Old El Paso is expanding its Mexican-inspired meal portfolio with the launch of five new products and a reformulated crunchy taco range, as the brand looks to capitalise on growing consumer demand for taco-based meal occasions.

The latest additions include three new taco kits and two cooking sauces, alongside improvements to the brand's existing crunchy taco shells, which have been redesigned to deliver enhanced flavour and texture.

Leading the launches is the Smoky BBQ Crunchy Taco Kit, which introduces Old El Paso's smoky barbecue flavour to hard-shell tacos for the first time. The range is also being expanded with the Street Vibes Birria Taco Kit, inspired by the increasingly popular Mexican street food trend, and the Sweet Paprika & Garlic Soft Taco Kit, developed to offer a milder flavour profile for family meals.

The brand has also introduced Chipotle Taco Cooking Sauce and Fajita Cooking Sauce, designed to provide quick meal solutions by allowing consumers to prepare Mexican-inspired dishes with added protein and vegetables.

Alongside the new products, Old El Paso has reformulated its crunchy taco shells using whole corn kernels and a traditional nixtamalisation process to create a lighter, crispier texture with enhanced corn flavour. The upgraded shells are being rolled out across the Crunchy Taco Shells 12-pack, Crunchy Taco Shells Family Pack, Sweet Paprika & Garlic Crunchy Taco Kit and Stand 'N Stuff Taco Kit.

The launches come as tacos continue to gain momentum within the UK grocery market. According to NielsenIQ data cited by the company, Mexican food sales have increased by 17% year on year, while online consumer searches for tacos have risen by 261%, making tacos the fastest-growing meal centre within the UK World Foods category.

Nicole Whelan, head of brand for Old El Paso and 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."

In addition to the national launches, Old El Paso is introducing several Tesco-exclusive products, including a Smoky Chipotle Fajita Kit, Smoky Chipotle Seasoning Mix and Smoky & Spicy Chipotle Tortilla Chips. The company is also expanding its free-from offering with new large gluten-free tortilla wraps made from tapioca, corn and quinoa.

The campaign aims to reinforce Old El Paso's position in the UK Mexican meal kit category while encouraging consumers to recreate restaurant-inspired dining experiences at home.