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    Home ≫ Recipes

    Taco Sauce

    Updated February 27, 2020. Originally Posted September 28, 2018 By Nikole This post may contain Amazon affiliate links.

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    jar with label

    This quick, homemade Taco Sauce Recipe is mild and tangy. If you’re a fan of Taco Bell’s mild sauce, then give this one a try on your favorite Tex Mex recipe! This is great on Ground Beef Tacos and delicious with Beef Burritos. 

    taco sauce

    I think ya'll are starting to realize how much I love Mexican food! But what's not love, right? Ok, I did grow up on the Texas/Mexico border, so these flavors are as familiar to me as hamburgers and hotdogs are to most.

    I also know that you all love Mexican food! How do I know this? Well, Taco Bell was named America's favorite restaurant, that's how.

    But before we get into that debate, let's just all agree that we love Mexican food! And what goes great with Mexican food? A great sauce!

    What ingredients are in taco sauce?

    Corn Starch - This is used to thicken the sauce.

    Tomato Paste - A concentrated punch of tomato flavor that serves as the base for this recipe.

    White Vinegar - This will give the sauce that familiar tang.

    Chili Powder - This is one of my favorite Tex-Mex ingredients! I put it in almost all of my Tex-Mex recipes. It has a nice smokey flavor that makes the sauce taste like it simmered for hours!

    Ground Cayenne Pepper - You can adjust this to your preference. Just remember that a little bit goes a long way!

    Garlic and Onion Powder - These seasonings will give this sauce another layer of flavor without overpowering it.

    How do i make homemade taco sauce?

    Please see printable recipe card below for complete instructions.

    You'll love how quick and easy this recipe is. You probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry, so let's go!

    • Dissolve cornstarch in water.

    sauce pan of water and cornstarch

    • Add the rest of the ingredients, whisking to combine.

    ingredients being whisked in a suacepan

    • Simmer for 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.

    thickened sauce on a ladle

    How long will this recipe keep?

    This recipe will keep for at least one week. Keep it in the refrigerator in a mason jar or other container with a tight fitting lid. I prefer using a glass container, but plastic works too.

    Other Popular Tex-Mex Recipes to use with this Taco sauce

    • Beef Burrito Recipe
    • Ground Beef Tacos
    • Taco Salad

    What could be easier? Nada. 

    See you on Tuesday...Taco Tuesday, that is!

    taco sauce

    Homemade Taco Sauce

    Recipe by Nikole Berg
    This Homemade Taco Sauce Recipe is mild and tangy. If you’re a fan of Taco Bell’s mild taco sauce, then give this one a try on your favorite Tex Mex recipe! This is great on Ground Beef Tacos and delicious with Beef Burritos. Why not drizzle some on Baked Nachos? You’re sure to love this easy to make Taco Sauce!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Condiments
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 1 ½ cups
    Calories 32 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½   cups water
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
    • ½ a 6 oz can of tomato paste about 4 tablespoons
    • 1 ½   tablespoons white vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoons salt
    • ground cayenne pepper: leave out completely for no heat use ½ teaspoon for medium heat and 1 teaspoon for hot!
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium saucepan, dissolve 1 teaspoon cornstarch in 1 ½ cups water.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients (tomato paste through onion powder) to the pan, whisking to combine.
    • Simmer for 15 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
    • Serve warm, at room temperature or cold.
    • Refrigerate unused portions for up to a week.

    Notes

    I like to let the taco sauce cool for a few hours before serving. It gives the flavors a chance to mellow out.
    Painter's tape makes a great way to label mason jars. They peel right off-no scrubbing!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2TablespoonsCalories: 32kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2416mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1186IUCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Mexican Food, Taco Bell, Taco Sauce, Tacos
    Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

    September 28, 2018

    image with text

     

    « Cilantro Lime Green Chile Grilled Chicken
    Beef Burrito Recipe »
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    About Nikole

    Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Evelyn

      October 10, 2020 at 12:57 am

      Tomato PASTE, not SAUCE, just to clarify? I’m how thick is the final product? I’d love to use this as a sauce for a taco tortellini bake, but unsure of if the flavor would be overbearing used by itself.

      Reply
      • Nikole

        October 10, 2020 at 12:21 pm

        Hi Evelyn! The final product is saucy, not thick like a paste. It's inspired by Taco Bell's hot sauce, if you're familiar with that, so it's meant to be used as a condiment to use with tacos, tostadas, etc. It's really a condiment, but I think it can be used like an enchilada sauce, if you like the taste.

        Reply
    2. Susie

      October 08, 2019 at 9:50 am

      Used for a taco bake and was delicious!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        October 08, 2019 at 12:21 pm

        Taco Bake sounds so good! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Bea

      October 03, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Just what I was looking for!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        October 03, 2019 at 12:43 pm

        So glad you found the recipe, Bea!

        Reply
    4. Darlene Hryn Stainbrook

      May 29, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      Used white vinegar, think next time I make will cut back and just use 1 tbsp. Optioned out on cayenne pepper, and used hot sauce, next time will try cayenne. Made on May 29, 2019 9/10

      Reply
      • Nikole

        May 31, 2019 at 12:19 am

        Darlene-thank you so much for trying the recipe and leaving a thoughtful comment! I hope you come back often as I'm trying to add more Tex-Mex recipes to my site!

        Reply
    5. Tristin Rieken

      October 02, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      I love this easy taco sauce recipe and your tip for the painter's tape labels. Cute and functional!

      Reply
    6. Anna

      October 01, 2018 at 8:29 pm

      What a fabulous and easy taco sauce recipe. I can't get enough Mexican food and I do prefer homemade if possible so this recipe is just perfect!

      Reply
    7. Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale

      October 01, 2018 at 5:17 pm

      I have to say, I do love the Taco Bell sauce. I am always opening a 100 packets when I go there.... I am certain your homemade version is 100 times better! I can't wait to make this to load up on my tacos at home.

      Reply
    8. geetha priyanka

      October 01, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      The recipe looks delicious and I will be trying to make this at home.

      Reply
    9. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

      October 01, 2018 at 8:27 am

      Sounds like you love Mexican food as much as I do! It's a real problem. This taco sauce seems perfect and I love the idea of making your own so you can control the ingredients! So yummy!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Nikole and here at The Travel Palate, I focus on creating quick and easy meals that don't sacrifice flavor for convenience. Join me in the kitchen to celebrate easy American cooking that's globally inspired. About The Travel Palate

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