Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce Recipe (Copycat)

Name: Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce Recipe (Copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/3 cup sour cream; 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (adjust to taste, use less for less chipotle flavor and more for a stronger taste. ); 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the chipotle peppers); 1 garlic clove; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1/2 teaspoon paprika (use smoked for a smokier flavor); 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste); 1/4 teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)

This Taco Bell chipotle sauce recipe nails the real thing: creamy, smoky, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting. It comes together in about 5 minutes with ingredients you probably already have, and it works on basically everything.

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wooden spoon holding up Taco Bell creamy chipotle sauce

If you love Taco Bell copycat recipes, be sure to try out Taco Bell Baja Sauce as well!

What is Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce?

It's one of Taco Bell's most versatile sauces with its mild heat and a smoky, creamy base made from mayo and sour cream. The chipotle peppers give it that signature flavor without blowing anyone's head off. It shows up across their menu because it pairs well with pretty much everything.

Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients for how to make taco bell chipotle sauce sitting on a counter

Mayonnaise: is added to this recipe as a base because not only does it keep your sauce nice and creamy, but it also helps bring down the spice a bit.

Sour Cream: is perfect for thickening up your sauce. If you want a little bit of a thicker sauce for dipping, use just a bit more sour cream than mayo.

Chipotle Peppers: have a sweet and natural smoke flavor and measure 2,500-10,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). So they bring mild to medium heat but both the mayo and sour cream in this recipe help cool it down.

Adobo Sauce: is a super flavorful ingredient that has an earthy and smoky flavor that is perfect for this sauce. It also has a hint of sweetness and tanginess, which cools off the chipotle peppers a bit.

Garlic: simply makes any Mexican recipe better. So, for this sauce, adding in freshly minced garlic brings the best flavor that pairs well with the spice of this recipe, as well as the cooling ingredients, like mayo and sour cream.

Lime Juice: both add freshness and a citrus flavor to your creamy sauce. I like to use fresh lemon juice, but you're welcome to use the bottled kind.

Smoked Paprika: has a smoky and woodsy flavor which pairs well with the smokiness of your adobo sauce. It also had just a hint of spice.

Onion Powder: is similar to garlic, onion adds the perfect flavor to any recipe. Onion powder adds a delicious, pungent, and savory flavor to your sauce.

Salt and Pepper: both help enhance the flavor while adding just a hint of a woodsy flavor.

glass jar with taco bell creamy chipotle sauce with wooden spoon and coaster with peppers, lime and garlic in the background

How to Make Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce

Start by removing the chipotle peppers from the can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. You can find these in the international or Mexican section of most grocery stores. If you want a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers; otherwise, leave them for more heat.
In a blender add the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, paprika, onion powder, mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more chipotle peppers or adobo sauce.
Transfer the chipotle sauce to an airtight container or squeeze bottle. Store it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using it to allow the flavors to meld.
Use your homemade chipotle sauce as a condiment for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burgers, and sandwiches, or as a dip for fries and other snacks.

overhead view of Taco Bell creamy Chipotle Sauce in blender

What to Serve with Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce

This sauce pulls double duty as both a topping and a dip. Here are some of the best ways to use it:

On top of rice bowls
Tacos, burritos, and quesadillas
Chicken tenders or wings for dipping
Drizzled over nachos
Spread on sandwich wraps or burgers
As a dipping sauce for fries or veggies

Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce Copycat Recipe Variations

Wanting to change up the flavor? Try this.

Add in a dash of chili powder or pickled jalapenos for a little more spice.
Add in more sour cream for a thicker sauce, which is a better option if you want to use this sauce for dipping.
Use a plant-based mayo or sour cream to make this fresh homemade version vegan.
Add in a little bit of chopped fresh cilantro for a peppery flavor.

overhead view of chipotle sauce with wooden spoon holding over glass jar

What If I Can't Find Canned Adobo?

You can usually find canned goods around the Latin ingredients on the international aisle in your local grocery store. If you can't find it in that section, try looking near the tomatoes. If you can't find it in either one of those places, use dried chipotle powder. It's a little stronger in powdered form, so start with a teaspoon and add more as needed.

glass jar with sauce on wooden coaster with limes, peppers and garlic in the background

How Spicy Is This Taco Bell Creamy Chipotle Sauce?

The good thing about this sauce is that you can change it based on your flavor and spice preference. I would say this recipe is mild but with a little kick at the end. If you're a little worried about the spice, I would add just a little bit of peppers and then keep taste testing while you're making your Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce. You can always add in more spice, but you can't take it out.

How Do I Store Leftover Chipotle Sauce?

This is a great sauce to make ahead and use throughout the week for meals. To store, place your sauce in an airtight container, I like to use a mason jar and enjoy it for up to ten days. You may notice that it may get a little separated at the top, no worries, just give it a stir or shake. I don't recommend freezing this sauce.

overhead view of chipotle sauce with wooden spoon holding some up

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in Taco Bell's chipotle sauce?

The base is mayo and sour cream, blended with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. It's creamy with a mild smoky heat.

Is Taco Bell chipotle sauce spicy?

It's mild to medium. There's a kick from the chipotle peppers, but the mayo and sour cream cool it down significantly. You can make it milder by removing the seeds from the peppers, or spicier by adding more adobo sauce.

Can I make Taco Bell chipotle sauce at home?

Yes, and it's surprisingly easy. The whole recipe takes about 5 minutes and uses ingredients you can find at any grocery store. The chipotle peppers in adobo are usually in the Latin or international aisle.

How long does homemade chipotle sauce last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it keeps for up to 10 days. It may separate slightly, so just give it a stir before using.

What can I use instead of chipotle peppers in adobo?

If you can't find canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, use chipotle powder instead. Start with about 1 teaspoon and adjust from there since it's more concentrated than the canned version.