Top 6 Food Trends for 2026

Sure, we like to dine out, but many of us love to cook at home. Kitchens are a culinary creative outlet, but without inspiration, cooking can get a little ho-hum. Now that all the top food trend reports for 2026 have been released, like Whole Foods’ annual list, for instance, the media (including us here at BCLiving) are having a feeding frenzy with all that juicy information—and inspiration. Here are a few trends to sink your teeth into this year, and Canadian brands that are doing it right.

1. Beef Tallow

Duck fat had its day. Now, beef tallow is taking a turn as the alt-fat you’ll want a jar of, always at the ready. Beef tallow is made simply; it’s fat that is melted slowly, a process called rendering. The resulting savoury goop can handle high heat, whether you are braising, sautéing, searing or frying. Folks are using it in baking—the nostalgic ingredient that made your mom’s pie crust so flaky was very likely lard, also a rendered animal fat.

Beef tallow is considered an ancestral ingredient that is making a comeback. If you like the idea of ensuring every part of the animals we consume is used up, tallow is tops. For a local option, try All Fat: 100% Grass-Fed Tallow by husband and wife Maggie and Chad, who own this B.C. company making products made from beef that is grass-fed, and free from added hormones and antibiotics.

2. Fibre

It appears that none of us eat enough fibre. For energy and digestive health, we are told we need more. We’re getting a bit clobbered by that message, so how does one deal with it? Look for brands that add fibre and protein to unexpected products like pasta, breads, bars and even some fizzy drinks, so always check labels. Choosing products that naturally contain fibre and protein, like beans and legumes, ups your intake but can get a little boring. Three Farmers Protein Salad Toppers are my new favourite add-on to sprinkle on my greens for extra crunch.

3. Elevated Vinegars

Every home cook has a bottle of plain white vinegar stashed somewhere. But premium and small-batch bottles are now the way to go to lift any dish (or even cocktail) into something special. Interesting flavour profiles that add depth and complexity will surprise you. Elevated vinegars work as a finishing touch to a savoury roast vegetable dish or a salad dressing that explodes with what traditional white, wine or apple cider vinegar (all great in their own ways) just can’t offer. Try Salt Spring Vinegar for delicious, slow food, traditional method vinegars that upgrade your pantry.

4. Packaging Design

I am a self-confessed sucker for fabulous packaging. I know it’s what’s inside that counts, but a beautifully designed box, label or bottle of anything absolutely steers my choices more often than it should. The trend is, however, that consumers demand nice package design now—we expect it, actually.

Sardines, for example, have a European design aesthetic that just has not been shared here in Canada until now (you know the sad labels I’m talking about). I’m loving Nice Cans for the sardines inside, of course, but the happy pops of colour and playful design just make the brand irresistible to me.

5. Low Sugar

More and more brands are recognizing that naturally sweet products do not need a ton of added sugar, especially if you really want to taste the ingredients. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s taken a while. Jam, candy, chocolate and other goodies are dialling back the sugar, and not replacing it with artificial sweeteners either. Guess what? They taste great.

East Van Jam was clearly ahead of the curve when it launched in 2013 and has always used about ¼ of the sugar that is found in conventional jams. The brand’s range is huge, with B.C. stone fruit flavours, and the artist series’ Saskatoon berry and apple supports a charity chosen by the artist featured on the label.

6. Upscale Frozen Foods

No more feeble frozen dinners. Especially when you read the label, the sodium level alone will stop anyone in their tracks. Freezer aisles are now stocked with better, real food choices. These are meals you can pop into your oven (with some even suited for the air fryer) and enjoy without guilt on any busy night. Brands are using quality ingredients, creating an array of choices and globally inspired, tasty dishes. Try Tayybeh‘s frozen, Middle Eastern meals, like chicken shawarma and meatballs with tomato sauce.