Top Cooking & Recipe Trends in 2026

Rachid Idali

by Rachid Idali

Below you'll find the top 50 cooking & recipe trends for 2026, spotted by Rising Trends's trend radar algorithm.

These topics were detected from online sources including TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, news outlets, and Google Search data. Each trend has at least 1,000+ monthly searches and over 20% year-over-year growth.

Top 50 Fastest-Growing Cooking & Recipe Trends

All cooking & recipe trends with over 20% year-over-year growth, ranked by search volume.

1

Deviled Eggs Recipe

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Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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15 Minute Timer

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Seafood Boil

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Sourdough Starter

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Quinoa

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Spirulina

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Chefs Knife

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Vanilla Extract

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Titanium Cutting Board

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Portable Air Fryer

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Ceviche Recipe

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Pierogi Recipe

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Penne

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Fermented Foods

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Einkorn Flour

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Wood Pellet Grill

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Gourmet Grocery Store

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Corn Tortillas

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Air Fryer Liners

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Sushi Bake Recipes

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Indian Spices

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Indian Spice

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Colby Jack Cheese

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Own Protein Shake

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Butterfly Pea Flower

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All Purpose Seasoning

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Measuring Spoon

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Mafaldine

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Sunflower Oil High Oleic

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Blackberry Cobbler Recipe

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Oven Thermometer

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Raw Nutrition

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Perilla

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Spiced Pumpkin Pie

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Nitrided Carbon Steel Pan

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Nordic Diet

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Frozen Meals

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Indian Spice Blends

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Green Spaghetti

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Dehydrated Orange Slices

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Pasta Noodles

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Grill Brush

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Portable Barbecue Grill

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Beef Tallow For Cooking

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Burger Bowls

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Portable Grills

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Instant Mashed Potatoes

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Einkorn Bread

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Chufa

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Showing top 10 of 50 cooking & recipe trends

Cooking & Recipes: 2026's Defining Movements

Category Market Size Growth Leaders
Kitchen Appliances ~$250B ~6.2% CAGR Ninja, Traeger, KitchenAid
Artisan Baking ~$45B ~5.8% CAGR King Arthur, Bob's Red Mill
Global Cuisines ~$120B ~8.4% CAGR H Mart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's
Plant-Based Cooking ~$35B ~11.2% CAGR Impossible, Beyond, JUST
Meal Prep & Slow Cooking ~$18B ~7.5% CAGR Instant Pot, Crock-Pot, Ninja
Superfoods & Health Ingredients ~$210B ~9.8% CAGR Navitas, Nutiva, Manitoba Harvest

CAGR = compound annual growth rate

For a breakdown of how we spot these movements before they peak, see our guide on Google Trends for market research where we explain our methodology.


1. Holiday & Comfort Food Revival

Nostalgia is on the menu. "Green bean casserole recipe" dominates with 2,240,000 monthly searches, while "sweet potato casserole" matches with 2,240,000 searches. "Mashed potatoes recipe" captures 1,500,000 searches and "macaroni and cheese recipe" generates 1,220,000 searches as home cooks perfect classic comfort dishes.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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The pandemic-era return to home cooking has evolved into a permanent appreciation for traditional recipes and family-style meals.

What's Driving This Shift

Comfort food is surging because:

  • Nostalgia appeal: Uncertain times drive cravings for familiar, comforting flavors
  • Family traditions: Younger generations are learning and preserving heritage recipes
  • Social sharing: Holiday cooking content dominates food social media during Q4
  • Make-ahead culture: Casseroles and slow-cooked dishes fit busy lifestyles
  • Ingredient accessibility: Classic recipes use affordable, widely available ingredients

Holiday food content sees 400%+ traffic increases during November and December each year.

What's Gaining Momentum

Green Bean Casserole Recipe (2,240,000 searches) – The Thanksgiving classic made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions. Peak searches in November.

Sweet Potato Casserole (2,240,000 searches) – Mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar, topped with marshmallows or pecans. A holiday table staple.

Mashed Potatoes Recipe (1,500,000 searches) – Home cooks seek the perfect technique, from Yukon Gold to russet, with butter and cream.

Deviled Eggs Recipe (1,220,000 searches) – Classic appetizer with endless variation potential, from bacon to sriracha.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe (1,000,000 searches) – Homemade cranberry sauce is replacing canned versions as cooks embrace simple, fresh preparations.

Key Players

  • Allrecipes – Community-driven recipe platform with millions of user reviews
  • Food Network – Television and digital recipes from celebrity chefs
  • Tasty – BuzzFeed's viral recipe brand with video-first content
  • Bon Appétit – Premium food media with tested recipes

2. Artisan Baking & Bread Making

The sourdough renaissance continues. "Sourdough starter" generates 368,000 monthly searches as home bakers maintain their cultures, while "sourdough bread recipe" captures 246,000 searches. "Pumpkin loaf recipe" shows 301,000 searches for seasonal baking, and "christmas cookie recipes" reaches 135,000 searches as holiday baking traditions thrive.

Sourdough Starter

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Sourdough Bread Recipe

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What began as pandemic lockdown hobby has matured into a permanent shift toward artisan home baking.

Why Home Baking Persists

Artisan baking is thriving because:

  • Craft satisfaction: The slow, hands-on process provides creative fulfillment
  • Quality control: Home bakers know exactly what goes into their bread
  • Cost savings: Artisan bread prices at bakeries make home baking economical
  • Fermentation benefits: Sourdough's digestibility appeals to health-conscious bakers
  • Community building: Sourdough starters are shared, creating baking communities

The home baking market grew 40% during the pandemic and has retained most of those gains.

What's Gaining Momentum

Sourdough Starter (368,000 searches) – The living culture of flour and water that makes sourdough possible. Requires daily feeding and care.

Pumpkin Loaf Recipe (301,000 searches) – Seasonal quick bread with warm spices. Peak searches September through November.

Sourdough Bread Recipe (246,000 searches) – The full process from starter to baked loaf. Videos and detailed guides dominate search results.

Christmas Cookie Recipes (135,000 searches) – Holiday baking traditions including sugar cookies, gingerbread, and international varieties.

Zucchini Bread Recipe (90,500 searches) – Garden-to-table baking using summer's abundant squash harvest.

Key Players


3. Kitchen Appliances & Tools Revolution

Home kitchens are upgrading. "Pellet smoker" generates 110,000 monthly searches and "pellet grill" matches with 110,000 searches as outdoor cooking goes high-tech. "Chef's knife" captures 135,000 searches, "hand mixer" shows 110,000 searches, and "portable air fryer" reaches 90,500 searches as cooks invest in quality equipment.

Pellet Smoker

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Pellet Grill

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The line between professional and home kitchen equipment continues to blur as serious home cooks demand better tools.

Why Kitchen Tech is Booming

Appliance investment is surging because:

  • Restaurant-quality results: Advanced appliances deliver professional outcomes at home
  • Time efficiency: Smart appliances reduce active cooking time
  • Versatility: Multi-function devices replace single-use gadgets
  • Social media influence: Viral kitchen tools drive immediate purchasing behavior
  • Outdoor living: Backyard cooking has become an extension of the kitchen

The kitchen appliance market is projected to reach $250 billion by 2027, growing at 6.2% annually.

What's Gaining Momentum

Chef's Knife (135,000 searches) – The essential 8-inch blade every serious cook needs. Japanese and German styles compete for preference.

Pellet Smoker (110,000 searches) – Automated wood pellet cookers that maintain precise temperatures for smoking, grilling, and baking.

Pellet Grill (110,000 searches) – Traeger pioneered the category, now facing competition from Weber and Pit Boss.

Hand Mixer (110,000 searches) – Compact alternative to stand mixers for everyday baking tasks. KitchenAid and Cuisinart lead.

Portable Air Fryer (90,500 searches) – Countertop convection cookers that crisp food with minimal oil. Ninja dominates searches.

Meat Thermometer (90,500 searches) – Instant-read and leave-in probe thermometers ensure perfect doneness every time.

Key Players

  • Ninja – Air fryers, blenders, and multi-cookers dominating home kitchens
  • Traeger – Pioneer and leader in pellet grills and smokers
  • KitchenAid – Iconic stand mixers and full kitchen appliance lineup
  • ThermoWorks – Professional-grade thermometers for home cooks

4. Global Cuisines & Ethnic Cooking

Home cooks are going global. "Birria taco recipes" generates 74,000 monthly searches as Mexican street food goes mainstream, while "ceviche recipe" captures 90,500 searches. "Pierogi recipe" shows 60,500 searches for Eastern European comfort food, and "cannoli" reaches 246,000 searches as Italian desserts trend.

Birria Taco Recipes

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Ceviche Recipe

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TikTok and food media have democratized access to authentic global recipes, inspiring home cooks to explore beyond familiar cuisines.

Why Global Cooking is Trending

International recipes are surging because:

  • Social media exposure: Viral food videos introduce unfamiliar cuisines to millions
  • Travel inspiration: Post-pandemic travel sparks desire to recreate destination flavors
  • Ingredient accessibility: Asian, Latin, and Middle Eastern ingredients are widely available
  • Cultural appreciation: Cooking becomes a way to connect with other cultures
  • Restaurant alternatives: Home cooks replicate expensive ethnic restaurant dishes

Searches for international recipes have grown 150%+ over five years across major platforms.

What's Gaining Momentum

Cannoli (246,000 searches) – Sicilian pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta. Home cooks tackle the challenging shell-making process.

Ceviche Recipe (90,500 searches) – Latin American raw fish "cooked" in citrus juice. Perfect for summer entertaining.

Pastina (90,500 searches) – Tiny Italian pasta in broth, often with egg and butter. TikTok drove this comfort food viral.

Birria Taco Recipes (74,000 searches) – Slow-braised beef in chili broth, served in crispy dipped tortillas. The consomé for dipping is essential.

Pierogi Recipe (60,500 searches) – Polish dumplings filled with potato, cheese, or meat. Labor of love that rewards with comfort.

Souvla (74,000 searches) – Cypriot large-chunk meat grilled on skewers. Mediterranean barbecue culture gaining American interest.

Key Players

  • Serious Eats – Science-driven recipes from global cuisines
  • Ricardo – French-Canadian food media with international focus
  • Joshua Weissman – YouTube chef known for homemade ethnic food recreations
  • Middle Eats – Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking content

5. Plant-Based & Health-Conscious Cooking

Healthy eating is evolving. "Acai bowl" generates 368,000 monthly searches as superfood bowls dominate breakfast, while "chia seeds" captures 246,000 searches. "Spirulina" shows 201,000 searches, "seitan" reaches 90,500 searches for plant-based protein, and ancient grains like "sorghum" and "amaranth" each generate 90,500 searches.

Acai Bowl

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Chia Seeds

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The health food movement has matured from niche to mainstream, with superfoods and plant proteins becoming pantry staples.

Why Health Cooking Dominates

Plant-based and superfood cooking is surging because:

  • Flexitarian growth: More consumers reduce meat without going fully vegetarian
  • Digestive health focus: Gut-friendly ingredients like fermented foods gain attention
  • Nutrient density: Superfoods pack more nutrition per calorie
  • Environmental concerns: Plant-based cooking has lower carbon footprint
  • Athletic performance: Athletes popularize high-protein plant foods

The plant-based food market is growing at 11.2% annually, reaching $35 billion by 2027.

What's Gaining Momentum

Acai Bowl (368,000 searches) – Brazilian superfood bowl topped with granola and fruit. Café staple now made at home with frozen acai packets.

Chia Seeds (246,000 searches) – Tiny seeds that form gel when soaked, used in puddings, smoothies, and baking. Omega-3 and fiber powerhouse.

Spirulina (201,000 searches) – Blue-green algae used in smoothies for protein and nutrients. Distinctive color makes it Instagram-worthy.

Seitan (90,500 searches) – Wheat gluten meat substitute with chewy, meat-like texture. Popular in Asian cuisines for centuries.

Fermented Foods (60,500 searches) – Kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir for gut health. Home fermentation is growing.

Sorghum & Amaranth (90,500 searches each) – Ancient grains gaining popularity as gluten-free, nutrient-dense alternatives to wheat and rice.

Key Players

  • Navitas Organics – Superfood powders and ingredients
  • Nutiva – Organic superfoods including chia and coconut products
  • Manitoba Harvest – Hemp-based foods and proteins
  • Sambazon – Frozen acai and superfruit products

6. Slow Cooking & Meal Prep

Efficiency meets flavor. "Crock pot chicken recipes" generates 246,000 monthly searches as slow cookers remain essential, while "ground beef recipes" captures 246,000 searches for budget-friendly meal planning. "Vegetable soup recipe" shows 165,000 searches, and "leftover turkey recipes" reaches 110,000 searches as food waste awareness grows.

Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

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Ground Beef Recipes

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The meal prep movement has merged with slow cooking traditions, creating a culture of efficient, flavorful home cooking.

Why Meal Prep Dominates

Slow cooking and meal prep are surging because:

  • Time scarcity: Busy families need hands-off cooking solutions
  • Budget consciousness: Meal prepping reduces food waste and takeout spending
  • Batch cooking: Weekend prep yields weeknight convenience
  • Freezer-friendly: Many recipes scale for make-ahead freezing
  • Dump-and-go simplicity: Minimal prep slow cooker recipes appeal to beginners

The meal prep container market alone exceeds $18 billion as the lifestyle becomes mainstream.

What's Gaining Momentum

Crock Pot Chicken Recipes (246,000 searches) – Set-and-forget chicken dishes from shredded tacos to creamy soups. Chicken thighs deliver best results.

Ground Beef Recipes (246,000 searches) – Versatile, affordable protein for tacos, meatballs, casseroles, and more. Budget-friendly meal planning essential.

Vegetable Soup Recipe (165,000 searches) – Adaptable base recipe that uses whatever vegetables are on hand. Perfect for batch cooking.

Leftover Turkey Recipes (110,000 searches) – Post-Thanksgiving creativity including turkey soup, sandwiches, and casseroles. Food waste reduction focus.

Cabbage Soup Recipe (90,500 searches) – Budget-friendly, healthy soup associated with dieting but appreciated for flavor and simplicity.

Cucumber Salad (110,000 searches) – Quick pickle and salad preparations for summer side dishes and meal prep.

Key Players

  • Instant Pot – Multi-cooker that combines pressure cooking, slow cooking, and more
  • Crock-Pot – Original slow cooker brand still leading the category
  • Budget Bytes – Recipe blog focused on meal prep and affordable cooking
  • Mealime – Meal planning app with grocery list integration

Summary

The cooking and recipe landscape of 2026 reveals a home kitchen renaissance. Whether cooks are perfecting green bean casserole (2.24M searches), maintaining their sourdough starter (368K searches), mastering birria tacos (74K searches), or batch-cooking crock pot chicken (246K searches) – the common thread is a commitment to homemade, flavorful food.

The winning approaches in cooking share these characteristics:

  • Comfort and nostalgia driving recipe searches, especially during holidays
  • Quality tools that bring professional results to home kitchens
  • Global exploration through authentic ethnic recipes
  • Health consciousness without sacrificing flavor
  • Efficiency through meal prep and slow cooking methods

For entrepreneurs and investors, the data points to several high-growth opportunities: premium kitchen appliances, specialty baking ingredients, ethnic cuisine ingredients and meal kits, superfood products, and meal prep solutions for busy families.

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Written By

Rachid Idali

Founder of Rising Trends, helping entrepreneurs identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities through expert trend analysis and insights.