Ranchero Sauce

Homemade Ranchero Sauce is the perfect addition to all your favorite Mexican dishes or to serve over your favorite eggs. This great recipe is made with simple ingredients and adds so much flavor to any Tex Mex Dish.

Make this tomato-based sauce for an easy sauce that everyone will love. We love making sauce from scratch so we can easily control the ingredients. If you love this Homemade Sauce Recipe, try Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe or Quick Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe.

Ingredients

• Diced Tomatoes – You can use 10 ripe roma tomatoes instead of the diced tomatoes if you prefer.
• Jalapeño – Jalapeños can vary a lot in spice level, so if you want extra heat, leave the seeds in.
• White Onion – Chop into small pieces and freeze onion
• Cloves Garlic, minced – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
• Olive Oil – Use any type of oil
• Chicken Broth – Substitute with vegetable broth or see Chicken broth substitutes if you are out
• Chili Powder – See The Best Chili Powder Substitute
• Ground Cumin – If you are out, see Best Substitute for Cumin
• Paprika – You can also use smoked paprika
• Oregano – Feel free to substitute with fresh herbs or use Mexican Oregano

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Ranchero Sauce

Step 1 – Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and jalapeño, cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 2 – Add garlic, cook for 1 minute more.

Step 3 – Add tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 4 – Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens. Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree until smooth, or carefully transfer to a blender. Then the sauce is ready to serve and enjoy! You can even serve topped with fresh cilantro and lime juice.

Variations Ideas

• Creamy Ranchero Sauce – Add 2 Tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Smoky Chipotle Ranchero – Stir in a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
• Mild Version – Use roasted red peppers instead of jalapeno peppers.
• Chunky Style – Skip blending for a more rustic texture.
• Sauce Consistency – For a thicker sauce, simmer longer. For thinner, add more broth.

Serving Recommendations

Ranchero Sauce is delicious served over eggs, huevos rancheros, Carne Asada Burritos, Ground Beef Tacos Recipe and Grilled Chicken Fajitas.

We have served over Ground Beef Enchiladas for a delicious topping. You can even serve with tortilla chips instead of salsa.