Are you ready to add some zing to your Mexican night with my Homemade Taco Sauce? This tomato based sauce is a bit spicy, sweet, smokey and simple to make. I enjoy making it from scratch because I know the ingredients and have full control over spice level. I absolutely enjoy Mexican foods with my family, knowing this taco sauce is without preservatives. Whip up this easy sauce with a few pantry staples and elevate everything from tacos to grilled veggies in no time!
Easy Taco Sauce
If you love Mexican food as much as I do, a good taco sauce is a must! It is a smooth and thick sauce, made with spices that are commonly used in Mexican cooking. Doesn’t matter how I use it (as a cooking sauce, dipping sauce, or drizzled on top), taco sauce simply adds amazing flavor to any meal. You’ll love how fresh it is. Once you make taco sauce at home, you aren’t going back to store-bought sauce!
Homemade Taco Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 ounces tomato sauce or tomato passata sauce
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer.24 ounces tomato sauce, ½ cup water, ½ cup white vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoons corn syrup, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper, ½ teaspoon sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon table salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring often, until desired consistency. Serve and enjoy!
Becky’s Tips
- This sauce has about medium heat. Adjust the spices for a milder or hotter sauce as needed.
- If your taco sauce is too thin, let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes. It will also thicken as it cools.
- To make this taco sauce spicier, add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne.
- The smoked paprika adds smoky flavor to this sauce. To increase this flavor profile, try adding a little liquid smoke to the sauce while it simmers.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Homemade Taco Sauce Step by Step
Combine all ingredients and cook: Set a large saucepan set over medium-low heat and add 24 ounces of tomato sauce, ½ cup of water, ½ cup of white vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoons corn syrup, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper, ½ teaspoon sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon table salt and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Bring this to a simmer.
Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Stir often and cook until desired consistency. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store
Store cooked taco sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
I use this taco sauce to finish so many recipes, from Steak Tacos to Taco Spaghetti! I’ve also used it as the base of Mexican Pizza and drizzle it on top of my Taco Salad or when I make Walking Tacos for my kids.
Feel free to layer it in 7-Layer Dip or stir i into Cooked Shredded Chicken for easy tacos. The list is infinite, you’ll find so many ways to use this flavor-packed sauce!
Don’t knock it until you try it!
It seems I’m not able to save this recipe to my Pinterest. This has happened to me in the past.
It could be something on your browser, as it just worked on my end!