Acylamino acids are made by a process which comprises the steps of: (1) introducing a mixture comprised of at least one amino acid or amino acid salt and an alkali source into a reaction zone; (2) adding a mixture comprised of a fatty acid halide of the formula (I): R1COX  (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine to form a reaction mixture while continuously circulating the reaction mixture from the reaction zone through a mixing zone until all of the second mixture has been added to the reaction zone. The process guarantees uniform mixing of the reaction components without the foaming observed without the use of a mixing zone.