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Zesty Jimboys Taco Sauce Recipe

Zesty Jimboys Taco Sauce Recipe


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4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Jimboys taco sauce transforms Mexican-inspired dishes with its tangy, velvety blend. By recreating this iconic California favorite at home, cooks can bring gourmet-level flavor into their kitchens, crafting an authentic topping that enhances grilled meats and tacos.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (120 ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) plus 1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 to 2 tsp hot sauce
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Infuse Base: Whisk tomato sauce, water, white vinegar, hot sauce, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin in a medium saucepan until perfectly blended.
  2. Boil and Simmer: Bring mixture to a vigorous boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to low, allowing a gentle, consistent simmer for 15 minutes while monitoring liquid reduction.
  3. Thicken Sauce: Dissolve cornstarch in cold water to create a smooth slurry, then gradually incorporate into simmering sauce, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and ensure even thickening.
  4. Finalize Texture: Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until sauce achieves a glossy, slightly thickened consistency, then remove from heat and stir in remaining white vinegar.
  5. Cool and Set: Let sauce rest at room temperature, recognizing it will naturally continue to thicken as it cools to ambient temperature.

Notes

  • Precision Matters: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution and prevent ingredient separation.
  • Temperature Control: Maintain a gentle simmer to develop rich flavors without burning or scorching the sauce.
  • Cornstarch Technique: Dissolve cornstarch completely in cold water to avoid lumps and achieve smooth sauce texture.
  • Cooling Wisdom: Let sauce rest at room temperature, understanding it will naturally thicken as it cools, creating perfect consistency.
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 30
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg