Watsonville, Calif.-based Monterey Mushrooms is launching its Sizzling Sautés new product line this summer.
Sizzling Sautés mushroom kits are recipe-ready, 13.5-ounce packages of sliced baby bellas that are high in vitamin D, with sauce packets that combine to make Sizzling Sautés an easy side dish, protein topper or meat replacement, according to a news release.
Available in three flavors — Fajita, Teriyaki and Thai — the Sizzling Sautés mushroom kits were created to make cooking easier for shoppers’ busy lifestyles without sacrificing flavor and nutrition, Bruce Knobeloch, vice president of marketing and product development, said in the release.
“These quick and delicious side dishes are the perfect meat replacement,” Knobeloch said in the release. “The vegan and plant-based dietary movements continue to grow, and our research shows shoppers are looking for expanding options in this category.”
Some 57% of heavy mushroom users are less-than-frequent meat eaters, the release said. In addition, 38% of shoppers say they prefer to buy pre-cut and packaged mushrooms to save time, according to the release.
“We understand shoppers want to whip up a flavorful and nutritious meal in less time, so we have taken care of the time-consuming part — slicing and spicing,” Knobeloch said in the release. “Sizzling Sautés Mushroom Kits are the umami side dish solution.”
To help shoppers find Sizzling Sautés mushroom kits, the company recommends merchandising them as part of the meal solution category in addition to placement in their natural home, the mushroom set of the fresh produce department.