# Lean Protein Savory Pies Fray Bentos' Chicken & Mushroom Flavor is a Favorite Among Gen Z By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-03-05 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fray-bentos References: [foodanddrinktechnology](https://www.foodanddrinktechnology.com/news/64760/gen-z-pecks-away-at-steaks-lead-as-uks-favourite-pie-revealed/)  Fray Bentos, the brand famous for its tinned, puff-pastry-topped meat pies, is appealing to a new generation with a new Chicken & Mushroom flavor that appeals to snackers who want a lighter alternative to red meat that's sensorially satisfying and protein-packed. According to a study of 2,000 people by Fray Bentos, Baby Boomers still love their hearty and classic steak pies, but Gen Z is embracing chicken or chicken and mushroom as they search for leaner protein sources. In fact, Chicken & Mushroom was crowned the UK's favorite pie filling, representing demand for meaty, umami textures without the environmental footprint of red meat. Fray Bentos' new Chicken & Mushroom tins are coming to shelves at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and B&M, appealing to all, whether they like to unroof their savory pie and save it for last, or consume the crust first. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 65% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Lean Protein Snackification:** Growing preference for chicken-based, protein-dense snacks signals room for portable, single-serve savory products that prioritize lean macros and satiety. - **Retro Convenience Revival:** A resurgence in nostalgic tinned and ready-to-eat formats highlights potential for heritage brands to modernize shelf-stable comfort foods with contemporary flavors and branding. - **Umami Hybrid Formulations:** Demand for meaty, savory textures without heavy red meat suggests opportunities to develop hybrid fillings combining poultry, mushrooms, and plant proteins for intensified umami. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Packaged Foods:** The sector can capitalize on reformulated, nutrient-forward savory items that balance indulgent taste profiles with cleaner ingredient lists aimed at younger consumers. - **Retail Grocery:** Supermarkets stand to rethink assortment and merchandising as lean-protein ready meals shift purchasing patterns away from traditional red-meat categories. - **Food Packaging and Preservation:** Innovations in shelf-stable packaging and thermal processing could enable more varied, high-quality protein offerings that maintain texture and flavor in ambient formats. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Silly Restaurant Chain Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/german-doner-kebab.md) - [Probiotic Salad Dressings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lifeway-foods-kefir-dressing.md) - [Single-Serve Cheese Condiments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/velveeta-unveils-vel2go.md) - [Glittery Pickle Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glickles.md) - [Bursting Boba Lemonade Teas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lemonade-tea-infusions-with-bursting-boba.md) - [Dry Yogurt Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dry-yogurt.md) - [Branded Dairy-Free Challenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dairyfree-february.md) - [Convenient Canned Christmastime Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/festive-turkey-pie.md) - [Nutritious Microwaveable Meal Pots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinner-pots-range.md)