Make your own taco sauce recipe to use in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos and taco salads. Ditch the store-bought version so you know EXACTLY what goes inside! The is the best taco sauce recipe, made with a handful of ingredients and in just a few minutes!
Original post: July 2019 | Updated: September 2021
Why This Recipe Works
I occasionally become obsessed with foods as well as other random things (my husband can verify this) and homemade sauces happen to be one of those things lately.
It is so nice to have control over what goes into my sauces because, well, have you ever looked at the labels on container from the grocery store (high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, etc)? I don’t even know how to pronounce most of the ingredients!
And honestly, there’s nothing better than homemade and that goes for every recipe under the sun, this recipe not excluded. Make a big batch, throw it in the fridge and use it throughout the week in place of ketchup! It’ll add a zing and flavor to taco night and every bite of food you take.
There is no longer a need to steal dozens of Taco Bell sauce packets, ha! This recipe is quick and easy and will soon become a staple in your kitchen.
Recipe Ingredients for Homemade Taco Sauce
Tomato sauce – Tomato puree or ketchup can be substituted for tomato sauce. Tomato paste can also be used, but cut the amount by half if going this route.
Apple cider vinegar – Replace with another variety such as white vinegar, if desired.
Granulated sugar – Omit sugar entirely for a less sweet end result.
How To Make Taco Sauce
Step 1
In a small saucepan, combine a few simple ingredients:
- Tomato sauce or tomato puree
- Water
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cumin
- White sugar
- Onion powder
- Garlic salt or powder
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
Step 2
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Let simmer (stirring occasionally) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thickened. Let cool and store in an air-tight container in the fridge until ready for use.
Recipe Notes
- Place in a small container, glass bottle or mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- Fresh herbs can replace dried, but ensure they are very finely chopped first. Another option is to run them through a food processor. Also, double the amount used if using fresh.
Uses for Taco Sauce
- Drizzle it over your next batch of Taco Cups, Baked Tacos or a batch of Mexican pizzas.
- Replace it with salsa in your next taco salad, or regular old salad, for that matter.
- Drizzle it over your next heaping plate of nachos!
- Taco sauce tastes great in any Mexican food recipe including fish tacos.
- Replace your standard hot sauce of choice with taco sauce.
- Seriously, you guys, use it in place of ketchup for just about anything! Eggs, hash browns, burgers and so much more.
- Chicken Burrito Bowls
Taco Sauce Substitutes
If taco sauce isn’t your thing, there are a lot of good options out there to add to your tacos or taco salads!
- Cilantro Lime Sauce – Also great as a fish taco sauce.
- Spicy Fresh Salsa – This is a great low calorie option.
- Avocado Ranch Dressing – This dressing can also be a topping or dip.
How To Get Taco Sauce Out of Clothes
Here’s a quick tip for getting taco sauce out of your clothing! Combine one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of warm water and stir. Dip the edge of a clean cloth into the mixture and blot the stained portion of the clothing with it.
Repeat this until the stain has disappeared. Use a different clean portion of the cloth each time you dunk it into the cleaning mixture.
18 Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later
Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier! Homemade all the way!
How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
If you use this zingy seasoning regularly, the homemade version is worth making. It’s super affordable (you probably have all of the ingredients sitting in your spice cupboard!) and a little bit really does go a long, long way.
Plus you have control over exactly what you are seasoning your meat with. No more store bought taco seasoning, people!
In a small bowl, combine the following:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika (use smoked paprika for a smoky flavor)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cayenne pepper (depending on how spicy you want it to be)
- Oregano
Mix well and that is IT!
Uses For Taco Seasoning
- Sprinkle it into your next batch of ground beef taco meat.
- Stir it into any creamy dip (yum).
- Really, you could add it to just about any meat-based meal to transform it into a tasty, spicy food. I’m thinking meatballs, burgers or even chicken.
- Use it as a rub on your next Rotisserie chicken or batch of ribs!
- Add it to salad dressing for an extra zing.
How To Freeze Taco Meat
Freezing taco meat is super easy, which makes it one of my favorite things about it! Once it has cooled, spoon it into a resealable freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bag as possible and seal tightly.
Arrange the meat within the bag so that it is in a flat layer. Place the bag in the freezer so that it lies flat. Freeze for 3-4 months.
When you are ready to enjoy the meat allow it to thaw completely, preferably in the fridge overnight. Add the contents to a skillet and heat over medium heat until just heated through. Add a few tablespoons of broth or water, if needed.
FAQ About Taco Sauce
Many varieties of taco sauce are gluten free. Check the label for soy sauce, which is not a gluten-free ingredient.
Taco sauce can be made using ketchup. Combine 2 cups of ketchup with the following: 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 and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Taco sauce not only tastes great drizzled over tacos or burritos! It can be added to taco salad, nachos, quesadillas or any Mexican recipe. Don’t limit yourself to just Mexican recipes, though. Consider adding it to eggs, burgers, potatoes and more!
To make homemade taco sauce, combine 16 oz tomato sauce (or 2 cups of ketchup) with the following: 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Once the taco sauce has cooled, pour it into an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. It can also be frozen in a heavy duty freezer bag for 3-4 months.
Delicious Sauce Recipes
- 18 Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later
- Enchilada Sauce
- Alfredo Sauce
- Arby’s Sauce
- Pizza Sauce
- Pasta Sauce
Favorite Cinco de Mayo Recipes
- 25 delicious Cinco de Mayo dessert recipes
- Easy Baked Churros
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 7-Layer Taco Dip
- Shrimp Tacos
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Best Taco Sauce Recipe
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
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Let simmer (stir occasionally) for 15 minutes, or until thickened.
- Let cool and store in an air-tight container in the fridge until ready for use.
Notes
- Drizzle it over your next batch of Taco Cups or Baked Tacos!
- Replace it with salsa in your next taco salad, or regular old salad, for that matter.
- Drizzle it over your next heaping plate of nachos!
- Taco sauce tastes great in any Mexican food recipe.
- Replace your standard hot sauce of choice with taco sauce.
- Seriously, you guys, use it in place of ketchup for just about anything! Eggs, hash browns, burgers and so much more.
I made this recipe loved the amount it made. I didn’t have cumin so I replaced with paprika. I also found it a bit sour so I added some salt and it really brought the flavour together. Great recipe thank you
Paprika’s a great idea. Glad you found the right combination!
I’ve used this recipe innumerable times. I love its ease and flavor – so much better than store-bought!
That’s great to hear, Nicole! Thank you for sharing.
Can this recipe be canned for storage?
I’ve not canned this particular recipe but you should be able to follow canning rules to store it!
My family, like so many others, have been suffering through food insecurity, so I made a few changes to the recipe based on ingredients I try to keep on hand. I also cut the recipe in half.
▢8 oz ketchup
▢1/2 cup water
▢1/4 tsp cumin
▢1 tbls granulated sugar
▢1/2 tsp onion powder
▢1.2 tsp garlic powder
▢1/4 tsp chili powder
▢1/4 tsp paprika
▢1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or Slap Your Mama (our favorite cajun seasoning with a kick)
We’ve had some extended family over as well as a few friends and since Mexican is easy to make I just put this wonderful homemade taco sauce into my gravy boat, put it on the table I set up as a buffet table and let everyone make their tacos, burritos and fajitas themselves. Everyone loved the taco sauce. From ages of 4 to 93, everyone loved it.
Thank you, Ana, for sharing that. I’m glad it was enjoyed and you found a way to use what you had and be with family.
how long does it last in the fridge?
Great question, Katie. I have this information in the recipe notes. Place in a small container, glass bottle or mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
tastes great, with great texture, and was quick&easy to make. inexpensive too. worth noting that taco sauce can be frozen. so this is also extremely economical since it makes a large batch, yet in a small pot. thank you so much for the recipe!! wish this comment box would enable pics! I just feel my review almost sounds fake but this is all how it is so I wanted to leave proof lol.
oh just saw you already included in the recipe that it can be frozen. oh well! thanks again for the great recipe!
I appreciate the feedback!