The popular everything bagel seasoning had its time, but in 2025, it’s all about exploring bold, unexpected flavors and spice trends. From sweet-spicy combos to umami-rich spices, there’s a whole new world of taste waiting to be discovered.
6 on-trend flavors and spices for 2025
You don’t need to be on the cutting edge of culinary trends to enjoy delicious food and flavors — just look at the enduring popularity of Jello. But every now and then, it’s nice to shake things up and explore new flavors. According to chefs and food experts, these are a few of the spices and ingredients that are predicted to shine in 2025.
Swicy: Sweet and spicy
“Swicy,” the fusion of sweet and spicy, hit the scene in mid-2024 and is poised to become a flavor phenomenon in 2025. The flavor profile has been around for years in dishes like mango salsa and pineapple fried rice. But thanks to TikTok, swicy is having a major moment with condiments like Korean gochujang and hot honey flying off the shelves.
As Michelle Goth from the food blog Blackberry Babe explains, it’s become a go-to strategy for introducing her family to bolder flavors.“Making swicy food for my family has become a bit of a cheat code for me. Combining sweet and spicy flavors makes my son more likely to try and enjoy spicy foods. We all love eating hot honey wings, apple jalapeno coleslaw, sweet chili shrimp and fresh mango with chili and cayenne.” Given its popularity, expect to see even more creativity with the swicy trend in 2025.
Aleppo pepper
Speaking of spice, Aleppo pepper is a must try if you like a bit of heat but don’t want to overdo it. This vibrant red pepper from Turkey brings moderate heat with slightly fruity undertones. Unlike fiery cayenne, Aleppo is a milder pepper that adds depth and complexity to dishes without being overwhelmingly spicy.
It’s a very versatile spice, too, as Gen La Rocca from Two Cloves Kitchen points out: “I’ve used it in salad dressings, topped hummus with it, used it on roasted vegetables or chicken, put it on eggs — really anything that could use a bit of heat without it being overpowering.” Aleppo pepper is a great place to start if you want to dip your toe in spicy flavors.
MSG
The mention of MSG or monosodium glutamate can spark mixed feelings as it balances between culinary appeal and controversy. In cooking, MSG provides a rich, umami flavor that enhances the taste of vegetables, soups, and many restaurant foods. Although MSG has a controversial reputation, according to the FDA, small doses of MSG — less than 3 grams — were found to be perfectly safe. Now, MSG has made its way back onto the food scene with the help of TikTok.
Chef Petra Atanasova from Sunglow Kitchen says, “While it’s been around for ages and has long been used in Asian cuisine, it’s lately getting rediscovered. One example is Logan Moffit who took TikTok and Instagram by storm with his viral cucumber recipes. MSG is present In almost all of his videos and his saying “MSG obviously” has become an iconic line.” Despite its stigma for some, MSG’s resurgence shows no signs of slowing down.
Harissa
According to American International Foods Inc., global, spice-forward flavors, especially those from the Middle East and West Africa are rapidly gaining popularity. One that’s making a mainstream splash is harissa.
Harissa is a North African spice paste that can add a kick and added flavor to almost any dish. Recipes for harissa paste can vary widely, but it typically includes roasted red chilies blended with oil, salt, garlic, coriander and caraway.
Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant’s Table uses harissa almost daily: “Having grown up in the Middle East, I was raised on harissa and think that it’s God’s gift to hot sauces. It’s flavorful, unsweetened, spicy in just the right amount, and made with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. I always keep a jar in the fridge.” As more people discover its bold, complex flavors, harissa will quickly become a pantry staple for spice lovers everywhere.
Gourmet salts
Salt is essential for enhancing the flavor of both savory and sweet dishes. Recently, gourmet varieties have been elevating this staple with specialty options like smoked salt, truffle salt and chili sea salt. These unique salts go beyond traditional table salt, adding bold and sophisticated flavor to any dish.
Gourmet salts have changed how Michelle Price of Honest and Truly cooks: “I have a collection of 21 different kinds of salt, and I use them all. I grew up with just the salt in the blue cylinder but there are so many other kinds of salt. Truffle salt may be my favorite. It’s delicious to finish off mashed potatoes and so much more.” With so many exciting varieties to choose from, gourmet salts offer endless possibilities to enhance your cooking.
Old Bay
What’s old is new again. Old Bay seasoning has been around since 1939 and this iconic blend of celery salt, paprika and a secret mix of herbs and spices has been a staple in seafood dishes. Now it’s back in the limelight getting plenty of attention in non-seafood dishes as well.
Laura from Downsizing Dinner says, “Old Bay Seasoning is so hot right now! I’ve seen it used in chicken wings recipes, crab dips, seafood boils, french fries and more. It’s everywhere, and everyone seems to love it.” The versatility and bit of nostalgia make Old Bay a go-to seasoning for adding bold flavor to modern recipes, proving that classic flavors never go out of style.
Embrace new flavors
Entering the new year is a great time to look beyond the familiar everything bagel seasoning and explore some exciting new flavors. From the savory richness of MSG to the bold heat of Asian spices, so many spices have gained popularity and are just waiting to be tried. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Everyone’s tastebuds are unique so spice things up and enjoy the adventure.
Casey Rooney is a recipe developer and the creator of Get On My Plate and Get On My Salad Plate, where she shares easy comfort food and salad recipes to help make everyday cooking stress free. With a focus on familiar flavors and using pantry staples, her recipes are down-to-earth and approachable — perfect for busy home cooks.