Taco Sauce

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

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Why You Should Make This

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.

About this Recipe

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.

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
tsp paprika
tsp cayenne pepper

Variations to Try

Mild or Spicy – 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.

Taco Sauce Pro Tips

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.

How to use Taco Sauce

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.

Make Ahead, Leftovers and Freezer Tips

Make this recipe up to 3 weeks in advance and store in the ridge 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. Freezer flat for easy storage. Thaw in the fridge until ready to use.

Try my other sauce recipes:

Tzatziki Sauce

Pizza Sauce

Alfredo Sauce

Homemade Pesto Sauce recipe

Sunday Sauce

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Taco Sauce

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 15

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

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Ingredients

16 oz tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

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Instructions

Add the tomato sauce, water, vinegar, cumin, sugar, onion powder, garlic, chili powder, paprika, and cayenne to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
Allow the sauce to cool and place into a resealable glass jar in the fridge until needed.