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Home » Chili Pepper Recipes » Homemade Taco Sauce Recipe

Homemade Taco Sauce Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Sep 20, 2024 · 47 Comments

Jump to Recipe Save Saved!
Taco Sauce Recipe

This easy taco sauce is better than store bought, ready to add tanginess, spicy zing and flavor to your tacos, burritos, nachos and so much more.

Taco Sauce Recipe

Homemade Taco Sauce Recipe

Looking for a great Homemade Taco Sauce? This is the recipe you need. You may have enjoyed taco sauce options from the bottled stuff offered in grocery stores, but this homemade version is so much better.

It's easy to make with tomato sauce, vinegar, splash of honey, and spices that you control. Make it as spicy as you want! Plus, no weird preservatives.

It's a bit like what you might find in a packet at your local Taco Bell, tangy and sort of addictive. And it's quick and easy to make! But this out for taco night and make everyone happy!

Let's talk about how to make taco sauce, shall we?

Taco Sauce Ingredients

The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Tomato Sauce. Pureed tomatoes, or passata.
  • Red Wine Vinegar.
  • Honey.
  • Spices. Chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. You can also use homemade taco seasoning.
Taco Sauce Ingredients

How to Make Taco Sauce - the Recipe Method

Simple whisk everything together and simmer it in a small pot or sauce pan for 15 to 20 minutes and you're good to go!

Boom! Done! Your taco sauce is ready to serve. So easy to make, isn't it? Get those tacos ready! You're going to love this sauce!

A bowl of taco sauce, ready to serve

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • For best flavor, refrigerate your taco sauce for a day, allowing the flavors to mingle for more developed flavor.
  • Consider any of the following additions - lemon or lime juice, apple cider vinegar swap, or a splash of hot sauce.

Ways to Use Taco Sauce

Drizzle over tacos, of course, but it's also great for burritos, nachos, quesadillas, tortas. Jazz up Mexican rice, Mexican Pizza, or refried beans.

There are many ways to use this sauce, even as a general sauce for dipping fries, or spreading over sandwiches.

Storage

Taco will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Use it anytime.

You can also freeze it for 3 months or longer. We like to freeze ours in small portions, like in an ice cube tray, so we can thaw just enough as needed.

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this taco sauce recipe. I'd love to hear your comments!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.

  • The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook - Fiery, No-Fuss Meals, by Michael Hultquist

Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

  • Creamy Fish Taco Sauce
  • Chamoy Sauce
  • Adobo Sauce
  • Chipotle Sauce
  • Enchilada Sauce
Taco Sauce drizzled onto crunchy tacos

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. Thanks! — Mike H.

Taco Sauce Recipe
Print

Homemade Taco Sauce Recipe

This easy taco sauce is better than store bought, ready to add tanginess, spicy zing and flavor to your tacos, burritos, nachos and so much more.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Condiment, sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: tacos, tomato sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Calories: 3kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 24 tablespoons
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 14 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 can 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1/3 cup water or more for thinner sauce
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar you can use white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika use hot or smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Stir all of the ingredients together in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors develop.
  • Taste and adjust.
  • Store in the refrigerator in sealed container. The flavor is better after it sits for a day.

Video

Notes

Customize your taco sauce with any of the following additions: Splash of hot sauce, lime juice or lemon juice, apple cider vinegar.
Makes about 1.5 cups.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 3kcal   Carbohydrates: 1g   Protein: 0.1g   Fat: 0.1g   Saturated Fat: 0.01g   Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g   Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g   Sodium: 3mg   Potassium: 10mg   Fiber: 0.1g   Sugar: 0.3g   Vitamin A: 108IU   Vitamin C: 0.1mg   Calcium: 2mg   Iron: 0.1mg
Taco Sauce Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 9/20/24 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 1/10/24.

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. John Weber says

    January 14, 2024 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    I liked it, At first I didn't read the whole recipe then realized I had to cook it, What a pleasant surprise ( It'll sneak up on ya ) Tacos tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 15, 2024 at 2:04 am

      Haha, thanks, John. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. paul smith says

    January 14, 2024 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    yes please

    Reply
  3. Lisa says

    January 11, 2024 at 7:31 am

    Hi Mike, TY for all the yummy recipes! What I really like is the simplicity and the common ingredients that you use for such great tasting recipes!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      January 11, 2024 at 7:50 am

      Thanks, Lisa! Always glad to be helpful!

      Reply
  4. Rachel Symes says

    January 11, 2024 at 12:59 am

    Hi Mike,

    This looks tasty.

    I'm wondering what the equivalent of your tomato sauce would be in Australia. Any thoughts?

    Best,
    Rachel

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 11, 2024 at 5:55 am

      Hi Rachel, 8 oz = 227 ml.

      Reply
    • Christopher Morello says

      January 11, 2024 at 2:58 pm

      It looks as though the Australian equivalent of this tomato sauce would be canned tomato puree, possibly like Leggo's smooth tomato puree 410 g can. It wouldn't have been cooked with onion powder and garlic powder (or very little) according to its ingredients label, but that might not matter since this taco sauce recipe includes both.

      The Australian tomato sauce, which we call ketchup/catsup, would lend a sweeter profile that you might not be after although might taste OK and akin to our commercial brand red taco sauces like La Victoria. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Mike Hultquist says

        January 11, 2024 at 3:09 pm

        Yes, a more accurate answer, most likely. Sorry for any confusion.

        Reply
  5. Mark says

    January 10, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    5 stars
    Very good master chef Love it.

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 11, 2024 at 5:10 am

      Awesome, thanks, Mark!

      Reply
  6. Philip Leone says

    January 10, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    Could you preserve this in a water bath?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      January 11, 2024 at 7:00 am

      Philip, you can, though you may need to add acidity (vinegar or citrus). Shoot for a pH of 3.5 for home preserving.

      Reply
  7. LARKIN LOTTES says

    January 10, 2024 at 12:45 pm

    Would you consider this recipe close to Taco Bells Hot Sauce?

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 11, 2024 at 5:54 am

      Hey, Larkin, well... the Taco Bell hot sauce recipe is a closely guarded secret LOL but you can say that this taco sauce is somewhat similar 😉

      Reply
  8. Barbeee says

    January 10, 2024 at 10:19 am

    5 stars
    This sauce recipe made up so quick and the flavor is awesome. Taco Night...

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 11, 2024 at 5:10 am

      Yes, taco night every night!

      Reply
  9. Lee says

    January 10, 2024 at 9:00 am

    5 stars
    Loved it. I also used it to mix with the meat. So much better than the powder crap!

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 11, 2024 at 5:11 am

      Enjoy, Lee!

      Reply
  10. Kathy Beeston-Downs says

    January 10, 2024 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    what would be the time for a water bath? I like to make up batches so it's ready when I need it.
    Sincerely Kathy Beeston-Downs

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      January 11, 2024 at 7:01 am

      Kathy, 10 minutes is usually enough, though up to 20 minutes for higher elevation. You may need to add acidity (vinegar or citrus). Shoot for a pH of 3.5 for home preserving. Enjoy!

      Reply
  11. Cheong kok Shing says

    January 10, 2024 at 7:46 am

    5 stars
    Very good master chef

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 10, 2024 at 7:55 am

      Thank you, Cheong!

      Reply
  12. Ramya says

    January 10, 2024 at 7:35 am

    Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had taco sauce before perfect for snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      January 10, 2024 at 7:46 am

      Awesome - enjoy, Ramya!

      Reply
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