiences with the concept of dipping delicious tacos into a rich, red-stained broth. They are SO tasty too, it really isn’t a surprise.
Suddenly we saw birria ramen, loaded fries, sandwiches, nachos, and many other variations. While these are extremely tasty, the spotlight is starting to fade. Are you exhausted with birria recipes yet?
We do have some creative options if that’s your jam. Check out Birria Baked Potatoes, or even Smoked Birria Burgers for messy meal!
Charcoal Rubs and Sauces
Activated charcoal is an ingredient which can be added to any recipe, instantly transforming a sauce, seasoning, or even dough into a midnight black color. BBQ rubs have been created to showcase the drama because a crusty black exterior of a steak with a perfectly pink interior is certainly eye-catching. Is the steak burnt and rare at the same time…or was it just the rub?
Charcoal did it’s job, creating a sense of mystery and fun with cooking. As fast as it hit the shelves, we’ve seen it largely disappear from TV and social media. The drama is over, so we plan to see less of it in 2023.
A Final Note
Well, there you have it. These are our Food Trend Predictions for 2023. Will some of them be right? Yeah. Will some of them be wrong. Probably. But we had more fun thinking about the future and all it will hold, specifically when it come to cooking outdoors.
What do you think? Leave us a comment below and share your predictions for 2023! Wishing you and yours a wonderful year, full of fun and good food.
Cheers!
I enjoyed the article and the expected trend of using cheaper cuts and making them more interesting given the expected financial challenges makes a lot of sense. Hoping that we see even more cooking techniques and dishes from areas that do not receive as much coverage.