Ever feel like your taste buds are stuck on repeat? You’re not alone – over 72% of consumers say they’re tired of eating the same meals over and over again (Datassential, 2024). In fact, consumer burnout due to repetitive, underwhelming meal options is so prevalent, it now has a name: “taste fatigue.” While convenience remains crucial, today’s shoppers are hungry for more: vibrant flavors, global inspiration, and, most importantly, something new.
That’s where sauces come in – and not just any sauces.
We’re talking about compelling, crave-able, custom sauces that provide a canvas for innovation. These flavorful game-changers are helping brands combat mealtime monotony, drive repeat purchases, and stand out in a crowded market. So, if you want to revive your ready meal selection, try adding some bold sauces to your menu. By leveraging flavor-forward ingredients and some culinary creativity, you can turn blah into ta-da.
Why Ready Meals Are at Risk
The ready meal category is growing fast – but it’s also at risk of falling flat. Rapid product launches have resulted in a wave of safe, repetitive flavor profiles. Many brands are content to play it safe, relying on familiar combinations instead of pushing boundaries. And unfortunately, private label expansion often prioritizes price and simplicity over flavor impact. The result? A shelf full of options that blur together – functional but forgettable ready meals.
At the same time, consumers are raising the bar, seeking premium cues and globally inspired flavors, even in frozen and chilled formats. Are you ready to meet their ever-rising expectations? With the global ready meals market projected to hit $173.5 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research, 2024), flavor manufacturers that can deliver both convenience and culinary excitement are poised to lead the next round of growth. The question isn’t whether there’s demand or not – it’s whether your brand is bold enough to innovate and seize this piquant opportunity.
Flavor as the Fix
How can you help consumers avoid déjà vu at dinnertime? Switch up your sauce game!
After all, taste (79%), convenience (70%), and variety (59%) are the top drivers behind ready meal purchases, and sauces deliver on all three (FMI: The Power of Foodservice at Retail, 2023). Plus, they’re one of the easiest ways to introduce bold new flavor without overhauling the base meal. They offer a low-lift, high-impact solution. Whether they’re used as dips, drizzles, or marinades, sauces offer endless versatility – and a clear path to transforming stuck-in-a-rut ready meals into tempting new creations.
Did you know that 61% of shoppers look for bold or globally inspired flavors in prepared foods? (Technomic, 2023) Keeping that in mind, it’s no surprise that current ready meal trends err toward the exotic:
- Za’atar Ranch Drizzle adds a crave-worthy punch to falafel bowls with its creamy, tangy richness and lively Middle Eastern flavor.
- Thai Coconut Curry brings creamy richness, aromatic depth, and balanced heat to protein and veggies, making it the perfect microwave-safe simmer sauce.
- Chimichurri Ranch elevates protein kits with its herby brightness and cool creaminess. Versatile and flavor-packed, it could accompany virtually any protein or veggie as a chilled dipping sauce. Plus, did you know refrigerated ready meals are growing faster than frozen, with a 6.2% year-over-year increase in 2023? (Circana, 2024)
R&D-Ready Solutions from Giraffe Foods
When you’re ready to liven up your ready meal offerings, Giraffe Foods is here to help.
Our talented culinologists have the experience, know-how, and creativity needed to craft custom sauces that complement your menu and align with current consumer trends. Whatever your meal format and prep method – microwave, oven, sous vide, etc. – our team can provide custom flavor solutions that elevate your dishes and keep consumers coming back for more.
Looking for shelf-life-tested sauces for chilled and frozen distribution? No problem! Concerned about packaging formats or shipping logistics? We’ve got your back. Aiming for clean-label, allergen-aware, or globally-inspired options? Whatever your requirements may be, we’re confident we can meet and exceed them with our winning concepts, premium ingredients, and delectable custom sauces.
