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This amazing creamy Chipotle Southwest Sauce recipe will transform anything you drizzle it over or dip into it. Sandwiches, quesadillas, fajitas, veggies, nachos, and tacos are all instantly transformed with this zesty copycat Subway sauce!
In only five minutes, you’ll be able to whip up a creamy, smoky, a perfectly zesty sauce that the whole family will love. Once you make this copycat Subway chipotle southwest sauce, you’ll find yourself using it on everything!
Not only is this sauce delicious with the perfect spicy flavor, and so easy to make, but it’s incredibly versatile. Serve as is for a dipping sauce, or thin it a bit if you want a chipotle salad dressing.
What is Chipotle Southwest Sauce Made Of?
This recipe uses:
- Sour cream
- Plain Greek yogurt or mayo (chef’s choice!)
- Chipotle in adobo sauce
- Lime juice – fresh is best here if possible
- Cumin
- Fresh garlic
- Sea salt
- Cilantro
How to Make Chipotle Sauce
*I’ll walk you through it here with some photos and tips, and you’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post with exact measurements, etc. You can also click “jump to recipe” to skip down.
Start by combining all of the ingredients, except for cilantro in a food processor or blender and process until well combined.
Then, scrape the sides of the food processor/blender with a spatula and add the cilantro. And hey, if you’re one of those people for whom cilantro tastes like soap, just go ahead and leave it out.
But if you love cilantro, add it now and pulse the food processor a bit more until it is finely chopped and incorporated.
Variations and Substitutions
You can use Mexican crema instead of sour cream to make a thinner chipotle crema.
This recipe calls for either plain Greek yogurt or mayo, but why not mix and match? You can also use Vegan Aioli to make this plant-based.
If you can’t find chipotle in adobo sauce, use dried chipotle powder instead. Start by adding 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of powder and then adjust to your tastes.
If you don’t love the strong taste of raw garlic, try using roasted garlic instead.
How to Use Southwest Sauce
It goes so well with almost anything! Use it on your Air Fryer Quesadillas, Air Fryer Fish Tacos, Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos, or Air Fryer Taquitos.
Drizzle it on top of Frozen Crab Cakes in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp, Air Fryer Mahi Mahi, or Baked Tortilla Bowls.
Or use it as a dip for Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, frozen sweet potatoes in the air fryer, Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls, or Air Fryer Pickles.
How to store
Storing Leftovers: Store leftover chipotle sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. I love using a mason jar, but an empty squeeze bottle will work as well.
If you use low or non-fat sour cream and/or Greek yogurt, the chipotle crema will separate a bit and will likely need more mixing to combine.
Freezing Leftovers: You can freeze leftover southwest sauce. I prefer to freeze it in small quantities so I can only defrost a little bit if needed rather than a whole container. I love the 2-tbsp Souper Cubes for freezing this sauce.
It may separate a bit when thawed, but you can whisk it back together again, or pulse it a few times in the food processor.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Canned chipotles in adobo sauce can usually be found with canned salsa and chilis in the grocery store. You can freeze any leftover chipotles in 4 oz canning jars or small Souper Cubes, or use it in Chipotle Instant Pot Turkey Chili.
- If you have a low tolerance for spice, start by adding just 1 tsp of liquid adobo sauce from the can before adding a whole chipotle pepper to the food processor.
- Feel free to use Mexican crema instead of sour cream. Crema is a slightly thinner version of sour cream that has a tangier taste. You may need to add a tiny bit of honey, maple syrup, or a pinch of sugar if it is too tart for your tastes.
- If you want to use this as a chipotle dressing, you can thin it with a bit of water or milk. Start with 1 tsp of water/milk and mix, adding more if needed until it is the consistency you want.
MORE GREAT SAUCE RECIPES
Chipotle Southwest Sauce
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 chipotle pepper from canned chipotle in adobo sauce {+1 tsp of sauce from the can}
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cilantro {optional}
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except for cilantro in a food processor or blender and process until well combined.3/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 chipotle pepper from canned chipotle in adobo sauce, 1 tsp lime juice, 1/4 tsp cumin, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 tsp salt
- Scrape the sides of the food processor/blender with a spatula and add the optional cilantro.2 tbsp cilantro
- Using the pulse function, process the mixture until the cilantro is chopped and incorporated into the sauce.
- Store in the fridge in an air-tight container for 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can usually be found with canned salsa and chilis in the grocery store.
- If you have a low tolerance for spice, start by adding just 1 tsp of liquid adobo sauce from the can before adding a whole chipotle pepper to the food processor.
- If you can’t find canned chipotles, you can use chipotle powder instead. Start by adding 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of powder and then adjust to your tastes.
- Store leftover chipotle sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The calories in the Nutrition Facts look off. 278 calories be tbsp?
Sharon, it might be off. They’re all estimates that are automatically populated by a piece of software.