Increase Guest Traffic with Authentic Mexican Menu Ideas

In the ever-evolving culinary world, Mexican dishes continue to stand out as a vibrant force, offering a rich tapestry of flavors, ingredients and culinary techniques that captivate guests. A staple in Latin kitchens since 1961, Knorr Professional Caldo is a versatile bouillon that can add layers of flavor to a variety of dishes. From elevating the complexity of slow-braised meats to adding umami to sauces, rice and vegetables, Knorr Professional Caldo is the secret ingredient chefs turn to for achieving authentic, rich flavors throughout your dish.

Let’s Taco Bout Bold Flavors

Let’s get one thing right from the start. If you don’t currently offer tacos on your menu, you may want to consider it. Currently, 26.6% of US restaurant menus feature tacos, and this is projected to grow +7% through 2027.¹ They are increasingly trendy, familiar, fun, and just the handheld you need to carry almost any ingredient.

• Authentic or Globally Inspired: You can keep it classic with Mexican-inspired fillings, or change it up with your own ethnic flair, like Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos. These tacos feature tangy grilled chicken topped with a crunchy slaw and drizzled with sweet Asian chili sauce and dumpling sauce, all stuffed into crispy wonton shells.2 If you want to keep it Mexican themed but you’re not ready to go all-out Baja style, you can incorporate ingredients like jalapeno, chipotle, or other chiles. You can also incorporate cilantro and avocado like these Zesty Chicken Tacos. If you want to take it to the next step, try using tomatillos, jicama, or nopales. Braising meats in flavorful liquids is a great way to ensure juicy, tender fillings.
• Any Time of Day:  Tacos span every daypart, making them perfect for breakfast or brunch. You can include scrambled eggs and breakfast meats and make them as health-conscious or indulgent as you like. ​
• Informal or Chic: Most people think of tacos as a casual meal, after all, they are usually eaten with your hands and can get messy. But they don’t have to be. While tacos are the perfect way to use up spare cuts of meat or end cuts of fish, they can also be posh. From lobster to chicken thighs to sea urchin, every ingredient has a place in a taco.
• Meat or Plant-Based: More and more consumers are seeing the health and sustainability benefits of plant-based dieting. That includes tacos! Try this twist on Al Pastor Tacos using mushrooms as the star of the dish. The moral? Tacos are a perfect choice for any eater, from the most daring meat-eaters to vegans alike.