From TikTok To Tastebuds: The Best Of 2023!

The evolution of cooking methods has undergone a remarkable transformation. Initially, we relied on watching beloved food celebrities on platforms like Food Network and YouTube, purchasing their cookbooks, and celebrating the diversity and richness of various cultures. However, this landscape has now significantly shifted as we immerse ourselves in the world of food trends on TikTok. Our culinary community is in a constant state of evolution through these exciting platforms, granting us an array of culinary possibilities at our fingertips.

The viral baked feta pasta, which conquered TikTok in 2020, retained its status as the second most sought-after recipe on our platform this year. Its popularity persists, leading us to ingeniously integrate baked feta into numerous dishes, from eggs to holiday appetizers and even soup. Each savory bite reminds us to extend gratitude to the TikTok algorithm for introducing this ingenious culinary gem into our lives.

All year long, our For You pages dazzled with a multitude of fresh food trends. My thorough journey through these TikTok trends has unveiled the cream of the crop—the top TikTok food trends of 2023. As a result, I'm excited to present this definitive compilation showcasing some of the absolute best culinary trends of the year.

Marry Me Chicken: 27.1M Views

The Marry Me Chicken craze took the TikTok culinary community by storm after Gimmie.Delicious unveiled its delightful rendition. Featuring a luscious sun-dried tomato sauce, this dish was heralded as an exquisite method to elevate chicken breasts. Contrary to its sophisticated appearance, preparing this culinary gem is surprisingly straightforward, making it an ideal addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. In under 30 minutes, you can effortlessly whip up this savory delight, ensuring a delicious and hassle-free dining experience!

Tinned Fish: 2M Views 

Small plates took the summer by storm, with FishWife at the forefront. The term "FishWife" dates back to the 16th century, originally referring to the daughters or wives of fishermen who sold fish at markets. However, in contemporary times, FishWife represents a new venture—a female-founded and led food company dedicated to making ethically-sourced, premium tinned seafood a kitchen staple. Their commitment lies in sourcing from responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture farms, bringing the vibrancy of conservas culture to North American tables. Established by Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb in 2020, FishWife stands as a testament to the innovation within the tinned fish realm. Their continuous growth in both brand and market presence enables them to introduce new, trending, and visually appealing tinned fish offerings that transcend the culinary landscape.

Vegetable Pancakes: 5.7M Views

Absolutely, you've read it right—vegetable pancakes! These unique delights emerged around 2018, though their inception might stretch back further. Surprisingly, the recent surge in interest for vegetable pancakes didn't strike a chord until April 2023 when KookMutJes shared an enticing post about them on TikTok. Suddenly, everyone clamored for the ingredients, expressing their fascination, claiming they'd never heard of such a concept before, and eagerly expressing their desire to whip up a batch themselves.

The buzz around these unconventional pancakes exploded, with just one video reaching a staggering 5.7 million views, igniting an insatiable curiosity among viewers. Everyone wanted in on the trend, intrigued by the novel idea of incorporating vegetables into pancake batter. The viral video served as a catalyst, prompting countless users to experiment in their own kitchens, eager to try their hand at this innovative culinary creation.

Hash Brown Mcflurry Sandwich: 8M Views

For certain dietitians, this might provoke a grimace, but for those who revel in a late-rising, brunch-inspired rhythm, part of the routine involves queuing up at McDonald's drive-thru around 10:29 a.m., snagging hash browns, then swinging back at 10:31 a.m. to procure a McFlurry. The result? An unexpected yet oddly delightful creation: the Hash Brown McFlurry ice cream sandwich. This quirky craving sprung forth from the mind of businesswoman Kelly Arvan in Australia, but its appeal swiftly transcended borders, garnering a fervent following far beyond its origins.

Mustard And Cottage Cheese Diet: 111M Views

Every trend list requires a dash of controversy, and this year, discussions revolved around the appropriate intake of cottage cheese and mustard for the average human. On one end, influencer Tiffany Magee took the internet by storm, captivating audiences with her captivating lunchtime routine featuring chicken sausage and hearts of palm. However, the catch? It was lavishly topped with an abundance of cottage cheese equivalent to a small mountain and enough mustard to knock down a water buffalo from fifty yards away. If you're already a fan of this condiment overload and it helps you sneak in your daily dose of veggies, then fantastic! 

#WaterTok: 223M Views

Staying hydrated stands as a top priority, as the saying goes, "hydrate or die-drate." Unsurprisingly, one of the most widely circulated trends this year revolved around fluids. However, the unexpected element was the explosion of unusual flavor combinations in powders, syrups, and mixes—think birthday cake, caramel apple, and "unicorn cotton candy," among others. Is it a beneficial trend? Many individuals post-bariatric surgery swore by these concoctions to fulfill their fluid and electrolyte requirements. Yet, skeptics chimed in, cautioning about potential health repercussions due to high-acid flavorings and zero-calorie sweeteners. They advocated for filtered water or brewed teas as safer alternatives.

With nearly a billion views for the hashtag, parodies are inevitable. Among the myriad parodies, one stood out, and we dare say it takes the metaphorical Kool-Aid:

Girl Dinner: 2.8B Views 

Despite its complete absence of cottage cheese and artificial sweeteners, another trend that stirred up the internet was the phenomenon known as "Girl Dinner." Originating from Olivia Maher, the concept aimed to create a no-fuss, self-indulgent feast featuring small moments of joy like fresh fruit and artisanal cheeses. However, some imitations missed the mark, lacking both enjoyment and nutritional value. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of the controversy, this hashtag skyrocketed to the top of the charts, surpassing our next most-reviewed trend by more than double.

Interested in jumping on this bandwagon? Fear not; there's still time. The allure of Girl Dinner transcends mere dining and gender, likely extending its popularity well beyond 2023.