How Many Scoville Units Is Taco Bell Sauce? Get the Spicy Facts

For fast food lovers, Taco Bell’s sauces are a real hit. Mild sauce adds a creamy, tasty kick, and Diablo sauce turns up the heat. These exciting flavors bring joy to everyone’s taste buds.

However, the question remains for those who love a good kick of heat: how spicy is Taco Bell sauce? Specifically, many people wonder how many Scoville units the Taco Bell sauce has. 

Scoville units show how hot chili peppers are. Knowing this helps you pick the right sauce for your spice preference.

Taco Bell’s Sauce Lineup 

Taco Bell’s sauce lineup is a big part of what keeps fans coming back for more. From mild and tangy to fiery and bold, there’s a sauce packet for everyone’s spice preference. Each packet adds a boost of flavor that takes tacos, burritos, and nachos to the next level.

Some of the most well-known sauces include

• Mild Sauce: A gentle kick for those who like flavor without too much heat.
  
• Hot Sauce: A step up, with a bolder taste and extra warmth.
  
• Fire Sauce: Popular for its smoky, spicy punch.
  
• Diablo Sauce: The hottest of them all, for true heat seekers.
  

Sauce	Heat Level
Mild	Low
Hot	Medium
Fire	High
Diablo	Extra Hot

Thanks to this variety, Taco Bell sauces have become fan favorites. Many people even stash extra packets to spice up meals at home!

How Many Scoville Units Are In Taco Bell’s Mild Sauce?

While the exact number of Scoville units in Taco Bell’s Mild sauce is not publicly available, it is generally considered 500-1,000 SHU. 

This puts it at a relatively mild spiciness level, similar to bell or banana pepper [1]. Mild sauce is famous for those who enjoy a little heat but prefer to keep it milder. 

It’s an excellent option for those new to spicy foods or wanting to add a touch of flavor without overwhelming their taste buds.

Read: How Many Scoville Units Are Takis?

What Are Scoville Units & How Are They Used To Measure Spiciness?

Scoville units measure the pungency, or spiciness, of chili peppers and other spicy foods.

They got their name from Wilbur Scoville, an American pharmacist. In 1912, he created the Scoville Organoleptic Test. This test measures how hot chili peppers are. 

They got their name from Wilbur Scoville, an American pharmacist. In 1912, he created the Scoville Organoleptic Test. This test measures how hot chili peppers are.

The number of dilutions needed to reach this point determines the pepper’s Scoville rating. 

Today, Scoville units are commonly used to indicate the heat level of hot sauces, salsas, and other spicy foods. The higher the number of Scoville units [2], the hotter the food is perceived.

But what’s the Scoville unit in the Takis Fuego flavor?

What About The Other Sauce Varieties?

As the names suggest, the Hot, Fire, and Diablo sauce varieties at Taco Bell are progressively spicier than the Mild sauce. 

The Hot sauce generally has a Scoville rating of around 2,500-3,000 units, while the Fire sauce ranges from 4,000-5,000 units. Diablo’s spiciest sauce on Taco Bell’s menu contains around 15,000-20,000 Scoville units. 

“I had a Taco Bell audition where I had to wear a huge sombrero and walk around like an idiot. I got call-backs for the movie ‘Twister,’ did small independent stuff that I won’t name. But it led to all my breakthrough moments on ‘Entourage.’”

– Mark Cuban, American Businessman

While these may not be as spicy as some artisanal hot sauces, they are still relatively hot for a fast-food chain.

Heat tolerance varies greatly among individuals. What one person finds “hot” might be different for someone else.

Check out: How Many Scoville Units Are Hot Cheetos?

How Does Taco Bell’s Sauce Compare To Other Fast-Food Chains?

Compared to other fast-food chains, Taco Bell’s sauce can be considered relatively mild to moderate in terms of spiciness. 

For example, McDonald’s Spicy Buffalo sauce has been reported to contain around 200-300 Scoville units, making it milder than even Taco Bell’s Mild sauce. 

Similarly, Burger King’s Spicy Original Chicken Sandwich sauce is said to be around 300-500 Scoville units.

On the other hand, KFC’s Nashville Hot sauce is spicier, with a Scoville rating of around 2,000–4,000 units. 

Comparing the heat of different chain sauces is helpful. However, everyone has a different tolerance for spice. So, start with a small amount of sauce and gradually increase it to find your perfect level of heat.

Tips Or Tricks For Balancing The Heat Level Of Taco Bell’s Sauce

1. Pair spicier sauces with milder menu items to balance out the heat. For example, if you want to try the Fire sauce but are worried about it being too spicy, pair it with a milder menu item like the bean burrito or the quesadilla.
2. Add some sour cream or guacamole to your dish to help cool down the heat. These toppings can neutralize some of the spiciness and add a creamy, cooling element.
3. Ask for the sauce on the side and add it gradually to your dish. This can help you control the heat level and avoid overloading your dish with too much sauce.
4. Order a drink with your meal to help cool down the heat. Soft drinks, iced tea, or even a cold glass of water can help to soothe your taste buds and reduce the spiciness.
5. Consider ordering a menu item with a built-in cooling element, such as the cheesy roll-up or the 7-layer burrito. These items contain cheese, sour cream, and beans that can help balance the heat of spicier sauces.

FAQs on Scoville Units Is Taco Bell Sauce

In Conclusion 

While Taco Bell’s sauce may not be as spicy as some artisanal hot sauces, it still offers a range of flavorful options to add heat to your meal.

The Diablo sauce is the hottest variety on the menu, with a Scoville rating of around 15,000-20,000 units. 

Heat tolerance varies widely. Start with a small amount of sauce. Then, increase it to reach your desired spiciness.

References:

1. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-are-banana-peppers/
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12505344