Patrick Oconnell
Taco Bell is a fast-food chain that serves Mexican-inspired cuisine. The chain is known for its diverse menu, which includes a variety of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. One of the key ingredients in many of these dishes is cheese, and Taco Bell uses a variety of cheeses to add flavour and texture to its dishes. The specific type of cheese used by Taco Bell has been a topic of discussion and speculation among customers, with some claiming that it is a unique blend exclusive to the chain, while others have suggested substitutes that can be used to recreate their favourite dishes at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Nacho Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella, Pepperjack |
| Texture | Creamy |
| Ingredients | Nonfat milk, cheese whey, water, vegetable oil (canola oil, soybean oil), modified food starch, maltodextrin, natural flavors, salt, dipotassium phosphate, jalapeno puree, vinegar, lactic acid, cellulose gum, potassium citrate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, citric acid, annatto, oleoresin paprika |
| Preparation | Melted with butter and cornstarch, added to heavy cream, and seasoned |
| Availability | Pre-made bags, powdered form, or blocks to be melted |
| Similar Products | Kraft Cheese, Tostitos Cheese Salsa, Costco Cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Taco Bell's cheese sauce recipe
Taco Bell's cheese sauce is a closely guarded secret, but that hasn't stopped people from trying to recreate it at home. The consensus is that the sauce is a blend of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and pickled jalapeños. Some recipes also call for butter, cream, and taco seasoning.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Cornstarch
- Heavy Cream
- Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Taco Seasoning
- Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Melt butter with cornstarch on medium heat in a small saucepan.
- Add heavy cream and stir together with the cornstarch butter mixture.
- Reduce heat to low and then add the cheese and taco seasoning.
- Stir until smooth and combined, about 5 minutes.
- Keep warm until ready to serve.
For a gluten-free version, substitute cornstarch with tapioca flour. To enhance the colour, use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese. For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Another recipe for Taco Bell's cheese sauce includes the following ingredients:
- Lemon/Baking Soda Mix
- Milk
- Oil
- Shredded Cheese
- Xanthan Gum
- Jalapeño Brine
To make this sauce, gently heat the lemon/baking soda mix, milk, and oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Do not boil. Slowly add the shredded cheese, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth and melted. Remove from heat and blend until smooth and glossy. Sprinkle in xanthan gum while blending, then blend again for 15-30 seconds. Finally, add jalapeño brine to taste, and season with salt if needed.
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Cheese sauce substitutes
Taco Bell uses a nacho cheese blend that is exclusive to the fast-food chain. It is delivered to them pre-made or in a powdered form that liquid is added to and heated up. It is labelled something like "jalapeño cheese sauce".
There are several cheese sauce substitutes that you can use depending on your preferences and dietary requirements. Here are some options:
Cheddar Cheese Sauce
A homemade cheddar cheese sauce can be made on the stovetop with cheddar, milk, butter, and flour. This is a healthier alternative to processed cheese sauces like Velveeta. You can also add a dash of cumin for a smoky cheddar taste.
Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce
For those who are dairy-free, a cheese sauce can be made with nutritional yeast, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, salt, and plant-based milk such as soy milk or rice milk. Melt margarine in a saucepan, add the plant-based milk, and whisk until thickened. You can also add a can of tomatoes and green chiles to make a queso dip.
Vegan Cheese Sauce
For a vegan option, you can use plant-based cheese shreds such as Violife or So Delicious cheddar shreds. Place the shreds in a microwave-safe bowl, add plant-based milk such as oat milk, and heat until melted. You can then add your desired seasonings or spices.
Potato and Carrot Cheese Sauce
Another dairy-free option is to make a potato and carrot cheese sauce. This option requires a high-speed blender to achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
Commercial Substitutes
If you're looking for a quick store-bought substitute, some options suggested by Taco Bell fans include Tostitos cheese salsa, Old El Paso squeeze bottle cheese, and Costco's giant cans of cheese.
Please note that some of these substitutes may not taste exactly like Taco Bell's cheese sauce, but they can still be delicious alternatives.
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Cheese sauce ingredients
There are various opinions on the type of cheese sauce used at Taco Bell. Some sources claim that it is a nacho cheese blend exclusive to the restaurant, while others suggest that it is made with cheddar cheese. Some people have also claimed that the cheese sauce at Taco Bell tastes similar to Kraft Cheese Whiz.
Several recipes for a copycat version of the Taco Bell cheese sauce can be found online, with some using a combination of butter, cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning. Other recipes suggest using nonfat milk, cheese whey, water, vegetable oil, modified food starch, maltodextrin, natural flavors, salt, and various other ingredients.
One recipe for the cheese sauce includes the following ingredients:
- Butter
- Cornstarch
- Heavy cream
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Taco seasoning
The butter and cornstarch are melted together on medium heat, followed by the addition of heavy cream. The heat is then lowered, and cheddar cheese is added and melted into the mixture until smooth and creamy. This results in a velvety and delicious cheese sauce that can be used on nachos, burritos, or any other dish.
Another recipe suggests using the following ingredients:
- Nonfat milk
- Cheese whey
- Water
- Vegetable oil (canola oil, soybean oil)
- Modified food starch
- Maltodextrin
- Natural flavors
- Salt
- Dipotassium phosphate
- Jalapeno puree
- Vinegar
- Lactic acid
- Cellulose gum
- Potassium citrate
- Sodium stearoyl lactylate
- Citric acid
- Annatto
- Oleoresin paprika
By melting the butter and combining it with the other ingredients, a smooth and creamy cheese sauce can be created.
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Vegetarian cheese options
Taco Bell's cheese sauce is a closely guarded secret, with the company keeping the exact recipe for its nacho cheese blend under wraps. However, it is known that the cheese comes pre-made in bags and is heated before serving.
While the exact ingredients of Taco Bell's cheese sauce may be a mystery, there are several vegetarian cheese options available for those seeking a meat-free diet. Here are some popular choices:
Sargento: Most Sargento cheese varieties are vegetarian-friendly, but avoid their Parmesan, Italian blend, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina, as these may contain animal rennet.
Baby Bel: Baby Bel cheeses are also suitable for vegetarians.
Boars Head: This brand offers a range of vegetarian cheeses, but stay away from their Parmesan and Pecorino Romano varieties.
Sprouts: Sprouts carries a vegetarian hard Parmesan cheese made with microbial rennet, offering a delicious option for those seeking vegetarian alternatives.
While not a comprehensive list, these options provide vegetarian-friendly alternatives to traditional cheese varieties. It is always a good idea to check ingredient lists and brand websites for the most up-to-date information, as recipes and ingredients may change over time.
Additionally, some people may prefer to make their own cheese sauces at home, allowing for greater control over ingredients and flavor profiles.
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Cheese sauce preparation
Taco Bell uses a variety of cheeses in its dishes, including mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar. They also have a nacho cheese sauce that comes pre-made in bags, which is likely a blend of different cheeses.
- Melt butter with cornstarch on medium heat in a small saucepan. The butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce, while cornstarch helps to thicken it.
- Add heavy cream and stir it together with the cornstarch-butter mixture. The cream gives the sauce a creamy texture and a velvety mouthfeel.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese. Taco Bell's cheese sauce likely includes cheddar cheese, as this is a common variety used in their dishes. You can also experiment with other cheeses like American cheese or cream cheese.
- Add taco seasoning to taste. This will give the sauce a spicy kick and a more complex flavor profile.
- Stir the mixture continuously until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. This should take around 5 minutes.
- Keep the sauce warm until ready to serve.
Feel free to adjust the quantities and ingredients to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. You can also experiment with adding other ingredients like pickled jalapeños or jalapeño puree to give it a spicy kick, similar to Taco Bell's nacho cheese sauce.
Enjoy your homemade cheese sauce on nachos, burritos, tortilla chips, or any other dish of your choice!
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Frequently asked questions
Taco Bell uses a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Asadero, Mozzarella, and Queso Quesadilla. These are offered in a blend as part of their Seven Layer Shredded Cheese. They also have a nacho cheese sauce made with cheddar, butter, cream, and taco seasoning.
The Taco Bell Seven Layer Shredded Cheese is a blend of seven Mexican-style cheeses. These include Mild Cheddar, Sharp White Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Asadero, Low-moisture Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar, and Queso Quesadilla.
The Taco Bell Nacho Cheese Sauce is made with a blend of cheddar cheese, butter, cream, and taco seasoning. The sauce is simple to make and can be prepared at home.
Yes, you can buy the Taco Bell Seven Layer Shredded Cheese Blend from select retailers like Kroger. However, it may be challenging to find the exact nacho cheese sauce used by Taco Bell.
Yes, you can make a copycat version of the Taco Bell cheese sauce at home. The recipe involves melting butter with cornstarch, adding heavy cream, and then stirring in shredded cheddar cheese and taco seasoning.
