Make Ranchero Sauce to serve as a dipping sauce or to top Huevos Rancheros. Perfect blend of ingredients for a sauce everyone will love.

Ranchero Sauce in a bowl with a wooden spoon and tortilla chips on the side
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This Homemade Ranchero Sauce is the perfect addition to burritos, corn tortillas tacos and enchiladas. The blend of the fire-roasted tomatoes, sweet onions, jalapenos and simple spices makes this sauce full of deep flavors that compliments any Tex Mex Dishes.

Making Homemade Sauces taste so much better than store bought sauces. If you like this sauce you must try Honey BBQ Sauce. For even more flavor to your recipes make Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe or Blackened Seasoning Recipe.

What is Ranchero Sauce?

Ranchero Sauce is a tomato-based sauce that is blended together with jalapeño peppers, chopped onions, simple spices and broth. The ingredients are cooked and blended together in a saucepan to create a sauce that gives any of your favorite Mexican dish amazing flavor.

If you have made our Homemade Salsa then you are going to love this Ranchero Sauce as the ingredients are very similar.

Ingredients

Ingredients - Large tomatoes, jalapeno, white onion, minced garlic, olive oil, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, pepper
  • Large Tomatoes and White Onion – Chopped into bite size pieces. Use any type of onions.
  • Jalapeño – Seeded and diced. But for a hint of spice keep some of the seeds in the jalapeno peppers.
  • Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic
  • Olive Oil – Substitute with Vegetable Oil or Avocado Oil
  • Chicken Broth – Feel free to substitute with vegetable broth
  • Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano – The combination of these spices gives the sauce the best Mexican Flavor.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Addition Ideas

Making homemade sauce allows your to change the ingredients to what you prefer. Try these additions for a delicious variation.

  • Fresh Cilantro – Adds fresh flavor and flecks of green throughout the sauce.
  • Fresh Lime Juice – This adds brightness to the bold flavors. The perfect combination.
  • Mexican Oregano – Substitute dried oregano with ½ teaspoon of Mexican Oregano
  • Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce – Add in one can for rich and smoky flavors.
  • Green Chiles – Love the flavor just one can gives the homemade sauce

How to Make Ranchero Sauce

Diced onions and jalapeno in a skillet with a bowl of minced garlic and diced tomatoes on the side

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

Cooked diced onions and jalapenos in a skillet with a bowl of diced tomatoes and chili powder on the side

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

Diced tomatoes in a skillet with onions and jalapenos with two small bowls of spices on the side

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

immersion blender mixed the sauce ingredients in a skillet

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.

  • Step 5 – Then the sauce is ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Tomatoes – Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
  • Sauce Consistency – For a thicker sauce, simmer longer. For thinner, add more broth.
  • Spice Level – Jalapeños can vary a lot in spice level, so if you want extra heat, leave the seeds in.
  • Chopped Vegetables – To ensure that the veggies are about the same size, we like to use a vegetable chopper to chop the veggies.
Ranchero Sauce in a bowl with a serving on a wooden spoon

How to Serve Ranchero Sauce

There are many ways to serve ranchero sauce. You can easily drizzle the sauce over Blackstone Scrambled Eggs. Top the smoky flavor sauce over Flank Steak Tacos, Blackstone Steak Tacos or Blackstone Chicken Tacos.

We have served the sauce as a dip with tortilla chips or to dip our Blackstone Cheese Quesadillas into it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Difference Between Ranchero Sauce and Enchilada Sauce?

There is a difference between the two sauces. Ranchero Sauce is more of a tomato and pepper based sauce. Enchilada sauce is made without tomatoes and usually has a milder flavor.

Is Ranchero Sauce Spicy?

Ranchero Sauce can have a spicy taste. Since it is loaded with peppers the sauce tends to be spicy with a bold flavor.

How to Store Leftover Ranchero Sauce

Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for about a week in an airtight container.   

Can I Freeze Ranchero Sauce?

Yes, you can freeze ranchero sauce in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to serve.

Ranchero Sauce in a bowl with a wooden spoon and tortilla chips and fresh tomatoes on the side

More Easy Sauce Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make Ranchero Sauce Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Ranchero Sauce

5 from 1 vote
You love this Ranchero Sauce to serve as a dipping sauce or to top Huevos Rancheros. Perfect blend of ingredients for a sauce everyone will love.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Cuisine Mexican
Course Sauces
Calories 165

Ingredients

  • 4 large tomatoes chopped
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and diced
  • 1 white onion chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Minced Garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeño, cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add garlic, cook for 1 minute more.
  • Add tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens.
  • Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth, or carefully transfer to a blender.
  • Then the sauce is ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
For a thicker sauce, simmer longer. For thinner, add more broth.
Jalapeños can vary a lot in spice level, so if you want extra heat, leave the seeds in. The sauce will keep for a week as long as it’s refrigerated in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 165kcal, Carbohydrates 20g, Protein 6g, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 6g, Sodium 1357mg, Potassium 847mg, Fiber 5g, Sugar 9g, Vitamin A 2497IU, Vitamin C 40mg, Calcium 75mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Grill on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. From the Best Blackstone recipes, to grilling, and easy smoker recipes, together we are going to cook real food, with easy ingredients… for real families!

5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Kasey Harris says:

    5 stars
    Rich in flavor and loved serving it as a dipping sauce!