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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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-2.jpg)
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-1.jpg)
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-3.jpg)
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/franks-redhot-original-hot-sauce.jpg)
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-4.jpg)
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-5.jpg)
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 Taco Bell Hot Sauce (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-6.jpg)
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/taco-bell-hot-sauce-7.jpg)
“We love this sauce! Perfect spice, I’m on my second batch, no more store bought sauce for us!“
– Claire
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) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/xanthan-gum-1.jpg)
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
- 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.
More Recipe Ideas
Pineapple Jalapeño Hot Sauce
Hot Jezebel Dipping Sauce
Copycat McDonald’s Hot Mustard Sauce
Garlic Dill Dipping Sauce
Printable Recipe Card
![Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (14) Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce (14)](https://i0.wp.com/www.hotrodsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Copycat-Taco-Bell-Hot-Sauce-300x300.jpg)
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.
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