Nick Tahou Hot Sauce
Nick Tahou Hot Sauce Recipe – This bold and spicy meat sauce is a Rochester, NY classic, famously served over the iconic Garbage Plate. Made with ground beef, tomato paste, onions, garlic, and a signature blend of spices, this flavorful Nick Tahou meat sauce simmers to perfection in just under an hour. Perfect as a Garbage Plate sauce, it's also delicious on burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Easy to prepare and deeply satisfying, this homemade version delivers all the heat, tang, and richness of the original.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr
- Yield
- 10 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Instructions
- 1
Over medium heat, cook the ground beef in a large skillet until it's no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain the excess fat
- 2
To the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and aromatic
- 3
Lower the heat and stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and sugar. Cook for a few minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant
- 4
Pour in the water and white vinegar and mix well. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes to an hour. The sauce will thicken, and the flavors will meld together beautifully
- 5
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and cayenne pepper according to your preference. The goal is to achieve a perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and tanginess.