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Copycat Taco Bell Taco Sauce Dry Mix

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat taco sauce, dry taco sauce mix, homemade taco sauce, taco sauce mix
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
A dry spice mix you keep in a jar and whisk with tomato paste, water and vinegar to make a copycat taco sauce. One batch makes about 3½ cups.

Ingredients

Dry mix

  • 1½ tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp minced dried onion
  • 2 tbsp dried minced jalapeño (or 1 tbsp jalapeño powder)
  • ⅛ tsp xanthan gum (optional)

Sauce (per batch of mix)

  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tsp white wine vinegar (optional)
  • ½ tsp lemon juice (optional)

Directions

  • Stir all the dry mix ingredients together and keep in an airtight jar.
  • To make the sauce, whisk the dry mix with the tomato paste, water, and vinegars (and lemon juice, if using) in a small saucepan over medium heat until smooth.
  • Bring to a gentle boil and keep whisking for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thicker.
  • Take off the heat, let cool completely, then chill in a closed jar.

Notes

Dry mix keeps up to 6 months in an airtight jar. Prepared sauce: refrigerate in a sealed jar for about 1–2 months.