Tacos are one of the most popular Tex-Mex dishes, and no taco is complete without a flavorful taco sauce. While homemade taco sauce can be delicious, sometimes you just don’t have the time or ingredients on hand to whip up a batch from scratch. That’s where store-bought taco sauce comes in handy! With so many options on grocery store shelves these days, it can be tricky finding the best store bought taco sauce to suit your tastes. This buying guide covers everything you need to know to choose the right ready-made taco sauce for tacos, burritos, nachos, and more Tex-Mex favorites.
From mild to spicy, tomato-based to creamy, there is a bottled taco sauce to satisfy every palate. We’ll explore the different factors to consider when shopping for store bought taco sauce, from flavor profiles to quality of ingredients. You’ll also find a handy FAQ and tips for how to use taco sauce to maximize flavor. With this guide, you’ll gain confidence in choosing a delicious ready-made taco sauce that complements your recipe rather than overpowers it. So get ready to say “olé!” and take your Taco Tuesday up a notch!
An Amazing Taco Sauce for Tacos and More
Looking for a thick, smooth, and flavorful taco sauce to take your tacos to the next level? Ortega’s original taco sauce is the perfect choice. This mild taco sauce has been the #1 best seller for a reason – it delivers an incredible taste that will have you craving tacos every night.
The sauce features a rich, tomatoey flavor with a nice subtle kick from the blended chiles. It goes on smooth and coats each bite of your tacos perfectly. You’ll love drizzling it over crunchy taco shells filled with spiced ground beef or chicken, cheese, lettuce, and other toppings. The sauce brings everything together into taco perfection.
But the uses for this versatile taco sauce don’t end with tacos. You can add it to burritos, enchiladas, tamales, quesadillas, and more for instant flavor. Try using it as a salad dressing or dipping sauce too. It also makes a great marinade for meats. With so many ways to use it, you’ll never run out of ideas.
Made by the Ortega brand since 1946, you can trust the quality and taste of this original recipe. Give it a try and see why it’s Amazon’s #1 best-selling taco sauce. Your taste buds will thank you.
Creamy Taco Sauce in a Convenient Squeeze Bottle
Spice up your next taco night with Old El Paso’s creamy queso taco sauce in a handy squeeze bottle. If you love queso, you’ll love drizzling this rich, creamy sauce over any Mexican dish.
The smooth, melty texture and mouthwatering cheesy flavor take tacos, nachos, burritos, and more over the top. You’ll taste real cheddar cheese in every bite, balanced by tangy jalapeños and a blend of Mexican spices.
Having the creamy queso sauce in a squeeze bottle makes it super easy and mess-free to drizzle as much as you want. No more fumbling with jars and spoons! Simply shake and squeeze this flavor booster right onto your food.
You could even use the squeeze bottle to make fun art and designs with the sauce. Let the kids help decorate their tacos! It also serves as an easy queso dip for chips when you need a quick appetizer.
For the best classic tacos, layer the queso sauce over beef or chicken, then load on the cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo and any other favorite toppings. The sauce brings a delicious creaminess that takes your tacos up a notch.
For an easy yet exciting taco night, pick up a bottle of Old El Paso’s rich and creamy queso taco sauce. Your taste buds will thank you.
Satisfy Your Taco Cravings with La Victoria’s Favorite Sauce
Craving an authentic, flavorful taco sauce without too much heat? La Victoria’s mild red taco sauce is a customer favorite that will satisfy your taco cravings. This rich, tomato-based sauce has the perfect blend of spices and a mild kick.
You’ll taste fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes, flavorful chile peppers, garlic, onion, and a hint of tanginess from vinegar. Those flavors come together to coat each bite of your tacos with a smooth, mouthwatering taste.
Drizzle the taco sauce over beef or chicken in a crunchy taco shell, soft tortilla or taco salad. It also goes great in burritos, fajitas, nachos and enchiladas. You could even use it as a dip for tortilla chips! The mild sauce adds flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
La Victoria has been crafting high quality Mexican sauces and salsas since 1917 using recipes inspired by California’s Central Valley. You can trust their sauce to deliver authentic, bold flavors with quality ingredients.
For an easy yet exciting taco night, have a bottle of La Victoria mild red taco sauce on hand. Let it bring your tacos, enchiladas and more to life with its rich, homemade flavor. Your taste buds will thank you!
Old El Paso’s Convenient and Tasty Squeeze Bottle Taco Sauce
Looking for an easy way to add big flavor to tacos, burritos, nachos, grilled chicken, and more? Old El Paso’s mild taco sauce in a squeeze bottle is the convenient solution.
The specially designed bottle makes it easy to drizzle just the right amount of this zesty, Mexican-inspired taco sauce over your food. No more messy jars and spoons! The angled spout lets you drizzle sauce into tacos or over your plate with total control.
A blend of spices like chili pepper, garlic, and onion gives this mild sauce a tasty kick of flavor balanced by the sweetness of tomato puree. You’ll want to add it to everything from quesadillas to omelets. Even use it as a marinade or dipping sauce.
The squeeze bottle is easy for kids to use too. Let them help decorate family taco night by drizzling sauce and making fun designs on their tacos! Then dig into those tacos loaded with all the fixings – saucy beef, cheese, lettuce, salsa and more.
For an effortless way to infuse big, Tex-Mex flavor into any meal, grab a squeeze bottle of Old El Paso’s mild taco sauce. The mess-free bottle lets you easily take your food from bland to bold and delicious.
Authentic Street Taco Flavor for Home Cooking
Recreate the incredible flavors of authentic street tacos at home with Ortega’s ready-to-use street taco sauces. These restaurant-quality sauces capture the vibrant tastes of Mexico in a bottle.
The Asada 3 Chile & Garlic sauce packs a flavor punch with smoky roasted garlic and a blend of potent chiles. Drizzle it over carne asada, grilled chicken, fish and more to add mouthwatering flavors reminiscent of L.A. taco trucks.
You’ll also find sauces like Tinga Chipotle Tomato Jalapeño and Mojo Chile Lime. Each adds its own spice, tang andDepth of flavor to tacos, burritos, fajitas and other Mexican dishes. They work great as marinades too.
These sauces make weeknight dinners so easy. Just heat up the protein, warm some tortillas, and Top with your favorite Ortega street taco sauce, onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Dinner is served!
Ortega has been crafting high quality Mexican foods since 1917, so you know these sauces are delicioso. Bring the party flavors of street tacos home with Ortega’s ready-to-use street taco sauces. Your taste buds will thank you.
Creamy Flavor Booster for Tacos
Looking to add an extra dollop of creamy, cheesy flavor to your next taco night? Old El Paso’s queso taco sauce is a customer favorite for amping up the flavor of tacos, nachos, quesadillas and more.
One taste of this smooth, melty white queso sauce made with real cheddar cheese, and you’ll be hooked. Each spoonful delivers a tastyTex-Mex flavor blended with zippy jalapeños and Mexican spices. Drizzle the creamy queso over beef or chicken in a taco or tortilla, and let the mouthwatering flavors blend together.
Having the queso sauce in a handy squeeze bottle makes it so convenient to use. Simply give it a shake and squeeze to drizzle the perfect amount over your tacos or nachos. No messy spoons required! The easy squeeze control lets you decorate foods with fun designs too.
This shelf-stable queso also makes a quick and delicious dip for tortilla chips when unexpected guests stop by. For an extra flavor boost to all your Mexican dishes, grab a bottle of Old El Paso’s creamy queso taco sauce.
Spice Up Tacos with a Compact Kick of Flavor
Searching for an easy way to add zesty taco flavor anytime, anywhere? Heinz mild taco sauce packets pack a tangy, tomatoey taco taste into portable single-serve packets.
Keep these compact condiments in your purse, desk drawer, or car so you’re always ready to spice up tacos, eggs, sandwiches and more. The mild sauce delivers just the right hit of flavor without too much heat.
Since they’re already portioned out, the packets eliminate messy pouring and let you control how much sauce you want. Just tear open, squeeze and drizzle over your food for instant South-of-the-border flair.
Made with tomato paste, vinegar, and a dash of seasoning, these handy taco sauce packets ensure you’ll never have a bland, boring meal again. Toss a few in your bag before heading out for the day. With Heinz mild taco sauce packets close at hand, you can give any food a tasty kick anytime.
Authentic Taco Truck Flavors Made Easy
Recreate the bold, vibrant flavor of tacos from your favorite Mexican food truck in your own kitchen with Ortega’s ready-to-use street taco sauces. These sensational sauces capture the authentic taste of Mexico in a convenient bottle.
The Asada 3 Chile & Garlic balances smoky roasted garlic with a trio of potent chiles for incredible depth of flavor. Drizzle over carne asada or chicken for a taste reminiscent of LA taco stands.
Other sauce varieties like Tinga Chipotle Tomato Jalapeño and Mojo Chile Lime also bring their own unique blend of spices, tanginess and heat. Use to marinate meats or liven up tacos, burritos, fajitas and more with just a spoonful.
With Ortega’s street taco sauces on hand, whipping up quick yet delicious Mexican meals during busy weeknights is a breeze. Simply heat up some tortillas and protein, then finish with your favorite taco sauce. Dinner ready in minutes!
Bring the fiesta home with the incredible flavors of real-deal street tacos using Ortega’s ready-to-use street taco sauces. It’s never been easier to be a taco night hero.
Taco Bell’s Signature Zesty Sauce Now in a Bottle
Spice-lovers, rejoice! Now you can enjoy the tangy flavor punch of Taco Bell’s hot taco sauce anytime at home. This bottled sauce captures the same zing as the packets you know and love.
A blend of chili peppers and classic taco seasonings gives this sauce a nice mild heat along with savory Tex-Mex flavor. It’s hot enough to satisfy spice-seekers without singeing your taste buds.
The convenience of a bottle makes it easy to smother tacos, burritos, eggs, nachos and more with as much taco sauce as you want. No more fiddling with tiny packets! It also allows you to control the pour so you don’t accidentally drown your food.
Taco Bell fans will be thrilled to have this signature sauce on hand to recreate that distinctive taco flavor in their own kitchen. A few shakes over ground beef or chicken filling a warm tortilla shell, and you’ll feel like you’re dining at your favorite fast food joint.
For a flavor boost that packs some pleasant fire, grab a bottle of Taco Bell’s hot taco sauce. Your taste buds will thank you.
Zesty Ranch Flavor for Tacos and Beyond
Add a creamy kick to tacos, salads, sandwiches and more with Old El Paso’s zesty ranch taco sauce. A blend of Ranch dressing and a hint of hot peppers creates a flavor that goes great on just about anything.
Drizzle this cool, creamy sauce over crunchy taco shells filled with spiced ground beef. Or use it as a French fry dip, salad topper, burger sauce – the possibilities are endless! The mild spice gives it a lively flavor without much heat.
Having the ranch sauce in a squeeze bottle makes it super simple to use. Just give it a shake and squeeze to drizzle the perfect amount over your food. The mess-free bottle gives you total control over the pour.
Let your kids help decorate family taco night by drizzling creative designs over their tacos with this fun sauce. Then dig in and enjoy the creamy ranch taste mixed with all the taco fixings.
For an extra flavor dimension that works for tacos and more, grab a bottle of Old El Paso’s zesty ranch taco sauce. Your taste buds will thank you.
Store Bought Taco Sauce Buying Guide
When purchasing a pre-made taco sauce from the grocery store, there are a few key factors to consider in order to find the best option for your tastes and recipe needs:
Flavor Profile
One of the most important aspects is the taco sauce’s flavor profile. There are a wide variety of flavor directions that taco sauces take:
Tomato-based: The most traditional taco sauce flavoring comes from tomatoes. Tomato-forward taco sauces provide a robust, tangy flavor. They often contain ingredients like tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, and chili peppers. Tomato-based sauces pair especially well with beef and chicken tacos.
Creamy: For a richer, smoother sauce, look for taco sauces with a creamy base. They typically contain dairy ingredients like sour cream, yogurt, milk, and Mexican crema. Creamy taco sauces complement tacos with lighter fillings like fish or shrimp.
Spicy: If you like the heat, opt for a taco sauce advertised as “hot” or “spicy.” Check the ingredients for types of chili peppers, such as jalapeño, serrano, habanero, or chipotle peppers. The more peppers, the spicier the taco sauce will taste.
Mild: For those who prefer just a hint of flavor enhancement, mild taco sauces allow the taco fillings to shine. Mild sauces limit the use of potentially spicy ingredients. They also often have added sugar for balance.
Tangy: For extra zing, citrus-forward taco sauces made with lime, lemon, or orange juice add refreshing brightness. Tangy taco sauces pair well with chicken or fish tacos.
Smoky: For deeper flavor, some taco sauces use smoked chilis and spices. The charred, woodsy taste provides a nice counterbalance to the acidity of the tomatoes. Smoky taco sauce is fantastic on beef and pork tacos.
Verde: Green taco sauces get their color and flavor from tomatillos and green chilis like poblanos instead of red tomatoes. They have a delightfully bright, herby taste that’s less acidic than red sauces. Verde taco sauce tastes great on everything from steak to veggies.
Consider which direction you want your taco sauce to go based on the filling you’ll be pairing it with and your personal taste preferences. This will help narrow down the options and choose the best flavor profile.
Ingredients
Reading the ingredient list on the taco sauce label provides useful insight into the quality and flavor of the sauce. Here are some things to look for:
- Fresh chilis vs. chili powder: Whole, fresh chilis have much better flavor than pre-ground chili powder. Sauces boasting ingredients like jalapeño, habanero, or arbol chilis will taste fresher.
- Tomato paste vs. tomato puree: Tomato paste provides richer, deeper tomato flavor compared to watery tomato puree.
- Onion and garlic: Both add aromatic flavor and depth. Raw onion and garlic taste better than powdered versions.
- Cumin, oregano, cilantro: These Mexican seasonings give an authentic taste profile.
- Real dairy ingredients: Sour cream, milk, and Mexican crema contribute to a creamy, luxurious mouthfeel.
- Natural flavors and spices: Look for taco sauces using real, recognizable ingredients instead of “natural flavors” or chemicals.
- Preservatives: Minimal or low amounts of preservatives are ideal for freshest flavor.
- Sugar: Some added sugar balances acidity, but excessive amounts make the sauce too sweet.
Studying the ingredient list helps ensure you get a quality taco sauce made with real, whole foods ingredients instead of artificial additives.
Packaging
Taco sauce comes in a few different packaging options:
- Jars/Bottles: Glass jars or plastic squeeze bottles allow you to control the amount of taco sauce when serving. Jars keep unused sauce fresher for multiple uses.
- Pouches: Foil pouches provide single-use portions if you don’t plan to use much taco sauce. They aren’t resealable, so sauce goes bad faster once opened.
- Cans: Canned taco sauce allows for long shelf life unopened. The can keeps sauce fresher after opening compared to pouches. Cans aren’t ideal for pouring control.
Think about your planned taco sauce usage and cooking habits to choose the packaging that fits your lifestyle. Jars provide the most versatility for casual cooks. Pouches or cans suit single uses.
Brands
There are a variety of brand options for ready-made taco sauce:
- Goya: A trusted name in Latin foods, Goya makes jarred taco sauces ranging from mild to spicy. Their sauces use quality ingredients like fresh peppers.
- Old El Paso: This popular Tex-Mex brand produces canned and pouched taco sauces in flavors like mild, medium, and thick ‘n chunky. They’re affordable and easy to find.
- Ortega: Known for their delicious taco shells, Ortega also makes great pre-made taco sauces. They offer tasty mild and hot versions.
- Santa Maria: This California brand creates authentic taco sauces with a tangy, peppery kick. Their glass-jarred sauces use high-quality ingredients.
- Taco Bell: For nostalgic fast food flavor, Taco Bell sells their signature taco sauce in bottles for enjoying at home. It’s a mild tomato-based sauce with strong cumin flavor.
- Store brands: Many grocery stores offer their own house-made taco sauce options. Quality varies, but they can be an economical choice.
Stick with reputable, top-selling national brands like Goya and Ortega for reliably delicious ready-made taco sauce. But don’t be afraid to also try gourmet boutique brands for a restaurant-quality sauce made with fresh, natural ingredients.
FAQ
Still have some questions about finding and using the perfect store bought taco sauce? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How much taco sauce should I use on my tacos?
Start with a couple tablespoons of taco sauce and adjust from there based on your preferences. Mild sauces typically need more for flavor impact compared to spicy sauces. Pour the taco sauce over your cooked taco fillings or serve it on the side for dipping crunchy taco shells.
What ingredients should I avoid in taco sauce?
Watch out for excess fillers, preservatives, and chemicals like sodium benzoate, carrageenan, and artificial colors. Also limit high fructose corn syrup, which adds unnecessary sweetness.
How do I store an opened bottle or jar of taco sauce?
Keep opened taco sauce refrigerated and use within 2-4 weeks for best quality. Screw lids on tightly and store jars upside down to create a seal and prevent mold growth.
What’s the difference between taco sauce, salsa, and enchilada sauce?
Taco sauce has a thinner consistency optimized for drizzling, while salsa is chunkier. Enchilada sauce is smooth and intensely flavored, designed for smothering. But any can work for tacos in a pinch!
Can I use jarred pasta sauce as taco sauce?
Pasta sauce doesn’t quite have the right flavor profile. But in a bind, add taco seasoning to marinara sauce for an improvised taco sauce. Boost flavor with extras like cumin, garlic, and cilantro.
How can I make my own taco sauce from scratch?
Making homemade taco sauce is easy! Sauté onions and garlic. Add tomatoes, chilis, cumin, oregano, cilantro, and lime juice. Simmer until thickened. Blend until smooth. Customize the flavors to your taste.
Conclusion
With an abundance of options for ready-made taco sauce available, finding that perfect store-bought bottle, jar, or pouch for your tacos might seem daunting. But keeping flavor preferences, ingredients, and packaging in mind helps streamline the selection process. A flavorful, quality pre-made taco sauce elevates any taco night without requiring the prep of homemade. Whatever variety you choose, a good store bought taco sauce should enhance your tacos without overpowering them. With the tips from this guide, you can confidently choose a bottled taco sauce that brings maximum flavor impact to this tasty Tex-Mex staple.
Resources:
- Old El Paso Taco Sauce – Old El Paso offers a variety of taco sauces, including mild and medium options. Their squeeze bottle packaging makes it easy to dispense the sauce. Link to Old El Paso Taco Sauce
- Taste-Off: The best taco sauces — and the wimpy ones – The Mercury News conducted a taste test of various taco sauces, including popular brands like Taco Bell, La Victoria, and Pico Pica. This article provides insights into the best taco sauces available in the market. Link to The Mercury News article
- Conagra Foodservice Taco Sauce – Conagra Foodservice offers taco sauce in a plastic jug packaging. This resource provides information about their taco sauce product, including shelf life and storage conditions. Link to Conagra Foodservice Taco Sauce
- Del Pasado Taco Sauce Packets – US Foods CHEF’STORE offers Del Pasado Taco Sauce Packets. These individual packets are convenient for on-the-go use. Link to Del Pasado Taco Sauce Packets
- HERDEZ Taqueria Street Sauce – HERDEZ offers a variety of taqueria street sauces, including new flavors like Avocado Cilantro and Cilantro Lime. These sauces come in 9-ounce plastic squeeze bottles. Link to HERDEZ Taqueria Street Sauce