According to Datassential, about 37 percent of all US-based Mexican restaurants are quick service, making the sector the largest segment of the market.
Taco Tuesday or the promise of free chips and salsa gets customers through the door, but once inside, people expect the menu to offer a variety of authentic Mexican flavors.
Fully cooked meats help operators cater to the wide scale of flavors Mexican cuisine offers. Instead of cooking from raw, fully cooked products can boost convenience, consistency, and food safety.
“From my standpoint, the advantages of using a fully cooked product are significant,” says Erich Chieca, executive chef at Hormel Foods Culinary Collective. “You’re not dealing with a raw product that could spoil, nor do you need to thaw it if it’s frozen. Cooked products can be used directly from the freezer, saving time.”
Burke Corporation is at the forefront of this culinary craze with its line of Mexican-inspired fully cooked meats.
“Operators can easily create standout dishes by incorporating our toppings across different menus and dayparts,” says Kyle Flottman, brand manager of Burke Corporation. “It’s not just about adding a product; it’s about adding a tool to your culinary arsenal.”
BURKE® Cooked Sausage, infused with vibrant salsa verde-style seasonings, can be a key inclusion in standout dishes like salsa verde empanadas. The sausage provides a burst of tangy goodness while enhancing menu options and driving innovation for operators.
“Our Mexican-inspired line draws inspiration from the vibrant street foods and traditional flavors of Mexico,” Chieca says. “The possibilities are endless.”
The essence of Mexican street food is captured by the rich and smoky taste of chipotle with BURKE® Beef Meatballs with Chipotle-Style Seasonings. From pasta to tacos, the meatballs add a bold kick to any dish, while ensuring operators save time and maintain consistent quality. Try it in traditional Mexican dishes such as meatball torta to add diversity consumers want to see on the menu.
Elevating an existing menu is one the best ways to utilize the power of BURKE® Mexican-inspired fully cooked ingredients, all with minimal effort.
“Take tacos, for example,” Flottman says. “While traditional ground beef tacos are common, introducing variations like chicken tinga or salsa verde tacos can capture customer interest, increase their perceived value, and consequently, charge more for them, thus improving your return on investment.”
BURKE® Chicken Sausage with Tinga-Style Seasonings provides diners with flavors customers crave without adding back-of-house stress. Used to craft dishes like chicken tinga quesadillas filled with red enchilada sauce, cheese, roasted peppers, and onions, and finished with a drizzle of avocado hot sauce.
“This not only aligns with current culinary trends,” Flottman says, “but also appeals to the preferences of millennials and Gen Z, who often find Latin and Mexican flavors exciting.“
LTOs that feature Mexican-inspired flavors can bring in new customers, encourage repeat visits, and expand the customer base.
Soups are an ideal choice for limited-time offers due to the ease of preparation in the kitchen and low price. Plus, soups are budget-friendly for customers, making it easier to try new items without spending too much.
BURKE® Pork & Beef Meatballs with Albondigas-Style Seasonings, are the perfect addition to soups and stews. For example, serving Mexican meatball soup gives customers an affordable option to enjoy trendy Mexican flavors.
Fully cooked and packed with authentic spices, BURKE® Chorizo Sausage Crumbles are small in size but add a burst of bold flavor to every bite. Perfect for adding intensity to pizzas, omelets, and more.
“Consider having limited space in the kitchen,” Flottman says. “You need a versatile product that can be used in various dishes throughout the day. With chorizo, you can use it in dishes like chorizo biscuits and gravy, salads, tacos, or even on pizzas.”
Spice up any menu with chorizo spanish rice balls or the wellness-oriented chorizo grain bowl. When using BURKE® Chorizo Sausage Crumbles, the possibilities are endless.
Infuse dishes with the vibrant flavors of Mexico using BURKE® Mexican-style beef Crumbles. Fully cooked and bursting with zesty flavors, these crumbles can enhance everything from tacos to enchiladas. These crumbles can be used in dishes like Mexican lasagna for an innovative twist on the classic Italian entrée.
“Our customer base extends to food trucks, bars, grills, and beyond,” Flottman says. “There’s a demand for fully-cooked products in nearly every type of food operation.”
With minimal effort, creating stand-out dishes while saving on cost and improving operational efficiency comes with ease with BURKE® Mexican-inspired ingredients.
To incorporate trending Mexican flavors into your menu, visit Burke Corporation’s website.
