Taco Sauce
This is the perfect homemade taco sauce recipe. Easy to make, bursting with flavor, and perfect for tacos, dips, and marinades. Ready in under 30 minutes!
John and I have been on a mission to perfect the ultimate taco sauce, and we think we’ve nailed it with this recipe.
Inspired by the classic Taco Bell taco sauce we all know and love, this copycat version is full of flavor with the perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and smoky notes.
Whether you’re drizzling it on chorizo tacos, dipping chips, or using it as a marinade, this sauce will take any dish to new heights.
It’s super easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes!
Helpful Tips for the Perfect Taco Sauce
Tips
Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and hot sauce. For those who love it spicy, feel free to add more!
Customize the Flavor: Play around with the spices to suit your taste. Add a touch of oregano or a splash of lime juice for a different flavor profile.
Blend for Smoothness: If you like your sauce super smooth, you can blend it with an immersion blender or in a regular blender after it has cooled.
Kids-Friendly: For a kid-friendly version, omit the cayenne pepper and hot sauce. You can always add a dash to individual servings for the adults.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration:
Pour the cooled sauce into a jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. It will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
Freezing:
Just like with refrigeration, make sure the sauce is completely cool before freezing.
Pour the sauce into ice cube trays for easy portioning. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag or airtight container.
It can be frozen for about 2 months.
Thawing:
Thaw the desired amount of sauce in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave for a quicker thaw. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave before using.
Make Ahead:
- Double Batch: Consider making a double batch and freezing half for later. This way, you always have some taco sauce ready to go!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Serving Suggestions
This taco sauce is incredibly versatile and adds a lot of flavor to many dishes. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:
Tacos
- Drizzle it over your favorite tacos for a extra flavor. Try it with our Beef Tacos, Chicken Tacos, or Fish Tacos.
Quesadillas
- Use it as a dipping sauce for fajita quesadillas or add a Tex-Mex twist to mushroom quesadillas.
Nachos
- Drizzle over nachos for a tangy, spicy kick. Pair it with our Chicken Nachos recipe for the ultimate snack.
More Sauce Recipes to Try
Ingredients
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- ⅔ cup water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon minced dried onion
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce, optional, for extra heat
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, water, and white vinegar. Stir well to mix.15 ounces canned tomato sauce⅔ cup water2 tablespoons white vinegar
- Add the chili powder, minced dried onion, ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sugar, salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Stir until all the spices are well incorporated.1 tablespoon chili powder1 tablespoon minced dried onion2 teaspoons ground cumin1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon smoked paprika1 teaspoon granulated sugar1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon onion powder¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper¼ teaspoon hot sauce
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer the sauce to a clean jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 2 tablespoons. Actual calories will vary.
- Recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups total. Feel free to half the recipe if desired.