Taco Bell’s Dips and Sauces Ranked: From Mild Misses to Must-Try Favorites

A fast-food enthusiast took on the challenge of ranking all 14 Taco Bell dips, sauces, and hot sauces. From the tangy Red Sauce to the fiery Diablo, here’s how they stack up, from lackluster to “más, por favor.”

Ranking Taco Bell's Sauces and Dips: A Flavorful Journey from Mild to Must-Have

Whether enjoying a quesadilla, burrito, or nachos, one thing remains certain: there’s a desire for plenty of sauces and dips to accompany the meal. This holds at Taco Bell, where a self-proclaimed fast-food connoisseur has indulged for years. To determine the tastiest offerings, they tried all 14 Taco Bell dips, sauces, and hot sauces and ranked them from lackluster to "más, por favor."

10. Chipotle Sauce

The anticipation for this sauce was high, but the artificial-tasting smokiness was a letdown. The flavor resembled spicy bacon bits, which, although thick in consistency, proved overpowering in both dishes and on its own.

9. Guacamole

This avocado-based favorite leaned more toward a spread than a chunky, rustic guacamole. It had pleasant oniony notes and a mild overall flavor, but a hint of lime was missing, leaving something to be desired.

8. Nacho Cheese Sauce

It may have evoked memories of arcade snack bar nachos, but that wasn’t necessarily bad. Despite its artificial taste, the slight spice was enjoyable. However, it’s best devoured, as the sauce becomes gluey and overly thick once it cools.

7. Spicy Ranch

Looking like white queso, this sauce was a citrusy, slightly hot take on ranch dressing. Herby and Tart was not bad, but it didn’t stand out among the spicier options available.

6. Avocado Verde Salsa Sauce

A green gem accompanying Cantina menu items, this sauce was runny yet pleasantly acidic. The avocado’s contribution was subtle, perhaps rounding out the heat, but the sauce might have been better as a medium-heat salsa verde. The packaging advised chilling, yet it arrived at room temperature and somewhat separated.

5. Reduced-Fat Sour Cream

As a favorite condiment, sour cream was expected to impress, but this version fell short. While it had some tang, it lacked the desired thickness and acidity, likely due to its reduced-fat formulation. Nevertheless, it pairs well with everything, especially when hot sauce is involved.

4. Avocado Ranch Sauce

Offering nice color and flavor to the Cantina Chicken Soft Taco, this sauce tasted predominantly like plain ranch dressing—a good thing in many cases. The avocado flavor wasn’t particularly noticeable, but the sauce was buttery and well-rounded.

3. Jalapeño Ranch Sauce

This sauce shone in the Cheesy Street Chalupas, offering a medium heat with a creamy consistency. It was similar to the Creamy Jalapeño Sauce but milder and more herbaceous, making it a satisfying choice.

2. Creamy Jalapeño Sauce

A beloved favorite, especially for Taco Bell quesadilla regulars, this sauce delivers a generous dose of heat and salt. Its silky, almost spreadable consistency makes it versatile and delicious on various menu items.

1. Red Sauce

A nostalgic pick, the Red Sauce brings back memories of a first bean burrito. This savory, gently smoky sauce, reminiscent of an enchilada, tastes earthy and tomato-y with just the right amount of heat. It’s a versatile sauce that enhances nearly any dish.

From Mild to Fire: Exploring the Flavors and Heat Levels of Taco Bell’s Hot Sauces

Regarding Taco Bell’s hot sauces, the Mild, Hot, and Fire varieties share similar bases, varying ratios of peppers to water and other ingredients. According to PureWow, their consistency thickens as the heat increases, suggesting the milder versions are more diluted rather than entirely different sauces. Diablo stands apart with a thinner consistency and a distinct flavor profile.

4. Diablo

Though the hottest, Diablo wasn’t the most flavorful. With tomato paste as the second ingredient, the sauce starts sweet before transitioning to smoky notes and intense heat. Interestingly, no hot peppers are listed in the ingredients, implying the spice comes from capsaicin rather than actual peppers.

3. Mild

Citrusy and heavy on black pepper notes, Mild lacked natural heat, as expected. However, it adds a pleasant punch to any menu item. Tomato paste is the second ingredient, with only a tiny amount of chili peppers included.

2. Hot

With an umami-rich bite, Hot sauce offers more flavor than Mild but still registers as medium heat. The sauce’s tang and fruitiness are appreciated, making it a tasty addition to many dishes.

1. Fire

Thick and dark in color, Fire sauce stands out on any menu item, offering complexity, heat, and body. With notes of garlic and onion, it’s the most well-rounded and flavorful of the Taco Bell hot sauces.