We're ready to close 2023, and while Spotify Wrapped had its moment, let's take a trip down memory lane to re-up on this year's most popular food trends. From dairy's big return to the diabolical Grimace Shake trend to fries being the top side order, here is what Americans couldn't get enough of.
Cows Made a Comeback
Grubhub recently analyzed millions of orders from diners and found 2023 was the return of dairy. Step aside oat and almond milk, this year cows had a comeback as dairy in coffee beverages had a 20% increase and whole milk took the lead among the top three dairy orders, followed by 2% milk, and chocolate milk.
Chopped Italian Sandwiches
@yungfoodbeast Chopped Mortadella Sandwich ?? Not sorry bout it Italy. #mortadella ♬ original sound - Foodbeast
Coming in with 19.1M views on TikTok, subs got a whole new look this past summer (some even skipped the bread). Whether you call it a chopped salad or a chopped sandwich, this easy to make meal was perfect for the beach, a lunchbox meal or even a road trip. TikTok videos poured in with content of users chopping lettuce, red onion, deli meat, pickles, cheese and more before folding into a sub.
It's Giving Carb Balance
According to 2023 Grubhub eaters, over 600,000 Americans ordered a salad and a side of fries. This year, we didn't limit ourselves to just salads; instead, we celebrated our favorite part of the meal — fries — which became the most popular side dish of 2023. Top 5 fries styles ordered in 2023 were classic cut, waffle fries, cheese fries, sweet potato fries, and curly fries.
Girl Dinner
Next to pineapple on pizza dividing the internet was #GirlDinner with 2.8B views on TikTok. If you have no idea what Girl Dinner is, then you clearly did not open social media once this past July. Truthfully, girl dinner is just what we girls were eating before the trend, except now it has an official title. Grabbing whatever you have in your pantry and/or fridge and pulling together a meal is girl dinner. Whether you agree with it or not, at some point in your life, you definitely indulged in the trend.
Make It A Martini
@mezzettaofficial Only the best olives for @Kris and @Kylie Jenner! ??#mezzettamakesitbetta We are absolutely loving this video from @Vogue #repost #mezzetta #martiniolives #krisjenner #kyliejenner ♬ original sound - Mezzetta | Real Ingredients
Believe or not, Kris Jenner really gave martinis a moment this year. In 2023, martinis experienced its uniqueness being made into anything you wished: dirty pasta martini, squid martini, breakfast martini, and even a campfire martini. You name it, someone probably tried making it into a martini.
Diet Coke Work Break
@abbeyskitchen What the “diet coke break” side of tiktok can teach us about intuitive eating. #dietcokebreak #aspartame #crispydietcoke #intuitiveeating #foodfreedom #mindfuleating ♬ original sound - Abbey Sharp
If you are a Diet Coke fan, then you will be happy to know that Grubhub saw an increase of 17% in Diet Coke in-office orders. This primarily is due to the #dietcokebreak trend on TikTok with over 43 million views. Gen Z and Millennials were flocking to the trend to "romanticize the little things," and show their afternoons stepping away from work for an afternoon break with Diet Coke.
Pickle Obsessed
@_bookofelie Ordered more pickles from Deli Station in Santa Ana, CA…we showed them the last video and just asked “more plz” and this is what they came out with ? I told myself I’d stop once my mouth couldn’t touch the top and bottom bread, and somehow, we still passed the test on this one. Also excited that we finally got the Pickleball Association Merch up and live! Lastly, @Costa Spyrou ♬ Cornfield Chase - Hans Zimmer
From pickle sweaters to "chickles" to pickle beer, the hashtags #pickle and #pickles on TikTok have a combined 9.6 billion views. Pickles are to Gen Z like avocados are to Millennials. Explains why the fried pickle lines at Bryant Park were so long.
Pink Foods For Barbie
The major success of the Barbie movie had everyone riding a pink wave of excitement — much of which spilled over into what we ate. From pink "Barbie Pasta" to fast food joints rushing to offer their own tasty odes to Barbie, pink was the it shade of the year.
The Grimace Shake Went Unhinged
McDonald's celebrated Grimace's birthday this year by creating his own purple milkshake. Somehow, the Grimace Shake went viral thanks to a trend where teens taste-tested the new treat on camera, which was suddenly followed by a completely unhinged aftermath.
"Seemingly Ranch" And The Power Of Taylor Swift
A fan's tweet about Taylor Swift enjoying chicken with some condiments completely took over the internet in late September, spawning the "seemingly ranch" craze that had major brands like Heinz jumping on the viral trend.
