Maple Chipotle Sauce Recipe

This sweet smoky Maple Chipotle Sauce Recipe is made with pure maple syrup, spicy adobo peppers, and tangy apple cider vinegar, and ready in 15 minutes. The rich liquid bubbles away on the stove until it becomes thick enough to beautifully coat a spoon. I keep a jar of this in my fridge at all times for quick dinners.

What I Learned Making This

For a long time, I struggled to balance the intense heat of canned chipotle peppers. I used to just blend them straight into my marinades, which usually resulted in a painfully spicy dish that hid all the other flavors.

I finally realized that simmering the peppers with a heavy pour of real maple syrup mellows out the sharp spice. The slow reduction process creates a beautifully balanced sauce that has just the right amount of kick.

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Maple Chipotle Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

How To Make Maple Chipotle Sauce Recipe

1. Mix the base: In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, minced chipotle peppers, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt.
2. Simmer the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
3. Thicken the mixture: Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce easily coats the back of a spoon.
4. Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool for 5 minutes before transferring it to a clean glass jar.

Recipe Tips

• Use real maple syrup: Pancake syrup will make the sauce overly sweet and artificial. Always use pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
• Adjust the heat: If you prefer a milder sauce, use only one chipotle pepper and scrape out the seeds before mincing.
• Blend for smoothness: For a completely smooth glaze without chili chunks, blend the finished sauce with an immersion blender.

What To Serve With Maple Chipotle Sauce

This versatile glaze pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken thighs or thick-cut pork chops. It also works as a fantastic dipping sauce for crispy sweet potato fries or homemade chicken tenders.

How To Store

Store the cooled sauce in an airtight glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze this sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

FAQs

Can I use chipotle powder instead of canned peppers?

Yes, you can substitute one teaspoon of chipotle powder for the canned peppers. However, you will lose some of the deep, smoky flavor that the adobo sauce provides.

Why is my sauce too thin?

The sauce naturally thickens as it cools down in the jar. If it is still too thin after cooling, simmer it on the stove for another five minutes to reduce the liquid.

Is this sauce very spicy?

It has a moderate kick that builds as you eat it. The sweet maple syrup balances the heat nicely, but you can always use fewer peppers for less spice.

Nutrition

• Calories: 65 kcal
• Total Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 16 g
• Protein: 0 g