Industry Trends Report 2025-2026

Sides Trends

Over-Arching Themes

  • Charred, Blistered, and Roasted Over Buttered and Creamed
  • Sides and Tapas Merge as Small Plates
  • Cruciferous Vegetables Lead the Category
  • Root Vegetables Go Roasted
  • Mac and Cheese Renaissance
  • Mushrooms
  • Fries Still Lead Potatoes, But Other Potatoes Grow
  • Roasted, Seared, and Burnt Instead of Fried
  • Sausage the New Bacon for Vegetables
  • Viral Recipes
  • Salads As Sides

Menu Items/Styles:

  • Loaded and Topped Mac and Cheese
  • Mushrooms Grilled and Roasted
  • Tots Give Life to Fries
  • Savory Carrots Rubbed and Roasted
  • Crispy Smashed Potatoes
  • Charred Cabbages
  • Fondant Potatoes
  • Smoked and BBQ’d Root Vegetables
  • Elote Maintains Strength
  • Layered Potatoes Made Crispy
  • Roasted and Smashed Brussels
  • Kale and Bean Salads

Sauces, Seasonings, and Flavors:

  • Smoked, Polish, Chorizo, and Other Sausages
  • Honey and Honey Sauces, Including Hot Honeys
  • Yuzu and “New” Citrus Flavors
  • Ginger In Sweet and Savory
    BBQ, Berbere, and Grill Seasonings
  • Kimchi and Fermented Items and Flavors
  • Charred, Spicy, Hot and Hotter Items
  • Truffle
  • Aiolis of All Kinds
  • Chili Crunches and Salsa Machas
  • Chamoy and Mexican Chili Citrus