Frozen Meats Rise to the Challenge for Consumers and Manufacturers

Consumers are increasingly reaching for meals that are convenient, fulfilling, delicious and affordable. Simple, affordable protein options have become increasingly more popular among consumers as stores have seen a 6% increase in frozen meat and poultry purchases since 2022. Easy-to-prepare dinners that can be heated in an air fryer or popped in the microwave give busy families and time-crunched professionals more options for their meals. The fact that 15% of all meal occasions today are heat-and-eat shows how the demand for meals and protein products that emphasize convenience has no signs of slowing down.

Consumers finding value AND quality in today’s frozen aisle

Gone are the days of frozen meals being thought of as bargain meals. Gourmet chefs and restaurants across the country are now offering frozen meal kits and take-and-bake options. That is the beauty of frozen meals—you can get a frozen pizza or a fancy dinner all in the same aisle at the supermarket. These applications run the gamut for pleasing the masses.

People can also shop for frozen applications in bulk, meaning fewer grocery trips while still hitting their daily protein goals. There are also more frozen applications than ever and more opportunities to try new flavors, different proteins and unique cuisines from around the world. The frozen aisle has become appealing to a wider audience as product developers create more protein-packed applications to satisfy consumer demand.

Efficiency and possibilities for manufacturers

Individually quick frozen (IQF) meats have become the standard for today’s food manufacturers. With a longer shelf life compared to fresh meats, they allow for more efficient manufacturing and more possibilities as they allow for better waterfall production processes. Efficient manufacturing means more time for product innovation and executing new protein ideas. Another great thing about frozen meats is that they are flash-frozen at peak freshness, preserving flavor and locking in vitamins and nutrients.

Typically, proteins have a long cold-storage life, meaning that companies can order in bulk to save money and eliminate food waste.

Frozen meats meet innovation

Given the increase in popularity of frozen foods and the ways frozen meats make manufacturing more efficient, now is the perfect time for innovative ideas in the frozen aisle, across a variety of meal types and dayparts. New flavors, fusion cuisine and even new kinds of protein are some of what we can expect to see in the frozen aisle soon. What innovative new products are you cooking up with frozen meats?

Sources available upon request.