How to Make Delicious Ranchero Sauce in Your Own Kitchen

If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, then you know the importance of a good sauce. One of the most popular and essential sauces in Mexican cooking is the Ranchero sauce. This flavorful sauce can add a burst of flavor to tacos, burritos, and more. The good news is that making Ranchero sauce at home is not as difficult as you might think. In this article, we’ll explore an easy, step-by-step guide on how to make Ranchero sauce.

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the origin of Ranchero sauce. It’s a rustic, tomato-based sauce that originated from ranches in Mexico. The sauce is usually made with tomato sauce, onions, garlic, chili peppers, and other seasonings. The sauce is spicy, tangy, and a little bit smoky which makes it a perfect addition to any Mexican dish. So, grab your cooking utensils and let’s get started on making the perfect Ranchero sauce right from the comfort of your kitchen.

Ingredients

If you are going to make ranchero sauce, you need to have the right ingredients. In this section, we will list all the essential components you need to make the perfect sauce.

1. Tomatoes: You need 8-10 ripe tomatoes for this recipe. You can use any variety of tomatoes, but we recommend using plum tomatoes as they have fewer seeds and juicier flesh.

2. Onion: You need one medium-sized onion, finely chopped.

3. Garlic: You need 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced.

4. Jalapeño Pepper: You need one jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more jalapeño.

5. Cilantro: You need a handful of cilantro, finely chopped.

6. Lime: You need one lime, juiced.

7. Salt: You need ½ teaspoon of salt. You can add more or less according to your taste.

8. Oil: You need 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.

9. Water: You need 1 cup of water.

10. Sugar: You need ½ teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Instructions

Now that we have listed all the ingredients, let’s move on to the instructions on how to make ranchero sauce.

1. Roast the Tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Cut the tomatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet skin side up. Roast them for 20-25 minutes until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft.

2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté it until it turns translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and stir for another minute.

3. Add the Jalapeño Pepper: Add the minced jalapeño pepper to the saucepan and stir with the onion and garlic for a minute.

4. Puree the Tomatoes: Once the tomatoes are roasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Remove the skin and puree the tomatoes in a blender.

5. Add Pureed Tomatoes to the Saucepan: Pour the pureed tomatoes into the saucepan with the sautéed onions, garlic, and jalapeño pepper.

6. Add Water: Add one cup of water and stir everything together.

7. Add Salt and Sugar: Add salt and sugar to the sauce and stir well. Taste it and adjust the seasoning as required.

8. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and let it cook for 10-15 minutes.

9. Add Cilantro and Lime Juice: After 10-15 minutes, turn off the heat and add a handful of finely chopped cilantro and the lime juice to the sauce. Stir everything together.

10. Enjoy: Your delicious ranchero sauce is ready! You can serve it with eggs, tacos, burritos, or any other dish of your choice. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Ranchero Sauce?

Ranchero sauce is an incredibly versatile and flavorful sauce that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This delicious sauce is used to top everything from eggs and tacos to enchiladas and burritos. If you want to make your own ranchero sauce, you’re in luck because it is easy to prepare at home. Here are the ingredients that you will need:

1. Tomatoes – The base of your ranchero sauce will be made up of fresh, ripe tomatoes. You can use any type of tomatoes, but Roma tomatoes are ideal because they have a meatier texture and fewer seeds.

2. Onion – You will need one large onion for this recipe. The onion will add a sweet and savory flavor to your sauce.

3. Garlic – Garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to any dish. You will need two cloves of garlic for this recipe.

4. Jalapeno – The jalapeno pepper will add a mild heat to your ranchero sauce. If you like your sauce spicier, you can add more jalapenos.

5. Cilantro – Cilantro adds a fresh and citrusy taste to your sauce. Chop up a handful and add it to your sauce.

6. Chicken or Beef Broth – To give your ranchero sauce a nice, rich flavor, use chicken or beef broth.

7. Salt – Salt is a basic seasoning that brings out the natural flavors of your ingredients. Use it sparingly, but don’t be afraid to add a pinch or two.

8. Pepper – Black pepper adds a subtle hint of spiciness to the sauce.

9. Olive Oil – You’ll need a tablespoon of olive oil to saute the onion, garlic and jalapeno.

10. Lime – A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end of cooking will bring your flavors together, adding a zing of acid that is delicious in Ranchero sauce.

How to Make Ranchero Sauce

Now that you know what ingredients you’ll need, let’s dive into making your own ranchero sauce.

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Core and quarter the tomatoes and place them on a baking sheet with the jalapeno pepper. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive and salt and pepper, roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly blackened.

3. While the tomatoes are roasting, chop the onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until tender, do not brown.

4. When the tomatoes and jalapeno are done, remove the skin of the jalapeno pepper and transfer the tomatoes and jalapeno to a blender along with the cooked onion and garlic.

5. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of broth or water and blend everything until you get the desired consistency.

6. Heat the blended mixture over medium heat in a saucepan for about 10 minutes, and stir frequently with a wooden spoon.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste.

8. Finish the sauce with a handful of freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

With all the yummy ingredients, your Ranchero will be thick, slightly sweet, and tempered by the tartness of lime juice and a little spicy heat from jalapeno and black pepper. Ta-dah, achieve the perfect Ranchero sauce you can serve with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Ranchero Sauce

Ranchero sauce is a flavorful sauce that’s perfect for adding to a wide range of dishes. It’s made with a simple blend of ingredients that come together to create a savory and slightly spicy sauce that’s filled with bold flavors. In this section, we’ll go over the ingredients you’ll need to make Ranchero sauce.

1. Onion and Jalapeno

The first step in making Ranchero sauce is to heat up some olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, you’ll add in some chopped onion and jalapeno peppers and cook them until they become soft and translucent.

2. Garlic and Spices

Next, you’ll add in some minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Stir everything together and cook for a minute or two until the spices become fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can quickly turn bitter.

3. Diced Tomatoes

After the spices have had a chance to cook, you’ll add in a can of diced tomatoes and their juices. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer.

4. Tomato Sauce

Once the diced tomatoes have been simmering for a few minutes, you’ll add in a can of tomato sauce. Stir everything together and let the sauce continue to simmer for around 10-15 minutes until it becomes thick and bubbly.

5. Salt and Pepper

Finally, you’ll add in some salt and black pepper to taste. Be careful not to add too much salt at once, as it can quickly overpower the flavors of the other ingredients. Start with a small amount and add more as needed until the sauce tastes just right.

Overall, making Ranchero sauce is a fairly simple process that doesn’t require any special techniques or ingredients. With just a few basic ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of different recipes.

Time to Dig In!

There you have it, amigos! An easy-to-follow recipe to make the best homemade ranchero sauce for you and your loved ones. We hope you enjoyed the journey of creating this zesty sauce filled with delicious Mexican flavors. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and adding your own flair to it, whether you like it spicier or sweeter. Thank you for joining us today, and we can’t wait to see you again on our next tasty adventure! Adios!