Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (2024)

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ByChef RodneyUpdated on

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This Copycat Hot Sauce from Taco Bell is not for the faint of heart. If you love a super hot sauce this one is for you! Good Luck!

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Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (1)

We love to use Hot Sauce when we have Mexican food. And this Copycat recipe from Taco Bell is exactly what we needed for the Chicken Tacos I was making one night. If you love Taco Bell Hot Sauces then you need to give this recipe a try.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (2)

Like most sauce recipes, this one is super easy to make and doesn’t call for any special ingredients. If you eat a lot of Mexican Food or make spicy dishes on a regular basis, you most likely already have some Hot Sauce in your refrigerator.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (3)

You can use whatever brand of hot sauce you have on hand. I always have a bottle of Tabasco or Frank’s Hot Sauce on hand so that is what I typically use. Just remember to start with a little hot sauce, taste it, then add more if needed.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (4)

If you eat at Taco Bell on a regular basis, you know they offer many different kinds of sauces. As of this writing, they offer the following sauces at their restaurants: Mild Sauce, Hot Sauce, Fire Sauce and Diablo Sauce.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (5)

This copycat sauce recipe from Taco Bell is Hot. At least by our standards and we eat a lot of spicy food. I’m finding it a little hard to pin down if this is the Fire Sauce or the Diablo Sauce. My wife thinks it’s most likely the Diablo Sauce.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (6)

She found it extremely spicy but she recognized the distinctive flavor from Taco Bell. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this in the comment section below. Either way, this sauce is awesome!

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (7)

Copycat Rating

Since the goal of a Copycat Recipe is for it to taste exactly like the original, it’s only natural to rate this recipe against the original. This Copycat recipe rates a solid 8 out of 10 in my opinion.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (8)

Ingredient Substitution

If you don’t have any Xanthan Gum on hand and don’t feel like buying some for this recipe you can substitute for some Cornstarch.

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (9)

Update 6/13/22: We made some slight changes to the list of ingredients from our original post.

Gather your Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this Copycat Hot Sauce recipe from Taco Bell (see recipe card for quantities): Tomato Paste, Water, Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Salt, Xanthan Gum, White Vinegar, Onion Powder, Ground Black Pepper, Ground Cumin, Garlic Powder and Hot Sauce.

How to Make Taco Bell Hot Sauce

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato paste with the water and stir until smooth.
  2. Add the cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, Xanthan Gum, vinegar, onion powder, black pepper, cumin and garlic powder. Whisk until well combined.
  3. Add the hot sauce and continue to heat the sauce mixture to boiling. Continue to stir for about 3 minutes then remove from the heat.
  4. Let the sauce cool, and then put it in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate.
  5. Let the sauce sit for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. This will allow all the flavors to meld. You can use it immediately, but the longer you let it sit in the refrigerator, the more flavorful it will be.

More Recipe Ideas

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Printable Recipe Card

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (14)

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce

This Copycat Hot Sauce from Taco Bell is not for the faint of heart. If you love a super hot sauce this one is for you! Good Luck!

4.47 from 62 votes

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Prep TimePrep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook Time 15 minutes mins

Total TimeTotal Time 20 minutes mins

Course Sauces

Cuisine American

Author Chef Rodney

Servings 32

Calories 7 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 6 oz Tomato Paste
  • 3 Cups Water
  • 2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 ½ Tbsp Chili Powder
  • 2 ½ Tsp Salt
  • ½ Tsp Xanthan Gum
  • 2 Tsp White Vinegar
  • 1 Tsp Onion Powder
  • ½ Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Hot Sauce, or to taste

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato paste with the water and stir until smooth.

  • Add the cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, Xanthan Gum, vinegar, onion powder, black pepper, cumin and garlic powder. Whisk until well combined.

  • Add the hot sauce and continue to heat the sauce mixture to boiling. Continue to stir for about 3 minutes then remove from the heat.

  • Let the sauce cool, and then put it in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate.

  • Let the sauce sit for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. This will allow all the flavors to meld. You can use it immediately, but the longer you let it sit in the refrigerator, the more flavorful it will be.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ozCalories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 241mgPotassium: 67mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What hot sauce is closest to Taco Bell hot sauce? ›

Taco Bell's Mexican hot sauce packets have a unique flavor profile that is difficult to replicate exactly, but many people find that Tabasco sauce or Cholula hot sauce are similar in style.

What are the ingredients in Taco Bell hot sauce? ›

From the Package

WATER, TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), VINEGAR, JALAPENO PEPPERS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, CHILI PEPPER, DRIED ONIONS, SPICES, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, MALTODEXTRIN, YEAST EXTRACT, DATEM, NATURAL FLAVOR.

What are Taco Bell sauce packets made of? ›

Packaging: Taco Bell's hot sauce packets are made from a polyethylene (PE) and metallized aluminum structure.

Why do Taco Bell sauce packets have words on them? ›

The campaign offered fans "a unique opportunity to leave their own mark on and be a part of Taco Bell history," said Taylor Montgomery, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer, in a press release. The revised packets are debuting in 2024 as part of a larger redesign.

Is Taco Bell hot sauce actually spicy? ›

Taco Bell's hot sauce clocks in at 2,500 to 3,000 SHUs, packing quite a kick by any metric. It's a hot sauce that delivers lots of flavor to go with the heat. This is the sauce that you would graduate to if mild sauce just isn't delivering the same level of spice that you enjoy with your tacos and burritos.

Does Taco Bell have a secret sauce? ›

Taco Bell and Secret Aardvark created an all-new zesty Serrabanero Ranch Sauce, crafted from green tomatoes, roasted tomatillos serrano and green habanero peppers blended with savory ranch; the sauce adds a bold punch of spice to the classic Nacho Fries.

Why is Diablo sauce so good? ›

Diablo sauce's characteristic flavour is a subtle smoky tomato that makes it easy to distinguish from other hot sauces, as well as that unquestionably spicy kick. When one first tastes diablo sauce, the smoky tomato taste seeps in, quickly being taken over by the overwhelming heat of the chilli.

Are Taco Bell hot sauce packets free? ›

Taco Bell has a new sauce at their locations, but depending on what you order, it could cost you. While packets of other condiments, like the chain's mild, hot, fire and diablo sauces, are free of charge, the new avocado verde salsa sells for 20 cents per packet, unless a customer orders certain items.

Is bottled Taco Bell sauce the same as packets? ›

However, the sauce packet has food starch, sugar, potassium sorbate, and garlic concentrate (via Taco Bell), while the bottled sauce includes spices, xanthan gum, potassium chloride, yeast extract, and datem (via Target).

Does Taco Bell want their sauce packets back? ›

Last year, Taco Bell began working with recycling company TerraCycle to develop a method for recycling used hot sauce packets. Now, the QSR chain is taking things one step further by allowing sauce packets from any brand, not just its own, to be returned through the program.

What was Taco Bell apologizing for? ›

Taco Bell hires Pete Davidson to help apologize. Taco Bell is apologizing for its breakfast menu. In recent years, it has been littered with questionable foods, such as the Naked Egg Taco or even the Waffle Taco, that have since been discontinued.

Do Taco Bell sauce packets ever go bad? ›

How Long Does Taco Bell Sauce Last? Taco Bell sauce packets are designed to last. If you keep them in a cool, dry place, they can stay good for up to a year after you take them home. Once you open them, though, it's best to use them right away to enjoy their full flavor.

How many sauce packets does Taco Bell make a year? ›

Food Network - Taco Bell goes through 8.2 billion sauce... | Facebook.

Is Taco Bell red sauce taco sauce? ›

Taco Bell red sauce is the one that they put on Taco's and other dishes while they are preparing. It's not any of the ones in the packets.

What is the difference between Frank's and Louisiana hot sauce? ›

For example, Frank's RedHot highlights the flavor of its peppers while Louisiana has a more powerful sour tang of vinegar to complement the cayenne. Frank's will also more commonly be found as a sauce for wings whereas Lousiana Hot will be the table sauce found at many southern restaurants.

Which is hotter, Tabasco or Cholula? ›

Tabasco's heat level falls between 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), signifying a more intense spiciness. On the other hand, Cholula's Scoville rating ranges from a milder 1,000 to 2,000 SHUs, catering to those who prefer a gentler kick.

What is taco bell sauce? ›

Taco Bell Sauce is perfect for Taco Tuesday!! Made with chipotle chili powder and cayenne pepper, it's spicy, fiery, and flavorful. Use it on a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes or as a dipping sauce for grilled meat.

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