How to Make Mexican Tomato Sauce

Mexican tomato sauce is a versatile sauce made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt. It’s the key ingredient to make classic Mexican recipes including arroz rojo, fideo seco, sopa de fideo and a number of soups and stews.

Mexican food photography | Mexican Tomato Sauce

WHAT IS MEXICAN TOMATO SAUCE? 

There are quite a few recipes for Mexican tomato sauce out there – some require that you boil the ingredients, others suggest that you roast them. Some even call for a number of herbs and spices. The main ingredients in my sauce are tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt. I like to keep it simple so that it is a neutral, flavorful sauce that can be used in different recipes.

HOW TO USE MEXICAN TOMATO SAUCE

This is my go-to tomato sauce when making Mexican recipes that require tomato, garlic, and onion. Essentially, I use this flavorful and concentrated sauce in place of canned tomato sauce. My favorite way to use it is in:

WHY I  LOVE THIS RECIPE

  • Customizable to personal taste: If you love garlic, add more. Hate it? Leave it out! Customize this recipe based on your palate and preferences. Additionally, depending on how you will be using the sauce, you can add basil and oregano to infuse more Italian flavors, or canned chipotles or rehydrated guajillo to add a little kick.
  • No preservatives or additives: Using only fresh, natural ingredients, this no-sugar tomato sauce is much more flavorful than any store-bought sauce and is ready to use in many of your favorite Mexican recipes.

INGREDIENTS

With simple ingredients and the right technique, you can create a sauce with depth and flavors reminiscent of Mexico. Here’s everything you need: 

  • Ripe tomatoes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Salt

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Chop or blend ingredients

  • There are different ways to make this sauce, and my preferred method is to coarsely chop the raw ingredients. If I’m short on time though, I simply blend the tomatoes, onion, and garlic.

2. Saute or fry

  • If you chop the ingredients, you’ll have to saute everything until the mixture looks like a thick jam before blending and jarring it. This brings out each ingredient’s full flavor. 
  • If you blend the raw ingredients first, your next step is to “fry” the sauce in oil until it changes color (you’re looking for a deeper orange color), reduces slightly, and is no longer raw. Either way works!

3. Jar sauce

  • Jar and refrigerate or freeze your Mexican sauce.
Mexican Tomato Sauce
NOTE: I leave the spice out of this basic tomato sauce recipe, but add rehydrated guajillo chiles or chipotles in adobo sauce when using it to make my fideo seco. Chile and additional seasonings can be added afterward, too.

TIPS, TRICKS, AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Add a little spice: The original tomato sauce recipe is perfect to make Mexican red rice, sopa de fideo and as a base for caldo de pollo. If you add a rehyated chile guajillo or chipotle in adobo sauce, this is the perfect base for your albondiga soup broth and fideo seco. Simply adjust the amount and type of chilies used in the sauce to your preference. If you want a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies before using.
  • Fresh vs. canned ingredients: Using fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilies will result in a more flavorful sauce. However, you can also use canned diced or whole tomatoes to make this sauce when tomatoes aren’t in season or available.
  • Roast the tomatoes and chilies: Roasting the tomatoes and chilies before blending them can add depth and smokiness to the flavor of the sauce.
  • Add sweetness: If the sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
  • Make it creamy: For a creamy version of Mexican tomato sauce, blend in some crema Mexicana. This is perfect for espagueti rojo.

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT

  • Make in large batches: I highly suggest making a large batch and freezing this sauce – especially when there is an abundance of tomatoes in the garden or when you have too many that are ripening before you can use them.
  • Portion out before storing: I like to portion out my sauce into both 4-ounce and 8-ounce jars to use in different recipes.
  • Store in refrigerator or freezer: Homemade tomato sauce can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the refrigerator, the sauce should be transferred to an airtight container and can be kept for at least one week. 
  • If storing in the freezer, the sauce should be cooled to room temperature and transferred to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and heat it on the stove or in the microwave.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What’s the difference between regular tomato sauce and Mexican tomato sauce?

The main difference between regular tomato sauce and Mexican tomato sauce is the addition of Mexican flavors and spices in the latter. Mexican tomato sauce typically contains ingredients such as onions and garlic, a trio that creates the base for many Mexican recipes and gives it a distinctive flavor profile. 

In which dishes can I use Mexican tomato sauce? 

Mexican tomato sauce is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes such as sopa de fideo, fideo seco, arroz rojo, creamy tomato pasta, and as a base for albondiga soup.

Is tomato sauce spicy?

Mexican tomato sauce can be mild or spicy depending on whether or not you use chiles. The main ingredients in Mexican tomato sauce are tomato, onion, garlic, and salt. When making this recipe to be used in fideo seco or albondiga soup, adding a chile chipotle in adobo sauce or rehydrated chile guajillo adds spice and flavor. It is recommended to start with a small amount of chilies and adjust to your taste.

Can I use canned tomatoes to make Mexican tomato sauce?

Yes, canned tomatoes. However, it is recommended to use canned whole or diced tomatoes without any added salt or seasonings to have more control over the flavor.

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

fideo seco recipe

Mexican Tomato Sauce

by Lola Dweck
Mexican tomato sauce is a versatile sauce made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt. It’s the key ingredient to make classic Mexican recipes including arroz rojo, fideo seco, sopa de fideo and a number of soups and stews.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16 ounces
Calories 30 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 medium onion quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
  • 2 pounds tomatoes about 8 medium tomatoes, quartered
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Chop or blend ingredients. There are different ways to make this sauce, and my preferred method is to coarsely chop the raw ingredients. If I’m short on time though, I simply blend the tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
  • Sauté or fry. If you chop the ingredients, you’ll have to sauté everything in oil until the mixture looks like a thick jam before blending and jarring it. This brings out each ingredient’s full flavor. This process should take approximately 30 minutes over low-medium heat.
    If you blend the raw ingredients first, your next step is to “fry” the sauce in oil over low-medium heat until it changes color (you’re looking for a deeper orange color), reduces slightly, and is no longer raw. This process should take approximately 30 minutes. Either way works!
  • Jar sauce. Jar and refrigerate or freeze your Mexican sauce.

A Note from Lola

TIPS, TRICKS, AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Add a little spice: The original tomato sauce recipe is perfect to make Mexican red rice, sopa de fideo and as a base for caldo de pollo. If you add a rehyated chile guajillo or chipotle in adobo sauce, this is the perfect base for your albondiga soup broth and fideo seco. Simply adjust the amount and type of chilies used in the sauce to your preference. If you want a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies before using.
  • Fresh vs. canned ingredients: Using fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilies will result in a more flavorful sauce. However, you can also use canned diced or whole tomatoes to make this sauce when tomatoes aren’t in season or available.
  • Roast the tomatoes and chilies: Roasting the tomatoes and chilies before blending them can add depth and smokiness to the flavor of the sauce.
  • Add sweetness: If the sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
  • Make it creamy: For a creamy version of Mexican tomato sauce, blend in some crema Mexicana. This is perfect for espagueti rojo.
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Nutrition

Serving: 8ozCalories: 30kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 147mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 473IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.2mg
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LOVE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below or tag me on social media @lolascoina

Photography + Styling: Cacey McReavy

Lola Wiarco Dweck

Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is such a time saver when I need a meal prep hack. I can whip up my fideos, arroz Mexicano, even chicken soups get amped up with this tomato sauce.

  2. 5 stars
    A very simple recipe that tastes natural and makes a good base for any dish. I add shredded cheese, cumin and lime juice for a finished mexican taste. Goes well with chicken or fish or as a topping on baguette slices.

  3. 5 stars
    This is an essential in our home. I always have some homemade tomato sauce in my fridge and freezer for making rice and sopita.