The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe (2024)

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The Best Ranchero Sauce RecipeEver – Looking for the ultimate ranchero sauce recipe? You found it! Creamy, robust, and a hint spicy. This sauce makes every dish taste better!

The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe (1)

Mexican Dinner Night

This silky sauce adds a perky punch of flavor to any dish!

I guarantee once you make this recipe, you will use it over and over again. It’s a creamy smoky sauce with tons of zest and a little hint of spice.

In fact, I believe this to be absolutely The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe Ever!

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You could put “The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe” on just about anything, and it would improved it…

Eggs, potatoes, steaks, pork chops, fish, grilled vegetables, risotto or grits, leftover holiday dishes, old shoes.

Anytime I make this easy Ranchera Sauce Recipe my family rants and raves about whatever I spoon it over. They say things like, “This is the best chicken ever!” and “This is the best-roasted asparagus ever!”

Yet in reality… It’s always the sauce that brings out this reaction.

Don’t believe me?

Make a batch to keep in the fridge this week. Warm it up and serve it over your leftover turkey, dressing, or green beans. You won’t believe what a difference it will make.

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What is Ranchero Sauce?

Ranchero sauce is a type of cooked salsa made with tomatoes, peppers, smoky chiles, and spices. It can be pureed smooth or left chunky (although we like it smooth) and can be spooned over everything.

Ranchero sauce is similar to red enchilada sauce. However, it is lighter on the chiles, giving it a brighter perkier flavor than enchilada sauce. But don’t let that stop you from using Ranchera over enchiladas!

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What Ingredients You Will Need

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 shallots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce (1 can)
  • 12 ounces roasted piquillo peppers or roasted red peppers (1 jar)
  • 4.5 ounces chopped green chiles (1 can)
  • 1 cup chicken stock (or chicken broth)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
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How To Make The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe

Instructions…

Place a saute pan/large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil and shallots. Sauté the shallots for 2 minutes. Then add the garlic and sauté another 1-2 minutes.

Drain the piquillo peppers. Add all remaining ingredients to the saute pan, except for the heavy cream. Simmer the ranchero sauce for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Using an immersion blender, puree/blend the sauce mixture until smooth. Then stir in the heavy cream. Salt to taste.

Serve with your favorite Mexican dish and garnish with some cilantro.

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Get the Complete (Printable) Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does This Sauce Last in the Fridge?

You can store this sauce in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 7 days!

What Dish Can I Pair With This Recipe?

This sauce would be super tasty with most of your favorite Mexican dishesor Tex Mex dishes. You can use this with taquitos,fajitas, as anenchilada sauce, onburritos,huevos rancheros, or eventacos!

Can I Use Onions instead of Shallots?

Shallots are a type of onion, so yes, can swap them for sweet onions or red onions. Shallots tend to have a more gentle sweet flavor compared to most onions, so you might want to pare back if making a substitution.

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Check the printable recipe card below for nutritional information including calories, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar percentages.

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Print Recipe

5 stars (25 reviews)

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The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes minutes

The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe Ever – Looking for the ultimate ranchero sauce recipe? You found it! Creamy, robust, and a hint spicy. This sauce makes every dish taste better!

Servings: 3 cups

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place a saute pan over medium heat and add the oil and shallots. Sauté the shallots for 2 minutes. Then add the garlic and sauté another 1-2 minutes.

  • Drain the piquillo peppers. Add all remaining ingredients to the saute pan, except for the heavy cream. Simmer the ranchero sauce for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

  • Using an immersion blender, puree the ranchero sauce until smooth. Then stir in the heavy cream. Salt to taste.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 332kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 1333mg, Potassium: 674mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 2355IU, Vitamin C: 85.1mg, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 5.2mg

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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The Best Ranchero Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is ranchera sauce made of? ›

Stir chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, crumbled bacon, salt, and black pepper into onion in the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until flavors blend, about 15 minutes.

What is the difference between ranchera and ranchero sauce? ›

Salsa ranchera tends to have a fresher, more "salsa" or relish-like quality. Ranchero sauce, on the other hand, is often smoother and more like a traditional sauce. It typically starts with a tomato base that is cooked down, and it may include onions, garlic, and spices.

Is ranchero sauce like enchilada sauce? ›

The heat level between the two varies greatly, and how chiles are incorporated into these sauces differs as well. Ranchero sauce may use either fresh or dried chiles while enchilada sauce usually includes dried chiles.

What is spicy ranchero sauce? ›

Taco Bell's spicy Ranchero sauce is a flavorful concoction that adds a kick to several of the menu items. This sauce is not just any ordinary topping; it's a blend of spices and flavors that brings a unique heat to your favorite Taco Bell dishes.

What's the best Mexican sauce? ›

Traditional Mexican Sauces
  • Salsa Taquera: A delicious blend of fresh tomatoes and roasted or boiled árbol chilies, perfect for tacos and tortillas, providing a spicy and vibrant touch.
  • Salsa Verde: ...
  • Salsa de Molcajete: ...
  • Guacamole: ...
  • Salsa de Chile Pasilla: ...
  • Salsa de Chile Morita: ...
  • Salsa de Mango Habanero: ...
  • Salsa de Chipotle:
Dec 7, 2023

Is ranchera good for carne asada? ›

Ranchera meat, or flap steak, is the most common cut of beef used for carne asada. It is a highly marbled, thin, and tender cut, lending itself well to marinating, then grilling over high heat.

What is a Mexican ranchera? ›

Ranchera (pronounced [ranˈtʃeɾa]) or canción ranchera is a genre of traditional music of Mexico. It dates to before the years of the Mexican Revolution.

What is the difference between Mexicana and Ranchero? ›

When making steak “Ranchero”, the ingredients are ground in a molcajete or a blender, and when making steak “a la Mexicana”, the ingredients are simply chopped or diced. Nevertheless, there are many places that confuse the two terms and name something “Ranchero” or “a la Mexicana” incorrectly.

What is the red sauce called at Mexican restaurants? ›

Salsa roja ( lit. 'red sauce') is a type of spicy red sauce in Mexican cuisine. It is made of jitomate (red tomato), ground with onion, garlic, chilli, salt and pepper to taste.

What does Taco Bell creamy ranchero sauce taste like? ›

This sauce blends tomato, chili peppers, and a mix of spices to give it a smoky, slightly fiery taste. It's not just hot; it's flavorful. The creaminess smooths out the heat, making it a perfect addition for anyone who loves a bit of spice without the burn.

What is Suizas sauce made of? ›

Most suiza sauces contain tomatillos, peppers, cream, and seasonings and/or herbs. This recipe has all that and an additional less common ingredient—canned fire-roasted tomatoes.

What is Mexican Ranchero sauce made of? ›

Ranchero Sauce is a tomato-based sauce with tons of incredible flavor from ingredients like jalapenos, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. It's got a lot of the same ingredients as many salsas, with the key difference being that it's cooked.

What is the sauce on the Taco Bell quesadilla? ›

The Cheese Quesadilla is a purist's meal: a simple flour tortilla, a hefty portion of melted three-cheese blend, creamy jalapeño sauce, and absolutely zero bells and whistles.

What is Mambo Ranchero sauce? ›

Our Ranchero Sauce is made with onions, tomato, jalapeno, and onion sauteed with a brown sweet and sour sauce that gives a unique flavor and texture Chipotle Sauce: Made with vegetable as Onions, bell pepper and Mushrooms sauteed in a red spicy chipotle based sauce The Mambo Sauce no longer served was a classic ...

What's the difference between ranchera and carne asada? ›

Carne asada and carne ranchera are both types of grilled or barbecued beef that are popular in Mexican cuisine, but they differ in the cut of meat used and the way they are prepared.

What is the white sauce at Mexican restaurants made of? ›

Sour cream– Use full fat for the best flavor. Milk– The amount you will need will vary based on the consistency you want. Lime juice– Fresh is best! Seasonings– Crushed red pepper, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt.

What does ranchera mean in food? ›

Ranchera meat, or flap steak, is the most common cut of beef used for carne asada. It is a highly marbled, thin, and tender cut, lending itself well to marinating, then grilling over high heat.

Is salsa ranchera hot? ›

Its ripe-red tomatoes and crisp onions get a powerful punch of heat from jalapeño peppers and a robust blend of spices.

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