Taco Sauce

No more bland packaged taco sauce. Make this easy, and zesty homemade taco sauce for your next taco feast. This quick taco sauce recipe is full of bold flavors and is made with only simple clean ingredients. It’s easy to make ahead of time, too! This easy taco sauce for beginners will surely become your go-to recipe for burritos, fajitas, and tacos.

I love tacos. I cannot express just how much I actually enjoy tacos! However, overpaying when dining out or going to a fast food joint is not really my idea of a good time. That’s why I decided to make my very own family friendly taco sauce that’s even delicious for my kids!

This recipe is similar to the red sauce served with tacos at fast food restaurants and Mexican takeout. A robust smokey, and spicy taco sauce with a tomato base, this sauce is way too easy to make. With just a single step and easy-to-find ingredients, this sauce is a much better alternative to store-bought sauces.

Whether you’ve been seeking new homemade taco sauce ideas or you’re determined to find the best taco sauce recipe, this recipe is likely just what you’re looking for. If you’re hosting a taco night and taco bar at your home or if you want to add this sauce to your weekly menu rotation, you won’t be disappointed. You can also make a healthy taco sauce version by swapping ingredients and spices so you can enjoy either a mild or spicy sauce! Let us know how you like this sauce below!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Way better than store-bought or takeout taco sauce.
• Homemade with simple clean ingredients, no added fillers, coloring, or preservatives.
• Zesty, bold flavors, this sauce is full of authentic Mexican spices and seasonings.
• Perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, salad bowls, and fajitas.
• Can be made ahead and stored until needed. This sauce is also freezer-friendly.

Taco Sauce Ingredients

This recipe uses only common easy-to-find ingredients most can get at their regular grocery store. Unlike store-bought sauce, this recipe contains no added fillers, or preservatives.

• Tomato sauce
• Water
• Apple cider vinegar
• Cumin
• Granulated sugar
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Mild or spicy sauce – Easily adjust the heat factor in this sauce by adjusting the amount of cayenne powder used. You can also replace the cayenne with mild paprika for a taco sauce with less heat.

Creamy taco sauce – Make a creamy taco sauce by mixing this recipe with sour cream once cooled. Serve creamy taco sauce over taco salads, burrito bowls, or on tacos.

Seasonings – Any of your preferred spices and seasonings can be used to adjust the flavors of this taco sauce. Ancho chili powder, chipotle, oregano, and cilantro are all great additions.

Granulated sugar – Swap the granulated sugar for an alternative sugar to reduce the carbohydrates in this sauce. Swerve, stevia, and monk fruit are all suitable options that give the same taste as traditional white sugar without the added sugars and carbs.

Apple cider vinegar: You can try traditional white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even a dash of soy sauce, depending on the flavor you’re trying to achieve with this simple taco sauce meal recipe.

How to Make It

Step 1. Add the tomato sauce, water, vinegar, cumin, sugar, onion powder, garlic, chili powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to a small saucepan over medium heat. Take your time to combine the ingredients to ensure they are fully mixed together. 

Step 2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes. The sauce will begin to thicken.

Step 3. Allow the sauce to cool and place it into a resealable glass jar. You can place this in your refrigerator until you use the sauce, such as in your own taco meat or when making burritos at home. Choose a sealed jar or a mason jar designed for storing liquids for the best result. You can also store this taco sauce for an extended time by doing so in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag for up to 3 months!

Tips for Success

• Simmer the taco sauce until it has thickened to your desired consistency. The flavors will also intensify as it simmers.
• Let the sauce cool completely before storage.
• Use a glass container with a sealing lid for long-term storage.
• If using fresh herbs in this sauce make sure they are very finely chopped. You may need to use up to twice as much when using fresh vs. dried herbs.

Storage & Reheating

Make this recipe up to 3 weeks in advance and store in the fridge in a sealed glass jar until ready to use.

This taco sauce can be frozen for up to 4 months. Place in a resealable freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. Using flat freezer bags allows you to store sauce with optimal storage in mind. Thaw in the fridge until ready to use.

You can reheat this sauce in a small saucepan on the stove over low-medium heat for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat this sauce in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 to 2 minutes! It’s that easy.

Serving Suggestions

Taco sauce pairs well with many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.

• Sauce up your tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, or quesadillas for added flavor.
• Drizzle over a taco pizza after it’s cooked for a kick of bold spicy flavor.
• Mix with sour cream and mayo to use as a dressing for taco salad or burrito bowls.
• Use this taco sauce as a condiment for hot dogs, burgers, eggs, or pork chops.
• Makes a great dipping sauce for tortilla chips and nachos.
• You can also serve this delicious taco sauce with our delicious taco meat recipe or even with our copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza!

Notes

Store this sauce in glass mason jars to save for an extended time. You can use this sauce on salads, burritos, in wraps, and even in traditional taco meat for an authentically Mexican dining experience!

Try my other sauce recipes:

Tzatziki Sauce

Pizza Sauce

Alfredo Sauce

Homemade Pesto Sauce recipe

Sunday Sauce