Fire up the grill… and don't forget the dips and sauces! As BBQ weather (finally) approaches, it's perfect timing for our latest deep-dive on condiments, sauces & seasonings – where we hone in all the trends that look set to shape our summer, and beyond. That means flavour, format, ingredients, cuisines and much(!) more.
Here are three of our key takeouts from our Condiments, Sauces & Seasonings 2026 categorywatching report:
- BYOB – Recent surveys suggest that lots of Gen Z and Millennial diners are packing their own condiments when they go out to eat. Yep, that's right! Condiments have become a lifestyle accessory, sold in pocket-sized portions, on keychains and tiny toothpaste-style tubes, all designed to make anytime-anyplace personalisation an effortless endeavour. As 'saucemaxxing' trends across social media, don't be surprised to see someone whip out a selection of hot sauces from their handbag next time you're dining out!
- Twists & Mashups – In order to keep formats fresh and exciting, producers are looking just across the condiments aisle to… other condiments. And sauces, and seasonings… Think all-conquering chilli crisp, ranch dressing and mayo, being fused with the likes of ketchup, hummus, mustard and more – to create fun mash-ups that are at once new, yet familiar. So if you like your guacamole with a dose of Thai spice, or chilli crisp blended through your ketchup, this trend is perfect for you.
- Avo-EVOO – As the push-back against seed oils continues to gather ground, avocado and extra virgin olive oil are enjoying some serious love. Mayos, marinades, dressings and sauces are being reformulated across retail to use one – or sometimes both – of these star ingredients, with their non-seed status emblazoned across packaging. It's the same story over on the socials as users share recipes for everything from morning smoothies to dessert-aligned dips using the avo-EVOO combination. Well, oil be blown!
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