1 cup tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Place a saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. Allow the oil to warm gently for one minute before adding garlic and jalapeño pieces carefully.

Add minced garlic and chopped jalapeño into the warm oil. Stir for two minutes until soft and fragrant. Avoid burning because garlic becomes bitter very quickly.

Pour tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water into the saucepan slowly. Stir carefully until the mixture becomes smooth and fully combined without thick tomato paste lumps.

Sprinkle onion powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and sugar into the sauce. Stir well so the spices blend evenly throughout the tomato mixture.

Reduce the heat slightly and let the sauce simmer gently for ten minutes. Slow cooking helps the flavors combine and creates rich smooth taco sauce texture.

Pour white vinegar and fresh lime juice into the sauce carefully. Stir gently for another minute. These ingredients add fresh tangy flavor and balance the spices.

Transfer the sauce carefully into a blender or food processor. Blend for one minute until completely smooth and creamy with no large pepper or garlic pieces.

Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving. Pour into a bowl or storage jar. Enjoy with tacos, burritos, nachos, grilled meat, or sandwiches immediately.