This creamy chipotle sauce recipe is quick and easy to make and focuses more on the chipotle and less on the other ingredients for real chipotle flavor, so good! Chipotle all the way, super creamy!
Homemade Chipotle Sauce Recipe
This is MY kind of chipotle sauce, my friends. It is nice and creamy yet still holds onto all that wonderful smoky-tangy chipotle flavor we all crave. That’s how we want it, right?
What is Chipotle Sauce?
Chipotle sauce is a popular creamy sauce made with spicy, smoky chipotle peppers mixed with mayonnaise and sour cream or crema. You'll find it served in numerous fast food restaurants, like Taco Bell or Subway.
It's a versatile sauce or condiment made with simple ingredients, the perfect way to add flavor and zing to sandwiches, French fries, grilled foods, and so much more.
There are different ways to make it, but they are all quite similar.
I’ve had other chipotle sauces and found many of them lacking. The recipes call for far too much cream or mayonnaise or other ingredients to achieve their desired flavor, but in the end, all you’re really left with is a mixture of mayo and sour cream or Greek yogurt that is colored with a dash of chipotle sauce or chipotle powder added in
NAH! That’s just not enough chipotle sauce for me. We need creamy chipotle sauce with real flavor.
With my chipotle sauce recipe, we’re focusing on the chipotle, and it’s super easy to make. You KNOW how much I love EASY.
Let's talk about how to make chipotle sauce, the right way.
Homemade Chipotle Sauce Ingredients
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. Use the canned product you normally find in the grocery store. You can also use the product labeled "adobo sauce". If offers the smoky-spicy flavor, made with smoked and dried jalapeno peppers. The dried chipotles are drenched in delicious adobo sauce.
- Mexican Crema. You can use sour cream or Greek yogurt, but I prefer the flavor of Mexican crema.
- Mayonnaise. Use your favorite brand. Works with vegan mayo as well.
- Fresh Cilantro.
- Spices. Cayenne powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt.
How to Make Chipotle Sauce - the Recipe Method
First, gather up your ingredients, which include a can of chipotles in adobe (but of course!), along with ½ cup Mexican crema (or sour cream), ¼ cup mayo, chopped cilantro, cayenne powder for flavor and heat, garlic powder, cumin, and a bit of salt and pepper.
If you'd like a citrus pop, squeeze in a bit of fresh lime juice.
Next, add it all to a food processor and puree until smooth.
BOOM! Done!
That’s it. Easy, right? I love the chipotle pepper flavor. So smooth and creamy, and delicious!
PLUS! You’ll be using the WHOLE can of chipotles in adobo sauce for this. No need to dirty up tiny little storage containers in the refrigerator trying to save the rest. Use ALL of it.
Much better.
Recipe Tips
- Sour cream is great, though I prefer the flavor of Mexican crema. You can usually find it near the sour cream in the grocery store. Also, consider making it with a bit of yogurt as well.
- Real mayonnaise will give you much more flavor. You can make it with non-fat versions, but real mayo it superior.
- Want even MORE chipotle flavor? Add in another can of chipotle peppers in adobo. You can't go wrong.
- Use only half of the chipotles in adobo sauce for a milder version.
- Toss in some fresh cilantro for a herbal flavor.
Storage Information
You can store homemade chipotle sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 1 week.
What Goes Best with Chipotle Sauce?
I LOVE to have this on hand for grilled chicken or pork. It’s a great finisher. Toss some fried or grilled chicken wings or legs with this chipotle sauce and go straight to flavor heaven. Fried or grilled shrimp, too.
It's also great served as a chipotle dip with chips. Just pour it into a small bowl. It's one of the best dipping sauces ever.
Or use it as you would any other condiment and drizzle it over sandwiches, wraps or salads. I love it on fish tacos or drizzled over a burrito bowl. Consider it for fajitas or fried fish.
DELISH!
Try it out with this Quick and Easy Chipotle Chicken Recipe, Grilled Chicken Wings or Grilled Shrimp.
You pretty much have to make it homemade. I don't often see chipotle sauce in grocery stores. I'd rather make it at home anyway. More chipotle flavor for me!
Give it a go, my friends. Let me know how you like it, and how you best like to serve it. Curious to hear! Enjoy. – Mike H.
Try Some of My Other Popular Sauce Recipes
- Chipotle Mayo
- Jacked Up Fry Sauce
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Sriracha Aioli
- Creamy Sriracha Mayo
- Cajun Remoulade Sauce
- Creamy Fish Taco Sauce
- Bang Bang Sauce
- This Mexican White Sauce Recipe (Salsa Blanca) is a tasty variation from Virginia that you will love.
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #ChiliPepperMadness on Instagram so we can take a look. I always love to see all of your spicy inspirations.
Chipotle Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 ounce can chipotles in adobo sauce or use chipotle sauce
- ½ cup Mexican crema sour cream is good, too
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor. Process until smooth!
- Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 3/24/23 to include new information, photos and video. It was originally published on 4/4/18.
Curtis says
I love this flavor but am a wimp for spiciness. Would I reduce the Chipotle ingredient or the Cayenne to calm it down?
I’ll experiment but wouldn’t mind tapping into that knowledge you seem to have.
Mike Hultquist says
Curtis, you can omit the cayenne, which has quite a bit of heat. You can reduce the chipotle if you need to as well. I would first omit the cayenne, then add in half the chipotle, then taste and add more until you get it just where you want it. Let me know how it goes.
Tinamarie Rinkiewicz says
Perfect sauce for anything! My husband made this for his salmon dinner and added some veggies. He's on a low/no salt diet and it's hard, because everything we eat and buy from the store has salt in it!
Mike H. says
I am glad that you've found my recipe, Tinamarie. Enjoy!
Braedynn says
Has anyone tried reheating in the microwave the day after? How does the sauce heat up? Does it separate at all?
Mike Hultquist says
Braedynn, since it's a creamy mayo-based sauce, you CAN heat it up, but it will become very loose and more drippy when warmed. If that's how you want to serve it, it will work with a quick simmer or nuke. Just heat it gently. Let me know how it goes for you.
Mimi Rippee says
This sauce is perfection!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much!
Debi says
So Good! Used Icelandic plain yogurt (great thick texture & supports the flavours instead of overwhelming them) as we can't get Mexican Crema in NW Canada. Use it for all sorts of things but most recently as a drizzle on top of a stack of toast, topped with fresh guacamole, bacon & poached egg. Very yummy <3 I always have at least a can or 2 of chiptotle in Adobo sauce in the cupboard. I also immersion blend a can or two, & drop 1 - 2 Tbsp onto parchment lined cookie sheets and freeze. Then wrap in cling wrap & store in a ziplock bag in the freezer. So good to throw in to sauces, soups & stews for added flavour. Great for taking camping too 😀
Mike H. says
Thank you for sharing, Debi. Happy you love the recipe!
Joann Proctor says
So delicious! I'm going to try the greek yogurt next time.
Mike Hultquist says
Nice!! Thanks, Joann!
Avery McNeil says
I used plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream and it was fire!
Mike H. says
Fantastic choice. Enjoy the recipe!
Chad says
Fantastic!
Pat says
How can I make this salsa without the sour cream and Crema!
Mike Hultquist says
You can sub in yogurt, Pat. Or, check out this Creamy Jalapeno Sauce Recipe (https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/creamy-jalapeno-sauce/) but use chipotles instead of jalapenos.
Sara says
This is delicious. I used an avo mayo and whole Greek yogurt instead of the sour cream (because it’s what I had on hand) and it was delicious. I’m sure it would be even better with the exact ingredients! Thanks!
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Sara!
Jackie says
I just made this amazing sauce and use it with spaghetti and grilled chicken. Huge hit!!! my son was very impressed about how balanced the heat and flavor was. I will make it again when we have company over
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! I love the idea of using it with spaghetti. Must try! Thanks, Jackie.
Yvonne says
Very tasty, just perfect on the spice. Consistency is also great. I am going to enjoy using this sauce, especially on shrimp. YUMMMMM.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Yvonne! Glad you enjoyed it!! I love it!