Mapping America’s Salad Curiosity
What does the US actually want on its fork?
America is a nation of salad lovers. From Alaska to Florida, we know a good bowl of leafy greens when we see one. But the kinds of salads we eat and the ingredients we crave are shifting. The days of settling for plain lettuce and a standard vinaigrette are firmly behind us. In a world driven by bold culinary experimentation and functional eating, consumers are completely rethinking what goes into their bowls.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii is officially the most ‘salad curious’ state in the US, with a leading curiosity score of 27.48.
- The Swicy and Swangy flavor profile saw incredible search interest across the Pacific Northwest, with Oregon and Washington trailing just behind Hawaii.
- Maryland and New Jersey dominate the Gut Glory trend, actively seeking high fiber and probiotic-rich ingredients.
- Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon are leading the charge in reinventing childhood classics for the modern palate.
The Salad Curiosity Census
To explore the nation’s evolving palate, we went beyond the bowl. By analyzing Google search data for key ingredients and flavors across five trending salad flavor profiles, we’ve mapped out exactly which states are driving the latest food trends, from the heat of swicy (sweet + spicy) dressings to the comfort of upgraded childhood classics.
We then divided these search volumes against state populations to find the true representative hubs of salad experimentation. Is your state a salad superstar? Let’s dig a little further to showcase which places have the greatest overall interest, and then break down the map by each distinct flavor profile.
The Top 10 Most Salad-Curious States
By combining the scores across all five categories, a clear winner emerges. The Aloha State tops our list as the most curious when it comes to these trending flavors. Hawaii earned a massive 27.48 curiosity score, a result of the 40,000 searches happening every month for viral ingredients like hot honey dressings and crispy chickpeas. Following closely in second position is Washington with a score of 22.54, while Oregon finishes the top three with a score of 21.91.
But not every region favors the same type of ingredients. Here is a closer look at what people are searching for based on the top five trending flavor profiles.
Swicy + Swangy
If “swicy” (sweet + spicy) is a great flavor combo, its cousin “swangy” (sweet + spicy + tangy) is entering the ring as well. Consumers are now seeking a dynamic blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes that bring a global twist to their greens. Ingredients like hot honey, lime zest, sriracha miso, and chili are completely transforming the standard dressing.
When it comes to chasing this bold heat and sweet combination, the Pacific Northwest and the islands are leading the charge. Hawaii tops the chart with over 6,000 monthly searches, followed closely by Oregon and Washington. This shift shows a strong desire for complex flavor mashups that turn a simple side dish into the main event.
If you are looking to bring this bold energy to your own kitchen, we have the perfect starting point. Our Hot Honey Chicken Caesar Salad hits the trend perfectly, pairing panko breaded chicken spiced with hot sauce and honey over a classic base. For a slightly fruitier take, the Sweet Thai Chili Salmon Salad balances spicy chili heat with the tropical sweetness of mango.
Crunch Core
Some people eat their greens purely for the crunch, and this trend is all about maximizing mouthfeel. We’re looking beyond the traditional crouton to find nutrient-dense textures from toasted nuts, seeds, crispy shallots, jicama, and snap peas.
Oregon takes the top spot for crunch core curiosity due to its nearly 5,500 monthly searches, with Washington and Hawaii right behind. This texture-first movement is all about layering ingredients to create a satisfying and audible crunch in every single bite.
To pack a serious textural punch into your lunch, the Sunflower Crunch Grain Salad is a fantastic choice. It builds layers of vitamin-packed texture using cabbage, cucumber, and a satisfyingly chewy quinoa addition to our signature Sunflower Crunch kit. Alternatively, you can elevate your protein by making our Rosemary Almond Crusted Chicken Salad, which uses a ground almond and rosemary crust to deliver a savory and hearty snap.
Gut Glory
Functional eating is having a major moment, with a huge focus on probiotic-rich and high fiber ingredients that support digestion without sacrificing taste. People are filling their bowls with kimchi, sauerkraut, chickpeas, and kefir-based dressings to promote radiance from within.
Interestingly, the East Coast dominates this health-conscious trend, with Maryland and New Jersey flanking Nevada in the top three spots. Improving the microbiome is a top priority for these states.
Championing your gut health is easy when the ingredients taste this good. The Spinach Quinoa Salad is incredibly fiber-dense, pairing antioxidant-rich spinach with chickpeas and quinoa to meet your daily goals. Another great option is the Sweet Kale and Quinoa Salad, which uses our Superfood Sweet Kale kit as a base. Packed with cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts and kale, and layered with toasted pecans, every ingredient here serves a functional purpose for your overall digestion.
Powerhouse Protein
Welcome to the era of the identity-first salad, where protein is the star of the show rather than just a side act. These are the bowls designed to keep you full for hours, fueled by dense macros and ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, grilled steak, quinoa, and lentils.
Virginia, Illinois, and Hawaii are the states most interested in maximizing their intake, proving that hitting a solid 20-gram protein target per meal is a major priority for consumers in these regions.
Hitting those macros is incredibly simple with our power salad kit, which is engineered with 20 grams of protein per bag, thanks to a clever whey protein-infused dressing. You can push the protein factor even further with our Protein Caesar Bowl with Grilled Salmon & Lemon recipe. If you prefer poultry, the Southwest Protein Bowl with Grilled Chicken & Corn is a delicious and lean alternative that will easily power you through the afternoon.
Newstalgia
Everything old is new again. The newstalgia trend is all about taking childhood favorites like the classic Waldorf or Wedge and upgrading them for modern palates. This means combining clean-label versions of retro dressings with global fusions and premium ingredients like artisanal blue cheese or heirloom tomatoes.
Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon are leading the search for these reimagined classics, proving that the Pacific region loves a fresh take on tradition.
To try this familiar but elevated flavor profile at home, our Asian Chopped Salad with Grilled Teriyaki Kebabs is a great place to start. It takes a classic heritage flavor profile and modernizes it with grilled tofu or chicken skewers. You could also try the Organic Mediterranean Crunch Grain Bowl, which taps into the enduring appeal of Mediterranean cuisine by adding heirloom tomatoes and olives to an organic and crunchy base.
Here at Taylor Farms, we have been a part of the salad revolution since 1995. With flavor profiles changing to incorporate more global ingredients and a stronger focus on nutrition, we are excited to be at the forefront of this innovation. The data shows a massive shift toward flavor experimentation and regional customization across the US. Whether you are living in a Crunch Core state or leaning heavily into Gut Glory, your perfect bowl is out there.
Feeling inspired to explore these vibrant flavors? Check out our recipes or explore our full range in-store to find your new favorite.
Disclaimer
This information is for general guidance only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for any concerns about your health.
Methodology
For five different salad flavor profiles (Swicy & Swangy, Crunch Core, Gut Glory, Powerhouse Protein, Newstalgia), we have curated a list of keywords that cover the flavors and ingredients of the salad profile. Then, using the long list of keywords, we have gathered the Google search volume at a state level for each. The overall search volumes for each salad flavor profile have then been divided by the state’s population to create a representative popularity score (showing the number of searches per 1,000 people). These scores are then combined to give a final salad curiosity score for each state.
Sources:
- Population – https://worldpopulationreview.com/states
- Search Data – Google Keyword Planner (Feb 25 – Jan 26)
