Taco Bell Is Charging For Its Newest Avocado Salsa Verde Sauce Packet

Taco Bell has offered free sauce since it opened in 1962, but that changes this month with the announcement of its new Avocado Verde Salsa. The latest sauce option is part of Taco Bell’s new Cantina Chicken Menu, which features many premium options like a Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco and Cantina Chicken Bowl, among others.

“One packet of Avocado Verde Salsa comes with every order of the Cantina Chicken Menu,” the press release said. Unfortunately, you’ll have to shell out 20 cents for each additional packet.

There is a noticeable difference between Taco Bell’s new sauce and its older ones — the packet is .5 ounces, or about twice the size. Taco Bell told Fox Business that the sauce is “similar to other premium sauces and menu add-ons, such as nacho cheese sauce, reduced-fat sour cream and guacamole,” and will now be a permanent menu addition. Thankfully, the other sauces will remain free. 

Taco Bell’s new Cantina Chicken Menu rolls out at locations nationwide this month. Rewards members will be the first to see if the avocado verde salsa is worth the 20 cents. The dates are as follows:

• Available Starting March 14 to Taco Bell Rewards Members, March 21 Nationwide:
  • Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, $2.99 — Filled with Cantina Chicken, Creamy Jalapeño Sauce and a 3-cheese blend, generously coated with a layer of grilled cheese on the outside and served with a vibrant Avocado Verde Salsa.
  • Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, $6.49 — Cantina Chicken is enveloped in a warm flour tortilla alongside a decadent layer of a 3-cheese blend and Creamy Chipotle Sauce, crisped up to perfection with grilled cheese on the outside and served with guacamole and reduced-fat sour cream for dipping and Avocado Verde Salsa.
• Available Starting March 18 to Taco Bell Rewards Members, March 21 Nationwide:
  • Cantina Chicken Soft Taco, $2.99 — Cantina Chicken, Avocado Ranch Sauce, fresh iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, cheddar cheese and pico de gallo, served with Avocado Verde Salsa. 
  • Cantina Chicken Burrito, $5.99 — A double portion of Cantina Chicken (compared to the Cantina Chicken Soft Taco) with iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, Avocado Ranch Sauce, Creamy Chipotle Sauce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and Avocado Verde Salsa.
• Cantina Chicken Bowl, $7.99 — Seasoned rice, Cantina Chicken, black beans, iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, Avocado Ranch Sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheddar cheese and Avocado Verde Salsa.