About Old El Paso
Old El Paso stands as Britain's favourite Mexican food brand, bringing Tex-Mex flavours to UK kitchens for four decades. From fajita kits that have become Friday night traditions to Stand 'N' Stuff tacos that make family mealtimes easier, Old El Paso has made Mexican-inspired cooking accessible and fun for home cooks across the country. As the number one Mexican food brand in the UK, France, Spain, and Australia, Old El Paso has helped transform Mexican cuisine from exotic restaurant fare into everyday family meals. The Old El Paso story begins in 1917 when the Mountain Pass Canning Company in New Mexico started operations, later relocating to El Paso, Texas in 1958. The brand name honours this Texan border city, often called the "Mexican food capital of the world" due to its position as a major entry point for Mexican goods and cuisine into the United States. Old El Paso was registered as a trademark in 1938, and the company made history in 1946 by becoming the first company outside Mexico to launch a hot sauce. Old El Paso pioneered the Mexican food category in American supermarkets. In 1969, it became the first national brand to offer a full line of Mexican meals in supermarkets and the first to advertise Mexican cuisine nationally. This groundbreaking marketing effort contributed to American supermarkets creating dedicated Mexican food sections in 1970 - a retail innovation directly influenced by Old El Paso's growing popularity. The brand's ownership has passed through several major food companies. Pet Inc. acquired Old El Paso from the Mountain Pass Canning Company in 1968. Pillsbury purchased Pet Inc. in 1995 as part of Grand Metropolitan's acquisition. General Mills finally acquired the brand in 2001 when it purchased Pillsbury and its portfolio. Today, Old El Paso operates as part of General Mills, the American multinational food company also behind Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, and Betty Crocker. Products sold in the UK are manufactured in Spain. Old El Paso reached UK consumers in 1984 and has since built the country's leading Mexican food brand. The brand's success stems from making Mexican cooking approachable through convenient meal kits that contain everything needed for a complete dish. Rather than requiring shoppers to source multiple specialist ingredients, Old El Paso kits combine tortillas or shells, seasoning mixes, and sauces in single packages. The fajita kit range represents Old El Paso's core offering. Complete kits include tortillas, seasoning mix, and salsa, requiring only the addition of protein and vegetables. The Smoky BBQ Fajita Kit features a unique blend of cayenne pepper, garlic, and ginger. Original Fajita Kits offer mild, medium, and hot variants. Cooking time is typically just 15 minutes, making fajitas a quick weeknight dinner option. The brand's marketing has successfully established "Fajita Friday" as a cultural phenomenon in many UK households. Stand 'N' Stuff products showcase Old El Paso's innovation in convenient Mexican dining. These specially shaped tortillas and taco shells feature flat bottoms that stand upright, making filling and eating easier - particularly valuable for families with children. Stand 'N' Stuff ranges include Soft Taco Kits with flour tortillas, Crunchy Taco Kits with corn shells, and various flavoured versions including Smoky BBQ and Garlic & Paprika. Each kit typically includes eight shells, seasoning mix, and salsa. The tortilla range extends beyond meal kits to standalone products. Flour tortillas come in various sizes from small wrap size to large burrito size. Corn tortillas offer traditional Mexican authenticity. Tortilla Pockets provide a sealed pouch format for mess-free eating. Tortilla Bowls create edible serving vessels for salads and fillings. All tortillas are vegan-friendly. Seasoning mixes enable customised Mexican cooking beyond complete kits. Options include Fajita Seasoning (original and smoky BBQ), Taco Seasoning (original, garlic & paprika), Chilli Spice Mix, Beef Carne Asada, and Crispy Chicken Fajita Seasoning. These sachets let cooks add authentic Mexican flavours using their own preferred ingredients. Salsas and toppings complete the Old El Paso range. Thick 'N' Chunky Salsa comes in mild, medium, and hot varieties. Squeezy formats offer convenient dispensing. Soured cream toppings, guacamole, and jalapeños add finishing touches. Tortilla chips including Original Nachips, Chilli, and Salted varieties support dipping and snacking. Old El Paso embraces dietary inclusivity with clearly labelled vegan products. Tortillas, taco shells, many seasoning mixes, and several complete meal kits suit vegan diets. The brand actively promotes Veganuary participation with dedicated vegan recipe suggestions. Old El Paso products are staples across UK retailers. Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose stock comprehensive ranges in dedicated Mexican food aisles. Convenience stores carry bestselling kits and tortillas. Discount retailers offer competitive pricing. Online grocery shopping provides full range access with home delivery. When comparing Old El Paso to competitors like Discovery and Santa Maria, Old El Paso leads on range breadth and brand recognition. Against supermarket own-brand Mexican products, Old El Paso offers more consistent flavour profiles and innovative formats like Stand 'N' Stuff. Specialist brands may offer more authentic Mexican cuisine, but Old El Paso delivers accessible Tex-Mex that appeals to British family tastes. For UK households seeking convenient, flavourful Mexican-inspired meals, Old El Paso delivers trusted products backed by decades of expertise. Whether you're hosting Fajita Friday, making quick midweek tacos, or assembling nachos for movie night, Old El Paso provides everything needed for enjoyable Mexican cooking. Using Grocefully to compare Old El Paso prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on these family favourites.