US Cooking Base Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

A cooking base is a concentrated flavoring compound, like soup base, which replaces stock for soups, sauces, and gravies. It is made by providing a rich flavor from various ingredients like meat & vegetables, coupled with various herbs & spices. It is available in forms like paste, powder, or liquid.

Market Insights & Analysis: US Cooking Bases Market  (2025-2030) 

The US Cooking Base Market size is valued at around USD 4,117.98 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5,035.69 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 3.26% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30.

Numerous significant reasons drive the US Cooking Base Market growth. The increasing food cost in the US has led consumers towards more budget-conscious home cooking, in which cooking bases are playing a major role and helping them in the creation of affordable yet flavorful meals. These products also cater to busy households & evolving lifestyles by simplifying preparation while supporting healthier choices. Moreover, the manufacturers are actively innovating the cooking bases by producing multipurpose bases while adopting clean labels. Furthermore, there is a high demand for these bases in the organizational levels in government institutions, schools & hospitals, along with QSRs & restaurants in the United States.

The consumer behavior towards cooking base market is rapidly changing with the inflationary pressure & evolving lifestyle needs in the US. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the food prices are rising by 6.1% for groceries in 2022 and 2.2% in 2023. This has led consumers to shift towards more budget-conscious eating habits. Also,  the US households are increasing cooking food at home to manage costs due to the food-away-from-home inflation increasing by an average of 5.8% in 2023. Data from the USDA Economic Research Service shows that 44.3% of consumer food spending went toward home-cooked meals in 2023. These factors have led to the increasing use of cost-effective cooking bases like stocks and concentrates for effective batch cooking. These products allow consumers to repurpose leftovers while enhancing flavor without the need for expensive ingredients, making them essential pantry staples for budget-stretching households.

Moreover, the increasing number of large-scale food servicing institutions in the country is creating an immense demand for cooking bases that help in reducing the labor cost. In 2024, the U.S. had over 200,000 quick-service restaurants (QSRs), where standardized cooking bases are essential for operational speed and menu consistency. Similarly, the National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million meals daily across more than 100,000 schools.  This creates a strong demand for USDA-compliant low-sodium bases used in the preparation of full-course meals along with soups and sauces. The expansion of these establishments will further allow the manufacturers of the cooking bases to secure recurring supply contracts with national and regional chains while offering bulk order quantities.

Furthermore, various opportunities are developing across the healthcare and government sectors in the US. The demand for cooking bases that meet strict dietary guidelines is expected to increase, with over 6,000 hospitals in the US, and many more to come by 2030 (The Riverside Smithfield Hospital by 2026, the IU Health Downtown Academic Hospital by 2027, and others). Additionally, federal institutions, including the Department of Defense, the Veterans Affairs, along with correctional facilities, regularly issue multi-year food contracts through platforms like SAM.gov. Manufacturers that provide compliant and nutritionally transparent base solutions would be well-positioned to win long-term contracts in these high-volume segments.

GCC Bathroom & Kitchen Sanitary Fittings Market Scope:

US Cooking Base Market  Driver:

Growing Demand of Cooking Bases in Hotel Industry Amid Skilled Labor Shortage – Heavy shortage of cooks, shef & other kitchen staff in the US has created an intense demand for cooking bases to fulfill the skill gap while maintaining the taste consistency in the kitchen. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights that about 24,600 cook roles are open annually in the country, which is driven by staff replacement needs, with chef and head cook occupations growing 8% from 2023 to 2033. This further signifies the need for cooking bases in the industry as they help the hotel kitchen to maintain consistency, reduce prep time, and operate with fewer experienced staff.

Moreover, the growing number of hotels in the US is further widening the gap between hotel kitchen demand and a limited skilled workforce. As increasing numbers of consumers will arrive in these hotel chains with occupancy rates rising from 43.83% in 2020 to 63.03% in 2024,  the demand for food will rise significantly, requiring cooking bases.  Also, upcoming events like the FIFA World Cup (2026) and the Olympic Games (2028) held by the US will increase the number of guests in these hotels. These hotels are shifting to labor-saving solutions like cooking bases that could fulfill the growing cooking needs to cater to these increasing demands. Various hotel chains like Marriott International & Hilton Hotels in the US use a wide array of cooking bases from brands like Sysco and Aramark to ensure consistency across their brands.

US Cooking Base Market  Opportunity:

Increasing Use of Cooking Base in Food Trucks Unlocking New Growth Avenues – The rapid expansion of the U.S. food truck sector has created a growing opportunity for cooking base manufacturers. The number of active food trucks increased from approximately 52,624 to 58,064 by 2024. It represents a strong 10.3% year-over-year growth. This shift toward mobile foodservice reflects increasing demand for compact and high-efficiency kitchen solutions that enable fast preparation without compromising flavor. Hence, the food truck operators have been increasingly adopting ready-to-use cooking bases that provide flavor consistency and easy storage while reducing prep time due to space constraints and the need for speed. These products support quick service while providing diversity in high-quality menu options.

Moreover, over 34% of U.S. food trucks frequently rotate their menus to align with evolving consumer preferences, which drives the demand for ethnic and functional flavor bases. This behavior reflects a need for versatile ingredients that can adapt to fast-changing offerings. The food truck sector could become a valuable channel for cooking base manufacturers due to its continuous growth in urban and event-driven environments in the US. The manufacturers of globally inspired formulations that are offering shelf-stable and portion-controlled formulations would be well-positioned to meet the operational needs of food trucks while capturing share in this high-growth segment of the foodservice industry.

US Cooking Base Market  Challenge

High Volatility in Raw Material Prices Impeding Market Growth – The U.S. cooking base industry has been facing a significant structural challenge due to persistent volatility in key raw material prices, which directly undermines production stability and contract competitiveness. Core ingredients such as animal bones, dehydrated onions, and garlic have been foundational to cooking base formulations. The USDA Economic Research Service reports that the gap between farm and wholesale beef prices went up from USD1.80 per pound in 2022 to USD2.40 per pound by mid-2025. This is due to the labour shortages in the supply chain, along with rising feed costs and fewer cattle. Also, the price of imported garlic powder reached around USD4.74 per kilogram in 2024. Onion powder further became more expensive (rising to USD3.38 per kilogram) due to global supply problems and higher shipping costs.

This price volatility has significantly challenged manufacturers’ ability to maintain stable cost structures, which is a major essential factor when operating under fixed-price contracts with institutional buyers. Hence, these manufacturers are often forced to absorb rising input costs because these buyers rarely accommodate mid-contract price adjustments. This results in margin compression and scaled-back production, further disrupting operational efficiency and strained supply consistency.

Moreover, the unpredictable input pricing has raised hesitation for long-term procurement planning and investments in new products that have a sensitive formulation cost. This has become a structural barrier for the scalability and long-term sustainability in the high-volume & cost-sensitive institutional cooking base segment.

US Cooking Base Market  Trend

Wellness-Driven Innovations Changing Market Dynamics – The market has been undergoing a notable transformation, driven by the rising adoption of wellness-focused diets. US consumers are seeking functional benefits from everyday ingredients. This includes the support for immunity & digestion, along with joint health and higher protein content. This shift has significantly boosted the popularity of bone broth, as it offers natural sources of collagen along with amino acids and minerals that align with these nutritional priorities. According to the 2024 IFIC Food and Health Survey, 71% of U.S. consumers aim to increase protein intake. Also, 44% look for foods that support gut and joint health, while boosting immunity. This validates the growing relevance of functional cooking bases in the market.  Furthermore, the number of protein consumers reached 292.96 million in 2024, from 196.63 million in 2022. This wellness-driven demand has encouraged manufacturers to innovate with clean-label and nutrient-dense formulations. Bone broth-based bases have been gaining widespread acceptance across both retail and foodservice channels in the country.

Moreover, functional ingredients are rapidly being incorporated into cooking bases to appeal to health-conscious consumers. This has resulted in the evaluation of traditional bouillons and stocks to health-forward cooking bases. Companies such as Kettle & Fire, Bonafide Provisions, and Pacific Foods have been at the forefront of this innovation by expanding into this space with wellness-aligned offerings. This allows them to capture greater market share and drive continued growth across the category.

 US Cooking Base Market  (2025-2030) Segmentation Analysis

The US Cooking Base Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the national level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based Distribution Channel:

• B2B
  • Wholesalers
  • Direct
• B2C
  • Online
  • Offline
    • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
    • Convenience Stores
    • Ethnic Stores
    • Gourmet Stores

The B2C segment of the market is leading the US Cooking Base Market with a large share of about 57%. This is because they combine wide product availability with consumer trust and convenience. These stock a large variety of cooking bases while allowing shoppers to compare brands and price points in one place. Their scale enables frequent promotions and discounts along with private-label options, making cooking bases affordable for budget-conscious households. Shoppers also prefer B2C channels for weekly grocery trips, where bases are bought alongside staples. For manufacturers, placement in these outlets guarantees high visibility and consistent sales volumes. With their ability to reach diverse demographics and drive trial through promotions and sampling, B2C channels remain the strongest channel for growth & expansion of the U.S. cooking base industry.

Based on Paste & Ingredient:

• Powder Blend Culinary Base
• Cooked Culinary Base

Power Blend Culinary Base is the leading segment in the US Cooking Base Market, taking the biggest market share. It holds around 70% share of the total market value. They lead the market because they are affordable and easy to use. Families rely on them for cooking larger meals at a lower cost while also cutting waste. They keep longer than cooked bases and do not need special handling, which makes them practical in everyday kitchens in the US. Moreover, powders provide steady flavor and simple portioning that save time for staff in restaurants, schools, and hospitals. These strengths make powders the preferred choice across both homes and institutions. It is anticipated that this segment will continue to dominate the market during the forecast period.

US Cooking Base Industry Recent Development:

• June 2025: Uniliver inaugurated its new headquarters in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. The facility covers 111,000 square feet across three modernized floors and now hosts over 1,100 employees from key business units and corporate departments. This strategic move underscores Unilever’s dedication to fostering workplace innovation.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our US Cooking Base Market  Report

1. US Cooking Bases Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps business organizations to gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing business organizations to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. US Cooking Base Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, business organizations can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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