Abstract This paper introduces and validates a data-driven approach to improve the prediction of linear eddy viscosity models (LEVMs). The general approach is adopted in order to improve the wake mixing of low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascades. The approach follows the rationale applied in the derivation of explicit algebraic Reynolds stress models (EARSMs) by including additional second-order tensors in the Boussinesq assumption. The unknown scalar functions that determine the contributions of each second-order tensor to the Reynolds stresses are approximated as polynomials. A metamodel-assisted multi-objective optimization determines the value of each of the polynomial coefficients by minimizing the difference between the result of the EARSM simulation and reference data provided by a high fidelity large eddy simulation (LES). In this study, tailor made EARSMs are calibrated to improve the prediction of the kinetic energy loss distribution in the wake of the T106C LPT cascade. We investigated the influence of each polynomial coefficient of the EARSM on the results. The models generated by the approach reduced the deviations in total kinetic energy loss between the LES reference solution and the baseline model by approximately 70%. The turbulent quantities are analyzed to identify the physical correlations between the model inputs and the improvement. The transferability of the models to unseen test cases was assessed using the MTU-T161 LPT cascade. In summary, the suggested approach was able to generate tailor made EARSM models that reduce the deviations between RANS and LES for the mixing of turbulent wake flows.