Last Updated on August 16, 2023
Taco time hot sauce is a spicy and flavorful condiment that originated in the Taco Time fast-food restaurant chain in the United States. It has become popular due to its unique flavour profile, including a blend of roasted peppers, vegetables, herbs, spices, and vinegar.
The sauce can be used as a topping on tacos or burritos, as a dip for chips and vegetables, or as an ingredient in sauces and marinades. If you’ve never tried taco time hot sauce, now is the time to give it a try!
This article will explain what taco time hot sauce is, how to make it, nutrition facts, what to serve with it and how to store it. So, let’s get started!

Table of Contents
What is taco time hot sauce?
Mexican-American food is the focus of the American fast-food chain Taco Time. The chain has approximately 226 locations in the United States and 74 in Western Canada.
Burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and other dishes are available at Taco Time Restaurant. They also offer a hot sauce as a side dish, which is highly popular in the US.
What does it taste like?
Taco time hot sauce has a combination of smoky, sweet and spicy flavors. The main ingredients are roasted arbol peppers, vegetables, cilantro, cumin powder, chilli powder and vinegar. This combination gives the sauce an earthy flavor with some heat that builds gradually on your tongue.
How did I first get introduced to the taco time hot sauce?
I first got exposed to taco time hot sauce when I visited a Taco Time restaurant in my hometown. They had it served as a side dish with the tacos and burritos, which I loved. It was a great addition to the meals that I ordered and instantly became one of my favourite sauces!
Also Read: Outback blue cheese vinaigrette salad dressing recipe
How to make taco time hot sauce?
The taco time sauce recipe is easy and requires only a few ingredients to make. It can be prepared in just a few steps and tastes much better when made fresh! Here are the detailed instructions on how to make this delicious sauce.
Follow the step by step instructions below:

taco time hot sauce ingredients
- ½ cup Carrot, Cubed
- ⅓ tsp Cumin Powder
- ⅓ tsp Chili Powder
- ½ cup White Onion, Cubed
- ½ cup Distilled White Vinegar
- Salt To Taste
- Black Pepper To Taste
- 1 Small Red Bell Pepper, Cubed
- 1 cup 55 Or 60 Dried Arbol Peppers
- 1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro
- 1 Stalk Medium Celery, Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces
- ½ cup Water
Instructions (taco time salsa recipe)
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2:
Arrange arbol peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes, until peppers are lightly charred. Remove from heat and let cool before handling.
Step 3:
Place roasted arbol peppers in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
Step 4:
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add bell pepper, celery, carrot and onion to the pan and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are soft.
Step 5:
Add the pureed arbol peppers to the pan with cooked vegetables and stir to combine.
Step 6:
Add cilantro, cumin powder, chilli powder and salt & pepper to the pan and stir to combine.
Step 7:
Add water and vinegar to the pan and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 8:
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and let cool before serving or storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tips for better taco time taco sauce recipe
• Try adding some other spices like garlic or oregano to the mix for an extra punch of flavor.
• Use chipotle peppers instead of arbol peppers if you want a smokier flavor.
• You can also add a tablespoon of sugar or honey to balance out the heat.
• Keep in mind that the flavor of tacos time hot sauce will intensify as it sits, so if you want a milder flavor, use fewer peppers.

Taco Time Hot Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- pot
- wooden spoon
- measuring spoon
- glass jar or bottle
- electric blender
- strainer
- Cutting Boar
- Measuring Cup
- knife
Ingredients
- ⅓ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ⅓ teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 cup 55 Or 60 Dried Arbol Peppers
- ½ cup Carrot, Cubed
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup White Onion, Cubed
- 1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro
- Salt To Taste
- Black Pepper To Taste
- ½ cup Distilled White Vinegar
- 1 Small Red Bell Pepper, Cubed
- 1 Stalk Medium Celery, Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and arrange your arbol peppers on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes then remove from heat and allow to cool before handling.
- In a food processor or blender, blend the roasted arbol peppers until smooth.
- In a pan over medium heat, sauté bell pepper, celery, carrot and onion for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the arbol pepper puree to the cooked vegetables and stir to combine.
- Incorporate cilantro, cumin powder, chilli powder, salt & pepper into the pan and blend together.
- Pour over water and vinegar to the pan then bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring intermittently.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary before taking off heat and allowing to cool.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Information

What to serve with taco time hot sauce?
Taco time hot sauce can be served with tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas or any other Mexican dish. It is also great on eggs, grilled meats, salads and more!
How to store leftover taco time hot sauce?
Leftover taco time hot sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Taco time hot sauce is generally considered safe for pregnant women, however, it does contain a moderate amount of heat which can be uncomfortable for some. It’s best to consult with your doctor before consuming any foods that may cause discomfort.
FAQs
What kind of pepper is used in taco time hot sauce?
Taco time hot sauce uses dried arbol peppers, which are small and fiery chilies with a bright red colour.
How spicy is taco time hot sauce?
The amount of spiciness will depend on how many peppers you use and your own personal preference, but generally, it is considered a moderately spicy sauce.
Wrapping Up
Thanks for reading this guide on how to make taco time hot sauce. This easy and delicious recipe only uses a few ingredients and can be prepared in just a few steps. It’s perfect for adding some extra heat and flavour to tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas or any other Mexican dish.
I hope you’ve found this guide useful and now feel confident in making your own taco time hot sauce. If you make it, let us know how it turns out!
And please share this guide with your friends and family so that they can also learn to make their own homemade taco time hot sauce.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more