Pickles wrapped in cheese, popcorn with beans and ice cream on meatloaf are just a few of the surprising food combinations Americans said they love.
Research revealed mayo and peanut butter sandwich and cookies dipped in guacamole also made the cut — according to a survey of 2,000 Americans in California, Texas, New York, Hawaii and Florida.
The survey aimed to uncover the most unusual food combinations Americans enjoy — as well as the characteristics coinciding with them — and yielded other otherworldly answers, including meatballs and mayo, octopus and roasted bell peppers and alligator and fries.
Commissioned by the SPAM brand and conducted by OnePoll, the survey found respondents were most likely to have discovered their favorite food combinations from family or friends (41%).
Others found their go-to combinations while dining at a restaurant (36%) or via social media (33%) — and three in four are proud to share their unexpected food mashups with others.
While some combinations are quirky, others are classics — the survey found the most popular food combo Americans love is the dipping of french fries in their chocolate milkshake.
Other top combinations were chocolate and popcorn (44%) or sour cream and onion chips with chocolate (36%).
Over a quarter (26%) of respondents can’t eat a meal without adding hot sauce to it while 27% can’t imagine eating a meal without mayonnaise.
Beyond hot sauce and mayo, another 28% won’t eat a meal without a salt shaker handy.
Over half (52%) said they’ll have a “freak out” if their different foods touch each other while on their plate.
Nearly one in four (39%) of those surveyed choose to eat their dessert first while 41% skip breakfast altogether to enjoy a larger lunch instead.
The findings also show Americans would be willing to go to extreme lengths to satisfy their cravings, whether ordering through a food delivery app (38%), canceling their plans (26%) or leaving work midday to appease their appetite (34%).
Nearly half get a hankering for a specific food when their friends talk about a recent food experience, while a third get a specific craving when they’re extra stressed.
And cravings were most likely to strike at 12:22 p.m., according to the survey.
Fifty-two percent of Americans say their cravings are brought on by watching food videos or some type of entertainment whether online or on TV.
Through their search, Americans have found an affinity for popular food trends including flavored gnocchi (39%), SPAM Musubi (34%) and cauliflower pizza crust (31%), which they would all enjoy again.
“Consumers nationwide aren’t holding back when it comes to creating delicious food pairings,” said Jason Hron, SPAM brand manager.
TOP 10 MOST POPULAR UNUSUAL FOOD COMBINATIONS
1. French fries and chocolate milkshake 55%
2. Cottage cheese and fruit 50%
3. Fruit preserves with cheese and crackers 47%
4. Chocolate and popcorn 45%
5. Peanut butter and apple 44%
6. Sauerkraut and cheese 43%
7. Cheddar cheese and apple pie 42%
8. French fries and pickles 37%
9. Cold pizza and ranch dressing 36%
10. Sour cream and onion chips and chocolate 36%
TOP 5 LENGTHS AMERICANS WILL GO TO JUST TO SATISFY THEIR CRAVINGS
1. Pay a premium ordering through a food delivery app 38%
2. Leave work to go purchase an item 34%
3. Skip class 29%
4. Arrive late to a meeting 28%
5. Cancel plans 26%
TOP 5 THINGS THAT SPARK A FOOD CRAVING
1. Watching food videos/entertainment/TV 52%
2. Talking to friends about a food experience 42%
3. Seeing an advertisement for a specific food 41%
4. Looking for recipes 36%
5. Stress 32%
TOP 5 WAYS AMERICANS DISCOVERED THEIR FAVORITE FOOD PAIRINGS
1. Family/friends 41%
2. Restaurant 36%
3. Social media/print/online news 33%
4. Word of mouth 32%
5. Celebrity endorsement/advertisement 25%
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