If you thought 2025 brought some wild food trends, buckle up—2026 is already shaping up to be deliciously exciting. This year, we’ll be leaning into bold flavors, fun textures and meals that don’t require a culinary degree (because who has the time?).
And of course, Minute rice is right there in the middle of it all—stirring the pot (literally), keeping things quick, and helping you pull off meals that feel like a win even on your busiest days. From trending flavors to effortless rice bowls to the rise of alternative proteins, here’s what’s about to take over your kitchen in 2026.
Food Trends to Follow in 2026
2026 is shaping up to be a year of bold flavors, exciting ingredients and meals that feel fun again. Some trends from 2025 are sticking around—because they’re just too good to give up— and plenty of new ones are making their way to our bowls. Here’s what new eats we’re watching in the new year.
Trending Flavors
Food is all about flavor, but it’s not always about the same flavor. New flavor trends are always popping up on the scene, rising in popularity thanks to new trendy recipes that draw the public’s attention.
Take pistachio, for example: Dubai chocolate basically broke the internet in 2025, bringing pistachio flavors to the forefront—and we don’t think she’s leaving the group chat in 2026. Why not try these trendy flavors in this Dubai Chocolate Rice Pudding, combining silky chocolate, creamy pistachio milk and crunchy kataifi with tender, aromatic Minute Instant Basmati Rice? It’s a fun spin on Dubai chocolate that’s sure to keep the trend fresh (and delicious) in the new year.
Gochujang has been around forever, but suddenly it’s the main character. Its complex flavor profile of spicy, savory, salty and a bit of fermented funk adds more than just heat to a dish. Plus, it’s available on the shelf in most grocery stores, so it’s an easy way to incorporate a big punch of flavor without breaking a sweat. Get your gochujang fix with this Spicy Korean Pork served on top of a Minute Jasmine Rice Cup for a super easy, flavorful meal ready in under 10 minutes.
From salads to sushi and even supplements, you might’ve noticed that seaweed is kind of everywhere recently. It’s a versatile ingredient, used as part of recipes, as well as on its own as a salty-sweet snack. Whether you’re already a seaweed lover or just down to try something new in 2026, this Crab Sushi Bake is a great way to enjoy seaweed at home—and way easier than rolling your own sushi.
The sweet-and-spicy—or “swicy”—flavor trend was everywhere this year, and we’re predicting it’s a flavor that’s here to stay. Why? Because it’s just too tasty. From the sauce aisle in the grocery store to your favorite fast food joint—even in drinks—it seems like swicy is around every corner. Minute rice even jumped on board with our Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups, so you can add the perfect blend of sweet and heat to your meals in just one minute. Try giving your standard chicken and rice a kick with this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe, an incredibly easy way to add sweet and spicy to an everyday meal. For even more recipe ideas, check out the blog post we wrote about sweet and spicy meals (can you tell we really like this trend?).
Rice Bowls are Here to Stay
Rice bowls are the ultimate low-effort, high-reward move. They’re basically the sweatpants of meals—comfortable, reliable and always a good idea. It’s as easy as preparing the rice, adding in whatever protein, veggies, sauces and toppings you’re feeling, and digging in. And with Minute Rice Cups, the whole process is even quicker. These genius little cups are ready in just one minute in the microwave so you can put together a rice bowl in mere minutes.
Great news, rice bowl lovers: this trend is not going anywhere in 2026. Easy to put together and endlessly customizable with whatever you have on hand, rice bowls are just too convenient to not be popular.
Try this Spicy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Rice Bowl to liven up some pantry staples like ranch, bacon and cheese, giving it a little kick with a Minute Jalapeño Rice Cup. Or, convert the flavors of your favorite sandwich into a rice bowl, like this Spicy BLT Bowl you can whip up in under 5 minutes—perfect for a workday lunch!
We’re not being dramatic: rice bowls are seriously easy. It’s really as simple as preparing a Minute Rice Cup and adding in whatever sounds good (or whatever you have in your fridge). But if you’re low on ideas, no worries—we have tons of Mix It Up Rice Bowls you can use for inspo to stay on this rice bowl trend. You can even search these bowls by ingredient to find a perfect bowl for whatever you’re craving!
Alternative Proteins on the Rise
From plant-based patties to mushrooms to the wild world of lab-grown meat, alternative proteins have officially gone mainstream. Whether you’re full-on vegan, casually vegetarian, or simply giving meat a day off here and there, you’ve probably already dipped your toe into the meatless meal scene.
Thanks to some seriously clever food tech, the alternative protein scene is booming—and don’t expect this trend to slow down anytime soon. New plant-based picks, creative blends, and even science-powered proteins are popping up everywhere, making meatless meals feel less like a compromise and more like dinner done right.
Whether you’re a full-fledged vegetarian or just observe a “Meatless Monday” here and there, alternative proteins can add a filling element to your meat-free meals so they can keep you full and satisfied. Plus they can be super tasty—and super easy. Pair them with a Minute Rice Cup and boom, dinner is handled.
Try these Mushroom Veggie Fajitas from recipe creator Tati Vegan Cooking the next time you want a meatless meal. They may not have any meat, but with mushrooms, bell peppers, avocado, plenty of spices and a zesty Minute Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cups , they’re not short on flavor (and color!).
Or, try this Coconut Chickpea Curry from recipe creator Natalie Camila for a one-pan dinner that’s super filling thanks to protein-rich chickpeas. Warm spices, creamy coconut milk and a perfectly buttery Minute Butter & Sea Salt Jasmine Rice Cup make this meal effortlessly comforting.
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Texture is King
Looks like texture is gearing up for its big moment in 2026. Everywhere you look, people are craving food that does a little something extra—a little crunch here, a crispy edge there, a gooey middle to keep things interesting. We want food that not only tastes good, but also brings the right amount of crunchy, chewy, crispy, gooey and smooth to our tastebuds.
An added layer of texture instantly upgrades a meal. Try bringing an extra crisp factor to your protein with these Air Fryer Crispy Salmon Bites. Using an air fryer to quickly get a perfectly crispy texture, it’ll make your salmon go from “meh” to “chef’s kiss” in minutes. Toss the salmon in a sweet chili and sriracha sauce before serving on top of an aromatic Minute Jasmine Rice Cup.
Texture is all about contrast—crunchy meets creamy, crispy meets soft, chewy meets smooth. It helps the meal feel balanced and keeps your tastebuds interested from bite one to “how is it already gone?”.
Take this Italian Sausage Vodka Sauce Rice, for example. It’s rich and creamy thanks to the decadent vodka sauce and melty Parmesan cheese, but the thinly sliced onion and green pepper help to add a bit of crunch and freshness to the dish to keep it from being one-note.
Soups can be the wild card for texture (smooth on smooth on smooth), but this Thai Chicken and Rice Soup is a great example of how you can make soups more exciting with a little texture. Sliced green onions help add a bite to contrast the creaminess of the soup, and the Minute Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cup gives more body to the soup’s smooth base of chicken broth and coconut milk.
Here’s to a Delicious New Year
2026 is already serving major flavor, big texture energy, and “I can make that in five minutes” vibes—and we’re absolutely here for it. Whether you’re hopping on the swicy train, leveling up your rice bowls, experimenting with alternative proteins, or adding a little extra crunch to everything you eat, there’s one thing you can count on: Minute rice keeps every trend easy, fast, and ridiculously doable.
So go ahead—cook boldly and try every new trend that sparks joy. We’ll be here with the shortcuts.
