15 food trends to expect in 2021: The good, the bad, the ugly

Now that we’re settling into 2021, let’s see which food trends we should be on the lookout for!

Each year, new trends come up, whether that be in the food department, fashion department, and all else in between. For this purpose, we’re going to focus on food trends! Hopefully, 2021 is a bit kinder to us than 2020 was.

We just want to have some fun and try out new foods, drinks, and treat our taste buds to new flavors!

Being that a lot, if not most, of us are still at home for various reasons or the other, a lot of these new food trends to expect to see this year in 2021, will involve things that can be done from home, which let’s be honest, whether we’re stuck at home or not, we’re sure to love and enjoy nonetheless!

Which of these new food trends of 2021 will you end up loving most?

1. Plant-Based Foods

This started to be a trend in 2020. But now, this food trend will surely carry over into 2021. Reports have stated that 28% of people said that they’ve been eating more plant-based proteins during the pandemic (due to personal choices or lack of meats available at grocery stores).

2. Breakfast

With more time at home, people are now focusing on and experimenting with making breakfasts at home. Before you pour your bowl of cereal, follow a few food Instagram/Tik Tok pages for some seriously good breakfast inspo.

3. Cooking Crafts

This can include whipped coffee (huge drink trend back in 2020), strawberry milk, peanut butter milk, pancake/waffle cereal, and so on. Basically, let’s play with our food (in a good way)!

4. Pickling/Fermenting

Due to the fact that so many people were trying different things with canning back in 2020, mason jar lids literally went out of stock just about anywhere and everywhere, so with all of that being said, pickling/fermenting is sure to continue in 2021 as well.

5. Virtual Cooking Classes

Given the fact that many cooking classes that are offered in-person aren’t able to continue on at the moment, even some celebrity chefs are jumping on this food trend bandwagon and offering you classes on cooking/baking and everything in between from the comfort of your own home.

6. Homemade Pasta

Making your own sourdough bread and things like that is so 2020, am I right? Being in the heart of winter, let’s try making yet another homemade dish that is sure to warm you up: homemade pasta! Come on now, who doesn’t love a nice and warm pasta dish. Grab a pasta attachment for your KitchenAid, and consider the rest to be history!

7. Delivery Services

Meal delivery kits and services aren’t the only things that are so trendy to have delivered at the moment. Lately, people have even been having their groceries delivered (Amazon Fresh, for example), due to the pandemic and not wanting to go out to too many places besides their very own homes.

8. Eco-Conscious Packaging

This has been a growing trend since certain times in 2020 before and during the pandemic. For example, a company called Verterra made certain to-go containers this year that were made from balsa that came from tree stumps and other compostable materials to combat leaks. If this is up your alley, then keep an eye out for even more eco-friendly changes at hand to come in 2021!

9. Expanding Your Cultural Horizons

Tired of eating the same old foods, cooking the same old foods, and so on? Then try expanding your cultural horizons while you’re all stuck at home during the pandemic! Try new takeout places, try cooking a new cuisine. Either way, you’re sure to impress your next dinner guests, once it’s safe of course.

10. Individual Celebrations

Birthdays are usually a time of parties, fun activities, and inviting everyone you know and love to come on over. Well, unfortunately, that must come to a halt. Alone on your birthday this year, go get yourself a big ol’ cupcake from your local grocery store, and eat the biggest meal, all while watching your favorite movies/TV shows and hope that next year celebrations will go back to normal!

11. Reasonably Priced Premium Alcohol

People are somewhat getting desperate for certain alcohols, and with all the big stuff being in demand, people aren’t so picky anymore with the cheap stuff. Cheers, right?!

12. At-Home Bartending

People are now making their own alcohols, concocting their own homemade cocktails, and so much more! Google recipes, watch videos, etc. Whatever it takes, bottoms up, y’all!

13. Boards Of All Kinds

French fry boards, hot dog boards, the classic charcuterie boards, and all else in between. Make yourself (or a few people, safely of course), a nice big old board to enjoy and eat up during your favorite movies/TV shows.

14. Take-And-Bake Kits

So many different restaurants nowadays with the pandemic at hand here, are creating some take-home kits for you to be able to make some of your favorite out-nights at home in the comfort of your very own kitchen! Eat up!

15. Fast Food

This one’s kind of self-explanatory. It’s fast, it’s quick, and it’s easy. Simple enough. Enough said.

Which of these trends have you tried already or hope to try soon? Let’s discuss down in the comments below all about food trends to come/go in 2021!