From Idli Mixes to Instant Meals: The Rise of India’s Ready-to-Eat Revolution

India’s Ready-to-Eat (RTE) market is booming, valued at ₹10,000 crore in 2025, and it’s changing the way we eat. With urbanization, busy schedules, and the rise of single-person households, convenience is king—and Indian brands are rising to the occasion. From Haldiram’s classic snacks to Keventer’s frozen meals, and Licious’s fresh meat deliveries, the RTE market is as diverse as it is dynamic. Let’s take a taste tour through some of the most exciting Indian brands in the RTE and Ready-to-Cook (RTC) space, each bringing something new to the table.

1. Aashirvaad – From Atta to Instant Meals

Aashirvaad, owned by ITC Limited, is one of India’s most trusted food brands. While it’s best known for its atta (wheat flour), Aashirvaad expanded into the convenience market in 2006 with instant mixes for Upma, Naan, Parantha, and Idli. This expansion marked a strategic shift to meet the growing demand for quick, hassle-free meals in Indian households.

1. Amul – Beyond Milk to Ready-to-Eat

Amul, the iconic dairy brand from GCMMF, is more than just paneer and milk. In recent years, Amul has entered the Ready-to-Eat and Frozen segments, offering French fries, paranthas, and even pizza.. Amul’s entry into the frozen food segment is a bold move, leveraging its strong brand equity and distribution network to capture a share of the growing RTE market.

1. Haldiram’s – Snacks with a Shelf Life

Founded in 1937 in Bikaner, Haldiram’s has long been a household name for traditional Indian snacks and sweets. In the early 2000s, it launched the Minute Khana and Haldiram’s Frozen Foods line, offering shelf-stable and frozen RTE meals to both Indian and global Indian consumers. The brand’s expansion into the RTE segment was driven by a need to cater to the Global Indian diaspora and urban consumers who value convenience without compromising on taste and authenticity.

1. ITC Master Chef – Premium Frozen Meals

Master Chef, from ITC Limited, is a premium frozen food brand that focuses on Ready-to-Cook (RTC) and frozen meals. Launched in 2016, it offers kebabs, tikkis, and frozen prawns, all crafted for quality and convenience. The brand is positioned to cater to the premium consumer, who seeks high-quality, ready-to-cook meals that are both tasty and nutritious.

1. Kitchens of India – Gourmet Meals, Indian Style

Kitchens of India is a premium RTE brand from ITC, inspired by the recipes of ITC Hotels’ master chefs. It offers high-quality, authentic Indian meals and has a strong export presence, especially in the US and UK. The brand is designed for the discerning consumer, who wants gourmet meals that are easy to prepare. Kitchens of India combines the sophistication of hotel cuisine with the convenience of home cooking, making it a favorite among Indian expats and urban professionals.

1. Keventer – Frozen Food from the East

Keventer, owned by Keventer Agro Limited, is a major player in dairy and fresh food, and has recently expanded into RTE and frozen foods. Its Eatsy Veg line is popular in Eastern and North-Eastern India. The brand’s focus on quality and affordability has enabled it to capture a significant share of the regional RTE market, where consumers are looking for fresh, ready-to-eat options that are both tasty and nutritious.

1. MoM – D2C Meals That Taste Like Home

MoM (Meal of the Moment), from 100% Nourishment Pvt. Ltd., is a D2C brand that delivers instant, preservative-free meals like Dal Chawal and Poha. Launched in 2017, it’s all about convenience and taste. The brand was founded by a team of food enthusiasts who wanted to bring the taste of homemade meals to the modern Indian kitchen.

1. Safal – Freshness from Farm to Freezer

Safal, part of Mother Dairy, is known for its fresh fruits and vegetables, but it’s also offering RTE and frozen products like purees and pulses, leveraging its cold chain infrastructure for quality and freshness. The brand’s entry into the RTE segment is part of Mother Dairy’s broader strategy to diversify into convenience foods, catering to urban consumers who value freshness and nutrition.

1. Godrej Yummiez – From Chicken to Kebabs

Godrej Yummiez, now a 100% Indian brand, offers a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian frozen meals, from kebabs to chicken cutlets. It was established in 2008 as a joint venture with Tyson Foods, and is now fully owned by Godrej. Godrej Yummiez combines the quality of international food standards with the taste of Indian cuisine, making it a popular choice for modern Indian families.

1. Venky’s – The Poultry Powerhouse

Venky’s, owned by the Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group, is a leading brand in processed chicken and poultry. With roots dating back to 1971, it offers RTE meals with chicken and eggs, focusing on quality and convenience. The brand’s expansion into the RTE segment is a natural extension of its poultry business, where consumers are looking for ready-to-eat options that are both tasty and nutritious. Venky’s focus on hygiene and quality has made it a trusted name in the RTE market, especially in South India.

1. Gits – The Pioneer of Instant Mixes

Gits, founded in 1963 by H.Z. Gilani and A.K. Tejani, was one of the first to introduce instant mixes in India. It offers Gulab Jamun, Idli, and other ready-to-cook meals, and has expanded to RTE options as well. The brand’s focus on convenience and affordability has enabled it to build a loyal customer base, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.

1. iD Fresh Food – From Idli to Innovation

iD Fresh Food, launched in 2005 by P.C. Musthafa and his cousins, started with fresh Idli and Dosa batter in Bangalore. It has since expanded to parotas, filter coffee, and even vada batter, focusing on freshness and convenience. iD Fresh Food is a great example of how traditional Indian meals can be reimagined for the convenience generation.

1. Kohinoor – Basmati to Frozen

Kohinoor, known for its premium Basmati rice, has diversified into frozen foods since 2006. With a dedicated processing facility, it offers frozen vegetables and pulses, blending traditional grains with modern convenience.

1. Licious – Fresh Meat, Delivered

Licious, founded in 2015 by Abhay Hanjura and Vivek Gupta, is India’s first D2C unicorn in the meat and seafood space. It focuses on fresh, never-frozen meat, and uses technology for quality control and delivery. The brand’s entry into the RTE segment is a natural extension of its fresh food business, where consumers are looking for ready-to-eat options that are both tasty and nutritious.

1. MTR – South Indian Meals, Global Appeal

MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) is a heritage food brand owned by Orkla ASA, a Norway based consumer goods company. The MTR restaurant was established in Bangalore in 1924 by the Maiya family, and the packaged foods division, MTR Foods, was established in 1975 with instant mixes and line of heat-and-eat Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meals. It was acquired by Orkla in 2007 and with the ownership being transferred to a foreign company.

1. Knorr – The Soup Champion

Knorr, owned by Unilever (UK), has been in the Indian market since the late 1980s. It’s best known for its soup mixes and cubes, but it also offers a range of RTE meals. The brand’s focus on convenience and taste has, especially in urban households.

1. McCain – The Frozen Potato King

McCain, a Canadian brand, entered India in 1996 with frozen French fries and appetizers. It’s a leader in frozen vegetable and potato products. The brand’s expansion into the RTE segment is a strategic move to capture the growing demand for ready-to-eat meals, where consumers are looking for convenient, ready-to-eat options.