As consumers continue to seek convenience in prepared foods, they also want innovation and bold flavors.

Shoppers are looking for value in 2025. With consumers having so many foodservice choices so easily available to order on their phones, branded entrees remain competitive by offering unique flavor fusions, health benefits, and lower prices than restaurants.

Authentic Hispanic cuisine

Del Real Foods, based in Jurupa Valley, Calif., is a leading brand in fresh, authentic Hispanic foods.

The company recently expanded distribution of its new Birria & Cheese Pupusas to Kroger retail stores, including Ralphs and King Scoopers, Del Real said.

“The Birria & Cheese Pupusas combine the bold, vibrant flavors of Latin cuisine in a convenient, heat-and-eat format,” the company said.

According to Del Real, it is the only brand to offer fresh, refrigerated pupusas. The company’s mission is bringing high-quality Hispanic cuisine to households nationwide.

“With the demand for Hispanic dishes on the rise and growing consumer interest in pupusas, we’re excited to be expanding our retail partnership with Kroger by introducing our Birria & Cheese Pupusas,” said Daniela Simpson, chief marketing officer at Del Real Foods.

Del Real said the pupusas are gluten-free, as they are made from stone ground corn maza. This product checks multiple boxes for consumers seeking unique, international foods that also accommodate their dietary restrictions.

“At Del Real Foods, we believe authentic recipes, fresh ingredients, and modern convenience can — and should — live together on the same grocery store shelf, and our pupusas are no exception, delivering the delicious, traditional tastes our customers love, paired with the convenience they need,” Simpson said.

The corn dough is stuffed with savory beef birria and cheesy mozzarella. When served with guacamole, salsa, or traditional curtido (Hispanic coleslaw), the pupusas make a great entrée, Del Real said. They are also able to be eaten by themselves as a snack.

Each package contains six pupusas and is priced at $9.69 per pack, the company said. Along with this new launch, Del Real has refreshed all of its packaging and branding.

Del Real also offers a miniature version of its pupusas, in addition to a variety of fresh, heat-and-eat Hispanic entrees.

Some of the company’s other gluten-free, fresh products include the following:

  • Carnitas & Cheese Pupusas: “Del Real Foods Carnitas & Cheese Pupusas are filled with slow-cooked carnitas, savory salsa, and cheesy mozzarella,” Del Real said.
  • Tamales: Chicken in Red Sauce, Pork in Red Sauce, Beef in Red Sauce, Chicken in Green Sauce, Chicken and Three Cheese, Cheese and Green Chili. “While making tamales by hand can be a long process, all you have to do to enjoy a taste of authentic tamales is open the package, heat, and eat,” Del Real said.
  • Chicken entrees: Chipotle Chicken (Tinga de Pollo), Grilled Chicken (Polla Asada), Shredded Chicken (Pollo Deshebrado), Chicken Al Pastor, Chicken Fajitas, Cilantro Lime Chicken, Lightly Seasoned Pulled Chicken.
  • Pork entrees: Chile Verde, Carnitas, Al Pastor. “Carnitas, a type of slow cooked pork, are a household staple in the Mexican kitchen,” Del Real said. “Its unique and authentic texture and flavor is rooted in the traditional cooking methods from Michoacan. Richly seasoned, slow braised, Carnitas make a flavorful and filling main course.”
  • Beef entrees: Birria con Consomé, Barbacoa, Seasoned Beef Crumbles. “Our Birria is slowly cooked in a rich and flavorful broth made with a combination of spices,” Del Real said.
  • Taco Kits: Al Pastor, Birria con Consomé.

In October 2024, Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI) acquired Del Real from Palladium Equity Partners, LLC.

“Since 1957, we have dedicated ourselves to delivering the rich flavors of our traditions and the warmth of home to our customers through the finest recipes from our Hispanic kitchen,” said the Cardenas family, Del Real’s founders. “We thank Palladium for the great partnership in expanding Del Real to where it is today. This new partnership with CMI, a family-owned corporation, represents a wonderful opportunity to further our legacy. We warmly welcome the CMI family and look forward to growing our business together.”