Taco Bell is beloved for its affordable Mexican-inspired fast food, especially the tasty tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. But what really brings the heat and flavor to these menu items are Taco Bell’s signature hot sauces.
With a variety to suit every palate, from mild to fiery, Taco Bell’s hot sauces are considered essential condiments for enhancing any meal. So what are the taco bell sauces that have achieved cult-favorite status? There’s the classic taco bell hot sauce, the tangy mild sauce, the savory chipotle sauce, the popular creamy jalapeño sauce, and more.
By ranking the taco bell sauces from mildest to spiciest, understanding the flavor profiles, and knowing which items they best complement, you can elevate your Taco Bell experience.
Key Takeaways
- They range greatly in spice level from no heat mild sauce to fiery Diablo and Reaper Ranch
- Taco Bell’s Hot, Fire, and Creamy Jalapeño sauces rank among fan favorites
- Pair sauces with menu items strategically – creamy for soft tacos, salsa for veggie, enchilada sauce for burritos
- Ask for extra sauces when ordering in-store or online
- Try bottled sauces from grocery stores or bulk sauce packs online
What Are the Taco Bell Sauce Levels from Mild to Spicy?
When it comes to taco bell sauces, they range from no heat to very spicy on the scoville scale. Here’s a breakdown from mildest to hottest:
Mild Sauce – This tomato-based taco bell sauce has no spiciness. It offers a tangy, subtly sweet flavor.
Fire Sauce – With a blend of spices like red chili peppers, this taco bell hot sauce ranks around 500 scoville units. It brings a noticeable yet manageable heat level.
Diablo Sauce – Made with red chili peppers and chipotle, this taco bell sauce reaches up to 2,500 scoville units for what Taco Bell classifies as a “Hot” level.
Reaper Ranch Sauce – Currently the hottest taco bell sauce available, it contains ghost pepper and ranks over 1 million scoville units for an extreme “Fire” spice level.
What are the Most Popular Taco Bell Sauces?
Taco bell hot sauces have earned their own loyal followings. Here are some all-star favorites:
Hot Sauce – This tomato-based original taco bell hot sauce strikes an ideal balance of tangy flavor and spicy kick with chilies and spices.
Mild Sauce – With no heat just zesty tomato taste, this taco bell sauce nicely cuts richness without overpowering ingredients.
Fire Sauce – Bringing actual noticeable spice, this taco bell sauce with a blend of red chile peppers satisfyingly heats up any Taco Bell meal.
Chipotle Sauce – Featuring smoky roasted chipotle and creamy adobo, this taco bell sauce boasts savory depth and mild spiciness.
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce – Blending cool richness with crisp bites of pickled jalapeños, this popular taco bell sauce delivers texture and temperature contrast.
Which Taco Bell Sauces Go Best with Specific Menu Items?
Not all taco bell sauces complement every dish. When ordering favorite taco bell menu items, here are some sauce pairings for maximum flavor:
Soft Tacos – Top steak or crispy chicken soft tacos with creamy jalapeño sauce or nacho cheese sauce for extra creaminess. For bean and rice vegetarian tacos, make it snappy with hot sauce.
Burritos – Smother beefy burritos in enchilada sauce or chili for intense flavor layering. For fresher pico de gallo chicken burritos, bring on the salsa.
Quesadillas – Dip zesty cheese quesadillas in avocado ranch sauce or chipotle sauce for a change of pace from typical nacho cheese sauce.
Crunchwrap Supreme – This Taco Bell signature item already has plenty going on, so stick to classics like hot sauce, mild sauce, or fiery Diablo sauce to tie everything together.
Nachos BellGrande – Known for its generous toppings of beans, beef, tomatoes, and sour cream, this shareable snack benefits from extra richness via creamy jalapeño sauce drizzled over the top.
How Can You Get Taco Bell Hot Sauces?
Craving your favorite taco bell sauce but don’t have a packet on hand? There are couple ways to get your hands on taco bell sauces:
In-Restaurant – Simply ask for your preferred sauces when ordering at the taco bell drive-thru or counter. They’ll add extra containers to your bag free of charge.
Online Orders – When placing a web or app order for taco bell pickup or delivery, you can request specific sauces in the special instructions section.
Grocery Stores – Many supermarket chains now carry bottled taco bell sauces like fire sauce and hot sauce in the Mexican or international food aisle.
Amazon – Online at amazon.com, you can buy multi-sauce sampler packs of taco bell hot sauces that ship straight to your door.
So don’t settle for flavorless fast food – always add some zing by keeping an arsenal of taco bell sauces ready to kick any meal up a notch!
| Taco Bell Sauce | Great On These Foods | Try Also Pairing With |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Sauce | Bean burritos | Guacamole |
| Hot Sauce | Crispy tacos | Nacho cheese |
| Creamy Jalapeño | Quesadillas | Sour cream |
| Diablo | Beefy nachos | Black beans |
Other Important Questions About Taco Bell Sauces
Beyond the basics, you may still have some burning taco bell sauce questions like:
How Long Do Taco Bell Sauce Packets Last Unopened?
Most taco bell sauce packets boast an impressively long shelf life. Unopened taco bell sauce packets typically remain fresh for 12-24 months when stored properly at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
For the best quality and flavor though, try to use sauces within 3-6 months of receiving them. Over time, the spices can lose pungency.
What’s Better – Taco Bell Sauce Packets or Bottled Sauces?
Both taco bell sauce packets and bottled sauces have their merits. Packets are more customizable with adjustable serving sizes. But bottles allow enjoying larger amounts of your favorite flavors.
For peak convenience, keep a stock of taco bell sauce packets in your glove box or bag to use on the go. Bottled sauces make more sense for continually replenishing your home pantry.
Can You Buy Taco Bell Sauces in Bulk?
Major taco bell sauce fans can purchase bulk cases online through sites like Amazon, eBay, and select online wholesale retailers. Cases typically include anywhere from 50 to 500 sauce packets depending on the taco bell hot sauce variety.
When buying taco bell sauces in bulk, opt for the multi-flavor combo packs so you can stock up on several signature flavors to try.
FAQs
What’s the new taco bell sauce called?
Taco Bell recently introduced a new Reaper Ranch Sauce that contains ghost pepper for intense heat.
What sauce do they put on taco bell tacos?
The default taco sauce on Taco Bell tacos and other items is their classic Hot Sauce. But any sauce can be added.
Do taco bell sauce packets need to be refrigerated after opening?
No, since the packets are shelf-stable you don’t need to refrigerate them after opening. Properly resealed packets can be kept at room temperature.
Conclusion
Taco Bell’s hot sauces are more than just tasty condiments – they’re essential flavor boosters that can make or break your meal. With options spanning from mild to extreme heat packed with tangy, savory spices, there’s a taco bell sauce fit for every palate.
Strategic sauce pairings prevent flavors from clashing. And collecting packets or keeping bottles on hand means you can elevate any food with that signature Taco Bell zing whenever cravings strike. So spice up your fast food routine and complete the experience by adding the appropriate taco bell sauce. Your tastebuds will thank you.
With this taco bell sauce knowledge, you can deliberately upgrade any Taco Bell meal. Bottoms up on the packets and bottles!
