If you love tacos, burgers, and quesadillas, this homemade Taco Bell chipotle sauce is so easy and good you should keep it in your recipe room. Over 3 ingredients come together: chopped tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and mayo together with sour cream making a creamy sauce.
This smoky, creamy condiment is one you can recreate right at home. It’s perfect for giving tacos, burritos, and so many more a blast of bold flavor. This chipotle sauce is ready in minutes with only a few pantry ingredients and you can adjust the spice level and come up with new flavour combinations.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: It takes just 10 minutes to whip up.
- Versatile: Excellent for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and such things!
- Customizable: Alter the amount of your spice and other seasoning to suit your tastes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This sauce stores very well in the fridge and will stay around for up to a week.
Key Ingredients
But if you have to get the flavor of the chipotle sauce at Taco Bell you have to hit that perfect flavor combo (no bases left uncovered) creamy, tangy, and smokey. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mayonnaise and Sour Cream: These creamy bases are merely two of the ingredients they contain. The lighter option is Greek yogurt or buttermilk; if you want a more tangy addition, sour cream works well.
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce: These are smoked jalapeños in a salty spicy sauce, canned, and offered up in jars at most grocery stores. If you don’t have canned chipotles you can use chipotle powder instead or add additional chipotles to your liking for the extra heat.
- Lime Juice: This gives a great punch to the mayonnaise and sour cream and a subtle tang.
- Spices: Both pared-back versions have a little bit more garlic powder, more onion powder, ground cumin and some smoked paprika to make it smokier and more savory.
Full Recipe for Homemade Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce
Follow these simple steps to create your very own Taco Bell-inspired chipotle sauce:
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor)
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from the can of chipotles)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro (optional but recommended for freshness)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional, for an earthy flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Creamy Base
Hurl ¼ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup sour cream into a medium mixing bowl. The mixture should be stirred until smooth. And this base gives your spices and heat a creamy, tangy something that tops the mouth.
Step 2: Add the Flavorings
To the dough, add 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 tablespoons cilantro (optional), minced, and ½ teaspoon ground cumin. Stir well to incorporate. Some savory layers are layered in through cumin and garlic powder and finally, the lime juice is added to add brightness.
Step 3: Also add the Chipotle Peppers, Spice
Add 3 chipotle peppers and finely chop the 3 chipotle peppers into the bowl. To get even more smoky, pour 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce from the can. To make the sauce less spicy, only use a couple of chipotle peppers or add them 1 or 2 at a time until you get to the temperature you want.
Step 4: Season to Taste
Sauce taste and adjust seasoning like you want. To taste better, add a pinch of salt and black pepper. If you want spicier sauce add more chipotle peppers or some chili powder.
Step 5: Let the Sauce Chilla
You will get the best results by chilling the sauce in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. The result is a more balanced more flavorful sauce thanks to the ability of the flavors to meld and build.
Serving Suggestions
This chipotle sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used to elevate a wide range of dishes:
- Tacos and Burritos: Use drizzle over taco fillings or spread it on burritos.
- Quesadillas: It makes a great first layer for filling with cheese, but check out my smoky version here.
- French Fries and Onion Rings: Make into fries, onion rings, or even veggie sticks and use as a dip.
- Burgers and Sandwiches: Instead consider consuming these awesome substitutions for standard condiments to supply depth and smokiness.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigeration: Save any leftover sauce for later use in the refrigerator, in an airtight container. It will store for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Since the dairy content, this sauce doesn’t freeze well so it’s best to make fresh batches on demand.v
Variations and Substitutions
- Vegan Version: To make this sauce vegan-friendly, use vegan mayonnaise and dairy-free yogurt.
- Adjust the Spice Level: The balance of heat can easily be controlled by adding or taking off a chipotle pepper or two. To really up the smokiness a bit, sprinkle in a pinch of smoked paprika or squirt a little bit of liquid smoke.
- Thinner Sauce: Turns out, if you’d like to drizzle a thinner sauce, add a bit more lime juice or buttermilk to taste.
Tips for Perfect Flavor
- Let It Marinate: Chilling the sauce for an hour before serving enhances the flavors and gives it a more cohesive taste.
- Adjust Smokiness: Add more smoked paprika or a tiny drop of liquid smoke for a deeper smoky flavor if you prefer.
- Taste and Adjust: The best part of homemade sauces is the ability to customize! Feel free to add more garlic or cumin to suit your palate.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 66 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 7mg
- Sodium: 47mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make It Vegan?
Yes, you can easily make this sauce vegan by using plant-based mayo and sour cream.
How Long Will It Last in the Refrigerator?
Stored in an airtight container, this sauce will stay in the fridge for 5–7 days.
Can I use this sauce for salad dressing?
Absolutely! Just thin it out with a bit more lime juice or buttermilk to make a creamy, tangy salad dressing.
What If I Don’t Have Chipotle Peppers?
If you can’t find chipotle peppers in adobo, you can substitute them with chipotle powder or a mix of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper for a similar flavor profile.
Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
Conclusion
It’s easy to make Taco Bell’s chipotle sauce at home and kick up your favorite meals. This is so creamy, smokey, a bit spicy, and so good for Tex-Mex dishes and a dip for fries and veggies. It’s full of flavor, versatile, and customizable, so it’s a kitchen essential.
I really do think that if you are willing to give this recipe a try, your homemade chipotle sauce just will need to do the trick for your dishes!