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Taco Bell Red Sauce Copycat
Skip the drive-thru and make Taco Bell® Red Sauce right at home with this easy copycat recipe! This smooth, flavorful sauce has the perfect balance of tomato, mild spices, and tangy goodness, making it ideal for bean burritos, tacos, enchiladas, nachos, burrito bowls, and more. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's easy to prepare and tastes even better after chilling overnight. If you've been searching for an authentic homemade Taco Bell red sauce, this recipe delivers the classic flavor you know and love. Happy cooking! 🍅🌮
Cook Time
Servings
Difficulty
30 minutes
3 Cups
Easy
Prep Time
5 Minutes
Ingredients
☐ 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
☐ 1¼ cups water (start with 1¼ cups since we found it thickened overnight)
☐ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
☐ 1 teaspoon tomato powder
☐ 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon white vinegar
☐ 2 teaspoons chili powder
☐ 1 teaspoon paprika
☐ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
☐ 1 teaspoon onion powder
☐ ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
☐ ½ teaspoon salt
☐ ½ teaspoon sugar
☐ ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
☐ Pinch of ground coriander (optional)
☐ ¼ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
Ingredients
Directions
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In a medium saucepan, whisk together the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, tomato powder, and white vinegar until completely smooth.
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Whisk in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, sugar, oregano, coriander (if using), and chicken bouillon powder.
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Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
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Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
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Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce.
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Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, just until the sauce thickens slightly. The sauce should remain smooth, silky, and pourable, not thick like traditional enchilada sauce.
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If needed, use an immersion blender for an ultra-smooth restaurant-style texture.
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Allow the sauce to cool completely.
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Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is highly recommended for the closest Taco Bell flavor. The spices mellow and blend together beautifully.
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If the sauce thickens too much after chilling, whisk in 1 tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the same silky consistency as fresh Taco Bell red sauce.
RECIPE TIPS
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Tomato powder is the secret ingredient that gives this sauce a richer, more authentic Taco Bell flavor.
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Chicken bouillon powder adds the subtle savory note that's often missing from copycat recipes.
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White vinegar produced the closest flavor in our testing.
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Don't skip the overnight rest—the flavor is noticeably better the next day.
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The sauce should coat a spoon lightly, not cling like gravy or thick enchilada sauce.
Storage
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This homemade Taco Bell® Red Sauce stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or keeping on hand for quick Mexican-inspired meals.
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🧊 Refrigerator
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Store the cooled sauce in an airtight glass jar or sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The flavors continue to blend as it chills, and many people find it tastes even better the next day.
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❄️ Freezer
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Freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Leave about ½ inch of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
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Reheating:Warm the sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the sauce has thickened during storage, whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water at a time until it returns to its smooth, silky consistency. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave using 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
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Absolutely! In fact, it's recommended. The flavor improves after chilling, and the sauce tastes even more like Taco Bell red sauce after sitting in the refrigerator overnight.
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What can I use this sauce on?
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This sauce is delicious on bean burritos, beef burritos, enchiritos, tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas, taco salads, and even as a dipping sauce for taquitos or Mexican pizza.
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Does this taste like Taco Bell's red sauce?
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It's a very close homemade copycat! The combination of tomato powder, white vinegar, and chicken bouillon gives it the smooth, tangy, savory flavor that makes Taco Bell's red sauce so recognizable.
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Is this sauce spicy?
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No. Taco Bell red sauce is mild, and this copycat recipe has just a gentle warmth from the chili powder. If you'd like more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce.
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Why did my sauce thicken after being refrigerated?
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That's completely normal. As the sauce chills, the cornstarch continues to set. Simply whisk in a tablespoon or two of water while reheating until it returns to its smooth, pourable consistency.
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Can I make this recipe without tomato powder?
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Yes, but tomato powder adds extra richness and helps create the authentic Taco Bell flavor. If you don't have it, the sauce will still be delicious, just with a slightly lighter tomato taste.
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Can I freeze Taco Bell red sauce?
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Yes! Let the sauce cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding a splash of water if needed to restore its silky texture.
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Can I use this as an enchilada sauce?
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Yes! While it's thinner than traditional enchilada sauce, it's excellent for lightly sauced enchiladas, wet burritos, enchiritos, and other Tex-Mex favorites. For a thicker enchilada sauce, simply simmer it a few extra minutes before serving.
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