The market for Mexican food is expected to grow by $113 billion through 2026¹ . With Cinco de Mayo coming, honor the holiday with trendy Latin-inspired flavors guests crave and add flair to menus without BOH complexity.

Snappy Snacks

About 70% of consumers plan to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year², and snacks are the fastest rising category for the holiday³. Keep hungry patrons happy with quick and easy bites while they wait for their entrees.

Chips, salsa, and guacamole are a must but consider adding premade queso topped with spicy chorizo, pickled jalapenos, and pico de gallo to mix and serve with crispy plantain chips as a festive dip flight. Shareables such as taquitos, flautas, or tajin-spiced fruits are also quick, cost-effective, and tasty options your customers will celebrate.

Twists on Tradition

Mexican cuisine is rich in tradition. If you don’t typically serve Mexican dishes, you can still honor the holiday and culture by putting your own spin on traditional fare, utilizing ingredients you already have in-house.

BBQ joint? Serve up chipotle-spiced pulled pork tacos with pickled onions, lime crema, and your house BBQ sauce to get guests in the spirit. Or if you’re a burger restaurant, consider whipping up a chorizo burger with fresh avocado, tortilla strips, salsa verde, and jalapenos. Enchiladas are always a crowd-pleaser, and by using premade enchilada sauce, readymade ingredients like Burke® Chicken Sausage with Tinga-Style Seasonings and tortillas, you can quickly serve up a delicious dish while keeping food costs low.

While protein-centered dishes make up the majority of Latin-inspired recipes, don’t forget to include some vegetarian and vegan options. According to recent reports, nearly half of consumers are interested in vegetarian and vegan Mexican dishes, so ensure you have a Cinco de Mayo LTO that can easily be adjusted for diet preferences. And keep dessert in mind! Searches for churro ice cream sandwiches have increased by an astonishing 256% in the past year, and this handheld twist on the traditional treat is a fun and cost-effective option to add to menus.

Regional Representation

With a cuisine as diverse as its culture, you can stand out by offering a variety of authentic regional specialties, including:

• Yucatecan: Known for a unique blend of Mayan and Spanish influences. Tostadas, tropical fruits, pozole, and poc chuc, (grilled pork marinated in sour orange juice and achiote paste) are all popular dishes.
• Oaxacan: The southern Mexican state of Oaxaca is famous for its native tlayuda, or “Mexican pizza.” The traditional version uses a crispy tortilla, topped with dried pork, refried beans, Oaxaca cheese, and salsa. Save time and craft your own with readymade beef meatballs with smoky chipotle seasonings instead and a drizzle of lime crema for an eye-popping presentation. Oaxaca is also known for seven mole varieties that you can use across a menu as a base for enchiladas, to flavor stews or soups, or to add complex flavor to desserts.
• Veracruz: Known for fresh seafood and citrus flavors. Think ceviche, grilled shrimp tacos, or arroz a la tumbada, a white rice and seafood dish that you can make utilizing leftover ingredients.
• Norteño (Northern Mexico): A strong ranching tradition here is also reflected in the dishes. Burritos, carne asada, queso fresco, and refried pinto beans are popular.

Take it to the Streets

Street food is an essential part of Mexican cuisine, and it's becoming more popular among consumers. Dishes such as elote (grilled corn), al pastor tacos, or quesadillas can thrill guests without overly stressing your kitchen

And you can’t go wrong with this social media star — birria tacos. Searches for this street-food favorite have increased by more than 500% in the past year! With Burke® Cooked Sausage with Salsa Verde-Style Seasonings, Contigo® Birria Sauce, and Contigo® Birria Concentrate, you can plate these power players in no time. Or add a sweet treat to your LTO menu with mango con chile, a classic yet simple street food made with fresh mangoes, chili powder, and lime juice served on a stick — a delight for the eyes and taste buds.


¹The Food Institute, 2022
²The National Today
³Tastewise

**Content provided in collaboration with Burke®.