Consumers looking for meal solutions—for any breakfast, lunch or dinner—need look no farther than the grocery meat case. There are prepared offerings to deliver meals or sides in just minutes. Moreover, the industry’s latest new products address consumer interests for global taste adventure, premium flavor, health and quick convenience.

Speaking of convenience, it was last that MegaMex Foods, Orange, Calif., extended its Herdez brand (known for sauces and salsas) into prepared meat entrees. It debuted with two 15oz, ready-to-eat offerings: Chicken Shredded in Mild Chipotle Sauce and a Carnitas Slow Cooked Pork. Both carried a suggested retail price of $9.99 to $10.99. Joining the line last October was Barbacoa Shredded Beef in Sauce.

Last October also found another California company, Vernon-based Golden West Food Group, partnering with Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. They launched Travis Kelce’s Kitchen, a line of seven refrigerated entrees that are “inspired by Kansas City's most iconic flavors.” Offerings include Bacon Mac & Cheese, Brisket Burnt Ends & BBQ Sauce, BBQ Baked Beans with Burnt Ends, Brisket Burnt Ends with Mac & Cheese, Sliced Brisket in BBQ Sauce, BBQ Baked Beans with Sausage, and Sausage and Meatball Marinara with Peppers and Onions.

Among those targeting deli shoppers was Mama’s Creations, East Rutherford, N.J. It used last summer’s International Dairy Deli Bakery Association convention to extend its MamaMancini’s line of “sleeved” fresh, ready-to-heat-and-eat meals for consumers. The four new sleeve products are Roman Rice with Chicken Cacciatore, an entirely new product; as well as three popular, existing products previously only available “behind the glass,” including Italian Style Sauce with Pork Sausage and Roasted Vegetables, Classic Beef Meatloaf with Tangy Sauce and Roman Rice with Balsamic Chicken.

For its part, industry giant Tyson Foods, Springdale, Ark., was active throughout the grocery—including perimeter fresh meats case and freezer. Last spring, it introduced frozen breaded, natural white meat Chicken Sandwiches and Sliders (in Original, Spicy varieties) complete with artisan buns. Sandwiches come in 24oz packages with four per carton and 23g of protein per serving. Tyson Chicken Breast Sliders come in 21oz packages with eight per carton and 19g of protein per serving. In fresh meats, Tyson introduced Tyson Skillet Kits with new international varieties. The family-size kits (with multiple ingredients) included Hibachi Style Beef with Noodles and Street Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce. 

How about a meal kit approach to hors d'oeuvres? Last May saw Hormel’s Columbus Manufacturing, Hayward, Calif., introduce a Handcrafted Charcuterie Board with premium COLUMBUS Italian Dry Salami, COLUMBUS Calabrese Salami and COLUMBUS Prosciutto. It also includes white cheddar cheese, a merlot cheese wedge, dried apricots, dried mangos, olives, five seed and sea salt flatbread crackers, sea salt & olive oil sourdough flatbread bites, cracker rounds, CORN NUTS Original, fig spread and JUSTIN'S Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Poultry: Wings & New Things

Promoting form and full flavor were Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Greeley, Colo.; Perdue Farms, Salisbury, Md., and a three-way partnership involving YouTube’s First We Feast; John Soules Foods, Tyler, Tex., and FoodStory Brands, Phoenix. 

Last summer saw Pilgrim’s introduce namesake Garlic Parm Chicken Wings with “no-sauce, full-flavor” delivery. The no-mess wings are marinated and seasoned with rubbed spices and can be baked, microwaved, or prepared in an air fryer. Speaking of air fryers, Perdue ended the year with the launch of Air Fryer Ready Crispy Wings, the “first ever at-home wings specifically formulated for air frying.” Perdue said the goal was a hot, crispy wing to replace soggy, cold take-out wings. Varieties are Lemon Pepper, and Hot N’ Spicy (“paprika-based bold spice blend”).

Speaking of hot flavor, First We Feast worked with FoodStory and John Soules to develop two spicy whole chicken breast strips breaded with proprietary seasonings that match the authentic "Hot Ones" sauces made famous on the show. Debuting in the freezercase (Kroger) were First We Feast Hot Ones Spicy Garlic, which matches The Classic Garlic Fresno sauce; and Smoky Habanero, which matches the Los Calientes Rojo sauce from the show. 

Focusing more on form was Butterball LLC, Garner, N.C.  Last spring saw it introduce Bun-Length Butterball Hearty Turkey Sausage in two flavors: Old World Smoked and Polish Style. Officials said the product delivers full flavor with 70% less fat than pork and beef smoked sausage. 

We’ve Got the Meats!

The prepared meat category continues to grow for numerous reasons—not the least of which involves new faces. Given the popularity of Paramount’s Yellowstone series, Paramount Consumer Products partnered with FoodStory Brands to develop a Yellowstone line of Western cuisine items. In turn, FoodStory last summer introduced a broad line of everything from coffee, seasonings, rubs, meat snacks and Angus beef chili to various meat proteins. Developed by co-packers, the Yellowstone meat offerings include Original and Bacon Breakfast Sausage Links, Thick Cut Bacon. The line later expanded to include Shredded Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Brisket Burnt Ends. 

Many more new offerings focus on flavor. Last fall saw Niman Ranch, Westminster, Colo., celebrate three decades of work with lamb with two new products that “tap into American eaters’ craving for global spices and new flavors.” Last November, it introduced Beef + Lamb Gyro Slices and Merguez sausage. Officials say the sausage is stuffed in natural lamb casings and has a North African flavor profile with a custom blend of three different paprikas, harissa and cumin. Elsewhere, Hormel Foods, Austin, Minn., added a permanent new flavor—maple—to its SPAM line. Last fall, Hormel also tapped menu flavor trends and introduced a limited-time Black Label Apple Cider Bacon. 

Interestingly enough, Maple Bacon was one of three new Farm Rich Meatball flavors introduced by Rich Products Corp. last August. Other new varieties in the 20oz frozen bag line include Pizza and Cheeseburger. Also going full flavor was the Los Angeles gastropub chain Barney’s Beanery. Last October, it announced plans to start distributing its best-selling Juicy Lucy Burgers nationwide in frozen form (six patties per 2.36lb box). Varieties include BBQ Bacon Cheddar, Jalapeño Cheddar, and the Three Cheese Stuffed Classic. Officials say each 6.3oz burger delivers 30g of protein comes stuffed with the equivalent of two slices of cheese.

Each year also brings more better-for-you options. The frozen burger category also is home to Crossover Quality Meats, Austin, Tex., which blends chicken with other meat proteins for a healthier profile and sustainability appeal. Varieties include Chicken Beef, Chicken Lamb and Chicken Pork and a 32oz package contains six, one-third pound patties. Crossover says the blends result in using up to 50% less land and 40% less water than conventional patties. Taking another approach last fall was GrassFed Foods LLC, Loveland, Colo. Its Teton Waters Ranch line introduced Teton Taste Buds, which blend veggies—mushrooms, carrots and butternut squash—with 100% grassfed beef. Items include hot dogs, mini corn dogs, meatballs, and burgers.

"Kids love the taste of these products and parents feel great about serving them because they are a more healthful, affordable, and convenient solution to get kids to eat better. No sugar, no antibiotics, 50% less fat and 38% less sodium than the conventional hot dog, powered with veggies and grass fed beef—all rolled into kid-favorite meals," said Pam Smith, RDN, founder and President of Shaping America's Plate.