Torchy’s Tacos is a popular taco chain with locations across Texas and a few other states. They are known for serving tacos with a variety of sauces that add great flavor. So what sauces can you get on Torchy’s tacos? Here’s a quick overview of the sauces typically available.
Green Chili Queso
One of the most popular sauces at Torchy’s is their Green Chili Queso. This is the delicious, creamy green sauce that tops many of their tacos. It’s made with Hatch green chiles, tomatillos, cilantro, and spices blended into a smooth, flavorful sauce. A swipe of this tangy, spicy queso adds a kick to any taco.
Diablo Sauce
For those who like some heat, Diablo Sauce is a hotter option. It’s a reddish-orange sauce made from a blend of chile de arbol and guajillo peppers. A little of this sauce goes a long way in adding some spicy heat to your taco. It combines well with the Green Chili Queso for a creamy, spicy combo.
Chipotle Sauce
With a deep smoky flavor, the Chipotle Sauce is another tasty option. It’s made from pureed chipotle peppers plus spices like garlic and cumin. The chipotle chiles give it a distinctive, earthy heat that adds nice flavor to tacos.
Salsa Roja
A classic, Salsa Roja is a staple red salsa made with tomato, garlic, onion, and chile peppers. Mildly spicy with nice tomato flavor, it goes well with just about any taco filling. It adds a fresh, bright taste and pleasant heat.
Avocado-Tomatillo Sauce
For a cool, creamy option try the Avocado-Tomatillo Sauce. It’s made with avocado and tomatillo blended with onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime juice. Bright green and lush, it pairs nicely with grilled meats.
Mango-Habanero Sauce
If you want sweet, fruity heat, Mango-Habanero Sauce delivers. It combines pureed mango with very hot habanero peppers, plus garlic and spices. Sweet mango balances the intense habanero for a sauce that’s hot yet flavorful.
Ghost Pepper Ranch
One of the hottest choices is the Ghost Pepper Ranch sauce. As you may guess, it contains ghost peppers which are insanely spicy. Blended with ranch dressing, it manages to be creamy with an extreme blast of heat.
Other Potential Sauces
In addition to the core sauces, Torchy’s sometimes offers limited time or seasonal sauces. These have included sauces like Strawberry-Habanero, Prickly Pear, and Mole. So there are always new and creative sauces being tested and served.
Choosing Your Sauces
At Torchy’s you get to choose which sauces you want on your taco. The possibilities are endless for sauce combinations. Most tacos come with Green Chili Queso and your choice of one other sauce. But you can also request extra sauces or try a variety of sauce combos. Depending on your preferences for flavors and spice levels, you can craft your ideal taco sauces.
To visualize the range of sauces, here is a table comparing some key attributes:
Sauce | Spiciness | Flavor Profile |
---|---|---|
Green Chili Queso | Mildly spicy | Creamy, tangy, fresh green chile flavor |
Diablo Sauce | Hot | Smoky, earthy red chile peppers |
Chipotle Sauce | Medium spicy | Smoky, rich chipotle flavor |
Salsa Roja | Mildly spicy | Bright tomato flavor |
Avocado-Tomatillo Sauce | Mildly spicy | Cool, creamy, tangy |
Mango-Habanero Sauce | Very hot | Sweet mango with intense habanero heat |
Ghost Pepper Ranch | Extremely hot | Creamy and scorching hot |
Popular Taco-Sauce Combinations
Some sauces pair better with certain taco fillings. Here are some favorite sauce combos Torchy’s customers rave about:
- Baja Shrimp – Avocado-Tomatillo Sauce and Chipotle Sauce
- Brisket – Green Chili Queso and Diablo Sauce
- Veggie – Mango-Habanero Sauce and Green Chili Queso
- Chicken Fajita – Salsa Roja and Avocado-Tomatillo Sauce
- Al Pastor – Green Chili Queso and Habanero Sauce
Of course, you can mix and match different sauces on any taco you order. The sauces really make the tacos at Torchy’s stand out from the crowd. They range from cool and creamy queso to fiery hot habanero blends. With so many options, you can always find a combination that suits your personal tastes.
Award-Winning Tacos and Sauces
It’s not just customers that rave about Torchy’s sauces – the company has won numerous awards praising their tacos and sauces over the years. Their Green Chili Queso won 1st place for Best Menu Item in the 2019 Texas Food & Wine Festival. And Torchy’s Tacos was named the #1 taco chain in the country by USA Today readers.
Food critics continually recognize their sauces for enhancing the flavors of proteins like chicken, steak, fish and shrimp. The combinations of proteins with the flavorful, handcrafted sauces makes for tacos you can’t find anywhere else. Torchy’s continues to experiment with new limited time sauces to keep their menu dynamic and satisfy taco lovers.
Conclusion
At Torchy’s, it’s clear that the sauces make the tacos. Having a wide selection of homemade salsas and specialty sauces is what differentiates them from typical tex-mex fare. Customers love being able to customize their tacos with Green Chili Queso paired with spicy Diablo, fruity Mango Habanero or other favorites. The next time you visit a Torchy’s location, be adventurous and try some new taco-sauce combinations. The flavorful sauces allow you to craft the perfect taco every time.