Every year brings fresh culinary movements to the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At HarvestFieldBrowse, we continually track what delights pizza enthusiasts across the globe. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and widely embraced pizza toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has found its way onto pizza menus, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that complement the richness of cheese and sauce. These tangy toppings offer probiotic benefits and add intriguing new texture to classic pies.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pie features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tang. The combination may sound daring, but it’s quickly become one of our most sought-after specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a strong uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat substitutes. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, new plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even die-hard meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regulars on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestion footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat-seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have remained popular, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appearing on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to distinct sections of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that's especially popular with more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with the rising appeal of seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up in their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic touch. These ingredients connect diners to nature while offering flavors that can’t be easily cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has firmly established itself as more than just a fleeting trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey from recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are appearing on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza pairings to gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated 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 (particularly cultured or herb-butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the classics or an adventurous eater eager to test bold new combos, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and cherished foods. At HarvestFieldBrowse, 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 do you have a unique favorite combination you’d like to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or the next time you visit!