Can’t Miss Foodie Trends for 2026
Heinen’s category experts and culinary teams research, taste, and track what’s next, so that we can bring the most exciting high-quality products to our shelves.
As we look into 2026, we’re seeing a shift toward foods that are both thoughtful and indulgent where function meets flavor and global inspiration shows up in everyday, approachable ways.
Here are the 5 trends you won’t want to miss. Click on each trend to learn more:
1. Tallow: A Traditional Fat Makes a Modern Comeback
2. Global Flavors: Worldly Inspiration Shapes Everyday Meals
3. Feel-Good with Fiber: Snacks and Staples Have More to Offer
4. Protein, Reimagined: It’s Not Just Bars or Shakes
5. Meals Made Easy: Elevated Frozen Entrees, Ready When You Are
1. Tallow: A Traditional Fat Makes a Modern Comeback
Products to Try:
Hartville Beef Tallow Chips
Hailing from Akron, Ohio, these chips are cooked in 100% beef tallow for a clean, flavorful crunch! With only three ingredients—potatoes, 100% natural beef tallow, and sea salt—these beef tallow chips deliver great taste, purity, and quality. As one of the first companies to bring beef tallow chips to the market, Hartville offers unmatched flavor and texture without the use of industrial seed oils. Located in the Snack Aisle.
Cornhusker Kitchen Gourmet Premium Rendered Beef Tallow
This jar of tallow is your new secret weapon for acheiving rich, savory flavors. Ideal for roasting, sautéing, frying, and searing, tallow creates crisp, golden results, locks in flavor, and adds depth to meats, seafood, and vegetables alike. Located in the Oil Aisle.
2. Global Flavors: Worldly Inspiration Shapes Everyday Meals
Products to Try:
Maazah Middle Eastern Chutneys and Aioli
Founded by sisters Yasameen and Sheilla Sajady, Maazah draws inspiration from their mother’s legacy recipes. The brand’s Middle Eastern-inspired chutneys and aioli are known for fresh, vibrant flavors.
The signature Cilantro Chutney, a green sauce made with cilantro, garlic, ginger, lemon, and jalapeño, is the perfect pair for burgers, grilled chicken, or grain bowls. The Mango Chutney can be drizzled over ice cream or cakes for extra fruity sweetness, and the Lemon Aioli can be added to pizza or warm Italian breads for a flavorful and zesty meal. Located in the Deli Department.
Available in Lemon Aioli, Cilantro Chutney, and Mango Chutney.
Tarazi Falafel Mix
It’s easy to enjoy a classic Mediterranean favorite at home. Made with high-quality, all-natural ingredients, this mildly seasoned falafel mix delivers a satisfying, protein-rich bite that vegetarians love. It’s Kosher certified and simple to prepare—just mix, let stand, then fry or bake. Keep a box on hand, it’s perfect for quick, flavorful meals any night of the week. Located in the International Foods Aisle.
Red Boat Vietnamese Simmer Sauces
Crafted with Red Boat’s premium fish sauce, red chile peppers, and caramelized sugar, Red Boat Simmer Sauces are a mouthwatering balance of savory, sweet, and spice. With these sauces stocked in your pantry, you can cook classic Vietnamese meals in absolutely no time, any time you crave them! Located in the International Foods Aisle.
Available in Vietnamese Simmer Sauce and Vietnamese Lemongrass Curry.
3. Feel-Good with Fiber: Snacks and Staples Have More to Offer
Products to Try:
Harken Superfood Candy Bars
Indulge in a guilt-free sweet treat with Harken Superfood Candy Bars. Crafted to help you “harken” back to the taste of your favorite childhood chocolate, these fiber-rich candies are plant-based, dairy-free, sweetened with dates, and 150 calories or less per bar. Offering the perfect balance of chew and crunch, they’re a delightfully delicious alternative to traditional sweets. Located in the Candy Aisle.
Available in Lil’ Nutty Ones and Lil’ Gooey Ones.
Purely Elizabeth Granola, Oatmeal and Cereal
You know we love balanced foods that boost health without compromising taste, so Purely Elizabeth fits naturally into our product mix. This woman-owned brand offers vegan, gluten-free cereals, oatmeal and granolas packed with superfoods like quinoa, amaranth and chia. Start your day right with these nourishing, delicious breakfast options.
Available in Coconut Cashew Granola, Blueberry Flax Oatmeal, Banana Nut Oatmeal, Honey Peanut Butter Cereal and Vanilla Blueberry Almond Cereal.
Carbe Diem Pasta
Committed to serving healthy, 100% whole wheat pasta options with fewer net carbs (55% less) and higher fiber (24 grams per serving) than leading traditional brands, Carbe Diem empowers you to enjoy every bite without any guilt. Located in the Pasta Aisle.
Available in Fettuccine, Spaghetti, Rotini, Penne and Elbows.
4. Protein, Reimagined: It’s Not Just Bars or Shakes
Products to Try:
Field Trip Beef Jerky, Turkey Jerky, and Meat Sticks
Field Trip is a rapidly growing brand founded by three entrepreneurs in New York City in 2010. Since its launch, the company has specialized in protein-rich, grass-fed meat sticks and other snacks designed for people pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. The meats come seasoned with ingredients such as garlic and onion, depending on the product, providing a flavorful, low-calorie and high-protein snack solution. Located in the Snack Aisle.
Available in Mandarin Orange Beef Jerky, Carne Asada Beef Jerky, Everything Beef Jerky, Cracked Pepper Turkey Jerky, Buffalo Style Chicken Meat Stick, Original Beef Stick, and Cracked Pepper Turkey Meat Stick.
Mission Meats Meat Sticks
Mission Meats Meat Sticks use 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised beef for a nutritious, high-protein snack. With clean ingredients, they are an easy, satisfying option on the go or between meals. Located in the Snack Aisle.
Available in Grass Fed Beef, Grass Fed Jalapeno Beef, and Free Range Turkey.
Wilde Protein Chips
When the founder of Wilde Chips realized his favorite snack – potato chips – wouldn’t support his desire for an active, strong lifestyle, he took matters into his own hands – literally. Thanks to his ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, he crafted a healthy protein chip using real meat (chicken breast) mixed with egg whites, Himalayan pink salt, sea salt and vinegar. Even better, there’s no dairy, nuts, gluten, grain, and most surprisingly, no potato! And yet, they still bring the same salty flavor and crunchy fun as traditional chips.
Each bag contains 10 grams of protein per serving, making them a great snack option. We promise, you’ll go wild for these Wilde protein chips! Located in the Snack Aisle.
Available in Chicken and Waffles, Himalayan Pink Salt, Buffalo and Sea Salt and Vinegar.
Bezi Labneh
Imported from Turkey, Bezi Labneh is a creamy, Mediterranean-inspired dip made from fresh dairy. These irresistibly rich dips have no artificial flavors or sugars and boast roughly 12 grams of protein per container. Use the dip with practically anything from veggies and proteins to bagels, crackers, pretzels, and more. Located in the Deli Department.
Available in Plain, Roasted Red Pepper, and Everything.
Hero Bread
A fresh, fluffy bread without carbs sounds like blasphemy, but we swear it’s true! Hero Bread products contains all the good stuff found in bread – protein, fiber and natural ingredients – but eliminates unhealthy sugars and carbs (0 grams net carbs). And yes, it tastes like real bread, not cardboard! Instead of ditching the classic slice of white bread or the bun on your burger, try Hero Bread. Located in the Deli Department.
Available in Classic White Bread, Classic Hamburger Buns, Classic Hot Dog Buns.
Khloud Protein Popcorn
A clean-ingredient, protein-packed twist on classic popcorn. Made without seed oils, artificial flavors, or fillers, it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher making it perfect for a satisfying snack that fuels your day without guilt. Located in the Snack Aisle.
Available in White Cheddar, Olive Oil and Seat Salt, and Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn.
5. Meals Made Easy: Elevated Frozen Entrees, Ready When You Are
Products to Try:
Heinen’s Frozen Entrees and Sides
Heinen’s frozen entrees are not only free of preservatives, artifical flavors, and synthetic colors, but they can help you bring a sophisticated dinner to your table in minutes. Who wouldn’t savor a serving of creamy Mushroom Risotto, made with a blend of porcini and champignon mushrooms, white wine, garlic and herbs; or the Gnocchi Sorrentina, with tender potato gnochhi bathed in a light tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil? Located in the Frozen Department.
Available in Mediterranean Potatoes, Creamy Risotto, Mushroom Risotto, Asparagus Risotto, Fettuccine Alfredo, Mushroom Fettuccine, Penne Arrabbiata, Gnocchi Sorrentina, Tomatto & Mozzarella Gnocchi, Spinach & Cheese Ravioli, Teriyaki Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, Mandarin Orange Chicken
Katie’s Pizza
If you are thinking of having pizza for dinner, look no further than Katie’s Frozen Pizza options. Made from scratch with premium ingredients, these pizzas come wood fired and topped with specialty cheeses, meats, and veggies. You get the same quality and taste served by your local pizzeria without having to call, order, and wait! Simply grab one from the freezer, pop into the oven, and enjoy within minutes! Located in the Frozen Department.
Available in Black Garlic and Burrata, Pepperoni and Stracciatella, Meatball, and Burrata Margherita.
Mila Frozen Soup Dumplings
Mila Frozen Soup Dumplings are a delightful option when you need something satisfying in a pinch! Picture yourself biting into these succulent, rice wine-infused dumplings bursting with warm and savory pork and chicken broth. Perfect as an appetizer, main course, or a midnight snack, they’re easy to heat up and even easier to eat! Located in the Frozen Department.
Available in Pork Soup Dumplings and Chicken Soup Dumplings.
