AUSTIN, Minn., Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodbye, 2020, and hello 2021! Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a global branded food company, is helping culinary enthusiasts around the world welcome 2021 with an exciting round-up of food trends to expect in the new year.

"It's no surprise that comfort food, sourdough bread and whipped coffee had big moments this past year, as people hunkered down and spent more time at home than ever before," said Heather Vossler, director of innovation and insights at Hormel Foods. "What's interesting is that as we all eagerly look ahead to the fresh start of a new year, we're seeing people still wanting that comfort and nostalgia, but also on a more elevated and focused level, as individuals continue seeking inspired, yet familiar, food choices."

Top 2021 food trend predictions include:

• New Routines & Rituals: "Nearly a year into the pandemic, people have created some new routines and rituals that are going to stick in 2021," said Vossler. "The new normal now consists of dining experiences like family happy hour and themed-dinner nights. Deep diving into new cooking skills has lost some of its charm (sourdough bread starters, anyone?). Next year, those family happy hours and themed-dinner nights will continue, but more convenience products will be used instead of starting from scratch." There is an abundance of convenience products in the Hormel Foods portfolio – such as the new Black Label^™ Oven-Baked Egg Bites and Hormel^™ Black Label^™ Breakfast Combos^™ items.
• Intentional Leftovers: Vossler also predicts that because so many meals will continue to be cooked at home, creative home chefs will use dishes and ingredients that can be utilized both now and later. TIP: Fry up some delicious bacon for breakfast, but make extra for that lunchtime BLT later.
• Hot Honey: No doubt about it, hot honey is hotter than ever! On the new Hormel Foods Heart-to-Table podcast, Chef MacKenzie Smith, two-time Food Network Champ, cookbook author and fan-favorite blogger, gave her scoop that hot honey will be a hot 2021 food trend. From using it as a unique ingredient to spice up favorite dishes, to simply pairing it with savory foods, hot honey will have a sweet spot in the new year. TIP: Hot honey gives a delicious kick to this Jennie-O^® Turkey Bacon Roasted Honey and Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe.
• Creative Charcuterie: First there were charcuterie boards. Then came grazing tables. With the holidays in full swing, gingerbread houses are getting booted in favor of charcuterie chalets. In 2021, home cooks will continue to express themselves with creative meat displays – whether via a board, jar-cuterie, chalet or even village! TIP: Ready to step-up your charcuterie chalet game? Take a look at Columbus^® Craft Meats' Charcuterie Village, including charcuterie inspiration and tips from Evan Inada, charcuterie director at Columbus Craft Meats.
• Travel by Food: During acclaimed Chef Michael Mina's recent appearance on the new Hormel Foods Heart-to-Table podcast, Mina asserted his belief that – more than ever – people will choose to experience different cultures through cuisine at home while slowly emerging from restrictions brought about by the pandemic. TIP: Travel the world with Hormel™ brands like La Victoria^®, Herdez^®, and Dona Maria^®.
• Drive-by Snacking: Along with drive-by birthday parties and graduation celebrations, 2020 brought forward a new style of snacking whereby people grabbed a quick bite while cruising through the kitchen at different times throughout the day instead of dishing up a full serving. Expect even more grazing in 2021, but in convenient forms with products like JUSTIN'S® nut butters available in single serve squeeze packs.
• Waffling: According to Tony Finnestad, executive chef at Hormel Foods, imagination is the only limit as to what is being "waffled" in 2021. TIP: Almost anything can be thrown on the waffle iron. How about breakfast for dinner, but with a savory twist? Try something creative and different, like waffling potato rounds with SPAM® slices.
• Wellness: Wellness all around will be a huge focus in 2021 – mental, emotional and physical. Ingredients like antioxidants, collagen and protein are being added to products to provide improved benefits, like protein-enhanced Skippy® Peanut Butter.