Fastest-Growing Ingredients at Food Trucks

Canadian food trucks are menuing common ingredients that can be used in multiple applications. As these types of operators are often under significant space constraints, this type of versatility in ingredients can be key.

Chocolate takes the top spot, making its way into a variety of different desserts. It is being served as chocolate shavings, chips or pearls with ice cream and as a funnel cake topping. It also does double duty as a beverage ingredient, including in smoothies and hot chocolates.

Lemon is also growing on food truck menus, often in condiments such as lemon pepper sauce, lemon-oil dressing and lemon-garlic sauce. These lemony condiments are appearing on chicken wings and Middle Eastern-inspired falafel bowls. Lemon is also showing up in desserts and beverages, demonstrating how operators are cross-utilizing the ingredient.

Another ingredient popping up in global dishes at food trucks is sweet potato, used as a topping for Asian-inspired bowls and Mediterranean pitas.

Sour cream is also increasing on these menus. Not only is this condiment appearing in classic Mexican-style dishes, but it is also popping up in mashups such as Asian tacos. Operators are also serving sour cream as a complement to baked potato dishes.

Gravy is showing growth at food trucks as the fastest-growing sauce option for these operators. It is mostly featured in the classic Canadian dish poutine.