British dinner tables are becoming increasingly globally inspired, according to new data from HelloFresh, the UK’s leading recipe box provider, with Asian-inspired dishes now rivalling Italian cuisine as the nation’s favourites.
HelloFresh’s Plate of the Nations report analyses close to a billion meals sold across 18 countries and reveals that in 83% of markets worldwide, the most-cooked dish of the year was not native to that country. In the UK, bold international flavours are firmly on the rise, with sticky beef with rice and pepper ranking among the most-cooked dishes of 2025.
The findings point to a significant shift in home-cooking habits, as Asian-inspired recipes close the gap on Italian classics, long considered the UK’s go-to cuisine. In 2025, Italian recipes accounted for 47% of favourites, closely followed by East Asian dishes at 45%, signalling a clear change in consumer tastes.
The inaugural global trend report also found that in almost every country analysed, international recipes featured among the top three favourite dinners, underlining how global flavours have become a staple of everyday home cooking rather than an occasional treat.
Cooking is increasingly being used as a way for families to explore new cultures together. Seven in ten (70%) families say they use food to discover different cultures from their kitchens, while 78% say they are excited to try dishes from different cuisines as a household. This growing appetite for exploration is reflected in what people are cooking, with fusion dishes featuring prominently among the most popular meals and highlighted in the report as a key trend for 2026.
Younger generations are leading the charge. Gen Z (79%) and Millennials (81%) are the most adventurous in the kitchen, compared to 58% of Baby Boomers who prefer familiar favourites. Social media is now the number one source of meal inspiration, with 70% of people turning to short-form content to discover new recipes, trends and techniques. Recreating dishes enjoyed on holiday (38%) and using traditional recipe books (35%) also continue to influence what people cook at home.
Digital inspiration is also driving growing interest in global cuisines beyond Asia and Europe, with African food set to see significant growth in 2026. This is being fuelled by chefs and social creators, alongside rising interest in West African and Caribbean flavours across multiple HelloFresh markets. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents say meal kits such as HelloFresh encourage them to try more adventurous recipes than they otherwise would.
Alix McCaffrey, Senior Director of Product at HelloFresh, said:
“The HelloFresh report shows that home cooks no longer want to settle for safe choices. Culinary tourism is expanding, and people aren’t waiting for a holiday to discover new food – they’re bringing those flavours into their kitchens and recreating the dishes they love at home.
In our UK test kitchens, we recognise this shift and are constantly looking for ways to surprise and excite customers, offering a balance of international cuisines, classic dishes and family favourites that are easy to cook and, above all, delicious.
International cuisines have now firmly moved into the mainstream, with a third of people actively wanting to cook and eat more adventurous dishes. That appetite for exploration is only set to grow. One thing is certain – 2026 promises even more culinary creativity, and HelloFresh will be there as the ultimate sous-chef, helping households travel the world through food.”
