Whole-Cut Meats Dominate US Diets: GFI Report Highlights Key Opportunity for Plant-Based Alternatives

A report from the Good Food Institute reveals that the majority of US consumers regularly consume whole cuts of meat like steaks and chicken breasts, indicating a significant opportunity for plant-based alternatives to meet this demand. While plant-based alternatives like burgers and sausages have seen development, the whole-cut category has been largely overlooked, representing just 1% of plant-based meat sales in 2024. However, with growing consumer interest in trying plant-based whole cuts and advancements in food production technology, there is potential for the industry to expand and capture a larger share of the market.

Big names in the plant-based industry, such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, are already exploring the whole-cut market by introducing products like plant-based steak and whole-muscle steak. Startups like Juicy Marbles and Chunk Foods are also developing innovative plant-based whole-cut products, suggesting that with investments and innovations, plant-based whole cuts could become a central part of the alternative protein market, providing consumers with a sustainable option for popular meat products in the US.