Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to get up to date on all the new products, the old ones that have come back to life, and the trends we’ll be meeting at the dinner table.
New Pasta Shape
Move over, Strozzapreti. Behind you, Radiatori, there’s a new pasta shape in town! This holiday season, Barilla is offering a festive, winter-wonderland-inspired pasta. In early 2024, the company commissioned a survey revealing that 45% of American consumers were “on the lookout for fun pasta shapes to try,” with 54% saying their interest in new shapes increases during the holiday season. This holiday season, you can find the new Barilla Snowfall pasta (available exclusively at Target). The snowflake shape is highly detailed, so grab two boxes—it’s a seasonal item, perfect for a themed “Frozen” dinner!
Plant-Based Dishes are Stealing the Spotlight
Trader Joe‘s beloved vegan Turkey-less Roast is back after being discontinued last year, much to the delight of fans. After its removal in 2023, customers flooded social media with requests for its return. While the company initially cited “not meeting expectations,” hints in their system suggested a comeback for the 2024 season.
The roast has returned, featuring the same seitan-based, breaded exterior and savory filling of wild rice, cranberries, celery, and onions, along with its signature vegan gravy. Vegans all over America breathed a sigh of relief.
New Ice Cream Flavors
Last year, Baskin-Robbins introduced a Thanksgiving-inspired ice cream featuring flavors like sweet potatoes, cranberries, and honey cornbread. This year, the brand takes it up a notch with “Brie My Guest,” a sweet and savory, cheeseboard-inspired flavor. The peach-colored ice cream blends brie and burrata flavors with almonds, pistachios, and apricot swirls, creating a unique, cheesecake-like treat.
Salt & Straw also offers exciting new flavors, including turkey stuffing and cranberry sauce ice cream, as well as sweet potato casserole. Yum!
Global and Non-Traditional Flavors
Thanksgiving 2024 is bringing a mix of nostalgia and innovation as consumers explore flavors beyond traditional American dishes. Inspired by Mediterranean, Mexican, and Asian cuisines, holiday menus feature creative twists, from sumac-spiced Brussels sprouts to ginger-glazed sweet potatoes. This global influence allows brands to attract adventurous diners seeking unique and memorable holiday experiences.
Target’s Thanksgiving Meal is Back for Less
Rising costs are reshaping how Americans approach their holiday meals, with many now needing to scale back their feasts to fit smaller budgets. In response, Target is offering a $20 Thanksgiving meal—$5 less than last year. The meal includes all the essentials for four people: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce, delivering familiar flavors at an affordable price.
