This recipe for homemade taco bell chipotle sauce is so easy and delicious, and it's the perfect sauce to add to your favorite tacos, burgers, and quesadillas! A combination of sour cream and mayo yields a creamy sauce, while chipotle peppers offer a smoky flavor.
I re-discovered Taco Bell during the pandemic, and honestly, I was so impressed by the depth of flavor in their meals! I especially love the spicy potato tacos and the cheese quesadilla, which feature their famous spicy chipotle sauce.
In the quesadilla, the combo of spicy flavors and melted cheese is a match made in heaven! So, I set out to make my own version using simple ingredients you already have at home.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's fast. The whole thing comes together in less than 10 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients.
- It's tasty. This is my take on the Taco Bell chipotle sauce; it's not an exact copycat recipe, but I personally think it's even more delicious!
- It's make-ahead friendly. The sauce lasts up to a week in the fridge, so you can easily make it ahead of time.
Ingredient Notes
Let's talk through the key ingredients you'll need to make this copycat taco bell sauce:
- Sour cream: A combination of mayo and sour cream yields a creamy, tangy flavor. You can use either low-fat or full-fat sour cream here. For a lighter option, use non-fat Greek yogurt.
- Lime: A squeeze of lime juice helps thin out the consistency of the sauce and helps balance the creaminess of the sauce.
- Chipotles in adobo: Chipotle peppers are actually smoky jalapeno peppers, and they add a ton of flavor to sauces and stews like my vegetarian skillet chili. Here, they're canned in a spicy adobo sauce. You can usually find these at your local grocery store in the international aisle.
TIP: For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of chili powder or hot sauce!
For a full list of ingredients and their quantities, please refer to the recipe card.
Serving Suggestions
The perfect way to serve this homemade chipotle sauce is in your favorite Tex-Mex recipe, like these bean and cheese tacos (featuring re-fried black beans!). They're also great as a dipping sauce for french fries or a spread for my impossible smash burgers!
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: This recipe couldn't be easier! In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, minced cilantro, garlic powder, lime juice, chipotles in adobo sauce, and cumin (if using).
Step 2: Season to taste with salt and pepper.
The sauce should taste creamy, tangy, and well-salted with a bit of heat. I typically add 4 chopped peppers for moderate heat, but you can add as much or as little as you like!
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Leftover sauce can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 5 - 7 days.
Tips
- For the best flavor, allow everything to marinate in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
- Feel free to adjust the spice level according to your personal preference. Want more smokiness? Add more chipotle pepper. Want more heat? Add a pinch of chili powder.
- If you find the sauce needs a bit more of a "savory" taste, I recommend adding in a touch more garlic powder or cumin to round out the flavors.
Recipe FAQs
The sauces are very similar, but the chipotle sauce uses chipotle peppers, and the latter uses jalapenos.
Yes! You can substitute with a dairy-free sour cream and mayo.
Other recipes you might like:
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Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
For the creamy chipotle sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream, or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus more if needed
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce**, plus more if needed
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin, optional
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Make the chipotle sauce: In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons minced cilantro, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Add 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce** and ½ teaspoon ground cumin (if using). Season to taste with salt and pepper. If desired, add more chipotle pepper for a spicier sauce. Serve and enjoy!Note: The sauce should taste creamy, tangy, well-salted, with a bit of heat. I typically add 4 chopped peppers for moderate heat, but you can add as much or as little as you like!
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I am constantly craving Taco Bell’s spicy potato soft taco and that’s 99% due to the sauce in it. This recipe actually just totally changed my life, it’s so delicious and now I never need to go to Taco Bell!
I completely agree! I LOVE the spicy potato tacos - I'm so glad you like it!
Owner's Review: I love how creamy this sauce is! It's perfect for burgers, sandwiches, and of course, tacos. I like to add more heat, so I go with 4 chipotle peppers but you can adjust as you'd like!