McCormick Just Announced Its First Flavor of the Year—and It Will Definitely Upgrade Your Meals

Let’s kick off 2023 with some spice!

Calling all foodies! Spice brand McCormick recently announced its first ever Flavor of the Year and the choice is anything but ordinary. The winner is...(drum roll, please) Vietnamese x Cajun Style Seasoning. This unique and special seasoning melds two cuisines, including one that derives from South Louisiana and Houston. McCormick describes the Vietnamese x Cajun Style flavor profile as a “playful blend of cayenne and paprika in classic Cajun tradition – and lemongrass, garlic, and black peppercorn, custom in Vietnamese recipes.”

The zesty yet savory ground spice blend is flavorful yet balanced, and can be used in countless dishes. Sprinkle a few dashes onto some baked chicken wings, or add some to your burger meat. Or perhaps you'd like to try a traditional New Orleans dish like beurre blanc shrimp. Jazz up your fries and roasted vegetables, or craft your very own compound butter to add to steak and lobster (is your mouth watering yet?)

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"With the inaugural Flavor of the Year, Vietnamese x Cajun Style Seasoning, McCormick is demonstrating the culinary masterpiece that emerges when cuisines are combined," Kevan Vetter, executive chef and senior culinary director of McCormick, said in a statement. And if you feel like you're ready to try this spice blend for yourself, you're in luck! McCormick Vietnamese x Cajun Style Seasoning is now available to order. 

In addition to the Flavor of the Year announcement, McCormick also revealed its 23rd Edition Flavor Forecast. After closely monitoring food trends in 2022, foodies can expect to see (and eat) elements of what McCormick has dubbed full-flavored fats, everyday French, and beyond heat. But what does that mean, exactly?

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Let's start with full-flavored fats. For years, people avoided high-fat foods, but in many cuisines, it's an essential part of cooking. Full-flavored fats are embodied by those comforting, hearty meals that warm your belly and make you happy. They rely on fats such as butter, cheese, and oil to help make them decadent and rich. Think dishes like pasta in a creamy pink sauce, or brown butter chocolate chip cookies, which McCormick is predicting people will see a lot more of in the coming months.

When we think of French food, we typically think of fancy fare that’s reserved for a sophisticated palate. However, the everyday French trend is exactly what it sounds like: an approachable way to enjoy French cuisine. By using the highest-quality ingredients and classic techniques, you can cook dishes that even Julia Child would be proud of.

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The final flavor prediction is for those who love to indulge in spicy food. The concept of beyond the heat is to understand that pairing certain ingredients together can determine how spicy food is perceived, and why it's so thoroughly enjoyed. Mixing specific flavors can impact how spice lingers and finishes on your taste buds. Pretty nifty, eh?

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