Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce Recipe (2024)

Sep 7, 2022 · 31 Comments

This Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce is creamy and spicy and tastes JUST like the original. From a former Taco Bell worker and current Taco Bell lover.

Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce

I have a little confession to make.

I LOVE Taco Bell. It's my guilty pleasure. 🙈

I know, I know. It's not even real Mexican food, but I just love it. I actually used to work at Taco Bell in college! Gotta pay tuition somehow!

My favorite go-to item is a cheese quesadilla. The only thing that really makes a Taco Bell quesadilla different from any other quesadilla on the street is the Taco Bell Quesadilla sauce.

AKA - The creamy jalapeno sauce, or CJ sauce, as we used to call it when I worked there.

So, in an effort to save money (as always) and to feel slightly less guilty about the junk-food-factor, I've come up with this copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce recipe that is 💣

This will satisfy your Taco Bell quesadilla craving and it tastes Just. Like. The original. I swear it.

The Jalapeno Juice

You might notice that the recipe calls for jalapeno juice.

What the heck is jalapeno juice? It's what I'm calling the liquid from a jar of canned/jarred jalapenos. It could also (probably more accurately) be called pickled jalapeno brine.

You don't need to buy it separately. It's just in the can or jar from the jalapenos you're using!

Delicious Quesadilla Add-ins

Even though I love cheese quesadillas best, sometimes it's fun to mix it up. Try these ideas for some fun new flavors.

• Ground beef - great way to use up leftover taco meat!
• Steak - grill it or fry it in a pan. For the tenderest steak, cook it whole, let rest, then slice against the grain.
• Chicken - grill it, bake it, cook it in the slow cooker, or even get it pre-packaged from the store.
• Pulled pork - another great use for leftovers.
• Black beans and corn - makes a yummy vegetarian, Tex-Mex style quesadilla.
• Jalapenos - Spice it up with some spicy peppers. You can also try green chiles, serranos, or habaneros.
• Bacon - because you should put bacon on everything.

What Do I Serve with Them?

A simple, fresh green salad is always a winner.

I also like to serve it with sour cream, homemade salsa (I always have some in my fridge because you never know when a salsa craving will strike!), and homemade guacamole.

What Else Can You Use Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce for?

Maybe you have extra or maybe you just love this stuff. Either way, there's lots of ways to use up this yummy sauce.

• Dip - Use it as a dip for chips or just dunk your quesadilla right in.
• Taco Sauce - Use it on any tacos or fajitas.
• Burrito Bowl - A little drizzle on a burrito or taco bowl will add just the right amount of creamy kick.
• Burgers - Use it instead of mayo on a burger piled high with your other favorite toppings, like fresh jalapenos, avocado, and cheese.
• Chicken Tenders - Maybe not the most refined plate choice, but still yummy on occasion. Dip in the creamy jalapeno sauce for a spicy kick.
• Nachos - Drizzle it on top with cheese and all your favorite toppings.
• Sour cream substitute - use it in place of sour cream in your favorite Tex-Mex or Mexican inspired recipes, like the filling in these Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.

More Mexican Inspired Recipes You'll Love

• Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa - Super easy 5 minute recipe in the food processor for the best salsa you can eat outside of an authentic Mexican restaurant.
• Authentic Guacamole - creamy and delicious for dipping and chips.
• Easy Taco Dip - Use your Taco Bell quesadilla sauce in this yummy dip!
• Rice and Black Bean Burritos - Easy and cheap to make, and delicious to eat, smothered in red sauce and cheese.
• Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice - another favorite copycat recipe!

UPDATE INFO: This post was originally published in September 2014. It has been updated and republished in September 2020 with new pictures, tips, and video.