This recipe for easy homemade taco sauce is a copycat recipe for Ortega brand taco sauce and can easily be made with a can of tomato sauce plus a few spices!
I love Ortega and Taco Bell-style taco sauce. You know, that tangy, salty, vinegary brownish-red stuff that tastes so good on Old El Paso-seasoned ground beef stuffed into a crunchy shell and topped with shredded lettuce, cheese, and diced tomato. That is is THE stuff of Americanized "Taco Tuesdays." My favorite weeknight dinner as a kid. And I'm still HERE FOR IT.
However, truth be told, I never seem to have any taco sauce on hand when I need it because of TOO MANY CONDIMENTS. I can't seem to fit any more condiment staples into the shelves of my refrigerator door. And taco sauce just isn't on the priority list for taking up space in my fridge right now.
So I came up with a solution - why not just have a recipe for easy homemade taco sauce for whenever the craving hits? And we are doing it, friends - today is the day! Let's make some taco sauce.
Ingredients
Taco sauce is simply made of a tomato base - usually tomato puree - vinegar and sugar for flavor balance, and dried spices. My version uses ingredients that I'll bet you already have on hand:
- Canned tomato sauce - no need for anything fancy here. Just a simple, 8 ounce can of plain tomato sauce. No salt added if you can find it! That way, you can control the amount of sodium added to this recipe.
- Ancho chili powder - this chile powder is actually made from poblano peppers that have been dried and ground. It's brick red color and subtly smokey flavor give taco sauce that deep, brownish-red color.
- Regular chili powder - we use two types of chile powder in this recipe. The ancho is more for color and the regular chili powder for that recognizable taco sauce flavor.
- Cumin, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper - each of these spices are very traditional in Mexican cuisine, and each plays an important role in contributing to the overall flavor of your taco sauce. I always have each of these in my pantry, as they are common in so many recipes!
- Sugar, salt, pepper - a little bit of sweetness plus some salt and pepper help to balance and round out the flavor of your sauce.
- Lime juice - I love a hint of lime in any Mexican condiment, and freshly-squeezed lime juice really helps this sauce taste very special and "homemade."
Instructions
Making taco sauce from scratch is VERY simple. Let me prove it to you:
You just stir everything together in a small saucepan (except for the lime juice), heat it for 10 minutes or so, and badda bing, badda boom, TACO SAUCE.
Cool it down, jar it up, and enjoy! Hence the name, EASY and HOMEMADE!
You can store homemade taco sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze it in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
To thaw frozen taco sauce, simply place it in the fridge overnight, or thaw it under warm running water for a minute or two, stirring as needed to break up any frozen chunks.
Serving Suggestions
- On scrambled eggs and omelets, like Migas with Chorizo
- As a topping on a taco salad bar and Chicken Tacos
- On taco filling-stuffed baked potatoes
- Swirled into Ranch dressing for a yummy dip!
- In a 7-layer taco dip
- Tossed with a can of Healthy Refried Black Beans
- As a marinade for chicken, steak, or shrimp fajita meat
- As the sauce base for a taco pizza!
And I'm sure you can think of many other fun options!
If you are a condiment lover like me, be sure to check out my easy recipes for homemade Classic Red Enchilada Sauce, Roasted Poblano Smother Sauce, and homemade 5 Minute Pizza Sauce.
Are you ready to make this Easy Homemade Taco Sauce? I’m so excited for you to try this recipe. Once you get the chance to make it, please let me know how it turns out for you!
Leave a comment and rate the recipe below. This will help me with the creation of future recipes!
I’d also love to feature your creation in my weekly newsletter, so you can upload a photo to Instagram with the tag @sweetcayenne5 to be featured! Quick and easy recipe videos are available on my YouTube channel, and lots of menu inspiration on my Pinterest boards. Catch my Taco Sauce Story for a quick overview of the recipe.
Similar recipes to enjoy
Recipe
Easy Homemade Taco Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon chile powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients through the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Cool slightly. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Adam says
Excellent recipe! Quick and easy to make! What would be a suggestion to make it a bit spicier?
Whitney Reist says
Thanks for trying the recipe, Adam! I'd increase the cayenne pepper a bit to your preferred spiciness, or add a couple dashes of your favorite hot sauce!
Adriene says
I made this tonight for our taco dinner - delicious recipe! My only critique would be to change the first sentence in the instructions to “Combine all ingredients *except lime juice*” because I followed the instructions as written in step 1, “Combine all ingredients through the water…”It does not mention withholding lime juice until step 2: “Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice.” Well, too late, can’t take lime juice out now! 🙂 It still tastes great, but there must be a reason for holding out the lime juice until then end??
Whitney Reist says
Hi Adriene! I just add the lime juice at the end because the flavor is brighter when it hasn't been subjected to heat.
Tee says
OMG, DELICIOUS!!! I didn't have ancho chili powder. I had dried chilis that I made into powder and I also added green chilies that I had in the fridge from another recipe. We have used this in soups, fried egg sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, Etc
Whitney Reist says
Thank so much for trying the recipe - I love how you made it work with what you have on hand!
Jeff says
I’m on a low sodium diet, so I leave out the salt. I’ve made this recipe many times and love it. Best taco sauce ever and I live in the Southwest. I freeze it in small quantities and it is just as good weeks later. Thanks for the recipe! I always keep it on hand.
Whitney Reist says
That's so great to hear, Jeff! I also love this recipe 🙂 Thanks for trying it!
Virginia says
This sauce was delish and came together easily and quickly. Yum!
Whitney Reist says
I'm so glad you enjoy it! I love making this as well - it's a staple for me!
Oscar Lawson says
Just made it tonight for Taco Thursdays. I didn't have the first chili ingredient and I forgot the lime. The family thought this was the BEST taco sauce ever. So thank you for the recipe. I can't wait to include the two missing ingredients.
Whitney Reist says
That's so great to hear, Oscar! I'm so glad your family enjoyed the taco sauce : )
Debra Trout says
What do you do with the water?
Whitney Reist says
Hi Debra, the water goes in the saucepan, along with all of the other ingredients except for the lime juice. The lime juice gets stirred in at the very end. Thanks!