Bursting with creamy richness, smoky depth, and a subtle kick of zesty heat, this Chipotle Mayo Recipe is an absolute flavor bomb! Whether you’re dunking fries, drizzling tacos, or livening up your favorite sandwich, this sauce is the secret weapon you’ll want to keep in your fridge for every meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold, Smoky Flavor: Real chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give this mayo unforgettable depth and a hint of heat in every bite.
- Ridiculously Easy: Toss everything in a blender or food processor—done in under five minutes, no serious culinary skills required!
- Super Versatile: Use it as a dip, spread, or drizzle—perfect on tacos, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and even fries.
- Totally Customizable: Easily tweak the heat or add extra garlic, herbs, or spices to make it your own signature sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Your new favorite Chipotle Mayo Recipe starts with just a handful of pantry staples and a can of smoky chipotle peppers. Each ingredient brings something essential—creamy, tangy, spicy, and bright—to this irresistibly balanced sauce.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base that makes everything luscious and rich; use full-fat for the dreamiest texture.
- Sour Cream or Mexican Crema: Adds a gentle tang and lightens the sauce so it’s velvety but not too heavy—choose Mexican crema for a slightly more decadent finish.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: The star ingredient! These bring smoky flavor, chili heat, and that signature brick-red color.
- Lime Juice: A splash of fresh lime wakes up all the other flavors and keeps things bright.
- Paprika: Reinforces the smoky notes and deepens the color.
- Cumin: A pinch for earthy warmth—don’t skip it!
- Salt and Pepper: A little extra seasoning pulls everything together and makes those flavors sing.
Variations
What I love most about this Chipotle Mayo Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own! Whether you want to turn up the heat, go dairy-free, or toss in extra flavor twists, you’ve got endless ways to shake things up.
- Garlic Kick: Stir in a clove or two of fresh minced garlic, or add garlic powder for a punchy garlic-chipotle combo.
- Cilantro Burst: Mix in a handful of chopped cilantro for extra color and freshness—amazing on tacos or grain bowls!
- Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan mayo and skip the sour cream for a totally plant-based twist that’s still creamy and bold.
- Extra Spicy: Blend in another chipotle pepper or a sprinkle of chili powder to bring seriously fiery heat.
- Lime Zest: For even more citrus pop, add a little finely grated lime zest along with the juice.
How to Make Chipotle Mayo Recipe
Step 1: Combine All Ingredients
In the bowl of a food processor or a high-powered blender, add mayonnaise, sour cream (or Mexican crema), chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, paprika, cumin, and a big pinch of salt and pepper. If you want even more smoky heat, add a bit of the adobo sauce from the can. Don’t worry about chopping the peppers; the machine will do all the work for you!
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Blend everything together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no big pepper pieces remaining. Scrape down the sides if needed and give it one last blitz to make sure it’s perfectly blended—this is where the Chipotle Mayo Recipe gets its signature silkiness.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust
Spoon out a little taste and adjust to your liking! Add a squeeze more lime for brightness, more salt if needed, or an extra chipotle pepper if you’re in the mood for another level of smoky spice. The key is making it absolutely perfect for you.
Step 4: Serve or Store
Transfer your finished chipotle mayo into a jar or airtight container. Use it right away, or stash it in the fridge to let the flavors mingle and deepen. Trust me—the flavor only gets better after a little chill time!
Pro Tips for Making Chipotle Mayo Recipe
- Customize for Heat: If you love it extra spicy, blend in an extra chipotle pepper or some adobo sauce—taste after blending and adjust gradually.
- Ultra-Creamy Texture: For the smoothest Chipotle Mayo Recipe, use full-fat mayonnaise and crema, and blend thoroughly to ensure silkiness.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare your chipotle mayo a few hours in advance—the flavors mingle and deepen as it chills, making it even tastier!
- Fresh Lime is Key: Squeeze fresh lime juice instead of bottled for that bright, tangy finish that balances all the smoky, creamy goodness.
How to Serve Chipotle Mayo Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle your chipotle mayo with a dusting of smoked paprika, fresh chopped cilantro, or a few thinly sliced green onions. These garnishes add pop, color, and a fresh herbal lift to every drizzle and dip.
Side Dishes
This recipe is absolutely irresistible served alongside classic fries, sweet potato wedges, tortilla chips, or as a spicy dip for roasted veggies. It’s also phenomenal as a bold topping on tacos, burgers, grilled chicken, or your favorite Tex-Mex platters.
Creative Ways to Present
Scoop your chipotle mayo into a pretty jar with a swirl of lime or a sprinkle of chili powder on top for tex-mex flair, or pipe it in zigzags over tacos, sandwiches, or grain bowls for show-stopping (and mouthwatering) presentation at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chipotle Mayo Recipe in a clean, airtight jar or container in the fridge. It’ll keep beautifully for up to a week—just give it a quick stir before serving to wake up all those punchy flavors.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing chipotle mayo, as the creamy emulsion tends to separate and lose its irresistible texture after thawing—fresh is definitely best here for smoothness and flavor.
Reheating
Chipotle mayo is meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so there’s no need to heat it up. If it thickens in the fridge, simply let it sit out for a few minutes and give it a fast stir before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make chipotle mayo without a food processor?
Absolutely! Finely mince the chipotle peppers with a knife, then mix everything in a bowl by hand. It won’t be quite as silky smooth but will still taste fantastic.
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How spicy is this Chipotle Mayo Recipe?
The spice level depends on how many chipotle peppers and how much adobo sauce you use. For mild heat, start with one or two peppers and add to taste.
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Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or crema?
Yes! Greek yogurt is a great substitute and adds wonderful tang while keeping things creamy. Use the same amount as in the recipe and adjust thickness as needed.
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What dishes go best with Chipotle Mayo Recipe?
This sauce transforms everything from tacos and grilled corn to burgers, sweet potato fries, and fish sandwiches—it’s seriously delicious on almost anything savory!
Final Thoughts
I cannot wait for you to add this Chipotle Mayo Recipe to your table! With every creamy, smoky, tangy spoonful, you’ll discover just how much zing it brings to meals big and small—give it a try and get ready for your new spicy, go-with-anything favorite.
Print
Chipotle Mayo Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make a creamy and spicy Chipotle Mayo at home with this easy recipe. Perfect for adding a zesty kick to sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and more!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sour cream or Mexican crema, or more to taste
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or more to taste
- Juice from 1/2 small lime, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender.
- Blend: Process until smooth.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust to your personal preferences. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Makes about 1 cup of chipotle mayo.
- Additional Ingredients: Garlic, chili powder, fresh cilantro, or other seasonings can be added for variation.
- Serving Suggestions: Perfect for Mexican, Tex Mex dishes, or any sandwich where you enjoy mayonnaise.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
