Homemade taco sauce recipe
Quick and easy homemade taco sauce recipe will help you level up taco night.
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 21kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz. tomato sauce // 236ml
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup water - Add water to the empty tomato sauce can to get every little bit. see note // 60ml - 80ml
- 2 tbsp. white vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. granulated onion / onion powder
- 3/4 tsp. granulated garlic / garlic powder
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1/4 tsp. chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 3/4 tsp. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne powder
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice optional, but recommended
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients, except the lime juice, in a sauce pot (I used a 1 quart pot) over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
- Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 10 - 15 minutes, until slightly thickened. Make sure sauce is simmering, not boiling, the entire time. (You should see small bubbles coming to the surface.) Stir frequently, but be careful, it splatters a bit while bubbling.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Stir in fresh lime juice, if using.
- Let it cool completely, store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Water - If you want your taco sauce on the thicker side, use 1/4 cup of water. To make it slightly looser, use 1/3 cup of water.
- To make your sauce really thick, combine 1 tsp. cornstarch with 1 tbsp. water and whisk it into simmering sauce. Let it cook for a few minutes to thicken, then remove from heat.
- For a less spicy taco sauce recipe, reduce the chili powder to 1/2 tsp., omit cayenne powder and chipotle powder.
- To make the sauce a bit hotter, add a teaspoon or two of your favorite hot sauce. Cholula is my favorite.
- For a really spicy sauce, add in 1/2 tsp. ancho chili powder.
- For EXTRA HOT taco sauce, add 1/2 tsp. jalapeño pepper powder.
- To add some bright, tangy flavor, add in 2 tsp. white vinegar, or 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice once you've taken it off of the heat. It makes a huge difference and I strongly recommend it.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- To FREEZE taco sauce - store in an airtight container in the freezer for up 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- For a creamy version, I like to mix it with my chicken taco sauce or plain sour cream. Try it, it's GOOD.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tbsp. | Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 233mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g