Taco Bell Baja Sauce (Copycat)
Taco Bell’s Baja Sauce is a delicious way to season your nachos, tacos, or another type of Mexican food.
Inspired by the famous fast-food restaurant sauce option (sadly since discontinued), this copycat sauce is, to me, a perfect match! It’s creamy and delicious, with a spicy kick that gives a perfect finish to most dishes.
Even if you are not a fan of the fast-food menus, this sauce will work amazing on other dishes that need a spicy kick. Personally, I love it with crispy salads or chicken-based recipes!
What Is Baja Sauce?
Baja sauce is an amazingly tangy yet creamy sauce that adds tremendous flavor to tacos, chips, salads, fish, and other dishes. The sauce itself is a fusion of Mexican and Southern California flavors and it is often used instead of sour cream.Â
This sauce is made with jalapeno peppers, red bell pepper, mayonnaise, vinegar, and some spices. It has a very simple ingredient list, but the final flavor is something that makes this sauce truly special.Â
Some Baja sauce recipes also include lime juice, egg yolks, and parmesan cheese. I did not try these versions, but they do sound delicious!
What Does Baja Sauce Taste Like?
This Baja sauce is smooth, creamy, and packed with spice and heat. Sometimes it is a little tart and tangy, yet other times is it’s a little cheesier — it all depends on the recipe you follow.
My recipe here will give you a Baja sauce that is tangy and spicy!
How To Serve Baja Sauce
Baja sauce is most commonly eaten with fish tacos, but there are various ways to use it. That being said, it is also commonly served with nachos and quesadillas, over chicken and beef, and even as a base for slaw.
Alternatively, some people use Baja sauce for burritos and fajitas. Nevertheless, nothing is stopping you to try this sauce with other foods too — if you do, let me know what your favorite pairing is!
Baja sauce is very versatile — if you like spicy creamy mayo, then you will love this sauce too.Â
How To Alter This Recipe
This Baja sauce uses mayonnaise as a base, but if you want to make a lighter version, you can make your Baja sauce with sour cream.
Also, you can substitute one part of the mayonnaise with sour cream, and you will end up with something like spicy ranch dressing.
I tried both of these versions, and I must say they tasted wonderful! Â Â Â Â
How To Store Baja Sauce
Baja sauce is best eaten within a few hours after you make it — the sauce will have fresh flavors and all ingredients very nicely mixed up.
If you want more flavor, then just eat the Baja sauce 24 hours after you make it. This time will allow flavors to develop even more.Â
Baja sauce can be stored in a fridge, for 4–5 days, in an airtight container or jar with a tight lid. Make sure you stir the sauce well before serving.Â
Taco Bell Baja Sauce (Copycat)
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 sliced jalapeno peppers
- ¼ cup chopped and seeded bell pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped onion
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp red wine or white wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. For less heat, de-seed the jalapeno peppers.Â
2. In a food processor, combine jalapenos, bell peppers, and onion.
3. Process the ingredients until it reaches an almost smooth consistency.Â
4. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Fold in the jalapeno mixture.
6. Stir well until the mixture is combined.
7. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.Â
Taco Bell Baja Sauce (Copycat)
Baja sauce is an amazingly tangy yet creamy sauce that fuses Mexican and Southern California flavors to perfectly complement tacos, chips, salads, fish, and other dishes!
Ingredients
- 2 sliced jalapeno peppers
- ¼ cup chopped and seeded bell pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped onion
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp red wine or white wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- For less heat, de-seed the jalapeno peppers.
- In a food processor, combine jalapenos, bell peppers, and onion.
- Process the ingredients until it reaches an almost smooth consistency.
- In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in the jalapeno mixture.
- Stir well until the mixture is combined.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
