This Trader Joe’s Taco Sauce Recipe is an easy and classic recipe, which is made with tomato sauce and cumin. It’s the perfect condiment for taco night, ready in about 25 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Taco Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
- ⅔ cup water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
How To Make Trader Joe’s Taco Sauce Recipe
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, stir together the tomato sauce, water, vinegar, and all the spices (cumin through cayenne pepper).
- Simmer and Thicken: Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Cool and Serve: Let the sauce cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to adjust the spice level? The heat in this sauce comes from the cayenne pepper. For a milder sauce, use only a pinch or omit it entirely. For a spicier sauce, feel free to add a little more.
- How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner? For a thicker sauce, simply let it simmer for a few extra minutes to allow more liquid to evaporate. For a thinner sauce, stir in another splash of water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Can I make this without sugar? Yes, the sugar is optional, but the small amount helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar, creating a more well-rounded flavor.
- Can I use fresh garlic and onion? While this is designed as a quick pantry recipe, you could sauté a small amount of finely minced fresh onion and garlic in a little oil before adding the other ingredients for a fresher flavor.
What To Serve With Taco Sauce
This versatile sauce is the perfect finishing touch for a variety of Tex-Mex dishes.
- Drizzled over tacos, burritos, or nachos
- As a base for a taco salad dressing
- As a dip for quesadillas or taquitos
- Stirred into refried beans or Mexican rice
How To Store Taco Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
Taco Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Serving: (approx. 2 tbsp)
- Calories: 15 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
As written, it has a mild to medium heat from the cayenne and chili powder, similar to a standard taco sauce packet. It’s more flavorful than intensely spicy.
When stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, it will last for up to two weeks.
Yes, you can. Tomato purée is generally thicker than tomato sauce, so you may need to add a little extra water to get the right consistency.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s Taco Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings5
minutes20
minutes15
kcalA quick and easy homemade taco sauce that’s packed with flavor and comes together in one pot for the perfect taco night condiment.
Ingredients
1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce
⅔ cup water
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp garlic salt
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Directions
- Stir all ingredients together in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat.
- Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- The sauce will thicken a bit more as it cools.
- For a gluten-free sauce, ensure all your spices are certified gluten-free.
- This recipe is a great way to control the sodium and spice level compared to store-bought sauces.
- This sauce is perfect for making in a large batch and storing for future meals.
