Today we will look at the 6 best Substitutes for Tex Mex Paste.
I am a big fan of Tex Mes paste, whenever I cook chicken I always use Tex Mex paste to marinate my chicken to add up some extra flavor.
However, where I live, it is very difficult for me to find Tex Mex paste in stock because there are very few Mexican stores in my area.
That’s why whenever I visit Arizona (Arizona is a state in the United States where Tex Mex paste is easily available), I stack up Tex Mex paste.
But I know it is not possible for me to visit Arizona every other week to get Tex Mex paste and I know there are a lot of people who can not find Tex Mex paste in their area, and that’s why I am sharing the 6 best substitutes for Tex Mex paste.
So, if you also want to know the best Tex-Mex paste substitutes then this article is for you.
There are plenty of substitutes for Tex Mex paste that you can use in your dish to add extra flavors and heat.
But before I tell you my list of Tex Mex paste alternatives, let’s first discuss what is Tex Mex paste and how it is made.
What is Tex Mex Paste and what’s so special about it?
Tex Mex paste is like a seasoning that is made up of different spices, it is usually used for adding extra flavor to your dish.
it is Mexican-style seasoning, and it contains a blend of different spices such as Cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.
I mostly use it to marinate meats such as chicken and pork. I sometimes also use it as a sauce with plates of pasta, rice, and beans and it tastes very good.
In short, I would say Tex Mex paste is capable of making any dish more flavorful and bold.
If you are someone who enjoys extra spices and wants to add a spicy kick to your meal then Tex Mex paste can be your best friend.
Now I think you are familiar with Tex Mex paste, now let’s discuss what are the best substitutes for Tex Mex paste in 2023.
My Topic picks) 6 Best Substitutes for Tex Mex Paste
1) Chipotle paste
The number 1 recommendation from my side for Tex Mex paste substitute is Chiptole Paste.
If you have tried Tex Mex paste then you must already be familiar with the smoky spicy flavor it gives to dishes, well the same kind of smoky flavor you will get from Chipotle paste as well.
Chipotle paste or you can also say Chipotle sauce is made from dried jalapeno peppers, it is a thick kind of paste that adds a rich smoky flavor to the dish.
To make Chipotle paste very much similar to Tex Mex paste, you can reduce its thickness by pouring some water in it.
Also, it is recommended that you add an extra spice level from your side to make it completely similar to Tex Mex paste.
2) Adobo Sauce
Another substitute for Tex Mex paste is Adobo sauce, just like Tex Mex paste, Adobo sauce is also a popular Mexican sauce or seasoning.
Adobo sauce is made from different spices mixed such as chili peppers mixed with vinegar.
Adobo sauce will add a smoky and tangy flavor to the dish, you can use it to marinate chicken, beef, and pork and the final meat will taste as good as marinated with Tex Mex paste.
The basic ingredients of Adobo sauce is:
- Apple cider Vinegar
- Garlic
- Dried ancho chili peppers
- Chilli powder
- Mexican origano
- Cumin
- Salt
Adobo sauce is of dark orange color and signifies the tangy, and smoky flavor that it carries in it.
You can easily use Adobo sauce as a Tex Mex substitute, just make some little adjustments of spices here and there to enjoy the same Tex Mex spice level.
3) Achiote paste
Achiote paste is usually used in Caribbean cuisine, it is a very good substitute for Tex Mex paste. Achiote paste doesn’t have the same spiciness as Tex Mex paste but it is again a good option.
Achiote paste is of red-orange color and it is made from annatto seed and some other spices such as Cumin, vinegar, oregano, etc.
I found out that Achiote paste has a smoky and tangy flavor with a moderate hint of sweetness.
The overall texture of Achiote paste is on the thicker side, a little thicker than Tex Mex paste but it can be balanced out by adding some water to it.
Also, while using it as a substitute for Tex Mex paste, I advise you to adjust some other ingredients as well to make the flavors balance out.
I have used Achitote paste a lot and if I compare it with Tex Mex paste, I noticed it doesn’t work very well with dishes that require extra heat.
Overall, it can be used as a Tex Mex substitute with keeping things in mind that I have discussed above.
4) Homemade spice blend as a Substitutes for Tex Mex Paste
Nothing beats your homemade spice, right? well, if you are interested to make your own Tex Mex substitute at home with the ingredients that we often have in our kitchen, you can do it quite easily.
The beauty of making your own spice blend at home is you can adjust the number of ingredients according to your spice tolerance level.
The basic ingredients that you gonna need to make your own homemade spice blend Tex Mex alternative are as follows:
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cumen
- Garlic powder
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Little amount of Cayenne pepper
- And salt obviously.
Now take all the above ingredients in a big bowl, add some water, and mix them all.
Now you can enjoy your own made Tex Mex paste substitute, you can adjust the number of ingredients according to your taste buds.
5) Harissa paste
Now Harissa paste has a different flavor profile from Tex-Mex paste, I have noticed that Harissa paste has a spicy and sweet taste in it, with little smokiness in it.
It can be a perfect Tex Mex substitute for those dishes that demand a high heat.
Another thing that I noticed in Harissa paste is that it is slightly on the spicy side which might not be very pleasant for those who have a low spice level tolerance.
However, you can adjust it by adding some water to minimize the spice level of it.
Harissa Paste is a blend of different spices such as coriander, caraway seeds, and cumin, mixed with garlic and olive oil.
It is a North African chili paste and very popular there, however, It is easily available in almost every other store in the United States.
6) Salsa
Salsa is a very common sauce and I guess everyone has this sauce in their kitchen already. But do you know it can be a great substitute for Tex Mex? well, now you will know. 😉
Salsa’s flavor profile is not so very similar to Tex Mex paste but can provide a somewhat similar level of spiciness.
While using Salsa as a substitute for Tex Mex, make sure that you are picking up Salsa sauce that has a similar level of ingredients profile such as chili peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, etc.
Since the flavor profile is not exactly the same, you have to be careful while using Salsa as a Tex Mex substitute on dishes. You have to use the right amount of Salsa to make it taste similar to Tex Mex.
However, after a few experiments and playing with adding extra ingredients you will able to achieve the same smoky and spiciness.
Wrapping Up for Substitutes for Tex Mex Paste
So, it is time for us to wrap up this article.
Tex Mex is indeed a very flavorful seasoning, however, if you are not able to find it in your area then don’t worry since we have already shared the best substitute for Tex Mex paste or sauce.
All the substitute that we have shared has their own unique flavor but all can be used as a perfect substitute.
If you know any other substitute for Tex Mex paste that you are interested in sharing with us then do let us know by dropping your valuable comment. Till then check our website for more such content.