This homemade taco sauce brings tomato, vinegar and Mild Taco Dust together in one small saucepan. The blend already includes guajillo, cumin, smoked paprika and potato starch, so start with a measured amount and adjust the pour at the end.
1/2 cup (120 ml) water, plus 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) to thin if needed
2 tablespoons (30 ml) distilled white vinegar
2 level teaspoons (10 ml) Desert Dust Mild Taco Seasoning, plus up to 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) if needed
Directions
Start with tomato. Pour the tomato sauce, 1/2 cup water and vinegar into a small saucepan. Whisk until evenly combined. Use plain canned tomato sauce, not tomato paste or pasta sauce.
Whisk in the Dust. Add 2 level teaspoons Mild Taco Dust to the cold mixture. Whisk thoroughly so the seasoning disperses without dry clumps.
Simmer gently. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat. Cook uncovered for 6–8 minutes, stirring often and scraping the bottom, until the sauce is smooth and lightly thickened.
Check the pour. The sauce should fall from a spoon in a loose ribbon. If too thick, whisk in extra water 1 tablespoon at a time. If watery, simmer another minute or two.
Taste and spoon. Taste a cooled spoonful with a bite of your taco filling. Add up to 1/2 teaspoon more Dust if needed and simmer 1 minute. Serve warm, or refrigerate promptly for a chilled sauce.
Yield: About 1 1/4 cups; 10 servings of 2 tablespoons.
The Dust In This Recipe
Mild Taco Seasoning
$19.99
Make it with Desert Dust Mild Taco Seasoning. Measure the Dust as listed, then taste before adding more seasoning.
✦Mild HeatFull taco flavor without a big hit of heat.
✦Organic SpicesGuajillo, cumin, onion, garlic and other spices build the savory profile.
This is a smooth, cooked tomato sauce with vinegar tang and evenly dispersed seasoning. It has no chopped raw vegetables. Spoon it over tacos and burritos or drizzle it onto loaded potatoes. Mild Taco Dust supplies the chile and spice flavor, so the sauce does not need a separate packet of taco seasoning.
DO I NEED TO BLEND OR STRAIN IT?
No blender is needed when you start with smooth, plain canned tomato sauce. Small spice flecks are normal. Whisk the seasoning into the cold liquids before heating. If you choose a particularly coarse tomato sauce, strain it first; chunky diced tomatoes and thick tomato paste will not give the same result by a direct swap.
WHY DID MY TACO SAUCE THICKEN AS IT COOLED?
The current Mild Taco blend contains potato starch, and the tomato also gives the sauce body. Keep the simmer gentle and check the cooled texture before filling a serving bottle. Stir in water 1 teaspoon at a time if needed. A clean, wide-neck squeeze bottle is easier to fill and wash than a narrow hot-sauce bottle.
HOW MILD IS IT, AND CAN I CHANGE THE TANG?
Mild Taco Dust makes this a relatively mild sauce, although sensitivity to chile varies. For more heat, add a little of your preferred hot sauce to a serving portion. White vinegar gives a clear, sharp tang; apple cider vinegar can replace it in the same amount for a rounder flavor. Neither version is shelf-stable.
CAN I MAKE IT AHEAD OR FREEZE IT?
Refrigerate promptly in a clean, shallow, covered container at 40°F (4°C) or below and use within 4 days. Freeze small portions for up to 2 months for best quality, then thaw in the refrigerator and stir. Discard sauce left out beyond 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
CAN I CAN THIS SAUCE OR KEEP IT IN THE PANTRY?
No. This recipe is for refrigerated or frozen storage. Tomato, vinegar and the citric acid in the seasoning do not establish a safe canning process. A sealed bottle or jar does not make the sauce shelf-stable. For home canning, use a separately validated preservation recipe and its exact processing instructions.
DOES THIS TACO SAUCE CONTAIN DAIRY, EGG OR WHEAT?
The listed recipe ingredients do not include dairy, egg or wheat. The current Mild Taco ingredient list includes potato starch and rice concentrate, but it does not list mustard. Check the actual seasoning, tomato sauce and vinegar packages for allergens and cross-contact statements; ingredient lists can change. This is not an allergen-free certification.
