Cargill Protein is tracking increased consumer demand for globally inspired cuisines, particularly in prepared entrees and marinated meats, said Hilary Gerard, the company’s director of retail marketing.

Younger consumers in particular are going global in their food choices, Gerard said, citing research from Cargill’s 2024 Protein Profiles trends report.

“Gen Z is driving increased demand for fusion cuisine, where multiple flavor profiles are incorporated into one recipe or meal, such as the combination of Korean and Mexican flavors. This mixing of cuisines, lovingly referred to as ‘Chaos Cooking,’ is rapidly growing in popularity.”

Cargill is continuously exploring other ways for retailers to meet evolving consumer preferences, she added. Marinated and seasoned solutions address consumer needs for convenience, but Gerard added that for them to be successful, they also need to be priced competitively and provide desirable nutritionals.

Mexican and Asian cuisines are among those tapped recently by Cargill and its retail partners in their search for on-trend seasonings and marinades.

A raw marinated Birria product, other marinated meats like Chili Lime Pork and Orange Ginger Pork and prepared entrées including Sweet Garlic Sesame Chicken and Pork Carnitas are among the company’s latest offerings.

You’ll continue to see Cargill help its customers offer younger consumers new, multicultural proteins and meals that are easy to prepare and convenient without compromising on quality. Recently, we launched two new globally inspired marinated meats with our retailers.

Now trending: Dry brining

The dry brining method of marinating meat is gaining in popularity, Gerard said.

Dry brining works by salting meat well in advance of grilling or roasting. The salt draws the moisture out of the meat, dissolves in the liquid and then re-hydrates into the meat.

Cargill’s Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is perfect for this application and can be found in a growing number of supermarkets around the country, Gerard said.

“The unique shape of these salt crystals makes them more visible, allowing you to control the amount of salt you use more easily to get the great taste you want.”

This article is an excerpt from the October 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Seasonings and Marinades feature and more in the digital edition here.