Fastest-Growing Sauces in Appetizers
Canadian operators are leaning into premium options and comforting flavours when it comes to sauces in appetizers. Butter chicken sauce is the fastest-growing sauce in this category. This rich and creamy Indian sauce is made by combining pureed tomatoes, spices, cream, butter and various vegetables. It’s appearing as a sauce option with fries and tots, as well as chicken wings, tenders and bites for the table.
Tartar sauce is also on the rise on appetizer menus. This sauce is often served with seafood appetizers, including fish tacos, oysters, salmon tartar or fish spring rolls.
Ranch sauce takes the third spot on this top five list. Operators are menuing this classic condiment with well-known appetizers, including mozzarella sticks, chicken wings or tenders, cauliflower wings or tots, and jalapeno poppers.
Truffle oil is also experiencing growth in the appetizer category, typically showing up alongside mushrooms atop flatbreads or with Parmesan-truffle fries.
Hot honey is proliferating on appetizer menus as well. This sweet and spicy sauce is created by combining honey with chile peppers or chile flakes. Like others on the list, hot honey is being utilized as a sauce option with chicken appetizers, such as wings and bites, as well as cauliflower wings for a plant-based option. Operators are also drizzling hot honey over flatbreads and salad appetizers for an extra kick.
