Name: Copycat Taco Bell Taco Sauce Dry Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 2 ½ teaspoons salt; ½ teaspoon sugar; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon minced dried onion; 2 tablespoons dried minced jalapeño (or 1 tablespoon jalapeño powder); ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, for smooth texture); 1 batch dry mix; 1 6 oz can tomato paste; 3 cups water; 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar; 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar (optional); ½ teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for extra tang)

🌶 Craving that bold Taco Bell kick at home? This pro-level copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce recipe lets you recreate the tangy, spicy magic of the iconic sauce — right from your own kitchen!

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With a perfectly balanced blend of chili, cayenne, vinegar, and just a touch of smoky depth, this dry mix stores beautifully and whips up into a silky, fiery sauce in minutes. Whether you’re topping tacos, drizzling over burritos, or dunking your quesadillas, this homemade version delivers that fast-food flavor you love — without the drive-thru.

Get ready to elevate your Taco Night game with this dead-on, homemade hot sauce! 🌮🔥💥

🌮 How to Make Copycat Taco Bell Taco Sauce Dry Mix

This easy homemade Taco Bell taco sauce dry mix is a shelf-stable spice blend that lets you whip up fresh, tangy Taco Bell–style sauce anytime, with just a few pantry staples!

✅ Copycat Taco Bell Sauce Dry Mix Ingredients (Store in Jar or Zip Bag):

1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (adds depth + slight sweetness)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon sugar (balances acidity)
2 teaspoons cornstarch (for light thickening)
1 tablespoon minced dried onion
2 tablespoons dried minced jalapeño (or 1 tablespoon jalapeño powder)
⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, for pro-level silky texture)

(Makes 1 Batch)

🍅 To Make the Sauce (Yields ~3 ½ cups):

1️⃣ In a saucepan, whisk together:

1 batch of Copycat Taco Bell Taco Sauce Dry Mix
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
3 cups water
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar (or substitute extra distilled)
½ teaspoon lemon juice (for extra tang, optional but recommended)

2️⃣ Stir until completely smooth over medium heat.

3️⃣ Bring to a gentle boil, whisking constantly for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

4️⃣ Remove from heat and let cool completely.

5️⃣ Transfer to a sealed jar or bottle and refrigerate. Use within 1–2 months.

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💡 Why This Homemade Taco Bell Sauce Dry Mix Version Rocks:

✅ Smoked paprika deepens the flavor and boosts color, making it closer to the store sauce.
✅ Tiny sugar + lemon juice additions create a better balance between heat, acid, and sweetness.
✅ Xanthan gum (optional) gives that signature clingy, smooth texture found in commercial sauces — only a pinch is needed!
✅ White wine vinegar adds a delicate sharpness that mimics the pickled jalapeño edge from Taco Bell’s sauce.

🌶 Taco Bell Heat Guide:

✅ Mild Sauce (lowest heat, mostly tangy + smoky)

Omit the cayenne pepper entirely
Use only 1 tablespoon chili powder
Keep dried jalapeño at 1 tablespoon or skip entirely for extra mild
Optional: Add a pinch of sweet paprika for flavor without heat

✅ Medium Sauce (balanced tang + warmth)

Use 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Keep chili powder at 1 ½ tablespoons
Dried jalapeño at 1 tablespoon
Optional: Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little more kick

✅ Hot Sauce (like Taco Bell Hot or Fire)

Keep full 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Keep chili powder at 1 ½ tablespoons
Dried jalapeño at 2 tablespoons (or more for extra fire)
Optional: Add a pinch (¼ teaspoon) of habanero powder or extra cayenne for Fire-level intensity

💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Copycat Taco Bell Hot Sauce

Ingredient	Amount Used	Full Package Size	Full Cost	Used Cost
Tomato paste	6 oz (1 can)	6 oz can	$0.72	$0.72
Water	3 cups	tap/pantry	—	—
Chili powder	1½ tbsp (~0.42 oz)	2.5 oz jar	$1.24	~$0.21
Cayenne pepper	2 tsp (~0.18 oz)	1.75 oz jar	$1.24	~$0.13
Smoked paprika	2 tsp (~0.14 oz)	2.12 oz jar	$2.44	~$0.16
Garlic powder	½ tsp (~0.05 oz)	3.4 oz jar	$1.00	~$0.02
Salt	2½ tsp (~0.4 oz)	26 oz container	$0.84	~$0.01
Sugar	½ tsp (~0.07 oz)	4 lb bag	$2.68	<$0.01
Cornstarch	2 tsp (~0.2 oz)	16 oz box	$1.32	~$0.02
Minced dried onion	1 tbsp (~0.1 oz)	2.8 oz jar	$1.94	~$0.07
Dried jalapeño/minced	2 tbsp (~0.2 oz)	~2 oz bag (online/brand)	$4.50	~$0.45
Xanthan gum (optional)	⅛ tsp (~0.015 oz)	8 oz bag (online)	$12.98	~$0.03
White vinegar	2 tsp (~0.33 oz)	32 oz bottle	$1.24	~$0.01
White wine vinegar	1 tsp (~0.17 oz)	12 oz bottle	$2.84	~$0.04
Lemon juice (optional)	½ tsp (~0.08 oz)	15 oz bottle	$1.97	<$0.01