This homemade taco sauce is so delicious and can be made with simple ingredients from your pantry. Forget store bought, this sauce can be made quickly and lasts for several weeks. 

If you like to make sauce at home be sure to try this copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. 

Why make it instead of buy it?

Have you ever looked at the back of some jarred and canned foods to see ingredients you’ve never heard of?

That’s why I enjoy making things like this taco sauce at home. You control the ingredients going in and can adjust to your family’s taste. 

It’s also very cost effective. A jar at the store is can be 2-3 dollars and this is less than a dollar to make. This recipe makes enough to use for several meals and is also great to use for meal prep. 

What is the difference between salsa and taco sauce?

Taco sauce is typically ingredients like spices and tomato sauce that is cooked to let the flavors come together.

Salsa usually uses fresh ingredients and is not cooked. 

Ingredients needed

Tomato Sauce – Use a 16 oz can of plain tomato sauce.

Vinegar – This recipe calls for white vinegar but feel free to substitute with apple cider vinegar.

Spices – Cumin, onion powder, garlic salt, chili powder, paprika, sugar, cayenne. 

How to make taco sauce

Scroll to the bottom for full printable recipe, ingredients and video. 

This sauce is so easy to put together. 

1. Mix: Pour water, vinegar, tomato sauce and spices in a medium saucepan. Stir together until combined.
2. Simmer: Cook over low heat for approximately 15 minutes. Make sure to occasionally stir to prevent burning. 
3. Serve: You can serve warm or let cool and store in jar until ready to use. 

How to store

Store: Once it’s cooked, take it off the heat and let the sauce cool down. I like to store mine in jars. Keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. 

Freeze: This sauce can also be frozen. Pour in an airtight, freezer safe bag and freeze for 3-4 months. 

Uses for taco sauce

There are many wonderful recipes that this sauce compliments. It tastes similar to Ortega and Taco Bell taco sauce so you can use it like you would for those or it’s also a good substitute for salsa.  

• Use to top these Crockpot tacos.
• It makes a great addition to air fryer steak fajitas.
• Add a little spice to these butternut squash and black bean enchiladas.
• I even love using it with eggs or on a breakfast casserole. 

Recipe tips

• The cayenne pepper does add a little heat to the sauce so if you don’t like spicy, omit the cayenne. If you like it really spicy, add a little more. 
• Try adding a splash of lime juice for a fresh flavor.
• Make a double batch so you have some for the week and some in the freezer for later.

More Mexican inspired recipes

• Charro beans – Delicious beans cooked with onion and bacon.
• Crockpot chicken fajitas – This is an easy weeknight slow cooker meal everyone loves. 
• Pico de Gallo– A tasty condiment that can be used like salsa or for dipping.
• Chicken empanadas – This is a semi-homemade version of empanadas. 

*** If you made this recipe, please feel free to comment and leave a star rating below.