Hello Fresh Tex Mex Paste Copycat Recipe + 7 Best Substitutes!


There’s something about Tex Mex Paste that just makes food so darn good. Maybe it’s the spices or the fact that it’s a fusion of two great cuisines (Texan and Mexican). Whatever it is, I can’t get enough! You can use Tex Mex paste in tacos, burritos, soup, or just as a dip.

If you have never tried Tex Mex paste, you are in the right place. In this article, I will share an easy copycat recipe for Tex Mex and give you 7 best substitutes if you don’t have the right ingredients on hand! Let’s get started!

What Is Tex-Mex Paste? What Is Tex Mex Paste Made Of?

Tex Mex paste is a thick, sweet, smoky, spicy, and slightly sour sauce that is perfect for enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. It is made of chili peppers, tomatoes, white vinegar, onions, garlic, and spices (cumin, coriander, paprika, oregano, black pepper, and garlic powder).

Tex Mex paste can be used as a base for soups and stews, as a marinade for meat or vegetables, or as a dipping sauce. Tex Mex is most often served with tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, stuffed peppers, Queso dip, and burrito bowls. It is low in calories (only 50 calories per serving), so if you are watching your diet but like spicy condiments, this paste is definitely your best go-to. Tex Mex Paste is also rich in calcium, dietary fiber, potassium, and iron.

Where to get tex mex paste? Of course, you can easily buy texmex paste in a supermarket, but it is better to make it at home because it tastes better and there will be no “nasties” in it! Moreover, you can customize the ingredients to your taste and enjoy freshly made paste whenever you please.

Easy Hello Fresh Tex Mex Paste Copycat Recipe

I have recently been introduced to Tex Mex Paste from Hello Fresh, and I could not get enough of it – it really is one of the most delicious sauces I have ever tried. Unfortunately, Hello Fresh Tex Mex paste cannot be purchased separately – it only goes with the Hello Fresh kit meal. So, if you do not want to buy the whole package just for the paste and spend extra $$, it is better to make your own, and I know how! So without further ado, let’s get cooking!

Tex Mex Paste Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of tomato paste
  • 300 g of fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup of chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 5 teaspoons of rice vinegar
  • 2 white onions, pureed
  • 2 teaspoons of chili powder
  • 4 teaspoons of sugar
  • 4 teaspoons of salt
  • 5 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons of coriander powder
  • 2 teaspoons of cumin powder
  • 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons of paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon of corn starch

Directions:

  1. Add chili sauce into a bowl. Alternatively, you can use red chili peppers – sauce cut peppers, let them cool down, and blend them in a food processor until they turn into a paste.
  2. Puree 2 white onions. Peel the onions, cut them into quarters, and blend them in a food processor for 45-60 seconds. Add to the bowl with chili sauce.
  3. Puree fire-roasted tomatoes. Take 1 can of fire-roasted tomatoes (300 g) and blend them in a food processor for 60 seconds and add them to the bowl with chili sauce and pureed onions.
  4. Add rice vinegar and tomato paste into the bowl.
  5. Combine all dry ingredients (Chili Powder, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, and corn starch (do not skip the corn starch as it will help the sauce to thicken and actually turn into a paste)) in a separate bowl and mix well.
  6. Add dry ingredients to the bowl with chili sauce, onions, fire-roasted tomatoes, rice vinegar, and tomato paste, and stir well. Put the mixture into a pot.
  7. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Let the mixture cool down and thicken.
  8. Store the paste in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

I’m so excited to share this easy Hello Fresh Tex Mex recipe with you all! I’ve been wanting to make a Tex Mex paste for a while now, and it turned out even better than I expected. It’s perfect for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and anything else your heart desires. I really hope you will like this recipe and enjoy this sweet, spicy, and smoky condiment with your favorite meals.

Remember to add corn starch to let the mixture thicken and turn into a paste. I use 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch, but you can add more if you want the paste to be thicker. This Tex Mex paste can be easily frozen for up to a year, but the condiment is so delicious that I do not think it will last long!

If you do not feel like making your own paste, here are 7 best Tex Mex substitutes you can try today:

Tex Mex Paste 7 Best Substitutes

Achiote Paste

Achiote paste is a traditional ingredient in Latin American cuisine. It is made from annatto seeds, which are ground into a powder and then combined with other spices such as cumin, garlic, and chili pepper. The paste has a reddish-orange color and a slightly sweet and smoky flavor with spicy notes. Achiote paste works well as Tex Mex substitute because the two condiments share a similar taste profile; however, Achiote is more earthy and nutty and less sweet than Tex Mex. Achiote goes well with meat, soups, burritos, and stews.

Adobo Sauce

Adobo sauce is a popular condiment in many Hispanic households. It is made from a blend of vinegar, garlic, onion, oregano, and pepper, and it has a slightly acidic and slightly spicy flavor. Adobo sauce is traditionally used as a marinade for meat, poultry, or fish, but it can also be used as a dipping sauce or added to soups and stews. Adobo sauce has a similar taste to Tex Mex, but it is slightly more acidic and sour than Tex Mex.

Chili Sauce

Chili sauce is a delicious condiment that can be used on everything from salads to chicken wings. It is made from tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, and vinegar. Depending on the concentration of chili peppers and the fermentation process, chili sauce taste varies from fiery spicy to mild, so you can find the one that best suits your needs. Just like Tex Mex, chili sauce can be served with traditional Mexican food like enchiladas and burritos or added to stews, sauces, and even fish dishes.

Sriracha

Sriracha, a hot sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt, has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Originally from Thailand, Sriracha is now used in a wide variety of dishes, from sushi to burgers to macaroni and cheese. The sauce’s unique blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors has made it a favorite among both professional chefs and home cooks alike, including me!

Canned Chili

Canned chili can be found in any supermarket – it is delicious and affordable. It goes well with many dishes, including beef and stews, but it can also be used for Mexican dishes. Canned chili has lots of heat and slightly sweet notes that will make any dish taste amazing.

Canned Chipotle

For those who enjoy spice in their food, chipotle peppers are a delicious way to add some flavor. These smoke-dried jalapeños have a unique taste that is both spicy and sweet, with a hint of smokiness, so they are quite similar to Tex Mex paste. Even though fresh chipotles can be difficult to find, canned chipotles are widely available and make an excellent addition to many dishes like soups, stews, burgers, fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos.

Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is probably the easiest TexMex paste alternative – it is available in every supermarket and has the right consistency and a pleasant tangy aftertaste. Since tomato paste does not have enough heat, simply add 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite spices to give an extra fiery kick to the condiment – I like using chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Tomato paste is one of the most versatile condiments and can be found in many cuisines, from Italian to Mexican, so you can’t go wrong by using it in your recipes.

Conclusion

For those who love spicy food, Tex Mex Paste is a delicious way to add some extra flavor to your favorite dishes. Made with a combination of chili peppers, onions, and garlic, this paste has a fiery kick that is sure to please. It can be used as a rub for meats, mixed into dips or sauces, or simply added to anything that could use a little extra spice.

Best of all, Tex Mex Paste is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. And if you feel like something different, you can enjoy our 7 best Tex Mex Paste alternatives that will definitely give a sweet and spicy kick to your dinner!

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