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Homemade Taco Sauce

November 26, 2018 by Michelle | 8 Comments

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two tacos next to a jar of taco sauce with a text overlay that says now cook this homemade taco sauce quick and easy

Homemade Taco Sauce is quick, easy, and so delicious! All you need is about 20 minutes, tomato sauce, vinegar, and spices you probably already have in your cabinet. Bye-bye, bottled sauce!

close up of a jar of homemade taco sauce with a spoon and napkin on the side this recipe

Every cloud has a silver lining … that’s what my mom always used to tell me. She was right. For example, this Homemade Taco Sauce was the silver lining of the cloud that was the time that I made tacos and realized I didn’t have any taco sauce.

I love, love, love, love, love tacos! ? I’ve loved them ever since I was a little kid. When we saw that yellow box with the taco kit in the grocery bag, my sister, brother, and I knew we were in for a real treat. Taco night was not a weekly or even a monthly event in my house, so it was like a special occasion that we all looked forward to. Good times!

Now that I’m all grown up, I can make me some tacos whenever I want, and I make them often. My favorite taco is still the one that is just like the ones my mom used to make: seasoned ground meat, cheese, lettuce, onion, and tomatoes on crispy taco shells topped with – my favorite part – lots of taco sauce!

So imagine my dismay when I was right in the middle of making tacos one night and realized I didn’t have any taco sauce in the house. Now, don’t get me wrong. A taco without taco sauce is still a really good taco, but it’s just not the same. I want my taco sauce!

I live in the boonies, so running to the store for a bottle of taco sauce was not an option. How hard could it be to make? I wondered. So off to the computer I went in search of a quick recipe for homemade taco sauce.

I was hungry and in a hurry, so I tried the first recipe I found over on Allrecipes, making only a minor change or two based on our tastes and the ingredients I had on hand. It took only about 20 minutes. The result? I was completely blown away. This stuff was so much better than my once-beloved bottled taco sauce!

While we were eating, my husband, David, said to me, “What did you do different with these tacos? This time they’re extra good!” He was right. It was amazing how this homemade taco sauce made such a difference! I have not bought a bottle of taco sauce since.

homemade taco sauce in a jar with a spoonful of sauce being lifted out

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACO SAUCE:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Water
  • White vinegar
  • Ground cumin
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Sugar
  • Cayenne pepper (optional)

HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACO SAUCE:

three photos showing steps to make homemade taco sauce with text that says combine all ingredients in a saucepan, simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened

two photos showing the steps to make homemade taco sauce with text that says cool slightly before serving, enjoy

Yep, it’s that easy! And I know exactly what’s in it. And I’m probably saving a few pennies, too. Win-win-win!

This recipe makes about 2 cups of taco sauce. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for longer-term storage. Sometimes I make a double batch just to put some in the freezer in 1-cup portions for future use.

The ¼ teaspoon of cayenne in the sauce gives it just a mild heat. You can leave it out if you don’t like any heat, or you can add more if you like it more spicy.

two tacos with taco sauce on them and a jar of homemade taco sauce in the background

Use this Homemade Taco Sauce anywhere you’d use the bottled stuff: tacos, taco salad, nachos … the list goes on. In addition to being a taco game-changer for me, it took my Mexican Lasagna to a whole new level of deliciousness!

I hope you try this recipe for Homemade Taco Sauce and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!

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Homemade Taco Sauce

Homemade Taco Sauce is quick, easy, and soooo delicious! All you need is 20 minutes, tomato sauce, vinegar, and spices you probably already have in your cabinet. Bye-bye, bottled sauce!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Rate/Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 16 (2 tablespoons each - recipe makes about 2 cups total)
Calories: 14
Author: Michelle | Now Cook This!

Ingredients

  • 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional, more or less to taste

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 
  • Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly.
  • Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Refrigerate leftover sauce for up to a week or freeze for longer-term storage.
Did you try this recipe? I'd love to see it!Mention @nowcookthis or tag #nowcookthisrecipes!

Recipe slightly adapted from Allrecipes.

  • Mexican Lasagna
  • Quinoa Veggie Chili
  • Spicy Popcorn
  • Pan Pizza
  • Turkey Sloppy Joes
Previous Post: « Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Next Post: Caesar Salad (My Way) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jesse Starley

    November 7, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    I really liked your post. I shared it on my social media.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      November 7, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks very much, Jesse!

      Reply
  2. Russ

    November 27, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    Just made it and it is fantastic I will definitely make this from now on instead of store bought

    Reply
    • Michelle

      November 27, 2020 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks very much, Russ! So glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Greg Steger

    February 10, 2021 at 7:56 pm

    Made it today. Love it. I will make in the future and add it to my annual canning schedule. Thank you for a simple and great taco sauce.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      February 10, 2021 at 8:27 pm

      Thank you, Greg! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Sara

    November 15, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    Thank you. It was delicious 😋.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      November 15, 2022 at 8:41 pm

      Thank you, Sara…so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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Welcome to my kitchen where something good is always cooking! I want us all to cook and eat at home more, so I’m here to share my favorite simple and delicious recipes that are perfect for the everyday home cook. I hope you will be inspired to get in the kitchen and try these recipes, and I hope they become some of your favorites too! Read more…

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