Homemade Taco Sauce
This homemade taco sauce is an easy way to add flavor to your favorite dishes, from tacos to quesadillas! It’s made with a few basic pantry staples and it will take your taco night to the next level.
I love having a jar of taco sauce in my pantry because it’s a quick and easy way to add flavor to taco fillings, quesadillas, soups, and wraps. But I don’t always have it available, so I decided to try making my own. It turned out to be easier than I expected, and I like being able to control the flavors! This sauce is tangy, slightly spicy, and perfect for your favorite tacos!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce is the base ingredient in taco sauce, providing a rich and tangy flavor. Be sure you’re using plain tomato sauce. Do not use tomato paste or marinara sauce.
- Lime juice: Lime juice adds a bright and citrusy flavor to the taco sauce. It can be substituted with lemon juice for a similar tangy taste.
- White vinegar: A splash of vinegar adds acidity and tanginess to the sauce. It can be substituted with apple cider vinegar.
- Cumin: Cumin adds an earthy and smoky flavor to the taco sauce.
- Chili powder: Chili powder adds heat and depth of flavor to the sauce. It can be substituted with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to achieve a similar spiciness.
- Paprika: Paprika adds a mild, sweet flavor to the sauce. It can be substituted with smoked paprika or a combination of sweet paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a classic, savory flavor. It can be substituted with freshly minced garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.
- Onion powder: Onion powder adds a subtle savory flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have onion powder, add an extra pinch of garlic powder.
How to Make Taco Sauce
for 15-20 minutes or until the
sauce has thickened.
of hot sauce, or an additional
squeeze of lime juice.
Variations
- To make a spicy taco sauce, add a teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce and a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Add one teaspoon of brine from jarred jalapeños for a different spicy flavor. It’s a unique way to add a layer of heat to the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is taco sauce made of? Taco sauce typically combines tomato sauce, vinegar, and spices.
- What can you use in place of taco sauce? If you’re looking for other ways to add flavor, try my burrito sauce, quesadilla sauce, or cilantro sauce.
- What’s the difference between taco and salsa sauce? Salsa is typically made with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice. It tends to have a chunkier texture and a more vibrant, refreshing flavor.
How to Store Taco Sauce
Keep leftover taco sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store homemade taco sauce in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then divide it into an ice cube tray and freeze. That way, when you need a little taco sauce, you can thaw as much as you need.
Ways to Use Taco Sauce
Try this sauce on your favorite tacos or add a drizzle on cooked rice or beans. You can also use this on eggs, as a dip for chips, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite quesadilla. This homemade taco sauce is an easy way to add amazing flavor to your next taco night!
PrintHomemade Taco Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan or pot, add the tomato sauce, water, lime juice, white vinegar, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk until combined.
- Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Adjust seasonings to taste. You may want to add a little more salt, a dash of hot sauce, or an additional squeeze of lime juice.
- Allow to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Keywords: homemade taco sauce
I had no idea it was so easy to make taco sauce. Made this sauce to go with our tacos tonight. It was delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
This sauce was so easy to make. I’ve been enjoying dumping it into my ground beef skillet dinners.
★★★★★
I recently made this homemade taco sauce, and I love how it turned out! It was delicious, fun, and easy to make. This recipe will take your tacos to a whole new level! A must-try indeed!
★★★★★
This sauce has it all, tanginess, some spice and the authentic vibe of a homemade Mexican taco sauce. I love putting it on my eggs in the morning and topping it with some queso fresco…que rico!
★★★★★
Last week I hosted a Mexican night and wanted to make a lot of homemade ingredients for the quesadillas, tacos, etc…so I made this taco sauce and it turned out great!! It was def a hit amongst my friends.
★★★★★
This taco sauce recipe is perfection – just the right amount of spices. I think I’ve purchased my last jar of sauce now that I know how to make it. Thanks for the clear instructions.
★★★★★
I love being able to make a sauce from scratch from what I have. This is pefect.
★★★★★
Okay, this was perfect! The vinegar! So tangy!
★★★★★
This is so easy to make. Everything available in my kitchen. Homemade options are the best any day.
★★★★★