Quick Answers
There are a few easy ways to thicken up chicken taco sauce:
- Add a slurry – Mix together flour or cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the simmering sauce. The slurry will thicken as it cooks.
- Simmer the sauce – Letting the sauce simmer uncovered for 15-30 minutes will allow some of the liquid to cook off and the sauce to thicken up.
- Add pureed vegetables – Puree tomatoes, onions, peppers or other vegetables and mix into the sauce. The extra fiber will help thicken it up.
- Grate in potatoes – Grate in raw potatoes. The starch from the potatoes will help absorb liquid and thicken the sauce as it simmers.
- Add cream cheese – Stir in a couple ounces of cream cheese at the end. The creaminess helps thicken and stabilize the sauce.
What Makes Taco Sauce Thicken?
There are a few key ingredients and techniques that can help thicken up taco sauce so it nicely coats chicken and other taco fillings:
Simmering
One of the easiest ways to thicken taco sauce is through simmering it uncovered for an extended time. As the sauce simmers, the liquid will slowly cook off, evaporating into steam and concentrating the remaining liquid. This causes the collagen, starches and other compounds in the ingredients to thicken up the sauce.
Simmer chicken taco sauce for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. Be careful not to simmer too long or the sauce may end up too thick.
Slurry
A slurry is a handy thickening agent that involves mixing flour, cornstarch or other starches with a bit of water. The slurry can then be stirred into a simmering sauce to rapidly thicken it.
To make a slurry, mix together:
- 1-2 tbsp flour or cornstarch
- 2-4 tbsp water
Stir the slurry thoroughly to prevent any lumps. Slowly drizzle it into the simmering taco sauce, stirring constantly. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes to fully thicken.
The starch granules in the slurry will absorb liquid and swell, increasing the sauce’s viscosity and thickness. Slurries are very effective thickeners for balancing out watery taco sauces.
Pureed Vegetables
Pureeing fiber-rich vegetables is another easy way to thicken up taco sauce. Try pureeing any of these and mixing into the sauce:
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Peppers
- Zucchini
- Corn
The vegetable purees will add body and thickness to the liquid, while also enhancing flavor. Puree to a smooth consistency before stirring into the simmering taco sauce.
Potato Starch
Using grated or shredded potatoes is an easy way to thicken sauce. As the raw potatoes simmer in the hot liquid, their starch absorbs water and releases amylose which thickens the surrounding sauce.
Grate 1-2 medium potatoes on the fine holes of a box grater. Stir the gratings into the sauce and allow to simmer until thickened, about 10-15 minutes. The potatoes will break down and disappear into the sauce.
You can also make a slurry with potato starch instead of cornstarch for a gluten-free, paleo-friendly thickener.
Gelatin
Unflavored gelatin can be dissolved into hot taco sauce to thicken it up. Gelatin is made from collagen and forms a protein network that thickens liquid as it cools.
Simply sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of gelatin over the simmering sauce and stir until fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool and set up to reach the ideal consistency.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a popular gluten-free thickening agent. It is produced through bacterial fermentation and dissolves easily into sauce.
Use just a small amount – around 1/4-1/2 tsp xanthan gum per 1 cup of sauce. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes to eliminate any clumps. Xanthan gum thickens sauce rapidly.
Cream Cheese
Stirring in a couple ounces of cream cheese is an easy way to thicken and add richness to taco sauce. The creamy fat helps stabilize and thicken the surrounding liquid.
Allow the taco sauce to cool slightly before stirring in 1-3 oz cream cheese per batch of sauce. Stir constantly until the cream cheese fully melts and integrates.
The density of cream cheese varies, so you may need to experiment to find the right amount to reach your desired thickness.
Tips for Making Thick Restaurant-Style Taco Sauce
Here are some additional tips for achieving thick, rich taco sauce with a professional flavor:
- Cook off raw meat – Browning ground beef, chicken or pork helps render fat and cooks off excess moisture that can thin out the sauce.
- Use tomato paste – Tomato paste adds rich umami flavor and is naturally thick.
- Simmer uncovered – Letting the sauce simmer open allows water to evaporate.
- Add bolus – Stirring in a masa harina bolus gives traditional thickness.
- Finish with butter – Swirling in butter at the end adds richness and body.
- Season well – Don’t forget salt, spices, garlic, onion, etc to build lots of flavor.
- Adjust consistency – Gradually thicken to your preferred sauce consistency.
With the right techniques and ingredients, you can achieve thick, juicy taco sauce with authentic Tex-Mex flavor.
Thickening Chicken Taco Sauce Recipe
This easy recipe produces a rich, thick taco sauce perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos and more:
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp masa harina
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
- Add onion and continue cooking until softened, about 5 more minutes.
- Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, masa harina, lime juice, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Allow sauce to come to a simmer. Then reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until thickened to your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Enjoy your thick, flavorful chicken taco sauce!
Serving Ideas for Thick Chicken Taco Sauce
Rich, thick homemade chicken taco sauce has endless tasty applications:
- Tacos – Top soft corn or flour tortillas with shredded chicken, sauce, cheese, lettuce, salsa, etc.
- Nachos – Drizzle over crunchy tortilla chips and melted cheese for nachos.
- Burritos – Fill large flour tortillas with sauce, chicken, beans, rice, etc.
- Bowl – Layer over rice with beans, lettuce, avocado and other favorite taco toppings.
- Quesadillas – Spread on tortillas with chicken and cheese before grilling.
- Enchiladas – Stuff corn tortillas with chicken and sauce before baking.
- Tostadas – Layer sauce over crisp fried tortillas along with desired toppings.
With a batch of thick taco sauce in the fridge, quick and tasty Tex-Mex meals are never far away! Adjust the consistency as needed to suit different serving styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best thickener for taco sauce?
Cornstarch, flour and masa harina make excellent thickeners for taco sauce. Potato starch and pureed vegetables also work very well. Simmering the sauce uncovered helps concentrate flavors and thicken it naturally.
Can I use Greek yogurt to thicken taco sauce?
Yes, Greek yogurt is an easy and healthy way to thicken up and add tangy flavor to taco sauce. Stir in 2-4 tbsp Greek yogurt per cup of sauce and simmer until thickened. The yogurt helps stabilize the sauce.
Why is my taco sauce watery?
Excess wateriness in taco sauce typically comes from extra liquids like salsa, the natural juices from ingredients, or not simmering the sauce long enough to reduce it down. Try adding thickeners like slurry or masa, simmering longer, or reducing added liquids.
How long does taco sauce last in the fridge?
Homemade taco sauce will keep fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze taco sauce for 2-3 months.
Can I make taco sauce thicker after cooking?
Yes, you can thicken taco sauce after cooking by simmering it uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to reduce down the liquid. You can also whisk in a slurry or some of the other thickeners to adjust the consistency after it is cooked.
Conclusion
Achieving thick, rich taco sauce is easy with simple pantry ingredients like flour, cornstarch, purees, masa harina and more. Simmering the sauce uncovered helps intensify flavors while reducing liquid. With the right thickening tricks, you can make taco sauce ideal for tacos, nachos, burritos and other tasty Tex-Mex dishes. Experiment with different thickeners and seasoning to customize the flavor and consistency.