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Easy Chipotle Sauce Recipe

Quesadillas, fajitas, veggies, nachos, and tacosĀ are all instantly transformed with this zesty southwest sauce!
A spoon of southwest sauce over a glass jar

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This amazing creamy Chipotle Sauce recipe will transform anything you drizzle it over or dip into it. Quesadillas, fajitas, veggies, nachos, and tacos are all instantly transformed with this zesty southwest sauce!

A spoon of southwest sauce over a glass jar

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Every home cook needs an easy-to-make homemade sauce that goes well with lots of dishes.

In only five minutes, you’ll be able to whip up a creamy smoky spicy sauce that the whole family will love. Once you make this homemade chipotle sauce, you’ll find yourself using it on everything!

Not only is this copycat Subway chipotle 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 need a chipotle dressing.

You can also use Mexica crema instead of sour cream to make a chipotle crema. Sub out the plain Greek yogurt for mayo and boom, you have a chipotle mayo. Or use Vegan Aioli to make this plant-based.

sour cream, greek yogurt, limes, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and canned chipotles on a white board

How to Make Chipotle Sauce

*I’ll walk you through how to make this creamy sauce with some photos, and you’ll also find a detailed printable recipe card at the bottom of this post with specific measurements, etc.

Start by combining all 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.

2 photos of a food processor showing the steps how to make chipotle crema

How to Use Chipotle Sauce

It goes so well with almost anything! Use it to dip your Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas, Air Fryer Fish Sticks, 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 Shrimp Tacos, Air Fryer Mahi Mahi, or Baked Tortilla Bowls.

Or use it as a dip for Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, air fryer curly fries, frozen sweet potatoes in the air fryer, Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi, Crispy Potato Wedges, Air Fryer Waffle Fries, Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls, or Air Fryer Pickles.

Can You Freeze Chipotle Sauce?

You sure can! 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.

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. You can also store it for about one week in the fridge.

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 leftover chipotles in 4 oz canning jars or small Souper Cubes, or use it in Chipotle Instant Pot Turkey Chili.
  • If you can’t find chipotles in adobo sauce, you can use 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.
  • If you have a low tolerance for spice, start by adding just the 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 or maple syrup 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.
a glass jar of southwest sauce with limes, garlic, and cilantro on a white board
A spoon of southwest sauce over a glass jar
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Easy Chipotle Sauce

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Quesadillas, fajitas, veggies, nachos, and tacos are all instantly transformed with this zesty 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 up to a week.

Notes

  1. Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can usually be found with canned salsa and chilis in the grocery store.
  2. 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.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Chipotle Sauce
Amount Per Serving (1 tbsp)
Calories 278 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 20g125%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 92mg31%
Sodium 342mg15%
Potassium 357mg10%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 1140IU23%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 262mg26%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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2 comments on “Easy Chipotle Sauce Recipe”

  1. The calories in the Nutrition Facts look off. 278 calories be tbsp?