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What’s Cooking in Puerto Rico? 2025 Food Trends to Watch

As we look ahead to 2025, Puerto Rico’s food landscape is brimming with change. From embracing plant-based alternatives to revisiting traditional flavors with a modern twist, the island is evolving into a dynamic culinary market that blends heritage with innovation. For CPG brands, understanding and staying ahead of these trends will be essential to capture the interest of local consumers and grow market share in this vibrant region.


The image shows a yoga class being held at Lote 23, a popular open-air food truck park in the Santurce district of San Juan, Puerto Rico.


Here’s a look at the top food trends that are set to shape Puerto Rico’s culinary landscape in 2025.


1. The Mainstreaming of Plant-Based and Alternative Proteins

Puerto Rico is no stranger to hearty meat dishes, but the rise of plant-based foods is set to become even more significant in 2025. Increasing awareness of sustainability and health is driving a shift toward meat alternatives and plant-based proteins. This shift, which began in recent years, is moving from niche to mainstream, with more plant-based options appearing on menus and grocery store shelves.

  • Innovative plant-based offerings: In 2025, expect to see more creative plant-based versions of traditional Puerto Rican dishes. Think vegan pasteles or empanadas made with jackfruit or locally grown mushrooms. The challenge for CPG brands is to develop products that align with local flavors while offering the benefits of plant-based nutrition.


2. Elevated Traditional Cuisine

Puerto Rican cuisine is known for its vibrant, bold flavors, and in 2025, traditional dishes are getting an upscale twist. Chefs and CPG brands alike are taking beloved classics and transforming them into gourmet versions—elevating the ingredients, incorporating unique twists, and offering a new take on comfort food.

  • Premiumization of local staples: Expect to see ready-to-eat versions of classics like mofongo with premium ingredients, such as truffle-infused yuca or slow-cooked organic pork. CPG brands can find opportunities by tapping into this trend, delivering traditional flavors with a focus on quality and elevated presentation.


3. Local Sourcing and Sustainability Take Center Stage

Supporting local producers and ensuring environmental sustainability have become more than just a trend—they are now consumer expectations. By 2025, more consumers will be demanding transparency in sourcing, and brands that emphasize local partnerships will find favor with the Puerto Rican market.

  • Emphasis on “Puerto Rican Grown”: Consumers are becoming more selective, showing a preference for products that are not only made on the island but also use ingredients grown locally. CPG brands can leverage this trend by highlighting their relationships with local farmers and focusing on farm-to-packaging processes that reduce carbon footprints.

  • Sustainable packaging: Another significant trend for 2025 is the move toward more environmentally friendly packaging. Brands are increasingly adopting biodegradable and reusable packaging, as Puerto Rican consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of single-use plastics.


4. Functional Foods and Wellness Beverages

Health and wellness are becoming a priority, and the demand for functional foods that deliver specific health benefits—like improving immunity, gut health, or mental clarity—is growing rapidly. By 2025, functional ingredients are expected to be a staple in many CPG products, with wellness beverages leading the way.

  • Infused local flavors: Functional drinks like kombucha, cold-pressed juices, and adaptogenic teas infused with local ingredients such as acerola, ginger, and passionfruit are on the rise. Consumers are seeking products that offer a blend of health benefits and authentic Puerto Rican flavors. CPG brands can meet this demand by launching beverages that combine superfoods with regional tastes.

  • Immunity-boosting and stress-relief snacks: Expect more snacks that promote immunity, stress relief, or mental clarity. From guava-flavored protein bars to turmeric and ginger-infused energy bites, there’s room for innovation in the functional snacking category.


5. Gourmet Street Food & The Rise of “Foodie Culture”

Street food has always been an integral part of Puerto Rican culinary culture, but in 2025, it’s getting a gourmet makeover. A growing interest in "foodie culture" means that even casual eats are becoming more sophisticated, with a focus on high-quality ingredients and creative twists.

  • From kiosks to the kitchen: Food trucks and kiosks are experimenting with high-quality ingredients and upscale versions of beloved street foods like alcapurrias and pinchos. CPG brands can capitalize on this by offering packaged versions of these gourmet street foods—perfect for at-home indulgence with an upscale twist.


6. The Caribbean Fusion Wave

In 2025, the blending of Caribbean influences with global culinary trends is set to intensify. Puerto Rican cuisine is seeing increased experimentation with flavors from neighboring Caribbean islands and even beyond. This trend is not only about new dishes but also about a cultural exchange that embraces diversity in cooking.

  • Fusion with a twist: Imagine jerk-spiced bacalaitos or a tamarind-glazed lechón inspired by Indian and Thai flavors. CPG brands that embrace fusion and experiment with incorporating elements from other cultures into their products can capture the adventurous consumers looking to expand their culinary horizons.


7. E-commerce Expansion and Direct-to-Consumer Brands

The e-commerce boom that accelerated during the pandemic is showing no signs of slowing down in 2025. With more Puerto Ricans shopping for groceries online, there is an increased demand for easy access to quality food products and direct-to-consumer brands.

  • Subscription boxes and bundles: Subscription-based food boxes that include a curated selection of local and artisanal products are growing in popularity. CPG brands can utilize e-commerce to build deeper relationships with their consumers by offering convenience, customization, and the ability to experience Puerto Rican flavors from the comfort of home.


Final Thoughts: Shaping the Future of Food in Puerto Rico

The food trends for 2025 reflect Puerto Rico’s evolving relationship with its culinary heritage, health, and sustainability. From plant-based innovations to locally sourced ingredients, Puerto Rican consumers are demanding more variety, quality, and transparency in the food they buy. CPG brands that can adapt to these trends and deliver what the market craves will have a significant opportunity to thrive in this dynamic environment.



How Alimerc Can Help


At Alimerc, we’re experts in helping CPG brands navigate evolving consumer preferences in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. We understand the trends shaping the food industry and can provide the support and market entry strategies needed to capture emerging opportunities in 2025.


Contact us today to learn how we can help your brand stay ahead of the curve and make an impact in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

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