# Reduced-Step Cooking CPG carb-based dishes and sides are being adapted with fewer cooking steps. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Nov 6, 2023 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/reducedstep-cooking ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Reduced-Step Cooking trend? **Reduced-Step Cooking:** Emerging brands in F&B are offering pasta and rice sides that don't require any cooking. These options help save people time by reducing cooking steps--while still allowing for fresh homemade meals. ## The consumer insight behind the Reduced-Step Cooking trend The push for healthy pre-made meals came as consumers had a need for quick and affordable food--but needed nutritious options to meet their health goals. Now, home-cooked meals are popular because of everything from rising costs to social media trends--not to mention the ongoing impact of the pandemic. While more recent cultural shifts have changed many consumers' approach to eating--the desire for convenience remains and consumers still prioritize time-saving options in the kitchen. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 17, 2023 to Jul 26, 2024 - Published: Nov 6, 2023 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Reduced-Step Cooking trend ### Reduced-Step Cooking Emerging brands in F&B are offering pasta and rice sides that don't require any cooking. ### Freshness-Preserving Packaging Crocchi uses innovative performance packaging to extend its shelf life and has applications beyond preserving the freshness of frozen croissant-shaped pasta. ### Authentic International Cuisine Tilda Tasty Sides aim to provide authentic international cuisine flavor with a focus on convenience. ## What the Reduced-Step Cooking trend means for industry ### For Food & Beverage Reduced-step cooking trends are emerging in the food and beverage industry with options like pasta and rice sides that don't require any cooking. ### For Packaging The freshness-preserving packaging used by Crocchi has applications that go beyond preserving frozen pasta, supporting other refrigerated and prepared meals. ### For Culinary Products Authentic international cuisine is a trend in the culinary products industry, as demonstrated by Tilda Tasty Sides offering a range of heat-and-eat products with four different flavor varieties. ## Workshop question How could your brand address its customers' need for convenience, without sacrificing quality? ## Trend signals for Reduced-Step Cooking Trend score 5.0 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 57%, freshness 26%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 57% - Freshness: 26% ## Examples of the Reduced-Step Cooking trend 6 featured examples from Feb 17, 2023 to Jul 26, 2024. - [Caffeinated Noodle Pouches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boost-noodle): Boost Noodle Helps Gamers Level Up Their Energy with One Hand (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The gaming industry increasingly intersects with health and nutrition, emphasizing the demand for performance-enhancing consumables. - [Award-Winning Instant Soufflé Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instant-souffl-cups): Makegusto's Instant Soufflé Cups are Convenient and Efficient (Category: Eco) Implication: The ready-to-eat meal industry benefits greatly from high-quality, quick-preparation options that combine convenience with gourmet tastes. - [Croissant-Shaped Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crocchi): Crocchi Boasts a Novel Form & Freshness-Preserving Packaging (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: This industry has the opportunity to leverage innovative packaging solutions, like high-barrier, modified atmosphere containers, to extend the shelf-life of a variety of refrigera… - [Versatile No-Boil Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-boil-noodles): Trader Joe's New No Boil Noodles are Perfect for Quick Dinners (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The introduction of No Boil Noodles by Trader Joe's highlights the ongoing trends of convenient meal options in the grocery retail industry. - [Instant Korean Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/korean-pasta): Tangle Bulgogi Alfredo Tangluccine is Globally Inspired & Quick-Cooking (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The instant food industry can explore the development of globally-inspired flavors and unique cooking methods, as exemplified by Tangle's Korean-inspired instant pasta. - [International Cuisine Side Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tilda-tasty-sides): Tilda Tasty Sides Come in Four Flavor Varieties (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: As the demand for convenient heat-and-eat products increases, there is an opportunity for innovative food packaging solutions that enhance product quality and convenience. ## Recent trend clusters - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) - [Silent Triage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/passive-health-wearables) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Holiday-Inspired Potato Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-inspired-potato-chips) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)