Latin flavors have taken root in mainstream dining around the globe, and Mexican cuisine is leading the charge. Not only is Mexican cuisine the third-most popular cuisine in the United States, but its popularity continues to skyrocket, particularly among younger adults (Datassential, 2024). Thanks to consumer demand for bold, authentic dining experiences, Mexican cuisine has solidified its place as a global flavor favorite. Read on to find out why foodservice brands are betting big on Mexican sauces across dine-in menus, ready meals, and more.
Foodservice Brands Are Betting Big on Mexican Sauces
About one in ten restaurants in the U.S. serves Mexican food (Pew Research Center, 2024). That’s a major testament to the widespread popularity of this beloved cuisine. And Mexican sauces play a crucial role in delivering the authentic Latin American experiences that foodies crave. So, why are foodservice brands investing so heavily in Mexican cuisine and Mexican sauces?
- Innovation and Exploration: Sauces like rich, savory chipotle crema and bright, spicy salsa verde can add depth and excitement to existing items across menus. Mexican sauces are extremely flexible, serving as signature components in traditional Mexican dishes like tacos and enchiladas while adding an unexpected twist to burgers and other grilled proteins.
- Fusion Flavors for Adventurous Foodies: These sauces can be integrated into other cuisines and dishes to elevate your menu. When it comes to fusion, we encourage our foodservice partners to think big – like adding Spicy Chipotle Mayo to sandwiches, using Mole as a glaze for baby back ribs, or offering a delectable Birria Consommé as ramen broth. Fusion flavors are especially attractive to younger customer demographics, like adventurous Gen Z-ers who seek out familiar dishes with a twist.
- Appealing to Health-Conscious Customers: Looking to target consumers who prioritize nutrition? Many Mexican sauces align beautifully with popular health trends, including clean-label, organic, vegan, and plant-based products. Take, for example, the bright, vegetal appeal of a classic Pico de Gallo.
How Your Brand Can Explore Mexican Sauces
Mexican sauces aren’t just for dine-in foodservice brands. Retailers across the dine-in, grocery, and private-label sectors can explore these sauces in a variety of ways:
- Private-Label Mexican Sauces: Retailers can expand their private-label offerings by launching Mexican-inspired sauces under their own brand.
- Ready Meals with Mexican Sauces: The popularity of Latin flavors has nowhere to go but up. Still, less than half of consumers are confident about cooking the recipes at home (Supermarket Perimeter, 2024). Brands can capitalize on that desire for authenticity by incorporating sauces into ready meals, home replacement meals (HRMs), and frozen meals, making these products more appealing and convenient for consumers. Crowd-pleasers like chicken burrito bowls with Salsa Verde or shredded beef enchiladas with a hint of Mole offer bold, authentic flavors in a quick-to-eat format.
- Frozen Meals: From frozen quesadillas with Chipotle Lime Sauce to family-friendly tamale packs served with Salsa Roja, Mexican sauces provide a flavorful way to deliver restaurant-quality cuisine to shoppers browsing the freezer aisle.
Partner with Us to Explore Classic & Trendy Mexican Sauces
If you’re interested in exploring the delicious world of Latin American cuisine, you’re in luck: At Giraffe Foods, Mexican sauces are one of our specialties. Our flavor experts can work with you to develop innovative sauce concepts to elevate your product offerings. From traditional Mexican sauces to modern twists on classic favorites, some of our favorites include the following:
- Tinga Sauce
- Pibil Sauce/Yucatan Sauce
- Eloté Sauce/Crema
- Salsa Roja and Salsa Verde
- Chipotle Hot Sauce
- Dulce de Leche, for delicious desserts
- Molé Sauce
- Cilantro-Lime Crema
By partnering with Giraffe Foods, you can lean into the ongoing popularity of Mexican and Latin American flavors, whether you’re building a dine-in, HRM, or frozen meals brand. Our R&D experts are here to help you transport consumers with every scrumptious bite.
