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Jack In The Box Taco Sauce Recipe

Jeremy Williams We Want The Sauce Founder and Editor In Chief
Written By: Jeremy Williams
Published Date:
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Do you love the Taco sauce down at Jack In The Box? Do you want to learn how to make your own?

Well you’ve come to the right place!

I’ve pulled together this Jack in the Box Taco Sauce recipe that you can use whenever you fancy it! Or need some taco sauce!

It’s the perfect blend of savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that have made Jack in the Box tacos one of Jack’s best-selling items for more than 65 years.

My recipe has all the authentic taste as the original while being super easy to make at home.

In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have the perfect sauce for all of your south-of-the-border favorites, from tacos to burritos, even huevos rancheros and Yucatan-style pork.

So if you’ve been searching for the perfect taco sauce, read on for the best Jack in the Box Taco Sauce recipe you can have ready in minutes.

What Do You Need To Make Jack In the Box Taco Sauce?

Ingredients

Fresh Garlic

Intensifies the flavor. Feel free to substitute a teaspoon of garlic powder for the fresh to save time.

Fresh Onion

I recommend a white or yellow onion for this recipe, but if you like a more intense flavor, you can substitute red onion or a teaspoon of onion powder.

Tomato Sauce 

Adds the right amount of rich tomato flavor and sweetness.

Hot Sauce

Different hot sauces will give your taco sauce different flavors.

I like Tapatio, but feel free to use your favorite brand.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Adds a touch of tang.

Honey

Brings balance to the hot and tangy flavors.

Red Chili Flakes

Give the sauce a bit more heat.

Sea salt

Salt unlocks the other flavors in your sauce.

Try to use coarse sea salt rather than table salt.

Worcestershire Sauce

Adds the right touch of savory to deepen the flavor of your taco sauce.

Cumin

A traditional spice used in taco sauce that gives it a rich, hearty, earthy flavor with a hint of citrus.

Coriander

Coriander comes from the dried seeds of the cilantro plant and adds a warm flavor to the sauce.

Did you know that coriander is one of the oldest-used spices recorded in history, dating back thousands of years?

Paprika

Adds an exotic taste and deepens the color.

Salt and Black Pepper 

I recommend using coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Salt helps unlock the other flavors, but be sure you taste it so you don’t over-season your sauce.

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Medium saucepan
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Stovetop or other heat source
  • Blender (optional)

How To Make Jack In The Box Taco Sauce

Step One: First, peel and mince the fresh garlic and finely dice the fresh onion.

Step Two: Next, heat the oil in a medium saucepan and saute the garlic and onion until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is soft. Don’t let them burn.

Step Three: Then, add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan and simmer for approximately five minutes while stirring frequently.

Step Four: Taste your sauce, adjust any of the ingredients, and season with salt and pepper.

Note: if you want a perfectly smooth taco sauce, pour it into a blender and blend until you reach your desired consistency, approximately one to two minutes.

Step Five: If your sauce is too thin, add some cornstarch, but go slow, so you don’t over-thicken your sauce.

Enjoy!

Other Things To Consider When Making Jack In the Box Taco Sauce

Tips For Making The Best Jack In the Box Taco Sauce

  • Use low heat. You don’t want to overcook your sauce, or it will become thick and gummy.
  • After you’ve simmered your sauce, stir in a bit more vinegar to maximize the tang and brighten the flavor.
  • Your sauce will thicken as it cools, so don’t panic if it’s a bit thin while simmering. Also, you can add some cornstarch as a thickening agent.

What Can I Eat With Jack In The Box Taco Sauce?

This Jack in the Box Taco Sauce recipe will make all your Mexican favorites taste better, from tacos to burritos and enchiladas.

Plus, it makes a great base sauce when making a delicious Tex-Mex chili.

  • Use it as a marinade for Picante-style grilled meats and chicken.
  • Mix it with mayonnaise for a spicy, south-of-the-border salad dressing.
  • Goes great with nachos!
  • Spice up your morning scrambled eggs.
  • Substitute chipotle chilis in adobe for the hot sauce to make a delicious Yucatan-inspired pork marinade.

Make More Than You Need!

This Jack in the Box Taco Sauce recipe tastes so much better than bottled versions that you’ll want to make sure you always have some on hand.

So go ahead and double the recipe.

Your taco sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for two to three weeks in an airtight container.

Or, if you prefer, you can freeze it for up to four months.

I like to store my extra hot sauce in ice-cube trays.

That way, it’s easy to pop a couple out whenever I’m in the mood for that delicious south-of-the-border flavor.

Yield: Yield: 1 ½ cups of sauce (approximately 16 servings)

Jack In The Box Taco Sauce Recipe

Jack in the Box Taco Sauce

This Jack in the Box Taco Sauce recipe provides the authentic taste as the original while being super easy to make at home. It's perfect for all Mexican-inspired dishes, from tacos to burritos to enchiladas.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh white onion, finely diced
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup of tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon of ground white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. First, peel and mince the fresh garlic and finely dice the fresh onion.
  2. Add half a tablespoon of olive oil to a medium saucepan and heat at low-medium heat.
  3. Once hot, add the minced garlic and onion and saute until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is soft, approximately five minutes. It's okay if they brown, but don't let them burn or char.
  4. Add the water, tomato sauce, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, red chili flakes, sea salt, ground white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, paprika, and coriander to the saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently.
  5. Allow the sauce to simmer for a couple of minutes, then remove it from the heat.
  6. Note: if you want a perfectly smooth taco sauce, liquefy it in the blender until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Taste your sauce and adjust any of the ingredients.
  8. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For a thicker taco sauce, add a tablespoon of cornstarch.
  • Add a tablespoon of fresh lime juice to give your taco sauce some zing.
  • Want more heat? Add a pinch (or two) of ground cayenne or another teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Add a tablespoon of freshly chopped cilantro for earthly flavor and a spot of color.
  • If your taco sauce is too spicy, add ½ teaspoon of white sugar or honey to cut the heat.
  • Substitute chipotle chilis in adobe sauce for the hot sauce for a rich, smoky flavor.

Nutrition Information:


Amount Per Serving: Calories: 11Total Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 400mgCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0g
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