9 food trends that will be everywhere in 2026

By Erin McDowell

New Follow authors and never miss a story!

While plant-based meat may have had its moment in the early 2020s — and while some leaders in the space remain optimistic — there's been a decline in sales year over year for popular plant-powered meat companies. For some, such as Beyond Meat, sales have been declining for a few years.

At the same time, 2026 trend reports highlight a return to "real meat," with chefs and diners gravitating toward menu items such as steak frites, signature burgers, and wagyu beef to attract customers seeking to incorporate more protein into their diets.

According to Tastewise's 2026 Trend Forecast, "Consumers are turning away from 'fakeness' in ultra-processed substitutes, seeking foods that feel simple, transparent, and true to their origins," especially among fast-food menus, where meat-focused menu items have grown 11% year over year.

Move over, kale: 2026 is poised to be the year of the cabbage.

From kimchi dishes to cabbage spring rolls and salads, cabbage is gaining popularity among home cooks and restaurant owners, who have lauded the ingredient's versatility and affordability, as well as its high fiber content.

"Today's consumer is more open to exploring global cuisines than ever. Cabbage's versatility comes in handy, as it can be a part of tacos, rice bowls, noodles, and other culturally relevant dishes," Wesley Allan, a consumer insights analyst at Tastewise, told Business Insider.

Pinterest also reported that searches for cabbage dumplings have increased by 110%, and cabbage-focused dishes, such as golumpki, a Polish soup made from cabbage, ground beef, and tomato broth, are also seeing increased interest as we head into 2026.

In addition to protein, fiber-rich foods like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, sweet potatoes, legumes, and whole grains are enjoying popularity due to their ability to promote fullness and satiate appetites for longer compared to other foods.

While naturally fiber-rich foods are increasingly appearing on restaurant menus, the "fiber-maxing" trend is also making its way into grocery aisles.

Shoppers can expect to see more packaged foods marketed for their fiber content, with new products like Smartfood Fiber Pop and SunChips Fiber signaling how brands are leaning into the trend.

However, it's recommended you don't go all in right away: Dieticians warn against introducing too much fiber to your diet too quickly, which can cause digestive issues like constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Fast-casual chains with Chipotle-style build-your-own concepts inspired by Indian cuisine, such as Inday, are helping introduce dishes like chicken tikka masala, paneer, and chickpea curry in approachable, on-the-go formats that are revolutionizing the "slop bowl" with new and innovative flavors.

Inday has experienced significant growth over the past few years, particularly since acquiring the vegan fast-casual concept Beatnic in 2024 and converting all of the brand's locations into Inday restaurants.

Similar expansion at Curry Up Now — a fast-casual Indian chain with 19 locations — underscores how fast-casual brands in the Indian category are positioning for national growth.

With the rise of GLP-1 medications, many customers are seeking smaller menu items in response to their reduced appetites. And, with 10% of the US population on some form of GLP-1, according to Rob Holston, the global and Americas consumer products sector leader at EY, the market for smaller, snackier menu items could be bigger than ever.

Last year, McDonald's relaunched its iconic snack wraps in two flavors: spicy and ranch. While the new menu items hit the sweet spot in terms of affordability and nostalgia — two of the biggest food trends of 2025 — they also catered to something customers are craving: smaller, on-the-go items that aren't overly filling.

Earlier this month, Shake Shack launched its new "Good Fit Menu," featuring a variety of lettuce-wrapped burgers and chicken sandwiches for customers "dialing up protein, cutting back, or simply eating with more intention."

Other mini versions of popular products — such as snack-sized chip bags and Coke's mini cans — could also be seen in more stores this year as consumers seek smaller portions.

Rather than skipping drinks altogether, many younger consumers are opting for zero-proof cocktails that still feel special, meeting up with friends at dirty-soda shops, or opting for THC-infused drinks.

Another drinking trend among younger consumers is "zebra-striping," in which you alternate between an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic drink each round.

"People still want to feel something," Jon Kreidler, cofounder of Tattersall Distilling Company, told Business Insider. "They still want to partake and have something adult and feel something different to help them relax, help them calm down. But a lot of people, especially younger consumers, are just fed up with the hangovers and the negative effects, and so they're shifting away from alcohol."

Value menus dominated fast food and casual dining in 2025 as inflation-weary consumers demanded more for their money, and the focus on affordability isn't going anywhere in 2026.

Chains have leaned into lower-priced bundles and fan-favorite deals to keep customers coming back, with McDonald's expanding its $5 Meal Deal, reviving snack wraps, and rolling out new Extra Value meal combos.

Casual-dining brands followed suit, with Applebee's launching a value-focused lunch special, Olive Garden reintroducing its Endless Pasta option, and Chili's continuing to promote its popular "3 for Me" deal.

As consumers remain price-conscious, value-driven offerings continue to be popular among customers who want more value for their money.

Hot honey has firmly cemented itself as a go-to flavor across fast-food and casual-dining menus, building on years of steady growth.

QSR magazine previously reported that menu mentions of hot honey jumped 187% between 2016 and 2020 — and the trend shows no signs of cooling off.

In recent months, chains including Red Robin, Chipotle, Panda Express, KFC, and Taco Bell have rolled out hot-honey-inspired items, often in partnership with Mike's Hot Honey, indicating that the sweet-heat flavor has evolved from a trend to a staple.

From Burger King's "SpongeBob SquarePants" collab to McDonald's retro-inspired Happy Meal toys, chains across the board leaned into nostalgia in 2025 — and the trend isn't going anywhere.

Beyond obvious plays, like Taco Bell's "Decades Y2K" menu, chains are leaning into menu items that simply evoke a nostalgic or childhood feeling of simpler times, such as chicken tenders.

Technomic's Lizzy Freier told Restaurant Business that chicken tenders are surging across foodservice because they hit multiple consumer sweet spots at once: They're familiar, nostalgic, affordable, and appeal to both kids and adults, while new dipping sauces help keep the format feeling fresh.

As we enter the new year, other nostalgic foods like milkshakes and sweet desserts could see similar rises in popularity.