I’ll be real with you, this jalapeño sauce is the reason I used to hit up Taco Bell for quesadillas. But once I figured out how to make the copycat recipe at home, there was no turning back. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it tastes just like what you’re craving. I’ve tried and tested it enough to know you’ll get that same creamy, spicy flavor without having to leave the house.
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If you have made my Homemade Taco Seasoning in the past, you are going to love this. It uses most of the same ingredients with a few additions you should already have at home. If you love chicken quesadillas and crunchwraps, you are going to love making this sauce at home! This is my go-to sauce for just about anything.
Taco Bell Jalapeno Sauce Ingredients
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Ranch Dressing
- Ground Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Sweetener or Sugar
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Jalapenos
How to Make Taco Bell Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
- Prep the Jalapeños: Slice the jalapeños and decide how spicy you want the sauce. Remove seeds and ribs for milder flavor, or leave some in for heat.
- Blend Everything: You can do it by hand or in a blender or food processor, combine ranch dressing, cumin, smoked paprika, sweetener or sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and the chopped jalapeños.
- Adjust to Taste: Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce, add more sweetener to mellow out the spice, more jalapeño if you want it hotter, or a pinch more cumin for depth.
- Serve: Drizzle over tacos, quesadillas, nachos, or use as a dip for fries and veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Fresh, canned, or jarred jalapenos will work. I prefer to use fresh.
As written, the recipe results in a sauce that is medium-spiced and not at all what I would consider spicy. That may differ in comparison to your pallet. If you worry about spicy sauces omit the cayenne, or start with a very small amount of it. Continue to build until you reach the flavor you desire.
I like to use ranch dressing to get it nice and creamy and for amazing flavor. You can also use plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or mayo.
Store the sauce in the fridge tightly covered and airtight.
It will last in the fridge for up to a week, tightly covered and sealed.
Recipes to Pair With the Sauce
Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap
Pork Belly Tacos
Smoked Salsa Recipe
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Leftover Taco Meat Bowls
Turkey Nachos
Blackened Fish Tacos
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Homemade Queso Cheese Dip
Cheesy Taco Pasta
Southwest Salad Recipe
Taco Bell Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine.
- 1 teaspoon sweetener or sugar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Stir and mix well.
Notes
- Makes ¼ cup of sauce total.
- Fresh, canned, or jarred jalapenos will work. I prefer to use fresh.
- If your sauce is too grainy from the spices add more ranch (or whatever solid you chose to use for the recipe). You will likely need to tweak the recipe and add additional spices to suit your taste as well.
- I like to use ranch dressing to get it nice and creamy and for amazing flavor. You can also use plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or mayo.
- If you like sweet sauce, adjust to taste and add more sugar or sweetener.
- As written, the recipe results in a sauce that is medium-spiced and not at all what I would consider spicy. That may differ in comparison to your pallet. If you worry about spicy sauces omit the cayenne, or start with a very small amount of it. Continue to build until you reach the flavor you desire. The same goes for if you ike the sauce really hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Regina says
I love the suggestions on other ways to make it creamy. My man is allergic to eggs so those suggestions help so much. Keep up the excellent work
staysnatched says
Glad the tips worked.
Jocelyn Zamora says
Girllllll 🔥! Spot on, thank you!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you think so.
Anonymous says
@staysnatched, crazy to say but that same batch from a year ago still good AF (had some last night)! Might not be safe but still good 🤷🏽♀️😂.
staysnatched says
Interesting!
Dorothy W. says
Very tasty sauce especially with the crunchwrap recipe. Will definitely make again and use it with other recipes.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Heather says
I am 5,000 miles away from home and, as basic as it may be, sometimes I miss Taco Bell...so this recipe is a GIFT. Thank you! Will be using this on...well, probably everything for a while...
staysnatched says
Ha ha I love to hear that.
Ashley says
I’ve been looking for a healthier option for this sauce and here it is! I used Bolthouse yogurt ranch to help with the calories and it was perfect. A tiny bit spicy for me (I’m a baby when it comes to spicy) so the next round I’ll use a little less cayenne pepper. Thank you!!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Lindsey says
Made this today to add to breakfast tacos with eggs, cheese, air fried potatoes, bacon and avocado on a soft flour tortilla. The sauce really took it to another level. Easy to make with everything I already had on hand. You will not regret making this!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it.