Exciting New Spring Food Trends You Need to Try This Season

Exciting New Spring Food Trends You Need to Try

Spring is a time of renewal, when nature comes back to life after winter. It's the perfect season to breathe new life into your diet and cooking habits as well. This spring, be on the lookout for fresh and innovative food trends that will elevate your eating. From produce at its peak to creative cuisine, these are the top food trends for spring that you need to try.

Vibrant Spring Produce

Nothing signifies the arrival of spring better than the abundance of colorful, ripe produce available. Farmers markets will brim with leafy greens, crisp vegetables, and juicy fruits. Take advantage of spring produce like asparagus, artichokes, peas, fava beans, ramps, spring onions, radishes, baby carrots, strawberries, rhubarb, and blood oranges. Experiment with new ways to enjoy them roast ramps, blend up peas into a soup, pickle radishes, add fava beans to a salad, bake strawberries into a pie. Let spring produce star in your meals.

Flower Power

Edible flowers aren't just a foodie fad they have been used in many cultures cuisines for centuries. More restaurants are incorporating flowers into their dishes. From rose petals to pansies, edible blooms add fresh flavor, texture, and of course, visual appeal. Marigolds, lavender, citrus blossoms, snapdragons, dandelions and chive flowers are other options. Try garnishing desserts, salads, drinks and entres with flowers. Just be sure they are pesticide-free!

Brunch Everything

Brunch has been gaining popularity for the past few years and the trend isn't slowing down. Restaurants are not only offering specialty brunch menus, but also brunch-themed events, bottomless mimosa deals, buffets with food stations and more. Even better, brunch flavors are making their way into products at the grocery store too. Youll see brunch-inspired chips, cereal, yogurt, granola bars and much more. Brunch all day!

Plant-Based Alternatives

Plant-based eating will continue rising mainstream. From milk and meat substitutes to vegetable spirals and other creative options, it's easier than ever to enjoy vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian diets. Made from plant sources like soy, peas, lentils, tapioca and more the possibilities are endless. Try alternatives like oatmilk, cashew cheese, Impossible burgers, zoodles, cauliflower rice, jackfruit carnitas and so much more.

Ancient Grains

Quinoa has been popular for awhile now, but expect to see more recipes incorporating ancient grains like amaranth, sorghum, millet, farro, spelt, kamut and teff. Packed with nutrients like protein, fiber and minerals, ancient grains add texture and earthy, nutty flavors. They can be used in pilafs, salads, soups, breakfast bowls and as substitutions for rice or regular pasta. Take a break from regular grains and experiment with these ancient varieties.

Mediterranean Flavors

The Mediterranean diet and region provide constant recipe inspiration with their focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and olive oil. Zesty ingredients like lemons, oregano, garlic, olives, capers, tomatoes and yogurt add tang and brightness. Dishes like falafel, dolmas, souvlaki, spanakopita, shakshuka and tzatziki will be trending. Bring Mediterranean flavors into your cooking with marinades, vinaigrettes, herb blends, roasted veggies and more.

Root-to-Stem Cooking

Nose-to-tail cooking has been popular for some time, focused on reducing food waste by using every part of an ingredient. Taking this further is root-to-stem cooking. For produce like beets, cauliflower, broccoli and herbs both the roots and stems/leaves can be eaten. Try cauliflower stem pickles, beet green pesto, broccoli stalk slaw or herb stem chimichurri. Get creative with produce parts you normally throw away.

Lettuce Wraps

Ditch the tortillas, bread and buns lettuce makes the perfect low-carb, keto-friendly wrap. Butter lettuce, iceberg and romaine all work beautifully. Simply fill the lettuce leaves with your favorite fillings everything from Asian chicken with rice noodles to fajita veggies or egg salad works deliciously wrapped up. Lettuce wraps are also great meal prep options for easy lunches to grab and go.

DIY Condiments

Making your own condiments, sauces and dressings lets you control the ingredients for better nutrition. Plus, customized flavors are fun to experiment with. Try combinations like chipotle lime mayo, honey sriracha sauce, jalapeno ranch dressing, bacon jam, blueberry balsamic reduction, orange miso vinaigrette anything you can dream up! Use Mason jars to gift your creative condiment creations.

Purple Produce

Vibrant purple produce is having a moment for its antioxidant benefits. Vibrant purple foods like purple carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, onions, potatoes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, figs, blackberries, elderberries and purple sweet potatoes are nutritious and beautiful. They add striking color to dishes like pizza, salads, soups, roasted veggies and more. Embrace purple hues to make your recipes visually stunning and extra healthy.

Key Ingredients For Spring

Certain ingredients speak to the fresh, lively spirit of spring. Incorporate these items into your cooking to celebrate the vibrant flavors of the season.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is one of the first fruits to peak in the spring. Its tart, crisp pink stalks are perfect for pies, jams, compotes and more. Try pairing rhubarb with strawberries for a classic combo. Or add it to ginger ale or cocktails for something new.

Asparagus

The first tender asparagus spears are a sure harbinger of spring. Enjoy sauted, roasted, grilled or raw asparagus is delicious and nutritious. Shaved asparagus makes a lovely addition to spring salads. Or blend it into a zesty soup.

Radishes

Plant radishes in your spring garden and you'll soon have a bounty of colorful, peppery globes. Radishes add spice and crunch to sandwiches, tacos, grain bowls and more. You can also pickle radishes for a tangy snack or garnish. Spice up spring with radishes!

Ramps

For a limited time in spring, keep an eye out at farmers markets for ramps. Similar to garlic scapes with a leek/onion/garlic flavor, ramps are only in season briefly so enjoy them while you can. Saut ramps in olive oil or butter, add to pizza, fold into an omelet get creative with these seasonal alliums.

English Peas

Sweet green peas available fresh in their pods are special spring treat. Peas are packed with vitamins and pair well with so many ingredients. Enjoy them raw with dips, add to pasta primavera, fold into risotto, make chilled pea soup, or toss into a refreshing salad.

Seasonal Spring Recipes

Take advantage of prime spring ingredients with these fresh, flavorful recipes:

Spring Veggie Frittata

A frittata is the perfect way to use up whatever veggies you have on hand. Try asparagus, peas, radish greens, spring onions or other in-season produce. Top with some crumbled feta and herbs.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Put two staple spring fruits together into a classic pie with flaky crust. The sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb complement each other deliciously. Top with ice cream or whipped cream.

Lemon Ramp Pasta

Toss ramps saut

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.