Why not have some fun in the kitchen with these vegan food trends for 2024? Here’s what will be all the rage for this year!
By Lora O’Brien
Honestly, my social media feed has been going crazy (in a good way!) with people creating and recreating viral food trends. From making gorgeous dessert boards to whipping up potato ‘mylk’ drinks, it seems people have been getting pretty damn creative with food this year.
Unfortunately, some vegan food trends are getting sweeter and less healthy. Yep, I’m talking about disgusting, fake lab-grown ‘foods’ that are meant to imitate meat. Erm, no thanks! Especially when there are so many healthier versions to choose from, as we shall see more of below. I’m also talking about elaborate vegan cakes and pancake cereals.
But never fear: there are some great, healthy vegan food trends for 2024 too. Vegan ‘eggs’, anyone? Sea moss smoothie? Plus, you can always find healthier versions of food trends, like sugar-and-gluten-free cakes.
Below are some of my favourite innovative vegan food ideas for this year. I’ve been thrilled to discover these recipes and hacks, but I decided to present recipes to you here below that are relatively healthy. Because y’know: health is wealth. Especially these days!
Prepare to have your mind blown, and your tummy tickled by these vegan food trends for 2024!
Image credit below: Platingsandpairings.com Main image: hallstromhome.com
2024 Plant Based Social Media Food Trends
1. Melt In Your Mouth Vegan Recipes
I don’t know about you, but I’m relieved to see comfort dishes are still a thing! And one of the vegan trends I’m super excited about this year is the melty mashup. It’s all about recipes that melt in the mouth – but they’re doubled! The trend takes two ooey-gooey favourites and pairs them together to make a beautiful mashup.
Think: cheeseburger quesadillas, pizza pot pies, carbonara ramen and burger tacos!
Get the recipe for vegan Big Mac tacos here.
2. Mushroom Domination
They’ve been having a moment for some time, but it seems this year is set to be an even bigger one for mushrooms. And it’s not surprising, as mushrooms are wonderful for many reasons. Firstly, they make a great plant-based meat replacement. Second, they’re loaded with nutrition. In fact, some mushrooms even have anti-cancer properties!
Lastly, they’re super delicious AND versatile! And you won’t just find mushrooms on your plate – but in your drinks, too! As in this mushroom hot chocolate, below.
Tip: To make it even healthier? Add some cinnamon. It will be super anti-inflammatory!
A trend predicted by PETA back in 2022 is finally becoming a reality: vegan seafood! We have seen many meat and dairy alternatives pop up and now we’re seeing sustainable, plant-based alternatives to seafood.
The movement is being led by some innovative brands such as Oshi, which launched their vegan salmon for US restaurants. And Future Ocean Foods comprises 36 vegan companies and offers delicious dishes from kelp burgers to frozen sushi. Finally, Seed to Surf’s tinned ‘snow crab’ – which is just enoki mushrooms and ‘whitefish’ made from smoked celeriac root – is amazing. What a time to be vegan!
Whether it was enjoying the Barbie movie that saw your childhood BFF brought to life or creating retro recipes in the kitchen that would make your grandparents proud, last year was a nostalgic one. And we’re bringing that same vibe into vegan food trends with us!
Known as ‘newstalgia’ the trend is a super fun way to boost morale. Because who doesn’t love revisiting childhood memories? In terms of snacks, think: fruit roll ups (as seen below) and lunchables. Sure, we’re adults, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun, right?
Get the recipe here.
5. Soulful Soups
Winter is the perfect season for vegan food trends like these! It’s all about warming foods such as soups and stews. And they’re super simple to make. Just throw everything into a slow cooker and then go about your day. Whether it’s a Thai tom kha (seen below) or a faithful classic tomato soup, soulful soups are easy to make and delicious to eat!
Hydration is pivotal for our wellbeing, and we all know the importance of drinking water. But sometimes we just crave something a little fizzy. Carbonated beverages like Coke are trash, but healing beverages like kombucha are great for our gut health. And this year we’re going to find more healthy drinks on the market, from probiotic soda to fizzy botanical tea. Yum!
Of course, you can buy these pre-bottled. Or learn to make your own kombucha here.
7. Snacking Platters
It seemed like so many of us went wild for charcuterie boards last year. Well, this year, the vegan foods trends are all about snacking platters! Not sure what to make for lunch? Grab a load of ingredients and pop them onto a grazing platter. They’re quick and easy to make, and you can graze on them even while working.
These are fun for all the family, too, which is great if you’re a parent and you dread coming up with lunch and dinner ideas. Kids will think they’re a hoot, while you can sneak more veggies and protein onto their plate, win!
Get the recipe here.
8. Whole Food Meat Replacements
During lockdowns, there was a rise in people turning to plant-based meat. And this trend is going to continue into the future. More brands are coming forward with innovative plant-based options and the supermarket shelves are expanding their vegan aisles. But a lot of that vegan ‘meat’ is absolute crap: GMO and chemical ridden nonsense with little nutritional value. Yuck!!
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way! Take this recipe for vegan “ground beef” below, for example. It’s the perfect base to make burgers, meatballs and even meatloaf. It’s easy to prepare, high in protein and free of grains, gluten, soy and nuts. No wonder this is one of the hottest vegan food trends for this year!
People will also be using foods such as walnuts, tempeh, legumes and buckwheat instead of ultra-processed mock meat alternatives. Just as plant-based eating should be!
Get the recipe here.
9. Korean Fusions
Korean trends have been on our radar for some time. But plant based Korean food is predicted to be one of the biggest vegan food trends this year! It’s not surprising, considering all things Korean have become increasingly popular. From K-Pop girl band Blackpink headlining Coachella to Korean beauty products being worth billions, the world is truly embracing K-culture, and 2024 is all about Korean fusions in our food. Like this vegan bibimbap, below. Why not give it a try?
Get the recipe here.
10. Vegan Pavlova
I couldn’t do a list of vegan food trends for this year and leave out dessert! And Pavlova is set to dominate the next 12 months. It combines delicious baked meringue topped with fruit and whipped cream. But much like anything, it can be given a vegan makeover thanks to the many wonders of aquafaba (chickpea brine), which replaces egg whites in the popular dish.
Get the recipe here.
11. Quiet Vegan Luxury Foods
A popular fashion and decor trend for the year ahead is quiet luxury, and it’s infiltrating the food scene, too! Wondering what that even means? Well, it’s all about being conscious of the items you wish to really splurge on. Think high-quality olive oil and delicious locally-made foods, such as plant-based pate and vegan cheeses. It’s minimal, but luxurious!
Get the recipe here.
12. Buckwheat
If the past years were all about exotic rices and quinoa, this year is all about buckwheat! The environmentally friendly grain is naturally gluten-free, cheap to buy and loaded with nutrition, such as heart-healthy compounds such as magnesium, copper and fibre.
Not sure what to do with it? You can make homemade buckwheat granola, or use it as a base for ‘risotto’ or a delicious nourishing bowl. Or, like the recipe below, cook it for breakfast alongside some greens for a protein hit!
Get the recipe here.
13. Sour Flavours
One of the biggest vegan food trends this year is: sour flavours! Mainly, tamarind. Derived from a fruit pod native to Africa, India and the Middle East, the fruity-sour profile of the fruit is used to give a boost of flavour to all kinds of dishes, from beverages and pickled dishes to relishes and stews.
Other sour ingredients you’ll be seeing everywhere that have that same fruity sourness are coconut vinegar and yuzu. Both are perfect for homemade salad dressings and marinades.
Get the recipe here.
14. Algae
Another superfood that has caused a stir already is algae. It’s among 10 of the most mentioned vegan food trends for the year ahead, and covers a versatile range of plant foods, from superfood powder spirulina to seaweed. In fact, algae is so hot, the high-end restaurant Central in Peru – which won the Best Restaurant in the World title last year – has a menu especially dedicated to all kinds of algae! Why not try this recipe for seaweed salad, below?
Get the recipe here.
15. Mocktail O’Clock!
With so many festive celebrations from November to December, many of us hit the booze hard. Well, 2024 is about cutting back – and even cutting out – alcohol.
Many restaurants are catering for this ‘low and no’ trend. Tasting menus are adopting what is called a ‘half and half pairing’, where one part is alcoholic and the other alcohol-free. With so many ditching alcohol for good, many bars and restaurants are encouraging people to still socialise while offering drinks that compliment a meal like wine would, or creating innovative mocktails. Like this mango/mint combo below. Delicious!
Get the recipe here.
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