This creamy chipotle sauce takes about 5 minutes to make and combines sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotle peppers in adobo, lime, garlic, and a small amount of maple syrup. The result is smoky, tangy, lightly spicy, and creamy enough to use as either a sauce or dip.
I add a spoonful of the adobo sauce along with the peppers because it gives the sauce more smoky chile flavor without having to add another whole chipotle. The maple syrup isn’t there to make the sauce sweet; just a teaspoon rounds out the acidity from the lime and the heat from the peppers.
Use it on tacos, burrito bowls, burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for fries. For the best flavor, let the finished sauce chill for about 30 minutes before serving.
What Are Chipotle Peppers?
Chipotle peppers are ripe jalapeño peppers that have been smoked and dried. They have a deeper, smokier flavor than fresh jalapeños while still providing noticeable heat.
For this sauce, use chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce. The peppers provide most of the heat, while the seasoned adobo liquid adds additional smoky, tangy flavor. Start with two peppers, then adjust after blending if you want a hotter sauce.
Ingredients
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1 cup sour cream
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4 Tbsp mayonnaise
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2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (add more or less to taste)
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Juice of ½ lime
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1 clove garlic
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1 tsp maple syrup
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Salt, to taste
Instructions
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Blend the Sauce:
Add the sour cream, mayo, chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt to a blender or food processor. -
Process:
Blend until completely smooth and creamy. -
Taste and Adjust:
Taste and add more salt or lime juice if needed, or another chipotle for extra heat. -
Serve:
Use right away, or cover and chill for even better flavor. Enjoy on tacos, grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a dip!
Tips:
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For a thinner sauce, add a splash of water or a bit more lime juice.
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This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.
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How Spicy Is Chipotle Sauce?
With two chipotle peppers, this sauce has noticeable heat without overwhelming the sour cream and mayonnaise. However, chipotle peppers vary in size and spiciness from can to can.
For a milder sauce, start with 1 chipotle pepper plus 1 teaspoon of adobo sauce, blend, and taste. Add the second pepper if you want more heat.
For extra spice, add another chipotle pepper or a little more adobo sauce and blend again.
What Are Chipotle Peppers in Adobo?
Chipotle peppers in adobo are ripe jalapeños that have been smoked and dried, then packed in a seasoned sauce made with ingredients such as tomato, vinegar, onion, garlic, sugar, and spices.
The peppers provide most of the smoky heat, while the adobo sauce adds tanginess, seasoning, and a deeper chile flavor. For this creamy sauce, using both gives a fuller flavor than using the peppers alone.
Can I Use Chipotle Powder Instead?
Chipotle powder can work in a pinch, but the finished sauce won’t taste exactly the same because it doesn’t contain the tomato, vinegar, and seasonings found in adobo sauce.
Start with about ½ teaspoon chipotle powder, blend, then add more a small amount at a time until the sauce is as smoky and spicy as you like.
Easy Variations
- Milder: Start with 1 chipotle pepper and add more only after tasting.
- Spicier: Add another chipotle pepper or extra adobo sauce.
- Dairy-free: Use a thick dairy-free sour cream in place of regular sour cream.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free sour cream and vegan mayonnaise.
Keep in mind that different dairy-free substitutes can make the sauce thinner or change the flavor slightly.
How to Serve Chipotle Sauce
This creamy chipotle sauce works especially well with:
- Tacos and fajitas
- Burritos and burrito bowls
- Burgers and chicken sandwiches
- Grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp
- Roasted potatoes and vegetables
- French fries or tortilla chips
It’s also a great sauce for a California burrito or as an alternative sauce for wraps and sandwiches.
How to Store Leftover Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
Most recipes use only a few peppers, so you’ll usually have some left in the can.
Transfer leftover chipotle peppers and adobo sauce to a clean airtight glass or plastic container and refrigerate. For the best safety and quality, use them within about 5–7 days.
For longer storage, freezing works well.
Freezing Chipotle Peppers
Place individual peppers on a parchment-lined plate or tray and freeze until firm. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
Freezing Chopped Chipotles
Chop or blend the peppers with some of the adobo sauce and freeze in 1-tablespoon portions using an ice cube tray or small freezer-safe containers.
Once frozen, transfer the portions to a freezer bag.
Freezing Adobo Sauce
Freeze leftover adobo sauce separately in 1-teaspoon portions. This makes it easy to add a little smoky heat to sauces, marinades, soups, chili, or taco fillings without opening another can.
