Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

The Taco Evolution Through Trends 4 trends that adapt well in taco format

Bacobar’s Chipotle-agave brisket steamed bun taco: smoky sweet beef debris, Brussels, lime onion relish, and crispy shallots
PHOTO CREDIT: Bacobar

By Gail Cunningham

Take small plates, salads and center-of-plate entrées to new craveable flavor destinations layered in casual handheld tacos. The result? Portable, powerful flavor. Here are four trends that adapt well in taco format:

Modern Seafood Trend:
Nordic Fish Tacos: Batter-fried cold-water cod, pickled root vegetable slaw and dill sour cream in folded Norwegian potato flatbread tacos

Eastern Mediterranean Trend:
Baharat-Spiced-Chicken Soft Tacos: Baharat spiced-grilled chicken, arugula, crumbled feta cheese, red onion and tahini sauce in warm, folded pita-bread taco.

Plant-Based Trend:
Vegan-Chipotle Black-Bean Tacos: Vegan black bean burger crumbles in crisp-grilled corn tortillas with creamy avocado, shredded lettuce and chipotle-corn salsa

Indian Mash-Up Trend:
Turmeric Chicken Roti Tacos: Indian street-style tacos with turmeric-grilled chicken, shredded carrot and red cabbage slaw, yogurt-cucumber raita and cilantro, stuffed in crispy-hot puffed roti tacos

 

  From the Jan/Feb 2018 Top 10 Trends issue of Flavor & the Menu magazine. Read the full issue online or check if you qualify for a free print subscription.

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