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CINCINNATI —Kroger Co. has revealed its predictions for the top five food trends of 2025, giving consumers a glimpse into the emerging tastes, products, and behaviors that are set to shape grocery shopping in the year ahead. Developed by Kroger’s team of food experts and backed by data from its retail science division, 84.51º, the trends will be reflected in the retailer's private label offerings in the coming year.
“2025 is all about flavor,” said Juan De Paoli, vice president of Kroger’s Our Brands division. “From the rise of hot peppers to the growing popularity of fermented foods and the reinvention of classic staples like Caesar dressing, we are excited to offer customers high-quality products that embrace these trends while delivering exceptional value.”
1. Food Dupes Take Center Stage. Private-label products are set to rise even further as consumers continue seeking alternatives to name brands without sacrificing quality. Kroger predicts that store-brand products will increasingly rival national brands and even surpass them in both flavor and value. Shoppers are expected to turn to private-label items that mimic popular restaurant dishes or consumer packaged goods (CPG) favorites.
Kroger’s Our Brands line features several dupes for 2025, including Simple Truth® Cheese & Uncured Bacon Egg Bites and Kroger Strawberry Acai Iced Refresher Pods. These products offer affordable alternatives to higher-priced counterparts while maintaining high quality and flavor.
2. Bold and Briny Flavors Set to Surge. Kroger predicts a significant rise in acidic and fermented foods as customers seek out bright, briny flavors to add freshness and complexity to meals. Olives, pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi are expected to be key ingredients in 2025, as consumers incorporate more tangy and fermented products into their diets.
Some standout items include Kroger Breaded Dill Pickle Chips and Simple Truth® Korean Style Kimchi, both reflecting the growing interest in these bold and briny tastes.
3. The Protein Renaissance. In 2025, protein will take on new dimensions, expanding beyond traditional sources like chicken and yogurt to include plant-based and collagen-enhanced options. Consumers are looking for protein-rich foods that fuel their energy throughout the day while also supporting overall health.
Kroger anticipates a rise in the popularity of products like Simple Truth Collagen Peptides and Simple Truth Organic Gluten Free Red Lentil Penne Pasta, as shoppers seek out more diverse and innovative sources of protein.
4. Spice Exploration with the Pepper Palette. Heat-seekers are no longer chasing the highest Scoville ratings. Instead, 2025 will see consumers exploring the unique flavors that different pepper varieties can offer. Expect to see peppers from global cuisines — including Calabrian chiles, guajillo peppers, and hatch chiles — appear in familiar dishes like pizza, wings, and pasta.
Popular items in this category include Private Selection Medium Hatch Chile Peppers and Private Selection® Calabrese Salami and Pepper Thin Crust Frozen Pizza.
5. Hail, Caesar. Following its viral moment combining Caesar salad with french fries, the beloved Caesar dressing is expected to find new life in a variety of dishes. Caesar dressing will increasingly appear beyond salads, featuring in recipes for pizza, pasta, and a variety of greens beyond romaine lettuce. Expect creative combinations of the umami-rich dressing with ingredients like tahini, miso, and black garlic.
Kroger will offer products like Kroger Classic Caesar Salad Dressing and Simple Truth Organic Chopped Tuscan Kale to cater to this growing trend.
