Elevate your homemade quesadillas with this spot-on copycat recipe for Taco Bell’s beloved Quesadilla Sauce! After numerous delicious experiments, I’ve unlocked the secret to recreating that signature, creamy, tangy, slightly spicy flavor. Best of all, you only need five simple ingredients and five minutes to whip up a batch. Say goodbye to bland quesadillas and hello to restaurant-quality deliciousness!
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Why this recipe works
The key to nailing that iconic Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce flavor is all about balancing creaminess and subtle heat. Sour cream and mayonnaise form a luscious, tangy base, while a savory spice blend of taco seasoning and chili powder adds complex depth. A splash of green jalapeño sauce provides the perfect amount of kick without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Sour cream – Provides tanginess and creamy texture
- Mayonnaise – Creates richness and helps the sauce cling to food
- McCormick Taco seasoning – Delivers authentic Mexican-inspired flavor profile, since we use this, we do not need to add individual spices like cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, or paprika.
- McCormick chili powder – Adds depth and mild heat
- Tabasco green jalape̱o sauce РContributes the signature spicy kick
How to Make Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Stir until thoroughly combined. For optimal flavor, allow this to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour before use.
- Serve with quesadillas.
This sauce is also a great topping for tacos and nachos.
Our copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla sauce recipe is perfect for
There is no need to use this for just chicken quesadillas. There are many other ways to enjoy this dip.
- Taco topping
- Burrito bowls
- Nacho dipping sauce
- Salad dressing
- Burger spread
- French fry dip
- Vegetable dip
Sauce lovers – make it your own
Follow the recipe to the ‘T’ the first few times you make this sauce. You won’t be disappointed. However, you can adjust the ingredients slightly to suit your taste. Whether substituting your favorite spice mixture or adding a bit of this or that, this recipe is begging you to get creative. Here are several variations to help get you thinking:
Add in a few chopped jalapeno peppers. The recipe already calls for jalapeno Tabasco sauce, but why not up the heat level (if you’re into that kind of thing) and add in a few diced pickled Jalapeno peppers? If you go this route, maybe substitute some jalapeno pickling brine for the Tabasco sauce. If jalapeno peppers are too spicy, consider using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead. This gives the dip a rich, smoky flavor.
Substitute Mexican crema for both the sour cream and mayonnaise in the copycat quesadilla sauce recipe. If you have never had Mexican crema, it is an incredibly white sauce with a bit of tang to help balance its richness. Unlike sour cream and mayonnaise, Mexican crema will not curdle if added to hot food. The recipe is simple. To make enough for this recipe, combine a cup of heavy cream with two tablespoons of buttermilk in a jar with a lid. Add half a lime juice or about 1/2 tablespoon of lime juice. Finish with a pinch of salt. Please put it on the top, shake it well, and keep the jar on your countertop for about 24 hours until the crema thickens.
Tips For Making and Storing leftover DIYÂ Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
- Fridge: Store sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 10 days.
- Make Ahead: Sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Stir before using.
You can see how we create many more Taco Bell favorites on YouTube!
Love Taco Bell? Try our favorite copycat recipes from Taco Bell
- Fiesta Potatoes
- Fresco Taco
- Cinnamon Twists
- Crispitos Recipe
- Taco Bell Sauce
- Taco Bell Seasoning
- Taco Bell Baja Blast
Favorite Mexican Recipes
- Authentic Cheese Enchiladas
- Chile Relleno Casserole
- Chili’s Queso
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
- Rotel Dip with Beef
- Mexican Egg Rolls
Be sure to check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best copycat Taco Bell recipes here on CopyKat.com!
Homemade Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce (5-Ingredient Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons McCormick Taco Seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon McCormick chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Tabasco green sauce
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together, great on quesadillas or can be used as a topping for tacos, or you can use these to drizzle over nachos.
I put this on my shrimp tacos, they were the best ever.
Tastes just like the real thing!