Summer is right around the corner, ushering in long-awaited vacations, outdoor adventures with family and friends, and lazy afternoons spent in the sunshine. Of course, more time spent on meal prep means less time enjoying the breezy summer season – which is where ready meals come in.
Ready-made meals offer unparalleled convenience for solo foodies, couples, and families alike, providing a gourmet experience without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen. Whether it’s a crisp salad, a nostalgic frozen entree, or global cuisine in a convenient grab-and-go package, ready meals are the perfect choice for your busy customers this season. And if you’re looking to set your brand apart from the competition, look no further than dressings and marinades. Specifically, global dressings and marinades – easy-to-use meal features that highlight trending international cuisines, from savory Italian notes to umami-rich Asian flavors. Read on to find out how our globally-inspired custom dressings and marinades can elevate your ready meals just in time for the summer season.
Make Ready Meals Irresistible with Global Dressings and Marinades
The demand for diverse global flavors continues to soar, with more and more consumers seeking out exciting new tastes in convenient packages. By adding globally-inspired dressings and marinades to your ready meals and frozen meals, you’ll provide a mouthwatering experience tailor-made for summer culinary adventures.
Freshen Up Summer Salads with Global Dressings & Vinaigrettes
Seasonal ingredients like vibrant herbs, luscious ripe berries, and zesty tropical fruits are a great starting point for summer salads. They’re also the cornerstone of countless global foods, from Mediterranean chickpea bowls to bold, flavorful Korean salads. To take your salads to the next level, try globally-inspired dressings and vinaigrettes like the following:
- Mediterranean Herb Vinaigrette: Complement the robust, tangy elements of a classic Greek salad with a zesty vinaigrette featuring extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped oregano, and parsley.
- Italian Lemon-Caper Dressing: Spice up an earthy grilled vegetable salad with this summer-inspired dressing, made with fresh lemon zest, briny capers, minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and chopped parsley. Similar pairings could include a bright, lightly herbaceous caprese salad or a hearty mixed bean salad.
- Indian Mango Curry Vinaigrette: Fresh mixed greens will shine with this vibrant vinaigrette combining ripe mango puree, coconut milk, curry powder, bright cilantro, and a hint of lime juice.
- Mexican Chipotle-Lime Dressing: Does your grab-and-go taco salad need a little something? Consider a spicy dressing made with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, honey or agave, minced garlic, and olive oil.
- Korean Gochujang-Sesame Vinaigrette: Lean into trending Korean flavors with a bold and flavorful vinaigrette featuring gochujang, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This vinaigrette pairs well with everything from ready-made salads to protein-rich Korean frozen meals.
- Chinese Five-Spice Orange Dressing: This unique dressing combines Chinese five-spice powder, orange juice and zest, soy sauce, honey, and sesame seeds. It’s a great choice for ready meals, including Asian-inspired coleslaw and chicken salads.
The Secret Ingredient in Your Ready Meals: Global Marinades
Dressings and vinaigrettes inject bold flavor into summer salads, but don’t underestimate the power of marinades for grilled and roasted dishes. Marinades don’t just add flavor; they help tenderize meat, enhancing the overall texture and taste of summer favorites like chicken breast, beef steak, and pork chops. Below are a few examples of ways you can lean into global herbs, spices, fruits, and other seasonal ingredients for your summer-inspired ready meals:
- Mediterranean Lemon-Garlic Marinade: Tenderize lamb chops and chicken breasts with a classic Mediterranean marinade featuring extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and thyme.
- Italian Balsamic-Herb Marinade: Ready meals including beef steak, pork tenderloin, or mushrooms will pair beautifully with a savory marinade made with aged balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped basil, and oregano.
- Indian Tandoori Yogurt Marinade: From chicken thighs to cauliflower bites, there are a wide array of ready meal applications for this creamy and aromatic marinade. A potential formulation might include Greek yogurt, a tandoori spice blend, minced garlic, grated ginger, and fresh cilantro for a touch of brightness.
- Mexican Adobo Chili Marinade: Frozen meals like chicken wings and beef skewers get a snap of global flavor from this spicy and smoky marinade, made with adobo chili paste, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, and coriander.
- Korean Bulgogi Marinade: Want to step up your frozen stir-fried dishes? Try a sweet and savory marinade featuring soy sauce, pear puree, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and brown sugar.
- Chinese Honey-Soy Ginger Marinade: This versatile marinade combines soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds – a natural choice for frozen summer favorites like chicken wings and pork chops.
Summer is in the air, providing the perfect opportunity to create dazzling seasonal dishes your customers will love. By incorporating enticing global flavors, you’ll position yourself as the go-to ready-made meals provider for today’s discerning food lovers. You’ll also attract more customers in the grocery segment and build loyalty with foodies who are seeking both flavor and convenience in one delicious package.
Not sure where to start? Our team is well-versed in ideation, formulation, packaging, and even regulatory standards for ready meals, frozen meals, and meal kits. Our team at Giraffe Foods can help you design the perfect product complemented by global inspired seasonal dressings and marinades.
