Kroger predicts top five food trends of 2025

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Kroger culinary specialists identified their top five food trends for 2025, predicting emerging preferences and anticipated additions to family shopping lists in the year ahead.

Kroger food experts – from product developers, to chefs, buyers and researchers – pooled their knowledge to develop these predictions for the foods and flavors that will motivate customers in the new year.

“2025 is all about flavor,” said Juan De Paoli, Vice President, Our Brands for Kroger. He sees “hot peppers continuing to rise, fermented flavors quickly growing in popularity, and staples such as Caesar finding new adaptations in the kitchen.”

Food Dupes

Retailers continue to offer items that rival – and even surpass – their national brand equivalents. Customers taste the high-quality and receive the savings from shopping private labels – and they are turning to those products for dupes of their restaurant and national brand favorites. Expect more shoppers to regularly choose store brand alternatives instead of national brands, as well as continued private-label innovation to match the customer demand.

Taste The Trend in these examples: Simple Truth Cheese & Uncured Bacon Egg Bites, Kroger Strawberry Acai Iced Refresher Pods, and Kroger Fully Cooked Frozen Chicken Bites.

Bold & Briny

Customers are exploring more ways to incorporate acidic, briny, and fermented flavors into their meals to enhance the overall sense of freshness, brightness, and texture. On the horizon for 2025 is an increased use of super briny foods such as olives, pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi.

Taste The Trend examples: Kroger Breaded Dill Pickle Chips, Simple Truth Korean Style Kimchi, and Private Selection Greek Olives & Feta.

The Protein Renaissance

Protein is no longer just a tool for bulking up; it is increasingly desired by customers wishing to maintain energy levels and support overall health. While popular staples such as chicken, yogurt, and cottage cheese have staying power on the menu, Kroger experts predict a growing interest in collagen and a greater incorporation of plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, and hemp seeds into daily diets.

Taste The Trend examples: Simple Truth Collagen Peptides, Simple Truth Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds, and Simple Truth Buttermilk Vanilla Protein Waffles.

Pepper Palette

Customers shifted from chasing the highest Scoville ratings to now exploring how heat maximizes flavor. And delving into spices and peppers from international cuisines – such as Calabrian chiles, guajillo peppers and hatch chiles – allows them to do so. As spice aficionados continue to experiment, Kroger experts expect emerging pepper varieties to appear in familiar products such as wings, pizza and pasta.

Taste The Trend examples: Private Selection Medium Hatch Chile Peppers, Private Selection Spicy Salami Nduja Sausage & Burrata Frozen Pizza, and Private Selection Bronze Cut Spicy Poblano with Aged Cheddar Creamy Macaroni & Cheese.

Hail, Caesar

Following its viral “Caesar salad and french fries” moment, Caesar salad innovation is at an all-time high. Beyond traditional salads and wraps, recipes featuring Caesar dressing on pizza, pasta, and a variety of leafy greens beyond romaine lettuce are gaining popularity. Look forward to creative combinations of the umami-rich dressing with flavors such as miso, tahini, and black garlic as customers breathe new life into the century-old recipe.

Taste The Trend examples: Simple Truth Organic Tahini, Kroger Flat Anchovies in Olive Oil & Salt, and Simple Truth, Organic Chopped Tuscan Kale.

“Whether customers wish to duplicate a viral favorite or explore the real power of protein,” De Paoli said, “we’re excited to offer budget-conscious Kroger products that give customers a taste of their favorite trends.”