What Sauces Go With Tacos? ANSWERED!
Imagine it’s taco night, and you’re getting ready to prepare a delicious meal for your friends and family.
What’s the one thing that can elevate your tacos from good to great?
The perfect sauce!
It’s no secret that the right sauce adds an extra dimension of flavour and moisture, taking a simple dish to new heights.
Here, we’ll introduce you to some fantastic sauces that pair excellently with your favourite tacos.
Whether you prefer something creamy and tangy or spicy and bold, you’ll find a sauce that speaks to your taste buds and enhances your taco experience.
Let’s get going!
What Sauces Go With Tacos?
Need the TLDR?
No problem!
Some of the best sauces for tacos include:
- Smoky sour cream sauce
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Hot sauce
- Fruit salsa, including mango, pineapple, and peach
- Smoky chipotle mayo
- Cojita cheese sauce
Keep reading for more ideas, and instructions on making your own sauces at home.
(By the way, you might also want to take a look at my guide to salads to serve with tacos!)
Types of Sauces for Tacos
When it comes to enhancing the flavour of your tacos, the right sauce can make all the difference.
In this section, we’ll explore various types of sauces that pair well with tacos, making your meal even more delicious.
Creamy Sauces
A creamy taco sauce is perfect for adding a smooth, velvety texture to your taco.
Smoky sour cream sauce is an excellent example, combining garlicky, limey, and smoky flavours with the richness of sour cream.
This sauce works particularly well with corn and black bean tacos!
Salsa
Salsas are a classic taco topping, and they come in many varieties.
Traditional tomato-based salsa is always a popular choice, but don’t be afraid to get creative with other types like mango or pineapple salsa for a fruity twist.
If you like things with some heat, try adding a few splashes of your favourite hot sauce, or try experimenting with fresh chopped chillis.
Guacamole
Guacamole is a versatile sauce that pairs well with almost any taco filling.
This avocado-based sauce adds creaminess and richness to your taco.
You can keep it simple with mashed avocado, lime juice, and salt, or add extra ingredients like onion, tomato, and cilantro for more complex flavours.
For more inspiration, check out these guacamole recipes Рfrom kale to charred jalape̱o and peach, there are so many varieties for you to try!
Hot Sauces
If you enjoy spicy food, hot sauces are a must for your taco repertoire.
From mild to scorching, there’s a hot sauce out there for every level of heat tolerance.
Cayenne pepper, jalapeño, and habanero-based sauces are all popular options, as well as sauces with a hint of sweetness, such as honey sriracha.
Feel free to experiment with different hot sauces until you find your perfect match!
(For more Mexican inspired ideas, check out what to eat with chile verde).
Fruit Salsas
For a refreshing twist on traditional salsas, fruit-based salsas bring a sweet and tangy contrast to the savoury flavours of your taco fillings.
Mango, pineapple, and even peach salsas are popular choices.
Combine your chosen fruit with lime juice, onion, cilantro, and a little heat from jalapeños or chilli peppers for a unique and flavourful taco topping.
Sauce Ingredients
Here, we’re going to delve a little further into some of the most popular ingredients that you’ll come across when you’re making sauces for tacos, so you can understand exactly what they bring to the party, and what their role is when they’re used in recipes.
Garlic-Based Ingredients
When creating sauces for your tacos, incorporating garlic-based ingredients can elevate their flavour profile.
Garlic plays a key role in many different sauces, like chipotle sauce and enchilada sauce.
Experiment with fresh garlic, roasted garlic, or garlic powder to find the right garlic intensity for your taste buds.
Citrus Ingredients
Citrus ingredients bring a refreshing and tangy element to your taco sauce.
Lime and lemon juices are popular choices for brightening up the flavours in a variety of sauces.
From fresh lime juice in a smoky chipotle sauce or lemon juice in a creamy garlic sauce, citrus ingredients are key in balancing the richness and spiciness in your sauces.
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices are essential for bringing out the Mexican flavours in your taco sauces. Some popular spices you can use in your sauce recipes are:
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Oregano
- Onion powder
And for herbs, don’t be shy with including:
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Jalapeno
- Red onion
These herbs and spices will give your sauces a rich and aromatic quality that will complement the ingredients of your tacos.
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives
Dairy adds creaminess and richness to your taco sauces. Some common dairy ingredients used in sauces include:
- Sour cream
- Cream
- Mayo
- Cheese
For a tangier option, try using crema, a traditional Mexican dairy product.
If you’re looking for dairy alternatives, you can experiment with Greek yogurt, plant-based creams, or avocado-based sauces like guacamole.
Remember, taco sauces are all about combining flavours and textures to enhance your taco experience!
Sauce Pairings for Specific Tacos
In this section, we will explore the best sauces to pair with various types of tacos, including fish tacos, vegetarian tacos, carnitas tacos, and beef tacos…
Fish Tacos
For fish tacos, you can’t go wrong with a zesty lime crema or a tangy fish taco sauce.
Lime crema combines sour cream, jalapeños, and lime juice, giving your fish tacos a refreshing kick.
Additionally, a honey-cilantro-lime sauce with jalapeños adds just the right amount of sweetness and spice.
An equally delightful choice for fish tacos is a mango salsa or pineapple salsa. The fruity notes in these salsas balance the fish’s flavours, while spicy ingredients like jalapeño peppers add a touch of heat.
Vegetarian Tacos
Vegetarian tacos are versatile and can be paired with a variety of sauce options.
For sweet potato tacos or cauliflower tacos, try a creamy cilantro lime crema or a smoky chipotle crema to enhance flavour and texture.
Another fantastic option is avocado crema, made from blending avocado, lime juice, and cilantro. The creamy texture complements the tacos and adds a luxurious element to your meal.
Carnitas Tacos
For pork-based carnitas tacos, a rich and zesty pico de gallo or a spicy chipotle salsa is a winning choice.
These salsas add contrast to the succulent pork, while their acidity cuts through the meat’s richness.
Salsa taquera is another excellent choice, as its combination of tomatillos, chiles, and spices complements the carnitas flavour.
Feeling adventurous? Try a jalapeno sesame salsa for a unique twist on your carnitas tacos. This sauce combines the heat of jalapeños with the nuttiness of sesame seeds, creating a delicious blend of flavours.
Beef Tacos
When it comes to beef tacos, a smoky chipotle mayo or a bold ranchero sauce will make your taste buds sing.
Chipotle mayo offers a creamy, smoky flavour that complements the beef, while ranchero sauce adds depth with its blend of tomatoes, onions, and spices.
A cilantro garlic sauce is another fantastic option, as the fresh herbs and garlic add brightness to the dish.
Additionally, adding cotija cheese and toppings like radish and bell peppers can elevate your beef tacos to the next level.
(If you’re making birria, take a look at what to serve with beef birria tacos for more inspiration).
Substitute Options
Whether due to dietary restrictions, personal preferences, or ingredient availability, you may want to substitute certain ingredients in your taco sauce recipes. Here are some suggestions:
- Sour cream: Use Greek yoghurt or a non-dairy option like coconut milk yoghurt for a similar creamy consistency.
- Mayonnaise: Swap it out with a vegan or healthier alternative such as an avocado-based mayo.
- Lime juice: If you’re out of lime, lemon juice can be used as a substitute for a similar citrus flavour.
Remember to experiment and have fun! Your main goal is to create a delicious, personalised sauce to enhance your taco experience.
