Old El Paso is dialling up taco night this summer. The brand is on a mission to deliver the very best Mexican-inspired experience at home. That’s why every taco product in the range has been revamped to deliver better flavour and better crunch, alongside exciting new launches that bring more choice, more fun and more flavour to the table.Taco night is booming. Tacos are surging ahead as the fastest-growing meal centre in the UK World Foods category, fuelled by a 261% year-on-year surge in consumer searches and an overall 17% year-on-year rise in Mexican food sales (Nielsen IQ, January 2025). Old El Paso’s Mexican food delivers crunch, colour and bold flavour – without needing to eat out. Simple, no-stress meals made for sharing, piling high and getting stuck in make dinner something you feel, not just something you eat.
Leading the charge is the New Smoky BBQ Crunchy Taco Kit – a bold twist on a family favourite, bringing Old El Paso’s signature Smoky BBQ flavour to hard shell tacos for the first time. Rich, sweet smokiness meets new improved lighter, crispier shells. Big flavour. Big crunch. Zero fuss.
Next is the New Street Vibes Birria Taco Kit, inspired by one of the world’s most talked‑about street‑food
Rounding out the taco kits is the New Sweet Paprika & Garlic Soft Taco Kit, made for families who love big flavour without the heat. It strikes the perfect balance between mild, smoky sweetness and rich garlic warmth. With 12 mini soft tortillas, a Sweet Paprika & Garlic Seasoning Mix and a smooth taco sauce, it’s built to turn any night into Taco Night. The tortillas are super soft, pillowy, and ready to wrap around your favourite fillings. Quick, easy and full of flavour.
The innovation doesn’t stop there. Old El Paso is also launching two new cooking sauces packed with flavour. The New Chipotle Taco Cooking Sauce brings deep, smoky chipotle heat in a quick, convenient pouch, just add protein and veg, pour, sizzle, serve. The New Fajita Cooking Sauce brings Mexican-inspired spices and savoury warmth for fast, fuss-free fajitas any night of the week.
Alongside these launches, Old El Paso has transformed its entire crunchy taco range. Every crunchy taco product now delivers better flavour and better crunch. Four favourites have been upgraded with a next-level shell, offering bigger corn flavour, improved texture and the ultimate crunch. These refreshed Crunchy Taco Shells deliver better crunch and better flavour, made using whole corn kernels and a process inspired by ancient Aztec techniques to maximise corn flavour in the resulting corn masa. Finer grains in this masa allow us to create a lighter, crispier shell with the iconic taco shape and satisfying crunch consumers love.
The improved crunch experience is now rolling out across the refreshed Crunchy Taco Shells (12 pack), the Sweet Paprika & Garlic Crunchy Taco Kit, the Crunchy Taco Shells Family Pack (18 pack) made for sharing, and the Stand ’N Stuff Taco Kit, featuring flat-bottom shells that stand up for easier filling and less mess.
Together, Old El Paso’s five new products bring fresh energy, bold flavour and modern relevance to one of the UK’s most dynamic meal occasions, making it easier than ever to enjoy eating-out vibes with staying-in ease. The launch is backed by a multi-million-pound investment in Old El Paso’s The Crunch is Calling campaign, spanning Linear TV, Video on Demand, Out-of-Home, paid social posts and influencer activity. The fully integrated campaign is designed to build broad awareness and cultural cut-through, cementing Old El Paso as the go-to for modern, flavour led meals that bring friends and family together.
Speaking about the launches, Nicole Whelan, head of brand, Old El Paso & Green Giant UKI, said: “Consumers are looking for quick and convenient meals at home, but they still want great taste and customisable dishes that can please the whole household. Tacos sit at the heart of this demand which is why we’re expanding our range with bold new flavours and easy meal solutions that deliver even better flavour and crunch. From Smoky BBQ to Birria, these launches are designed to help people explore more Mexican-inspired food at home and turn everyday meals into something special.”
