Chipotle Dipping Sauce Recipe

This creamy, smoky Chipotle Dipping Sauce Recipe is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and spicy chipotle peppers in adobo, coming together in just 5 minutes. The sauce transforms before your eyes as the blender swirls streaks of deep red adobo into the cool white cream, creating a vibrant, specked salmon-orange dip. I keep a jar of this in the fridge constantly because it instantly upgrades everything from french fries to fish tacos.

Better Than Takeaway

I used to hoard those little plastic cups of spicy orange sauce from my favorite taco spots, convinced I could never recreate that specific balance of heat and creaminess at home. Most store-bought bottles I tried were either too vinegary, too sweet, or packed with artificial thickeners that left a weird coating on my tongue.

When I finally started blending my own using real canned chipotles in adobo, the difference was shocking. The fresh lime juice cuts through the richness of the mayo, and using actual peppers instead of just powder gives it a texture and depth that no shelf-stable condiment can match.

Jump to Recipe

Chipotle Dipping Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo: You will need a standard 7-ounce can. You’ll use whole peppers plus some of the sauce.
• Mayonnaise: Use a high-quality full-fat mayo for the best silky texture.
• Sour Cream: This lightens the mayo and adds a necessary tang. Mexican Crema works beautifully here as well.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed is non-negotiable for cutting the fat.
• Garlic: One fresh clove gives a punchy kick that powder can’t replicate.
• Cumin: Adds an earthy undertone that rounds out the smoke.
• Salt: To bring all the flavors forward.

How To Make Chipotle Dipping Sauce Recipe

1. Prep the Peppers: Open the can of chipotles in adobo. Pull out 2 peppers for a medium heat or 3-4 for extra spice. Roughly chop them if your blender isn’t very high-powered, though most food processors can handle them whole. Scoop out a tablespoon of the adobo sauce from the can as well.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor or blender, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic clove, lime juice, cumin, and salt.
3. Blend Until Smooth: Pulse the mixture initially to break down the large chunks. Then, blend on high for 30-45 seconds. Watch for the color to turn a consistent creamy orange with tiny flecks of red pepper throughout.
4. Taste and Adjust: Dip a spoon in and taste. If you want more heat, add another pepper. If it’s too spicy, add a tablespoon more sour cream. Let the sauce sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Recipe Tips

• Control the Heat: Chipotle peppers can vary wildly in spiciness. Start with two peppers, blend, and taste. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it out once it’s blended.
• The “Resting” Rule: While you can eat this immediately, the flavor improves significantly after sitting in the fridge for an hour. The garlic mellows out and the smoke permeates the cream fully.
• Storage Smarts: Transfer the remaining peppers from the can into a freezer bag or small jar. They will mold quickly in the metal can in the fridge, but they freeze perfectly for months.

What To Serve With Creamy Chipotle Dip

This sauce is the ultimate companion for crispy foods. It is exceptional when drizzled over fish tacos or used as a dip for sweet potato fries, onion rings, and roasted wedges. It also works brilliantly as a sandwich spread for burgers or grilled chicken wraps, replacing standard mayo to add a smoky kick.

How To Store

Store the sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one week. Because it contains sour cream and mayonnaise, this sauce does not freeze well; the emulsion will break and the texture will become grainy upon thawing.

FAQs

• Can I make this without a blender? Yes. Finely mince the garlic and chipotle peppers until they are almost a paste, then whisk everything vigorously in a bowl. The texture will be chunkier but still delicious.
• Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream? Absolutely. Plain Greek yogurt is a great protein-rich substitute, though the sauce will taste slightly tangier.
• Is this the same as the Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette? No. This is a creamy, mayo-based dip similar to what you find at Taco Bell or burger joints. The vinaigrette is oil-and-vinegar based and much thinner.
• What is adobo sauce? It is the dark red, tangy, slightly sweet, and smoky tomato-vinegar sauce that the chipotle peppers are canned in. It packs a lot of flavor, so don’t rinse the peppers!

Nutrition

• Calories: 95
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 1g
• Protein: 1g