Taco Sauce
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You don’t need to buy expensive taco sauce when you can can your own flavorful sauce and can it to use for later!
I love being able to use fresh fruits and vegetables to can jams, jellies, and salsa that I end up using in my Christmas baking and giving as holiday gifts. While jams make great gifts I find that I personally use my homemade salsa and sauces the most.
But it isn’t always easy to get fresh produce where I live so sometimes I have to reply on canned products when I am canning. This recipe for taco sauce is a great example of that. You don’t need to use fresh tomatoes so you can make it any time of year!
Ingredients:
- tomato paste
- chili powder
- salt
- cumin
- garlic powder
- black pepper
- hot sauce
- water
- cider vinegar
- light corn syrup
This past weekend was perfect canning weather and I couldn’t wait to make another batch of taco sauce. I swear, that is one of those things I never remember to pick up at the grocery store but it makes tacos taste so much better.
Canning my own taco sauce is so simple and I love having a few jars in the basement for when I run out and need more. We go through several half pints a year so I usually end up making it every summer.
I make a lot of Mexican food so we go through taco sauce quickly. This recipe uses a lot of tomato paste and spices and it packs a lot of flavor.
What equipment do I need to can this recipe?
In this recipe you will need a boiling water canner or a large stockpot with a lid. You will need half pint jars, lids, and screw bands. I would recommend you get a jar lifter but you can just use a tool you have to life out the jars. Jar Lifters make life easier. While you don’t have to get one, a magnetic lid lifter makes it easy to lift the lids out of the boiling water.
Can I add spices?
You can add up to 2 tablespoons of dried spices to this recipe. However, do not add any fresh herbs as they can change the composition of the recipe and it may not be safe to can.
Is there a substitute for the tomato paste?
You can make your own! You can use 2 cups of tomato sauce, 1 cup of tomato paste, and reduce the water by 1 cup if you don’t have a lot of tomato paste at home.
Is this a good starter recipe?
This is a great starter recipe for new canners. Since it doesn’t use fresh produce it’s fairly easy to make and it doesn’t take a whole lot of time.
This recipe had the same base flavor as the store bought sauces but it is so much better! I was able to add in extra spices to our liking. Feel free to add additional dry spices or herbs to this recipe based on your own preference.
Taco sauce can be stored for up to 3 years in a cool, dark place if it is canned properly. It is great on hard tacos, in place of enchilada sauce, or even used in place of salsa!
More Canning Recipes:
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Taco Sauce
You don't need to buy expensive taco sauce when you can can your own flavorful sauce and can it to use for later!
Ingredients
- 3 c. tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 5 c. water
- 1 c. cider vinegar
- ½ c. light corn syrup
Instructions
- Prepare a boiling water canner, 6 half pint jars, and lids.
- Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Ladle the taco sauce into hot jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Remove the air bubbles and adjust the headspace. Wipe the rims and put on the lid. Tightened the screwband to fingertip tight.
- Process in a boiling water canner for 30 minutes. Remove the canner from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove jars and let cool for 12 hours.
- Check seals and store in a cool place.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Ball's Blue Book Guide to Preserving
How long will an opened jar last in the refrig.
It will last around 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Can I use something other than corn syrup?
Yes, you can use 1/3 c. of sugar dissolved in 2-3 tablespoons of hot water in place of the corn syrup and that should work.
Good morning:
I just made this for the first time, and it’s really good! I’m not a fan of bottled taco sauces, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. My husband, who is the taco sauce user in the house, loves it! It doesn’t seem like it should be so good when it’s incredibly quick and easy to make! With food prices so high, this is really economical and takes so little effort. Thank you for a great recipe!
I agree! The first time I made it I was really skeptical how it would taste but I love it! We make it and can it like twice a year. It’s so easy to make. Plus I like that you can adjust the seasonings depending on who you are making it for.
I am new to canning and excited to try this as it used pantry items. A good recipe to get my toes wet before the bounty of the garden comes in the next several weeks. I am going to make some extra spicy sauce using our homemade chili powder from ghost peppers as it is just my husband and brother who will eat this.
Your canning inspired me to can more this year! I hope to expand my winter shelf even more next year.