Mexican tomato sauce is an essential condiment for those who enjoy Mexican cuisine. It's a crucial ingredient used in a variety of dishes including rice, stews, soups, antojitos, and more. With just a few ingredients, it can be easily prepared at home in a matter of minutes.
Exploring the World of Mexican Tomato Sauce Recipes
Various recipes exist for Mexican tomato sauce – some require boiling the ingredients, while others recommend roasting them. Certain recipes even incorporate a variety of herbs and spices. My recipe, on the other hand, is straightforward and utilizes only a few key ingredients, including tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt. This simplistic approach results in a versatile, yet flavorful sauce that pairs well with a variety of dishes.
Substituting Ingredients for Mexican Tomato Sauce
Are you wondering if there are substitutes for Mexican tomato sauce? While this recipe is already quite popular, there are several variations across the country. In some southern regions, people add peppers for medium heat or cumin to enhance the flavor. Mexican tomato sauce has many variations depending on the area and taste preferences. Although my recipe is the most basic and traditional, you may find other recipes that include Mexican oregano, chipotle in adobo sauce, chili powder, and chicken stock in the mixture.
To begin, start by heating a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
While the oil is heating, chop or dice up one onion and a few cloves of garlic. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
Next, add diced tomatoes to the skillet, along with a pinch of salt. Stir everything together, and then let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
And there you have it – a simple, flavorful Mexican tomato sauce that can be used in a variety of ways.
It makes a great base for chili or soup recipes. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Here are a few examples of recipes using this as a tomato sauce base: Sopa de Fideos, Mexican rice, Sopita de Conchas, and Entomatadas, just to name a few.
If you want to make a delicious homemade Mexican tomato sauce, it's all about using simple ingredients and the right techniques. Here's a list of everything you'll need to get started:
- Tomatoes - any medium size tomato will work.
- Garlic
- Onion - white, yellow, or red onion can be used
- Oil - olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Here are a few examples of recipes using this as a tomato sauce base: Sopa de Fideos, Mexican rice, Sopita de Conchas, and Entomatadas, just to name a few.
How to Make Mexican Tomato Sauce
To begin, start by heating a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
While the oil is heating, chop or dice up one onion and a few cloves of garlic. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
Next, add diced tomatoes to the skillet, along with a pinch of salt. Stir everything together, and then let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
And there you have it – a simple, flavorful Mexican tomato sauce that can be used in a variety of ways.
It makes a great base for chili or soup recipes. Enjoy!
Tips and Variations
Spicy - For smoky spicyiness you can add one chipotle in adobo sauce without seeds. Just add when blending tomatoes. Jalapeño is another spicy choice, just add destemmed pepper when blending.
Tomatoes - Canned tomatoes can be used if fresh tomatoes are not available
Tomato Sauce Thickness -To make the sauce, blend the tomato mixture to your desired thickness that suits your Mexican dish.
If you're wondering about the shelf life of homemade Mexican tomato sauce, it can be refrigerated for a maximum of five days. Alternatively, it can be stored in the freezer for up to six months in an airtight container.
Mexican Tomato Sauce
