Old El Paso has collaborated with General Mills to unveil a groundbreaking product: its inaugural line of Tex-Mex ramen noodles. Set to hit Walmart shelves in April 2025, these creative instant noodles come in two tantalizing flavors: Fajita and Beef Birria. This launch signifies a unique blend of authentic Tex-Mex seasoning with the quick convenience that ramen offers.
The Fajita noodle option delivers a robust chicken broth infused with the smoky essence of bell peppers, onions, and cumin. Meanwhile, the Beef Birria variant offers a slow-cooked beef-inspired broth that balances savory notes with a hint of spice. Importantly, neither variety includes actual meat but achieves the traditional taste through expertly crafted meat-flavored broths, making them suitable for various dietary preferences.
Discover Old El Paso’s Bold Tex-Mex Ramen Flavors
The Fajita ramen combines a flavorful chicken broth base with hints of smoked bell pepper, onion, and cumin. In contrast, the Beef Birria ramen features a savory broth reminiscent of traditional birria, enhanced with both umami and mild spiciness. General Mills aims to invigorate taste buds by emphasizing these distinctive flavors while honoring Old El Paso’s Tex-Mex heritage. MC Comings, the VP of Business Unit Director at General Mills, expressed in a recent press release:
“If Tex-Mex is more your style, Old El Paso’s got your back with bold, spicy flavors that’ll wake up your taste buds.”
Exclusively Available at Walmart
The Old El Paso Ramen Noodles are set for a Walmart-exclusive launch in April 2025, available both in-store and online at Walmart.com. They join other exciting products in General Mills’ expanded noodle lineup, including Totino’s Cheese Pizza and Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza ramen. Although the press announcement didn’t clarify if this will be a limited-time offering, demand speculation on social media suggests that popularity may dictate its availability.
Growing Anticipation Through Social Media Engagement
General Mills is keen to harness the momentum from TikTok, where instant ramen trends are thriving, evidenced by over 174 million posts featuring #instantramen. By combining Old El Paso’s bold flavors with the simplicity of ramen, the company aims to meet consumer demand for diverse meal options.
MC Comings noted that these products provide an innovative way to enjoy beloved flavors, highlighting not only the Old El Paso ramen but also the Totino’s Pizza Rolls-inspired offerings. He remarked:
“We know our fans are constantly looking for exciting new ways to enjoy their favorite flavors.”
Old El Paso’s Evolution in the Food Market
The introduction of ramen noodles marks a significant evolution for Old El Paso, which has recently expanded into soups and unique products like Cinnamon Toast Crunch-coated taco shells. Its canned soup offerings, including Jalapeño Chicken Noodle and Mexican-Style Chicken & Rice, have set the stage for this innovative ramen launch.
Unlike previous campaigns promoted by the Watt brothers, such as the “Watt Can Taco,” this ramen line stands as its own initiative focused on convenience and the viral potential of quick meals.
Old El Paso’s foray into the ramen market signifies a strategic pivot toward fast, trend-centered dining experiences. By leveraging Walmart’s extensive distribution network and TikTok’s cultural influence, the brand seeks to engage both loyal consumers and instant noodle aficionados. As the launch approaches, the culinary world watches closely to see if Old El Paso’s ramen will become a beloved staple or remain a brief culinary sensation.