Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp olive or canola oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1–2 tbsp water (or vegetable broth)
- Optional: ¼ tsp cocoa powder
- Optional: pinch of xanthan gum
Instructions
- Toast chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika in a dry pan over low heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a bowl, combine tomato paste, oil, vinegar, water or broth, garlic powder, salt, and sugar. Mix until smooth.
- Add toasted spices to the paste mixture and blend thoroughly.
- If too thick, add more water ½ tsp at a time. For a silky finish, blend in a food processor.
- Taste and adjust: add vinegar for tang, sugar for balance, or chili for heat.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge up to 10 days, or freeze in cubes for 3 months.
Notes
Use this paste to marinate meats, stir into grains, or mix with yogurt or mayo for a Tex-Mex aioli. Shake or stir before each use as natural separation may occur.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce & Marinade
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg