Easy 5-Minute Chipotle Sauce

This easy chipotle sauce comes together in just 5 minutes with a handful of simple pantry ingredients. You can make it as spicy or as mild as you like by adding more or less chipotle. It pairs perfectly with your favorite dishes and will quickly become a staple in your house!

 

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Chipotles in Adobo – I love chipotles in adobo for sauces like this because not only do you get the chipotles but also the adobo sauce which is super flavorful and made from tomatoes, vinegar, and garlic. If you don’t have a jar or can of chipotles, you could substitute with chipotle powder. I’d recommend starting with half a teaspoon of chipotle powder and then adding more to taste.
• Sour Cream – I prefer full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and texture. You can substitute it with Mexican crema or Greek yogurt.
• Mayonnaise – Mayo helps add flavor and creaminess to the sauce. You could use vegan mayo (and sour cream) if you want to keep it dairy free.
• Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds tons of bright flavor. You can skip it if you don’t have any on hand or don’t like the flavor of cilantro.
• Lime Juice – Lime juice adds a tang that balances out the creamy texture and the smoky flavors. Fresh-squeezed is ideal, but bottled works as well!
• Spices – Ground cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder are the primary spices. You can adjust these as you like. You can also substitute it with some of my homemade taco seasoning.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic will give this sauce a great punch. I definitely recommend using a fresh clove of garlic if you have it, if not garlic powder will also work.
• Salt and Pepper – I love to use Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper in most of my recipes. Don’t be stingy with these two as they’ll go a long way in boosting the overall flavors of the sauce.

You Can Easily Adjust the Heat Level!

The best part about this recipe is that you can use it as a blueprint and really make it your own! Keep in mind that everyone is going to enjoy a different level of spice. You want to get enough of the chipotle flavor without overwhelming your taste buds with heat.

• Very Spicy: use 6+ tablespoons of chipotles in adobo
• Spicy: 4-5 tablespoons of chipotles in adobo
• Medium: 2-3 tablespoons of chipotles in adobo
• Mild: 1 tablespoon or less of chipotles in adobo
• Very Mild: 1 teaspoon of chipotles in adobo

How to Make Chipotle Sauce from Scratch

Add ingredients to a high speed blender.

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and enjoy as a delicious dip with baked fries or a tasty drizzle over smoked salmon!

Tips

• My favorite way to make this sauce is with a high speed blender, but you could also use a food processor if you prefer. An immersion blender will work as well! Some type of blender is required if you want to get a super smooth consistency.
• If you add too much chipotles in adobo for your taste and find it to be too spicy, try adding more sour cream or mayo. You can also offset it with a bit more lime juice.
• Some folks like to add a bit of sweetness to their chipotle sauce recipe and if you’re one of them, try adding a bit of honey or even maple syrup. Add just a tad at first and then add more to taste.

You Will Love This

• It’s so easy to make and so versatile! This chipotle sauce takes literally 5 minutes to throw together and then the possibilities are endless! From roasted veggies to grilled chicken to taco Tuesday – this sauce will become one of your family’s favorite condiments! And the best part is you know exactly what’s in it!!
• If you loved this creamy chipotle sauce recipe, be sure to check out my Burger Sause recipe, 5-Minute Avocado Sauce,  and my 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Tacos. 

What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

They’re pretty much the best thing ever! Chipotles in adobo are jalapeno peppers that have been smoked and dried. Then they’re packed in a super flavorful adobo sauce puree made with vinegar, tomatoes, more dried chili peppers, and lots of spices. If you’re not familiar with chipotles in adobo, they’re a really delicious way to boost the flavor of your favorite tacos, southwest dressing, stuffed peppers, black bean soup, crispy flautas, or chili recipe or in this case, to use as a flavorful component of this chipotle sauce.

What is chipotle sauce made of?

Chipotle sauce is made from chipotles in adobo, spices, cilantro, lime juice, sour cream, and mayonnaise. All of these ingredients are blended together for a smooth, smoky, slightly spicy sauce your family will love!

Is chipotle sauce hot or spicy?

It’s more of a smoky heat than a straight-up spicy sauce. And the best part is that you can add as much or as little heat as you’d like by adjusting the amount of diced chipotles in adobo you add!

What does chipotle sauce taste like?

Chipotle sauce has a smoky, slightly spicy flavor with a super creamy texture. You’ll notice hints of lime and cilantro but overall it’s a very palette-pleasing sauce that goes well with a wide variety of dishes.

Serving Ideas

I love to keep this chipotle sauce in the fridge at all times because it can literally go on anything! Some of our family’s favorites include:

• nachos
• quesadillas
• sheet pan fajitas
• taco salad
• chicken tacos
• fish tacos
• smoked pork butt
• roasted vegetables
• tortilla chips
• burgers
• oven baked fries
• burritos
• sandwiches
• sweet potato fries
• chicken wings
• burrito bowls

How to Store Leftover Chipotles in Adobo

• I like to buy the jar of chipotles in adobo so you can use what you need and just pop the jar back in the fridge until next time.
• However, if you can only find the canned chipotles in adobo, then I recommend transferring the leftovers to a plastic Ziploc bag, squeezing all the air out, and gently pressing it flat. Pop it in the freezer and freeze it for up to 3 months.
• To use the frozen chipotles in adobo, just grab the Ziploc, open it up, and expose part of the frozen chipotles. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to gently cut off whatever portion you need.
• Then the rest can go back in the freezer until the next time you need them for chili, black bean soup, or taquitos!

Make-Ahead, Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

• Make-Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead. The flavors just get better with time!
• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Freezing: You can freeze this sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
• Reheating: To reconstitute the frozen sauce, simply let it sit in the refrigerator until thawed completely. Then stir well or place back in the blender with a little bit of water or lime juice and blend until smooth again. 

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