Taco Bell is known for serving Mexican-inspired fast food items like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. One of the key ingredients that makes many of Taco Bell’s menu items so craveworthy is the liquid cheese sauce that is drizzled over items like burritos, nachos, and more. This smooth, creamy, and tangy cheese sauce adds a delicious flavor and texture to various Taco Bell dishes. But what exactly is in Taco Bell’s famous liquid cheese sauce? And how is it made?
The Secret Behind Taco Bell’s Liquid Cheese
Taco Bell actually uses a cheese sauce that is made from real cheese ingredients. According to the company, their signature liquid cheese contains a blend of milk, water, cheddar cheese, and other ingredients like salt, enzymes, preservatives, and stabilizers.
The key to creating the smooth, pourable consistency of Taco Bell’s liquid cheese is a technique called emulsification. This process uses emulsifying salts and enzymes to bind fat and water molecules together evenly. Emulsification allows the cheese sauce to become a homogenous liquid, rather than separating into solids and liquids.
The liquid cheese is made by first pasteurizing and blending together the milk, water and cheese ingredients. Emulsifying salts and enzymes are then added and thoroughly mixed in. The mixture is pasteurized again to help extend the shelf life. Finally, preservatives and stabilizers are added to help maintain the ideal texture and flavor.
Types of Cheeses Used
According to Taco Bell, their signature liquid cheese sauce uses a blend of real cheddar cheese along with other possible cheese types:
Cheddar Cheese
The base of the liquid cheese is likely a mixture of mild and sharp cheddar cheeses. Cheddar gives the sauce its distinctly cheesy, subtly tangy flavor.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Adding Monterey Jack into the blend contributes a creamy, buttery taste and texture.
American Cheese
American cheese is known for its easy melting properties. It helps make Taco Bell’s cheese sauce smooth and pourable when heated.
Queso Cheese
Queso cheeses like queso blanco or queso asadero have a distinctive salty, tangy quality. They boost the cheese sauce’s creamy, addictive flavor.
Nacho Cheese
Many authentic nacho cheese sauces use processed, liquid cheese products in addition to real cheeses. Taco Bell may incorporate some of these to help optimize the smooth, dippable consistency.
Serving the Liquid Cheese
Taco Bell heats and dispenses the liquid cheese sauce from large metal dispensing machines behind the counter. Employees will pump the warmed cheese into cups, onto food items, or into serving dishes according to each menu item’s specifications.
Some locations may receive bags or pouches of Premixed liquid cheese to heat up and serve. However, most Taco Bells prepare the sauce fresh in-house. The cheese dispensers allow employees to customize the amount of liquid cheese added to any dish per the customer’s request.
Items Topped with Liquid Cheese
Taco Bell serves their patented liquid cheese sauce warm over the following popular menu items:
Cheesy Gordita Crunch
This snack features a crunchy flatbread stuffed with spicy ranch sauce, ground beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese, and topped with warm liquid cheese.
Beefy 5-Layer Burrito
Layers of beans, beef, nacho cheese sauce, diced onions, and red strips are drizzled in gooey liquid cheese.
Quesarito
Cheese sauce and chipotle sauce cover this burrito filled with rice, cheese, and choice of meat.
Nachos BellGrande
Tortilla chips are piled high with beans, beef, nacho cheese sauce, diced tomatoes and finished off with creamy liquid cheese.
Quesadillas
Grilled flour tortillas are filled with melted cheese blend and choice of meat, then topped with liquid cheese sauce.
XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito
This extra large burrito contains rice, chipotle sauce, choice of meat, cheddar cheese, and creamy liquid cheese.
Nutrition Information
Taco Bell’s liquid cheese sauce actually packs a decent amount of protein due to the milk and cheese ingredients. A serving of 2 tablespoons (28 grams) contains:
Calories: 80
Total Fat: 6g
Sodium: 230mg
Protein: 4g
While the sodium content is a bit high, the liquid cheese sauce can be part of a balanced Taco Bell meal. Just opt for lower sodium add-on items like pico de gallo, lettuce, or guacamole.
Copycat Recipe
Want to recreate Taco Bell’s famous liquid cheese at home? Try this recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and let bubble for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened to a sauce consistency.
- Remove from heat. Add shredded cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Stir in garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and salt.
- Serve sauce warm over tacos, burritos, nachos, fries, etc. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taco Bell’s cheese sauce real cheese?
Yes, Taco Bell uses a blend of real natural cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso cheeses to make their signature liquid cheese sauce. Emulsifying salts and enzymes give it a smooth, liquidy texture.
Why does the cheese sauce come out liquid?
The liquid state allows the cheese to be smoothly poured over menu items from the dispensing machines. Emulsifiers bind the fat and water molecules evenly so the sauce doesn’t separate when heated.
Is the cheese sauce spicy?
No, Taco Bell’s original liquid cheese sauce has a smooth, creamy, mildly tangy flavor. It does not contain any spicy peppers or seasonings. Some locations may offer spicy cheese sauce varieties.
Is the cheese sauce vegetarian?
Taco Bell’s standard liquid cheese sauce is vegetarian and does not contain any meat products. However, some locations may prepare it on shared equipment with meat items. Check with your local restaurant for vegetarian preparation policies.
Can you buy Taco Bell’s cheese sauce in stores?
Unfortunately, Taco Bell’s proprietary liquid cheese sauce is not available for retail purchase currently. Fans will have to get their cheese fix by visiting a Taco Bell restaurant. Try the copycat recipe to make it at home!
Conclusion
Taco Bell’s crave-worthy liquid cheese sauce helps make their Mexican food items even more delicious and indulgent. The smooth, creamy cheese sauce is made with a blend of real natural cheeses and emulsifying ingredients that give it the signature texture. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso, American, and nacho cheeses likely all contribute to the unique, tangy flavor. While high in sodium, the cheese can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced Taco Bell meal. Die-hard fans may want to try recreating the addictive sauce at home using an easy copycat recipe. So next time you visit Taco Bell, don’t forget to order extra liquid cheese sauce on the side for dipping!