Consumers Increasingly Drawn to Seasoned Meats

In fact, according to the latest IRI Unify Total US Food, Marinated Category & Brands report, the category increased from a $239 million in 2017 to more than $275 million today.

Global flavors are becoming more mainstream in the seasoned meat category as the industry has seen an increase in authentic flavor profiles from around the world.

“We know there’s an ongoing desire by consumers to explore bold flavors and culinary styles, especially among millennials and their families,” said Dana Ehrlich, co-founder and CEO of Verde Farms, based in Woburn, Mass. “We also know that they’re looking for authentic, simple ingredients.”

Flavors like Mexican, Moroccan and Mediterranean flavors, which have been on the rise in recent years, are seeing an increased demand as consumers are looking to replicate the experiences they are having at restaurants in their own homes. They are looking for meat manufacturers to deliver these familiar taste profiles while still remaining both authentic and transparent.

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Jenny Burns, director of innovation at Applegate, which offers all-natural and organic meat products, noted consumers are becoming more exposed to flavors from around the world, whether that’s through traveling, media, or dining out. As a result, the company has noticed bolder flavors and flavor profiles that represent a global regional cuisine.

“Applegate recently launched two meatball varieties, under its new Well Carved line, that blend Applegate humanely raised meat with organic, whole vegetables, legumes, and grains,” Burns says. “These chef-crafted meatballs are the best of both worlds, using ingredients inspired by Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, that also reduce the amount of meat used by 35-40%.”