We have found six fantastic substitutes for Tex Mex Paste. One of which you are bound to have on hand to complete your delicious dish.
We have gathered six of the best and most delicious Tex Mex Paste substitutes here for you to peruse at your leisure.
From chipotle sauce to chili powder, we have a range of things here that you might use as an alternative to this tasty and flavorsome paste.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Tex Mex Paste – What Is It?
If you have not heard of Tex Mex Paste this section is going to be insightful to you. The addition of this ingredient to a dish of your choice will add a wonderful flavor and aroma to any meal you are making.
It is made using diced tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions. So expect a kick in your food if you decide to add Tex Mex Paste to your dishes.
This paste originated in Texas but it also became much popular in Mexico. Which is where the name comes from.
This ingredient is ideal for dishes such as enchiladas, tacos or even burritos. But you can add it to any food that you think would benefit from a little extra flavor.
For example, you might also want to add some to a marinade, stew or sour if you want an extra bit of flavor.
Tex Mex Paste is perfect for those of you that want to enjoy their food on the spicy side.
Great Substitutes For Tex Mex Paste
Just because you do not have any Tex Mex Paste on hand does not mean that you have to sacrifice flavor.
There are quite a few fantastic alternatives that you can use instead and that is what we are going to go over in this section.
1. Chipotle Sauce
Most of you will know what chipotle sauce is. The flavor tends to be a little smokey which can add a whole new range of flavors to your dish. Usually chipotle sauce will be made using garlic, onions, peppers, and tomatoes.
The flavor will be a little sweet with a little bite to it.
It can be hard to use this sauce as a substitute for Tex Mex Paste as it is quite thick. But with a little work it can be made to be a good substitute.
To use chipotle as a substitute you are going to need to add water or broth in order to thin it out.
It may be beneficial for you to add some extra flavoring to your meal if you are using chipotle sauce. The addition of cumin or chili powder will add the perfect amount of flavor to your dish.
2. Achiote Paste
If you do not already know, achiote paste has a striking red color and it can be quite thick in consistency which is made using garlic, cumin, annatto seeds and various other spices.
This substitute has a delightful earthy flavor with just a hint of sweetness. Bear in mind that the texture of this paste can be a little grainy which some people do not really like.
This ingredient is used in a lot of Latin American foods. All you need to do is add some paste to a bit of water so that it thins out quite well. It also allows the flavor to release and become more fragrant.
If you like your food on the sweet side, you may want to throw in a little bit of sugar to your meals. The sugar is a great way to cut through that earthy flavor.
If you decide to use achiote paste instead of Tex Mex Paste we recommend that you might need to add additional ingredients for that reddish tint that Tex Mex Paste gives dishes.
3. Homemade Tex Mex Paste
Sometimes you simply cannot do without Tex Mex Paste. If this is the case for you, it may be a good idea for you to make your own Tex Mex Paste.
Making your own homemade version is easy and the flavor is usually quite perfect.
All you need to do is combine the right ingredients, which should include jalapeños, garlic, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder and onions.
Blend these ingredients until it is smooth and add a pinch of salt. With that you should have the perfect homemade Tex Mex Paste.
4. Adobo Sauce
This sauce originated from the Philippines. It has a vinegar base which is often used in Filipino foods. This sauce is usually made using soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices.
These spices can vary but most commonly you will see peppercorns, chili peppers, and bay leaves in adobo sauces.
The flavor of this substitute is a little sharp and tangy which may not suit everyone. But this sauce is commonly used for marinating or as a condiment depending on the situation.
You can use adobo sauce as a substitute for Tex Mex paste and many other ingredients.
To use this ingredient as a substitute you need to add it in equal proportions that you would add to Tex Mex Paste.
You may find that the flavor of your dish will be a bit different to what you are used to but it should still have a delightful kick to it.
5. Chili Powder
Tex Mex paste is often used as a meat marinade. If you do not have any on hand it might be a good idea for you to use chili powder instead.
Obviously, chili powder is a powder which means that you will need to use it a bit differently. If you are marinating meat, you may need to use chili powder as a rub.
It is easy to use and the flavor of chili powder is almost identical to Tex Mex Paste. So if you need a simple substitute this is going to be a good choice for you.
Bear in mind that the quantity that you need to substitute Tex Mex Paste may be different depending on what you want your meal to taste like and what chilies you have on hand.
6. Sriracha
This sauce originally came from Thailand and since then it has become popular around the world. It is usually made using salt, chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, and garlic.
The flavor of sriracha tends to be quite sharp and spicy with just a hint of sweetness.
Sriracha will be bright red in color and be a little bit sticky. You can quite easily use it as a substitute for Tex Mex Paste.
A dish using this substitute will be similar in flavor to Tex Mex Paste but you may notice an extra spicy kick to your meal.
Bear in mind that a meal made using sriracha has a delicious and powerful flavor to it which may be overpowering for certain ingredients.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about what substitutes are best when you do not have any Tex Mex Paste on hand.
Remember, that it will be best to use Tex Mex Paste as most recipes will make allowance for the flavor, consistency and texture of this ingredient.
But if you do not have any Tex Mex Paste available or you do not like the flavor of Tex Mex Paste, it is always a good idea to have a good substitute like the ones we have mentioned here.
If you have enjoyed reading this article, and learning about what substitutes there are for Tex Mex Paste, make sure to check out our website.
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Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
