Sales growth in the overall prepared category has largely stalled in the past two years amid financial uncertainty and cautious consumer spending. Refrigerated meals and sides remain a notable exception,…
US
Ready Meals
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US Prepared Meals Market Report 2025
"Even as consumers remain focused on price, an emphasis on quality is key to maximizing the category's many opportunities."
Historical data from the previous years shows fluctuating performance in the US prepared meals market, with refrigerated meals showing modest growth while frozen meals struggled. Key growth drivers include demand for healthier options, customizable meals, and snacking trends, though overcoming the perception of overly processed meals will be crucial for continued recovery.
US Prepared Meals Market Trends
Consumer trends in the US Prepared Meals Market reflect a growing focus on value, health, and convenience. Price and portion size remain top priorities as consumers become more budget-conscious, especially amid economic uncertainty. Health-conscious buyers prioritize protein content, low sodium, and functional benefits like fiber and probiotics. There’s also an increasing interest in customization, with consumers desiring more variety and the ability to adjust flavors or spice levels. Younger consumers are increasingly turning to prepared meals as snacks, and there’s a rising demand for fresh, less processed ingredients to counter the perception of prepared meals being overly processed. These shifts are fueling growth in the Prepared Meals Industry, with brands responding to the evolving needs of the market.
Purchasing the US Prepared Meals Market Report 2025 reveals a shift toward healthier, customizable meals, with Gen Z driving demand for plant-based, high-protein, and lower-sodium options. Brands are responding with flexible meal solutions, innovative cuisines, and sustainable packaging, catering to evolving consumer preferences for convenience, wellness, and indulgence.
About The Report
The US Prepared Meals Market Report 2025 provides comprehensive insights into market trends, consumer behaviors, and future forecasts, highlighting key drivers such as health-conscious choices, customization preferences, and evolving snacking habits. The report covers areas such as market size, growth projections, segmentation, and consumer purchasing factors, with a focus on innovations in ingredient quality, sustainability, and convenience. It also delves into demographic-specific preferences, including insights into Gen Z and other key consumer groups. This Prepared Meals Market Report will benefit food manufacturers, retailers, investors, and marketing professionals looking to understand emerging trends and opportunities in the prepared meals market.
Key Topics Analyzed in the Report
Analysis of sales and market share trends in key segments
Trends in prepared meals, new products and innovation
Consumer interest in prepared meal product concepts
Consumer attitudes and behaviors toward prepared meals
Report Attributes
Details
Published Date
June 2025
Data Range
2019-2030
Measurement Metrics
Revenue in US $
Country Focus
United States of America
Consumer Data
2,000 internet users aged 18+, April 2025
Number of Pages
61
Market Segmentation
Single-Serve Frozen Meals, Multi-Serve Frozen Meals, Refrigerated Meals, Refrigerated Side Dishes, Frozen Side Dishes, Shelf-Stable Meals
Blurring the line between meals and snacks creates new opportunities
Help users personalize their prepared meals
To facilitate healthy eating, get closer to fresh
MARKET DYNAMICS
Market context
Market drivers
Concern over elevated prices continues to weigh on consumers, and could intensify as trade war ramps up
Graph 1: top consumer concerns, 2024-25
Inflation remains cool for now
Market size and forecast
Category growth stalls, but bright spots remain
Retail sales and forecast of prepared meals
Market segmentation
Continued modest growth for refrigerated meals and sides partially offsets frozen meals’ weak performance
Retail sales of prepared meals, by segment
Graph 2: total retail sales of prepared meals, by segment, at current prices, 2019-30
Retail sales of prepared meals, by segment
Market share/brand share
Little share movement among big competitors as private label continues to gain
Sales of prepared meals, by company
All others expand in single-serve frozen meals
Company and brand share of single-serve frozen meals
Value for money drives share in multi-serve frozen meals
Company and brand share of multi-serve frozen meals
Smaller brands continue to transform the refrigerated meals segment
Company and brand share of refrigerated meals
Private label dominates in side dishes
Company and brand share of side dishes
Increasing cuisine variety lifts sales of “all other” in shelf-stable meals
Company and brand share of shelf-stable meals
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Consumer fast facts
Consumption of prepared meals
Individual types have room to grow
Graph 3: past-three-month consumption of prepared meals, 2025
A solution for managing busy schedules: usage higher among younger adults
Graph 4: past-three-month consumption of prepared meals, by age, 2025
Prepared meal usage occasions
Opportunities to expand snacking and supplemental usage
Graph 5: prepared meal use occasions, 2025
Prepared meal purchase factors
Value for the money is key, but prepared meal purchasers also look beyond price
Graph 6: prepared meal purchase factors, 2025
Priorities vary from channel to channel
Graph 7: prepared meal purchase factors, by age, by grocery retailer shopped most often, 2025
Prepared meal health factors
Protein is key, but just part of the definition of “healthy”
Graph 8: prepared meal health factors, 2025
Older users particularly focused on low/no claims
Graph 9: prepared meal health factors, by age, 2025
Prepared meal shopping behaviors
Category shoppers look for ways to save
Graph 10: prepared meal shopping behaviors, 2025
Help shoppers save on their own terms
Graph 11: prepared meal shopping behaviors, by financial situation, 2025
Interest in prepared meal concepts
An opportunity to optimize variety
Graph 12: interest in prepared meal concepts, by age, 2025
Attitudes toward prepared meals
Quality ingredients and clean labels could be key to maximizing opportunity with GLP-1 users
Graph 13: attitudes toward prepared meals, by GLP-1 usage, 2025
Beyond convenience: creativity and cuisine exploration can drive category engagement
Graph 14: attitudes toward prepared meals, by age, 2025
Room for premium products even amid budget pressure
Graph 15: attitudes toward prepared meals, by financial situation, 2025
INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
Launch activity and innovation
Clean label claims slip, creating an opportunity for brands that can fill the void
Graph 16: incidence of clean label claims on prepared meal launches, 2018-25
Clean label launches
Plant-based claims gain momentum
Graph 17: incidence of plant-based and related claims on prepared meal launches, 2018-25
Plant-based launches
Nestle’s Vital Pursuit, designed for GLP-1 users, has potential for broader appeal
Graph 18: [no title]
Even amid a drive for more healthful alternatives, unapologetic indulgence holds its own as inspiration for launches
Reinventing shelf-stable meals
APPENDIX
Market definition
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Abbreviations and terms
Forecast methodology
Forecast fan chart methodology
Sales and forecast of prepared meals at inflation-adjusted prices
Sales and forecast of single-serve frozen meals at current prices
Sales and forecast of single-serve frozen meals at inflation-adjusted prices
Sales and forecast of multi-serve frozen meals at current prices,
Sales and forecast of multi-serve frozen meals at inflation-adjusted prices
Sales and forecast of refrigerated meals at current prices
Sales and forecast of refrigerated meals at inflation-adjusted prices
Sales and forecast of side dishes at current prices
Sales and forecast of side dishes at inflation-adjusted prices
Sales and forecast of shelf-stable meals at current prices
Sales and forecast of shelf-stable meals at inflation-adjusted prices
Sales of prepared meals, by channel, at current prices
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Even as consumers remain focused on price, an emphasis on quality is key to maximizing the category's many opportunities. John Owen, Associate Director - Food and Retail
Market Definitions
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