What Does 2013 Hold for Home Cooks Around the Country? "Clean" Ingredients, Juicy Treats...and Bacteria!

Allrecipes.com, the world's #1 digital food brand with more than one billion annual visits, partnered with Meredith women's lifestyle brands Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, Family Circle, Eating Well, Fitness and Recipe.com to uncover the hottest food trends among home cooks. The report: The Measuring Cup Trend Report: What American Families are Cooking and Eating: 2013 Trends, available as a free download, concludes healthier eating will continue to be a top priority for home cooks, whether it's incorporating probiotics, "clean" ingredients, or more fruits and vegetables in everyday meals.

The report also found that women are flexing their creative muscles in kitchen. Using whiskey as a flavoring is on the rise, while novelty cakes have taken the place of the traditional sweet treats. Home cooks continue to be mindful of saving money by recreating their favorite restaurant dishes at home rather than dining out.

Below is a summary of 2013 trends:

Trend #1: Good-for-You Bacteria Goes Mainstream
Probiotic foods will become conventional refrigerator staples as one-third of women have already "tried and like them." The biggest probiotic food fans are women ages 30 to 39, with 40% earning 100k+/year.

Trend #2: It's a Piece of Cake!
Instead of a traditional birthday or holiday cake, 35% of women are creating novelty cakes for special occasions and holiday gatherings (think: ice cream cake, fun shape, unusual flavor).

Trend #3: Dinner Staycation
Women continue to feel pinched by the economy. Survey respondents say they dined out less frequently in 2012 compared to a year ago (44%). However these same women still seek the variety and new flavors available through restaurant menus. To satisfy this craving, 61% of home cooks admit to having prepared a restaurant-inspired dish at home in the past year.

Trend #4: A Clean Sweep in the Kitchen
With more than 44% of home cooks trying to eat cleaner (no processed foods, more whole foods/vegetables), 21% eating organic foods, 29% cutting back on meat, and 48% eating more vegetables, the healthy habits of home cooks are sure to impact 2013. Leading the way in the clean-food frenzy are home cooks in the West and the younger generation (ages 18-29).

Trend #5: Shaken, Stirred or Seared—with Whiskey
Whiskey isn't just for cocktails anymore. The celebration of whisky/bourbon flavors is extending into home kitchens. Bourbon Balls, Bourbon Chicken, Bourbon Fudge, Bourbon Salmon, and Bourbon Meatballs were all among the fastest-moving recipe search terms in 2012.

Trend #6: First Eat with Your Eyes
The wildly popular photo and idea-sharing site, Pinterest, inspires 75% of women to try new dishes based on inspiration gathered from friends, family, brands, and—complete strangers! Allrecipes' most popular Pinterest boards include inspiration for those who feast with their eyes (Amazing Food Photos), plus ideas for feeding a family (Kids' Recipes).

Trend #7: Increasing App-etites
Mobile phones continue their rapid growth as essential grocery shopping companions for family-focused women. Shoppers are most excited about mobile's ease of use, the variety of app choices, and the ability to make mealtime/purchase decisions while in-store. Shoppers aged 39 and younger are the most likely to seek in-store meal inspiration using a mobile device.

Trend #8: The Juicy Details
More than 56% of women prepared a smoothie or squeezed fresh juice at home last year. The majority trying this juicy option say their main incentive is, "it's delicious" (73%), followed by "health benefits" (64%).

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1yMF7)