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    Home » Appetizers

    Easy 5-Minute Chipotle Sauce

    Published: Feb 8, 2023 » Modified: Feb 17, 2023 » By: Kylie » This post may contain affiliate links. » 1 Comment

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    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!

    White bowl filled with creamy chipotle sauce with a spoon in it.
    Table of Contents show
    Ingredients and Substitutions
    You Can Easily Adjust the Heat Level!
    How to Make Chipotle Sauce from Scratch
    Tips
    You Will Love This
    What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
    What is chipotle sauce made of?
    Is chipotle sauce hot or spicy?
    What does chipotle sauce taste like?
    Serving Ideas
    How to Store Leftover Chipotles in Adobo
    Make-Ahead, Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
    More Delicious Sauce Recipes
    More Easy Recipes
    Chipotle Sauce

    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.
    White marble counter top with bowls of ingredients to make chipotle 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.

    Blender pitcher filled with ingredients to make chipotle sauce.

    Blend until smooth and creamy.

    Blender pitcher with freshly made chipotle sauce.

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

    White bowl filled with creamy homemade chipotle sauce.

    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. 
    White plate with a cheese quesadilla and a bowl of chipotle sauce.

    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.

    Spoon with chipotle sauce on it over a small white bowl of sauce.

    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. 

    More Delicious Sauce Recipes

    • creamy peanut sauce
    • garlic butter sauce
    • easy burger sauce
    • garlic Parmesan sauce
    • creamy avocado sauce
    • dill yogurt sauce
    • honey mustard dressing
    • creamy Greek dressing
    • sun-dried tomato dressing

    More Easy Recipes

    • The Easiest Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
    • The Easiest Instant Pot Potato Soup
    • 20 Minute Mini Baked Chicken Tacos
    • Easy 20-Minute Lemon Chicken Pasta

    Questions?
    Leave a comment below!
    Liked the recipe?
    Leave a comment below!
    Made this dish?
    Leave a comment and star rating below!

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    Chipotle Sauce

    Print Recipe
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    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    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!

    • Author: Kylie
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 8-12 servings 1x
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: Blender
    • Cuisine: Mexican/American
    • Diet: Vegetarian

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1-6 tablespoons diced chipotles in adobo
    • ¾ cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
    • 3 tablespoons lime juice
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 clove garlic
    • Kosher salt
    • fresh cracked pepper

    Instructions

    1. Add ingredients to a high speed blender.
    2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
    3. Season to taste with salt and pepper and enjoy!

    Notes

    • 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 this sauce 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.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 61
    • Sugar: 0.2 g
    • Sodium: 42.9 mg
    • Fat: 5.5 g
    • Saturated Fat: 1.8 g
    • Carbohydrates: 1.6 g
    • Fiber: 0.1 g
    • Protein: 1.1 g
    • Cholesterol: 7 mg

    Keywords: chipotle mayo, chipotle aioli, chipotle southwest sauce

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Luke

      February 08, 2023 at 2:18 pm

      This sauce is so good! We tried it with your chicken street taco recipe and it was delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    HELLO FROM THE MIDWEST - I'm Kylie and as a mom and blogger, I understand how hard it can be to get a wholesome dinner on the table at the end of a long day. Here at Midwest Foodie, I focus on sharing simple recipes that make it easy to feed your family real food.

    More about me →

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