Tex Mex Paste Recipe (Hello Fresh)

If you landed here, chances are you’re looking for the Hello Fresh Tex Mex paste recipe.

Tex Mex paste is a sauce or marinade that was created by the popular food subscription service. Both savory and sweet, it’s a versatile, all-rounder that goes great with chicken, ground beef, or pork.

And they’ve really hit the bull’s eye with this one! Interestingly, although it was created in Texas, it has become quite popular in Mexican cuisine as well. And it is quickly becoming a cult classic among home chefs scouring the web for the best Tex Mex paste recipe. Well, fret not … you’re at the right place.

What is a tex mex paste?

Tex Mex paste is a combination of pureed tomatoes, onions and chilies with a six-spice blend and herbs that will make your taste buds beg for more.

With a consistency like BBQ sauce, this paste pairs well with Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes, and I love Hello Fresh Tex Mex paste in burgers! And I’ll let you in on a secret.

If you haven’t got much time and want to whip up a quick Tex Mex paste substitute, you can use tomato paste with a dash of paprika. Shh!

What is tex mex paste made of?

Fire-roasted tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes add a sweet yet smoky flavor to Tex Mex paste. You can buy canned fire-roasted tomatoes. Or, you can roast your own tomatoes over an open flame to make your own fire-roasted tomatoes.

Chipotle peppers: Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapenos that have been dried. You can buy them in a jar at the supermarket. The ones in adobo sauce are my personal fave.

White onions: There aren’t many dishes complete without good old onions. And when it comes to sauces or pastes, onions add a noticeable depth of flavor.

Roasted garlic: Roasted garlic is a very important part of Tex Mex paste. It adds a nutty element and roasting it mellows out the flavor.

Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is often found in Asian dishes, added to soups and sauces. It lends the perfect amount of acidity to this Tex Mex paste recipe.

Tomato paste: The recipe calls for tomato paste, one of the main elements of this spicy, fiery sauce. Aside from flavor, it also helps in thickening the sauce. If you don’t have tomato paste at hand, ketchup is a good substitute.

Garlic chili paste: Hey, can you ever get enough garlic? Aside from adding a depth of flavor to the sauce, it also helps with texture.

Sugar: Although Tex-Mex paste is spicy and slightly smoky, it has a hint of sweetness in it thanks to sugar. If you prefer to omit sugar from your recipe, you may use coconut sugar, a healthier alternative.

Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder is an interesting addition to Tex Mex paste, giving it a slight chocolatey flavor. And who could say no to chocolate? Also, it helps make Tex Mex paste look more appealing. Go for a quality cocoa powder.

Ground coriander: If coriander tastes soapy to you, you can omit it. I personally like the citrusy taste, adding a hint of freshness to our paste.

Dried oregano: Dried oregano adds a hint of spice and bitterness with sour undertones to our Tex Mex paste.

Chili powder: Chili powder is used generously in this paste — that’s where the heat comes from. In our not-so-secret-anymore six-spice blend, you use double the amount of chili powder compared to most other spices. But of course, if you can’t take the heat, feel free to reduce the amount.

Paprika: Paprika adds a sweet, peppery taste to the much-beloved Tex Mex paste. Also, it will add some depth and volume to your paste.  

Cumin: Cumin is a spice found in many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. It adds a nutty flavor to your dishes, pairing well with peppers. It is also known to combine well with coriander and chili powder, two spices present in this paste.

Garlic powder: What dish is complete without MORE garlic? This root vegetable adds a big punch of flavor to just about any dish, and your Tex-Mex paste wouldn’t be the same without it.

Salt: Salt adds a finishing touch to your Tex-Mex paste, bringing all the flavors together.

How to roast garlic

Until I started roasting garlic (for nearly everything), I assumed it was an intimating or “fancy” process. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s how to roast garlic:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Cut the top fourth of the garlic head off (or enough until the garlic has been exposed and cut into)
3. Drizzle olive oil on the top
4. Wrap the head of garlic in tin foil
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the garlic cloves are easily squeezed out

How to make Tex Mex Paste Recipe

Since Hello Fresh introduced the world to Tex Mex paste, food bloggers and enthusiasts have tried to recreate its flavor. There are quite a few variations and homemade Tex Mex paste recipes out there.

I’ve tried out a couple and made some variations while still attempting to copy the exact taste of the original.

Ingredients

• 1½ tsp ground coriander
• 1½ tsp dried oregano
• 3 tsp chili powder
• 1½ tsp paprika
• 1½ tsp ground cumin
• 1½ tsp garlic powder
• 4 tsp salt
• 1 white onion dices
• 2 heads roasted garlic
• 5 tsp tomato paste
• 4 oz chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 
• 21 oz fire-roasted tomatoes
• 4½ tsp rice wine vinegar
• 4½ tsp garlic chili paste
• 6 tsp cocoa powder
• 4 tsp sugar

Instructions 

1. Roast your garlic (see instructions above for roasting garlic)
2. To start, create the spice blend with the dry ingredients. Add the coriander, dried oregano, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and garlic powder to a bowl. Then, mix your spice blend thoroughly.
3. With a food processor, puree your onions and roasted garlic bulb. 
4. Next, add your tomato paste, chipotle peppers, and fire-roasted tomatoes to your pureed onion and garlic in the processor. Blend the mixture once again.
5. Place your mixture in a small pot or saucepan. Add the spice blend, rice vinegar, chili paste, sugar and cocoa powder to the mix.
6. Stir the mixture thoroughly, bringing it to a simmer over medium heat for 16 minutes.
7. Remove your paste from the heat and allow it to cool.
8. Once it cools down, use an immersion blender to get a smoother paste. 
9. As it cools down, your paste will thicken. Enjoy!

How to Use Tex Mex Paste

Tex Mex paste, as the name implies, goes well with Mexican and Tex Mex cuisine. Way to state the obvious! If you fancy spicy food, chances are you will love this paste. It adds another dimension to dishes like enchiladas, tacos, and burritos.

For instance, I like incorporating Tex Mex paste in my Chipotle Fajita Veggies recipe instead of the seasoning. My chipotle fajitas recipe already includes garlic powder, pepper, and cumin. You can also add it to the marinade in this Chipotle steak recipe.

Replacing those with Tex Mex paste will add a hint of smokiness to your dish that pairs beautifully with charred vegetables. I also like to incorporate Tex Mex paste in my Mexican stews and soups. Yes, I admit it, I can’t get enough of spicy food!

One day, I had some leftover Tex Mex paste in the fridge, and I could hear it calling out my name. It was a cold winter day, and I also had some leftover Stuffed Pepper Soup. The two made such a heavenly combination that I wondered why I didn’t think of it sooner!

Tex-Mex paste also is a great ingredient for many sauces for rice.

Tex Mex Paste FAQs

What is Tex-Mex Paste?

Tex-Mex paste is a flavorful, concentrated blend of spices and seasonings typically used in Tex-Mex cuisine. It combines ingredients such as tomatoes, chili peppers, cumin, paprika, and garlic to add a robust, smoky, and mildly spicy kick to various dishes.

How spicy is tex mex paste?

To the average palette, Tex Mex paste is considered quite spicy. I’m generous with the chili powder, but if you don’t think you can handle all that fire, I advise halving the amount listed in the ingredients.

Also, you can add more tomato paste to make your Tex Mex paste less spicy. It all depends on how you like it!

How do I store tex mex paste?

Store your Tex Mex paste in the fridge in an air-tight container. We recommend a glass jar or Tupperware container.

How long will tex mex paste last?

Homemade Tex-Mex paste can last up to 2 weeks if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze the paste for up to 6 months, making sure to use a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bags. For the easiest use, freeze it in an ice cube tray!

What is a good substitute for Tex-Mex paste?

Here are a few options you can consider:

1. Taco seasoning: Premade taco seasoning can be a convenient substitute for Tex-Mex paste. It contains many of the same spices, like chili powder, cumin, and oregano. To add more depth and moisture, mix the taco seasoning with a bit of tomato paste, lime juice, and a splash of oil or water.
2. Chili powder blend: A mix of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper can be used to mimic the flavor of Tex-Mex paste. You can also add a little tomato paste and lime juice to enhance the flavor.
3. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: These smoked jalapeño peppers in a tangy tomato-based sauce can add a smoky and spicy flavor to your dish. Chop and use a small amount of the peppers along with some of the adobo sauce, then add cumin, oregano, and tomato paste to get closer to the flavor of Tex-Mex paste.
4. Enchilada sauce: While not an exact match, enchilada sauce can provide some of the same flavors as Tex-Mex paste. It usually contains chili powder, cumin, garlic, and tomato. You may want to add a bit more cumin, smoked paprika, or oregano to bring it closer to the taste of Tex-Mex paste.

Does hello fresh sell Tex-Mex paste?

Hello Fresh does not sell Tex-Mex paste as a standalone product. However, they may include Tex-Mex paste as an ingredient in some of their meal kits. If you subscribe to their meal delivery service or order specific meal kits, you might receive Tex-Mex paste as part of the provided ingredients for a particular recipe. Keep in mind that their offerings may vary over time, so it’s best to check their current menu and meal options to see if Tex-Mex paste is included in any of their recipes.

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Have questions or suggestions about this Tex Mex paste recipe? Leave them in the comments below.

Psst… When you’re done with this recipe, check out our list of top celebrity recipes. You know, because they’re just like us 😉