Every year brings fresh pizza trends to the table, and this year is no exception. At MeadowLocalStream, we keep an eye on what delights pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves in 2023.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has reached pizzerias, with fermented veggies becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that pair well with cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings not only offer probiotic benefits but also bring new texture dynamics to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the acidity. The combination may sound unusual, but it’s rapidly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to grow, we’ve seen a notable rise in demand for pizzas with inventive meat alternatives. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even dedicated meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular features on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice enthusiasts, rejoice! 2023 has witnessed pizza fans embracing specific regional chilies instead of generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza showcases a medley of four regional chilies, each contributing its own flavor to different sections of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure especially loved by the more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with rising interest in seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing throughout their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic note. These ingredients connect diners to nature while delivering flavors that can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast offered by honey has become more than just a fleeting craze. Building on the hot honey craze of recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled onto pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey appear on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate simple pizza combinations to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, shaved over pizza like a golden snowfall
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (notably cultured or herb compound butters)
Whether you prefer the classics or seek bold, new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and beloved foods. At MeadowLocalStream, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both timeless Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or is there a unique favorite combination you’d like to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or the next time you visit!