Homemade Taco Bell Baja Sauce (Easy Copycat Recipe)
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If you crave the tangy, slightly spicy flavor of Taco Bell Baja sauce you’re going to love our copycat recipe. Recreate the flavorful, creamy sauce at home and take your homemade tacos and burritos to the next level.
The tangy, slightly spicy flavor adds the perfect finishing touch to your favorite Mexican recipes, like a chicken quesadilla. And once you’ve tried this homemade version of the bold Baja sauce, this easy recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
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We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
I have to admit Taco Bell’s Baja sauce is one of my favorites. I love drizzling it on dishes we make at home like Baja shrimp tacos, enchiladas and even sandwich wraps for a burst of Taco Bell flavor.
And if you love the unique flavor of this sauce as much as I do you’ll be happy to know you can recreate your favorite Taco Bell flavors at home with this simple recipe.
This Baja Sauce Is…
- Easy flavor boost
- Homemade recipe
- Taco Bell night at home
- Delicious condiment
- Great on fish tacos, burritos, walking tacos, chicken tacos, etc.
- Tangy flavors in each bite
Check out my Taco Bell crunch wrap supreme for another must-try copycat recipe.
Ingredients Needed
Mayonnaise – make sure to use real mayonnaise instead of a Miracle Whip (it alters the flavor).
Red Bell Pepper – use fresh red bell peppers for this recipe for a sweet and savory flavor.
Jalapeno – to remove the spiciness from jalapeno peppers remove the seeds and the white membrane.
Spices – turmeric, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, black pepper and salt.
Lemon Juice- I recommend fresh lemon juice for this recipe, as it will give you the brightest flavor.
Parmesan Cheese – use grated parmesan cheese for a nice tangy sauce.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make
This is a quick walk through on how the sauce is made.
Step One: Remove the seeds and membranes from both peppers and give them a rough chop.
Step Two: Add all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and process for 2 minutes, or until the sauce is nice and creamy.
Step Three: Transfer the sauce to a sealed jar or resealable bottle and place in the fridge to chill for 4 hours. Once the sauce has chilled, give it a good shake and use it whenever you want to add a bit of spice to your meal.
Tips for Making
These are our best tips for success when recreating your favorite fast food sauce at home.
- I recommend using gloves and avoid touching your face to prevent uncomfortable burning sensations when handling the jalapeno peppers.
- Do NOT substitute Miracle Whip for the mayonnaise – it does not pair well with these flavors.
- If you want a spicier sauce, leave in some of the jalapeno seeds or add a few shakes of hot sauce.
- For a zesty punch you can add a bit more lemon juice for a more tangy flavor.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, process for an extra minute or two or use a powerful blender.
- If you have time, refrigerate overnight to give the flavors more time to develop.
How to Store
You can store the sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. I like to store the sauce in a dispensing squeeze bottle to make it easier to drizzle the perfect amount of Baja sauce on my favorite dishes.
Since this sauce is mayo based we don’t recommend freezing it because the texture tends to break down and get funky.
VARIATIONS
We love making copycat recipes at home because we can alter the recipes to accommodate our preferences. Here are a couple ways to change up the Baja sauce recipe:
- Use light mayo to reduce the fat and calories.
- Swap the lemon juice with lime juice for a zesty flavor twist.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, go right ahead and double the recipe if you are planning to serve up a crowd. You may be surprised to find out how many people love this Taco Bell creamy Baja sauce. It’s also a great addition to a taco bar party.
MORE EASY
Mexican Cuisine Ideas
**Save Copycat Taco Bell Baja Sauce Recipe for Later**
Copycat Taco Bell Baja Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 fresh jalapeño pepper
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Rinse the peppers and pat dry. Remove the seeds and membranes and chop the peppers into smaller pieces.
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor bowl and process for 2 minutes or until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Stop every 30 seconds to let the ingredients settle and to make sure the peppers are fully processed and incorporated.
- Pour sauce into a jar or airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours. The sauce will thicken as it chills.
Notes
- Light mayonnaise can be used in place of the regular mayo for reduced fat and calories. Do NOT substitute with Miracle Whip!
- Reduce processing time for a chunkier sauce or increase time for a smoother sauce.
- If you don’t have a food processor use a powerful blender.
- Recipe makes 1.5 cups of sauce.
- Store sauce in a sealed jar or airtight container for up to 1 week. Shake or stir the sauce before using.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
