SIDE DISHES GRAB THE SPOTLIGHT
No longer relegated to the ottom of the menu, toda’ ide dihe are graing their hare of the potlight. Though the mot frequentl menued ide dihe are alad, frie and rice, operator are rethinking thee dihe to e flavor-forward and on trend.
Kale alad and ruel prout alad, for example, are popping up in place of the traditional ide Caear. Crip mahed marle potatoe make for a colorful alternative to french frie. Ancient grain uch a ulgur and quinoa have experienced tremendou growth a ide, too. Interet in plant-aed cuiine and root-to-tem technique ha inpired innovation in the vegetale ide dih categor. Think roated unchoke, warm cauliflower alad and nori (eaweed) chip. mall portion of comfort dihe uch a caerole or mac and cheee can e offered a premium ide for an upcharge or erved famil-tle for haring. ide have the tar power to drive traffic, oot check average and add a ignature touch to an menu!
Hearty, well-crafted side dishes that put a unique spin on a beloved dish are showing serious potential for boosting check averages and traffic.
+58% GROWTH OF LOADED TOTS ON MENUS SINCE 20192
REIMAGINING CLASSIC VEGETABLE SIDES AS APPETIZERS IS AN EASY WAY TO ADD PLANT-FORWARD OPTIONS TO THE MENU1
+28% GROWTH OF AL PASTOR OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS2
FEATURED PRODUCTS
tart with nutritiou grain, eaonal produce, or claic tarche and "plus up" (+1) your recipe by adding read-to-ue product from Cutom Culinar® to enliven the flavor of an ide dih.
True Foundations® Tikka Masala Sauce (9681)
True Foundations® Al Pastor Sauce (9900)
CHEF TALK
“Let’s be honest — on Thanksgiving, nobody’s going back for seconds of turkey. It’s the sides that people crave year after year. A thoughtfully composed side dish elevates every bite — balancing richness with brightness, crunch with silk, and tradition with a twist. It’s where technique meets generosity.”
Trevor Cook
Regional Corporate Chef, South
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FEATURED RECIPES
Here are some fast-growing side dishes that can add signature appeal to your menu when elevated with just a few ingredients.
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Al Pastor Street Corn
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Al Pastor Sauce
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Birria Grilled Cheese Dipper
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Vegetable Birria Broth
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Birria Macaroni & Cheese
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Vegetable Birria Broth
Cauliflower Quesabirria Flatbread
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Vegetable Birria Broth
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Grilled Harissa Fruit Slaw
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Harissa Sauce
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Korean Roasted Cauliflower
Custom Culinary® Korean-Style Sweet Heat Sauce
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Latin Citrus Chili Totchos
Featuring True Foundations® Latin-Style Citrus Chili Sauce
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Masala Sweet Potato Salad
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Tikka Masala Sauce
Parmesan and Mushroom Oats
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Vegetable Birria Broth
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Spicy Jalapeno Cilantro Slaw
Featuring Custom Culinary® Gold Label Jalapeno Relish
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Tikka Masala Pasta
Featuring Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Tikka Masala Sauce
White Cheddar Potato Au Gratin
Custom Culinary® Master's Touch® Cream Soup Base
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ShareAbles Menu Inspiration
Throughout this guide, you’ll find recipe ideas for shareables that span a range of cuisine types, popular dishes and hot trends. To help you get even more mileage out of these menu concepts, you’ll also find tips for adding dipping sauces and toppings and ways to “plus up” speed scratch products with signature appeal.
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SOURCES
1. Datassential, Appetizer Keynote Report, March 2021.
2. Datassential Menu Trends, U.S. menu penetration growth 2019-2023.