This quick Ranchero Sauce recipe makes it easy to bring the flavors of your favorite Mexican dishes, like Huevos Rancheros, to your kitchen in less than 30 minutes. Savory, slightly smoky, and completely delicious, this tomato-based sauce is infused with tons of flavor and spice thanks to simple ingredients like canned tomatoes, peppers, and chili powder.
Being a Houstonian, I grew up in the heart of a booming Tex-Mex restaurant culture. This particular ranchero sauce is inspired by a renowned Mexican restaurant in Downtown Houston, one of my favorites. Huevos Rancheros has been my go-to breakfast/brunch order for as long as I can remember, and this recipe ranks up there with the best of the best. We also bring it to life in Bistec Ranchero, a timeless, authentic Mexican dish that everyone loves.
Table of contents
What is Ranchero Sauce?
Ranchero sauce is a savory, tomato-based Mexican sauce with a hint of smokiness and a whole lot of savory. Although it contains hot peppers (usually jalapeños or Serranos), it is not necessarily a spicy sauce.
It's totally worth mentioning that this sauce is for way more than just eggs. With it, you can enhance the flavors of just about any Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes, such as chicken flautas, ranchero chicken, or breakfast tacos!
Ranchero Sauce vs. Enchilada Sauce
Enchilada sauce (or rojo sauce) and ranchero sauce are not the same thing, although both are used to top enchiladas. Confusing, right? They look almost identical, but unlike ranchero sauce, enchilada sauce is heavy on the chili powder and light on the tomato flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
We can relate to the idea that making authentic Mexican sauce from scratch can be intimidating; however, this particular recipe is extremely simple and easy to execute. Looking for more condiment recipes to complement your dishes? We've got you covered!
Too many ranchero sauce recipes are invading the internet with overcomplicated steps and unnecessarily long ingredient lists. Our recipe is painless, straightforward, authentically Tex-Mex, and overflows with flavor. Plain and simple -- you're gonna love it.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Hot Peppers (Jalapeños or Serranos)
- Garlic
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Unsalted or Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
- Spices (Salt, Pepper, Cumin, and Paprika)
How to Make Ranchero Sauce
Sauté | Add olive oil to a medium-sized sauté pan and allow to come to temperature. Add diced onions, peppers, and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes.
Add Canned Tomatoes, Broth, and Spices | Pour crushed tomatoes carefully into the pan with peppers and onions. Stir in the chicken broth, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Reduce the heat to medium and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve and enjoy!
This ranchero sauce can be served chunky or smooth. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender, a blender, or a food processor to puree it.
Hot tip! Just because this sauce isn't typically spicy doesn't mean you can't add a little heat. To spice it up, don't deseed the peppers.
What to Serve with Ranchero Sauce
Ranchero sauce is most popular and well-known because of Huevos Rancheros, a Mexican dish in which corn tortillas, beans, and over-easy eggs are topped with cheese and ranchero sauce. But the fun certainly doesn’t stop there.
This zesty Mexican sauce is also served on top of:
- Enchiladas
- Chili Rellenos (We use it in our Chili Relleno Casserole!)
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Tamales (Can't forget that Tamale Sauce!)
- Eggs
- Steak
- Shrimp
In our house, we use it on Mexican-inspired dinnertime creations like shredded chicken tacos, beef steak ranchero, and so much more.
It's a family-friendly sauce that goes with almost anything and makes pretty much everything better.
More Mexican Recipes to Love
- Chuy's Salsa Fresca
- Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas
- Migas
- Homemade Beef Chimichangas
- Chicken Verde Enchiladas
Easy Ranchero Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ of a white onion, diced
- 3 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded, and diced
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 28 ounces whole crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzanos
- ¾ cup unsalted chicken broth (or water)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Add the oil to a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion and jalapeño and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
- Carefully pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir in the chicken broth, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Reduce the heat to medium and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Optional: for a smoother sauce, transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender or food processor. Remove the feed tube (to prevent a build-up of steam and pressure), cover with a dish towel, and process until smooth. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Donna Hess says
I tried this for the first time very easy and tasted really good i will be uding this recipe a lot
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you so much, Donna! 🙂
Lilly says
Made this for Eggs Rancheros... enough left to make your Turkey Mexican casserole
Lisa says
Looks like the perfect sauce to have on hand for making delicious Mexican dishes.
Kelly Anthony says
It's totally my fave! Thanks, Lisa!
SHANIKA says
This sauce looks so good! It is perfect as a dip! Pass the tortilla chip please!
Jessica Formicola says
I am definitely saving this recipe for huevos rancheros for this weekend's brunch!
Kelly Anthony says
I'll be right over 😉
Whitney says
Tex-Mex is my absolute favorite kind of food! Can't wait to try this!!
Kelly Anthony says
You and me both, sister! Thank you!
Neli Howard says
Yum Yum Yum! Looks so vibrant and lovely! I can't WAIT to try this! Thank you for this great recipe!
Edyta at Eating European says
Sounds like a very delicious and easy sauce. Now I'm craving eggs rancheros. I'll need to make your sauce soon.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Edyta! I'm craving it now too!!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I can think of so many fabulous ways to use this! It sounds great!
Gloria says
Homemade sauces are always so much better than anything you get at the store. I can think of lots of ways to use this handy dandy and delicious sauce. I think I need to whip up a batch for our Mexican themed dinner this weekend.
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! I can see this being super tasty on so many things. In addition to huevos ranchers and tacos, I'd love to add this to the top of chicken or even steak for dinner. Great, versatile recipe!
Dawn says
I can think of a bunch of uses for this! Tacos, eggs, dip! Looks so fresh and flavourful too! I think I may have to double this recipe 😉
Elaine Benoit says
I love ranchero sauce! Not only does your recipe look delicious and outstanding, but it looks so easy! I can't wait to try it!
Amanda Mason says
Aren't hole in the wall restaurants just the best!! I also love recreating recipes from my favorite restaurants!! This looks so amazing! And this is such a clean recipe!! I love eating this with fresh cut veggies!
Nicolas Hortense says
Pasta, lasagna, meatballs, tomato based curries.....I'd put this in just about anything!!
Jyothi (Jo) says
I definitely like Tex-Mex and i love homemade sauces. Because nothing can beat that. And I think this sauce would be something I will put on everything nachos, burritos, everything...thanks for sharing this amazing recipe
Veronika's Kitchen says
Wow! This ranchero sauce looks really great! I don't think I've ever tried it before, but it should work great with the pasta! Saving for later!)
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Veronika!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I love huevos rancheros! I've never made my own ranchero sauce, but it looks SO easy that I definitely need to give it a try. And I love that this sauce is so versatile! I tend to associate it with breakfast but I bet it's great with chicken, too!
Marisa Franca says
Looks like the perfect sauce for just about anything! I do like chunky sauces -- it's something about the texture and homemade is always the best. You can't go wrong and making it spicy ensures those heat seekers will be totally satisfied.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
This really does look easy, and oh-so-delicious! Can't wait to give it a try!
Gloria says
This looks like such a delicious recipe. Homemade sauces are the best, and this looks so easy. I can find lots of ways to add this sauce to things. Pasta, nachos, subs...and even top my scrambled eggs too.
Candiss says
I love Huevos Ranchero and this ranchero sauce looks like the perfect one to make next time I want to pull out all the stops for breakfast!
Danielle Wolter says
This looks so fresh and flavorful. Ranchero sauce is such a great versatile sauce. I'll have to give this a try!
Lathiya says
The sauce looks so chunky and delicious..when I saw the name I thought It's a mix between Ranch and tomato sauce...But the recipe is really interesting
Jere Cassidy says
We cook Mexican weekly and always looking for something new to try. This sauce looks delicious and will definitely be on my must make list.
Fred N says
Your Ranchero sauce look very inviting and I love the fact that you added a kick to it by way of the Jalapenos. I need to try them so I can boast to my neighbors (I live in San Diego). Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks so much, Fred!
Amanda says
I love all the uses for this ranchero sauce. What a great, versatile recipe! Thanks for sharing another delicious one.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Amanda! And you're welcome 🙂
Stine Mari says
I love the simplicity in this sauce. An easy way of getting a lot of flavor, for sure! I love Mexican food, so this is right up my alley!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
Yummy! Such a simple but flavorful recipe! So versatile, it will be great in so many recipes
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you so much, Carrie! Yes! So yummy on so many things!
Geetanjali Tung says
It looks so delicious! An easy and perfect dip with any maxican dish. Will surely give this a try. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks, Geetangjali!
Linda Kurniadi says
I don't think I've tried ranchero sauce but this one looks amazing. And I enjoy having the simple ingredients but burst in flavors.
Jacqueline Debono says
I have never made ranchero sauce but it looks and sounds really flavourful. I think I'll give this recipe a try and then make some huevos rancheros for breakfast!
Kiki Johnson says
I love me some huevos rancheros but usually never make them at home! This might change with this awesome recipe! It looks wonderful!
Dianna says
Homemade sauce is the best way to have amazing full flavored meals. I love this recipe and can't wait to make it soon.
Michelle says
This sauce looks amazing, I think I could use it in everything! I love how easy it is to make too. I seriously craving huevos rancheros now!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I love this smothered over the top of a burrito! I love how simple this recipe is, but packed with spicy goodness!
Maman de sara says
Ranchero sauce sounds easy to make, I will definitely try it!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks, Maman!
Jori says
I think huevos rancheros are in my future ... and by future I mean tomorrow for breakfast lol
Krista Price says
What a super easy, flavorful sauce to have on hand to quickly spice up meals! I love homemade sauce!
Tammy says
Fresh sauce is always the best and yours looks perfect! 😀
Sharon says
I want to put this sauce on absolutely everything! Looks so good and easy to make, I can't wait to try this soon.
Elizabeth Leaver says
This looks so vibrant and fresh! I bet it is the perfect dip for tortilla chips or slathered over nachos with lots of cheese and guac. Homemade sauces are so much more flavourful than store-bought and definitely worth it!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says
Ranchero sauce is amazing! I love to put it on eggs in the morning and tacos by night. I seriously keep this stocked in the fridge as a condiment. I have to try this recipe next!
Sara says
Yes! Tomato, garlic, onion, and jalapeño are like my all time favorite things! I've been making eggs consistently for breakfast the last couple of weeks, so this would be SO perfect to pour over the top of some this week! Can't wait to try it!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Sara! It's perfect for eggs!
Amanda Mason says
This looks so delish and I so appreciate how you described the difference between the enchilada and ranchero sauce! Super informative! I'll be adding this one to the list soon!!
April says
Sauce is everything. A good sauce is a game-changer. And I think this easy Ranchero sauce is just like that! Can't wait to experiment with it.
Mimi says
I have tried so many different sauces in my life but I don't recall having Ranchero with something... Hmm, it would be a great first experience for me to make this sauce at home and... enjoy it with my favorite meals!
Kelly Anthony says
It's wonderful! You'll love it, Mimi!
Julie says
This sounds so good -- it seems not entirely dissimilar to a cooked salsa? I looooove Mexican flavors for breakfast, so I bet this would be amazing on eggs!
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! This sauce looks great. I bet it would work for nachos or even smothered over chicken breasts.
jagruti says
I have never tried ranchero sauce, sounds so delicious and easy to prepare. Definitely, going to make it as we all love Mexican flavours in my family.