Easy Chipotle Sauce (5 Minutes)

Name: Easy Chipotle Sauce (5 Minutes)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; ½ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1 clove of garlic; 1 tbsp lime juice; ¼ cup fresh cilantro; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp cumin; ½ tsp chili powder; ½ tsp salt

Jump to Recipe

This Chipotle Sauce is smoky, creamy, and mildly spicy condiment that adds bold flavor to tacos, sandwiches, or grilled foods. And it is made using the very popular chipotle peppers in adobo, which gives it such the perfect combination of heat and tangy flavor that it is hard not devouring the entire thing!

White bowl filled with creamy chipotle sauce with a spoon in it.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
Main Ingredients
Instructions to Make Chipotle Sauce
Pro Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving Suggestions
Storing Chipotles in Adobo
More Delicious Sauce Recipes
Recipe
Easy Chipotle Sauce (5 Minutes)

Why This Recipe Works

Bold & Smoky Flavor – Chipotle peppers provide a deep smokiness and the ideal amount of heat that elevates every recipe.
Super quick & Simple – This delicious sauce can be made in a few minutes with a few simple ingredients and a blender.
Versatile – use it on tacos, burgers, grilled meats, or even as a dip for fries and veggies!

Main Ingredients

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

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce – The soul of this sauce! These smoked and dried jalapeños, packed in a tangy, slightly sweet adobo sauce, bring a deep smoky heat. You can use more or less peppers depending on how spicy you enjoy it.
Mayonnaise – Adds a rich and creamy base that lends the sauce its smooth texture. It also mellows out the heat of the chipotle peppers, making for a well-rounded sauce.
Sour Cream (or Greek Yogurt) – Provides a tangy contrast that balances the smoky heat. Sour cream provides a classic, slightly richer flavor, while Greek yogurt is a lighter, protein-packed substitute.
Garlic — Fresh garlic gives the sauce a bold, aromatic depth. It pairs with the smokiness of the chipotle and adds a blast of savory vigor.
Fresh Lime Juice – A good splash of fresh lime juice brightens the sauce up and adds some acidity to cut through the richness of the mayo and sour cream. This also helps keep the cilantro at its freshest.
Cilantro — Cilantro lends a fresh and bright, citrusy and peppery flavor to the sauce. It’s a great accompaniment to the smoky chipotle, adding an herbaceous punch to the sauce, helping to balance the heat.
Salt – The best flavor enhancer of them all! It brings all the ingredients together, ensuring that each element shines without overwhelming the others.

Instructions to Make Chipotle Sauce

Combine Ingredients – In a blender or food processor, mix together chipotle peppers, mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), garlic, lime juice, cilantro and salt.

Blender pitcher filled with ingredients to make chipotle sauce.

Blend Until Smooth — Blend until the sauce is creamy and well combined, scraping down the sides if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning or spiciness to taste.

Blender pitcher with freshly made chipotle sauce.

Serve & Store — Use right away or refrigerate, in an airtight container, for up to a week. The flavors will develop over time!

Pro Tips

Adjust the spice level – For a less spicy sauce, only add one chipotle pepper and remove the seeds. For additional heat, throw in another pepper or a spoonful of the adobo sauce.
Let It Rest — Cover and refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes, and up to overnight, before serving. This blends the flavors, making for a richer, more even taste.
Blend for the Ultimate Texture — If you want an ultra-smooth sauce, use a high-speed blender. For a chunkier texture, pulse the ingredients instead of blending nonstop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chipotle Sauce Healthy?

Chipotle sauce can be healthy if made with good ingredients — replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, which contains protein and probiotics. It can be high in fat and sodium, though, so moderation is key.

How Long Does Chipotle Sauce Last?

Chipotle Sauce shelf life: Store the homemade chipotle sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will remain fresh for up to 7 days. If you plan to keep it longer, you can freeze it in small portions for up to 3 months.

How Long Do Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Last?

Keep them in a sealed container, and opened chipotle in adobo will be good for about 7–10 days in the refrigerator. To keep them fresh longer, freeze them in portions for up to 6 months.

Serving Suggestions

Drizzle Over Tacos & Burritos – Add smoky, creamy kick to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other favorites.
Dip for Fries & Veggies – Use as a tasty dip for crunchy fries, roastie potatoes, or fresh veggie sticks.
Spread for Burgers & Sandwiches – Use this sauce in place of regular mayo on burgers, chicken sandwiches or wraps for added flavor punch.
Sauce for Grilled Meats & Seafood — Spoon it over grilled chicken, steak, shrimp or fish for a smoky, tangy finish.
Salad Dressing or Bowl Topping — Thin with a bit more lime juice and drizzle over salads, grain bowls or roasted vegetables.

Storing Chipotles in Adobo

Refrigerate for Short-Term Use — If you plan to use them within a week, open the leftovers and store them in an airtight container or a glass jar and store them in the refrigerator. They will last for around 7–10 days.
Blend & Freeze as Paste – Blend the entire can into smooth paste and freeze it in teaspoon size blobs (ice cube tray or parchment paper method). This makes it so easy to add a little smoky kick to just about anything.

If you tried this Easy 5-Minute Chipotle Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!