The demand for ready meals, frozen meals, and meal kits has nowhere to go but up, as today’s busy consumers are craving restaurant-quality meals that require little or no food prep. And, of course, they want all that flavor at the right price point. While that might sound like a tall order, gourmet ready meals can be a remarkably profitable way to put your brand on the grocery map. And you need just one secret weapon: custom sauces specifically designed to deliver unforgettable flavor for on-the-go consumers.
Not sure how to use sauces in your ready meal formulation? Read on to find out how our custom sauces, dips, dressings, drizzles, and marinades can elevate your ready meals.
Custom Sauces Are All You Need for Gourmet Ready Meals
It’s not hard to see why today’s busy consumers love ready-to-eat meals. These convenient options cut out the food prep, allowing consumers to savor new flavors (and classic favorites) with zero fuss. Frozen meals can also be stored for an extended period without compromising quality or taste, which is a major bonus for on-the-go consumers with unpredictable schedules. That’s not all: Health-conscious shoppers are also drawn to meals that focus on nutrition, taking the guesswork out of a balanced dish. Finally, ready meals are often more affordable than dining out or ordering takeout. With today’s sky-high food prices, that’s never been more important.
So, where do custom sauces come in? Take it from us: Don’t underestimate the transformative power of a good sauce, dip, dressing, drizzle, or marinade. A custom-formulated sauce can elevate the basic ingredients in frozen ready meals, transforming each bite into a gourmet experience – all from the comfort of the consumer’s home.
Traditional Classics in Ready Meals
Among shoppers who regularly opt for ready-to-eat meals, 40% say they simply love the taste (Innova 2023). It’s proof that consumers love familiar flavors that are nostalgic, yet comforting – classic dishes like spaghetti Bolognese, chicken alfredo, and beef stroganoff, all of which continue to be top-selling items in the ready meals category. Ultimately, 58% of Americans and Canadians still prefer traditional and familiar flavors when choosing prepared meals, with about 72% of Baby Boomers and Gen X consumers indicating a preference for familiar flavors and dishes that remind them of home-cooked meals (Innova 2023).
With that in mind, your brand has the opportunity to create a lasting bond with consumers, dishing up nostalgic classics featuring rich meat sauces, creamy alfredo, and other hearty favorites. After all, they’re classics for a reason.
Global Flavors in Ready Meals
Gen X and Baby Boomer consumers may crave nostalgic classics, but when it comes to Millennials and members of Gen Z, it’s all about the new. Younger generations are more inclined to use prepared foods as a vessel to try new concepts and international flavors – without investing in an expensive restaurant meal or a pantry full of ingredients. Meanwhile, 34% of Americans and Canadians say that new, unique, and different flavors are the biggest influences for their food choices, up from 26% the year before (Innova 2023).
If you’re looking for a golden opportunity to help consumers avoid that dreaded flavor fatigue, look no further than globally-inspired ready meals and frozen meals. Below are a few of our favorites:
- Burrito Bowls: A bright, spicy Jalapeño-Cilantro Sauce is the perfect complement for this deconstructed burrito, featuring cilantro-lime rice, black or pinto beans, grilled vegetables, choice of protein, salsa, cheese, and sour cream.
- Arrabbiata Rose Pasta Kit: Treat consumers to an Italian feast with little or no prep required. Topped with a spicy tomato and cream-based Arrabbiata Rose Sauce with hints of garlic and chili flakes, this kit might include penne pasta, fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Spring Rolls: A rich, lightly sweet Plum Sauce takes these light and crispy fried rolls to the next level. Consider a frozen meal of rolls filled with vegetables, shrimp, or meat, served alongside additional dipping sauce options like Sweet Chili Sauce.
- Korean BBQ Bulgogi: A nutrient-dense and incredibly flavorful option, this meal might include thinly sliced marinated beef or pork, stir-fried vegetables, steamed rice, kimchi, and an umami-rich Korean BBQ Sauce.
Whether you’re exploring nostalgic favorites or new and exciting global flavors, the ready meal space is a category worth investing in. Of course, expanding your brand means working with trusted partners – which is where we come in.
At Giraffe Foods, we take a data-driven, collaborative approach to help brands develop innovative new food concepts in a host of different formats. Whether you’re formulating frozen meals, ready meals, or meal kits, our custom sauces will help you give consumers an exceptional experience, cementing your brand as a grocery staple. By partnering with a private label sauce manufacturer like Giraffe Foods, you can get ahead of consumer trends and transform your approach to frozen and ready meals.
