Mexican cuisine uses affordable base ingredients — beans, rice, tortillas — keeping food costs naturally low. Protein is the largest variable.
Target Food Cost
25–30%
Avg. Menu Price
$14
Gross Margin
73%
Profit / Plate
$10.15
Key ingredients for mexican menus with current average pricing and yield percentages.
| Ingredient | Category | Price | Unit | Yield % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn Tortilla (6") | Grains & Bread | $0.12 | each | 100% |
| Flour Tortilla (10") | Grains & Bread | $0.35 | each | 100% |
| Ground Beef (80/20) | Proteins | $5.49 | lb | 78% |
| Chicken Thigh (boneless) | Proteins | $3.49 | lb | 80% |
| White Rice (long grain) | Grains & Bread | $1.29 | lb | 100% |
| Yellow Onion | Produce | $1.29 | lb | 90% |
| Jalapeno Pepper | Produce | $2.49 | lb | 85% |
| Avocado (Hass) | Produce | $1.49 | each | 65% |
| Cilantro | Produce | $0.99 | bunch | 75% |
Avocado is the biggest cost fluctuation — contract pricing helps
Cook proteins in bulk (carnitas, barbacoa) for better yield
Corn tortillas are 3x cheaper than flour — feature them
House-made salsas from canned tomatoes save over fresh
Use our free calculator with pre-loaded mexican ingredients to see your real food cost percentage.
Open Free Calculator