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–+ servings
a spoonful of taco sauce over a jar full of the sauce.
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Homemade Taco Sauce 

This Homemade Taco Sauce is tangy, tomato-y, and full of flavor. Made with pantry-staple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, it's the perfect condiment for drizzling over tacos or an easy flavor boost for ground meat.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: condiment
Cuisine: Mexican, tex mex
Diet: Gluten Free, Halal, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Skill Level: Beginner
Servings: 14 tablespoons (~1 cup)
Author: Rena Awada

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces tomato sauce one can
  • 1/4 cup water or 1/3 cup for thinner sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or use 1/2 tsp for more heat
  • 1 teaspoon honey or cane sugar
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add all the sauce ingredients (8 ounces tomato sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon honey) to a saucepan and whisk to combine.
  • Cook the sauce gently over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent sticking.
  • Turn off the heat and taste to adjust the seasoning by adding salt & pepper if needed.
  • Allow the sauce to cool before serving or placing it in a lidded jar. Store the jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    A jar of taco sauce on a grey napkin.

Notes

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Switch up the spice: Swap the cayenne for chipotle chili powder for a smoky flavor.
Make it hotter: Increase the amount of cayenne, or add a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
Storage: Store cooled sauce in a clean, lidded jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months (thaw overnight in the fridge before using).
Reheating: Taco sauce can be eaten cold or at room temperature. But if you prefer it warm, gently heat in a pot, stirring over a medium-low heat until warmed to your liking. Alternatively, microwave in 20-second bursts until warmed to your liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.3mg