Taco sauce recipe is a spicy, aromatic, and easy Mexican sauce that pairs well with tacos, burritos, pasta, pizza, and salads. There is an excellent selection of ready-made taco sauces available on supermarket shelves. But for me, homemade taco sauce is superior to store-bought sauce, as I know what goes into it.
What ingredients are needed to make the taco sauce recipe?
Ingredients needed to make the taco sauce recipe are mentioned in the list below.
- 1 can of tomato sauce (16 ounces)
- 2 tsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
2 steps to make a taco sauce recipe
- Add tomato sauce, 2 tsp white vinegar, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ chili pepper, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp granulated sugar, ½ cup water, and 1 tsp salt to a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over low-medium heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the taco sauce thickens slightly. Then, transfer to a jar or an airtight container and let cool completely.
Use my taco sauce recipe with other recipes like:
- As a classic sauce for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc.
- Use it as dressing for the best Mexican salad
- As a dip for nachos, chips.
- It complements perfectly Chilli Con Carne or Chili Bean Soup.
- Taco Sauce substitutes regular ketchup for French fries or any other potato recipes.
- And why not pizza, calzone, or pasta?! Enjoy and dive into the culinary experience!
Other sauce recipes:
Buffalo sauce, Tahini dressing, and Pesto sauce.
FAQ’s
Can I use homemade tomato sauce instead of canned tomato sauce to make taco sauce?
Yes, you can use homemade tomato sauce instead of canned tomato sauce to make taco sauce. Just ensure the homemade tomato sauce is smooth and not too watery.
What should you do if the taco sauce is too thick?
Add more water if the taco sauce is too thick. Add less water if you want to use the dip for nachos or French fries.
How to store taco sauce?
To store taco sauce, cool it in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 10–14 days.

Homemade Taco Sauce
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 tsp white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Add tomato sauce, 2 tsp white vinegar, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ chili pepper, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp granulated sugar, ½ cup water, and 1 tsp salt to a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over low-medium heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the taco sauce thickens slightly. Then, transfer to a jar or an airtight container and let cool completely.