Homemade Chipotle Sauce Recipe

Valentine, who is 4, was at the dinner table the other day and took the time to meticulously clean her fork. Then she said, “There mom, my fork is clean. So I can brush my hair with it now, right?”

Ummm I’m just so grateful you asked instead of moving forward with that plan?? It’s clear I’m raising my children to be super hygienic over here. Ariel in the house.

This Chipotle Mayonnaise goes on everything

How was everyone’s week? You ready for the Super Bowl? I’ve got the perfect thing for you. My sister Laura texted me a few weeks ago with her new favorite recipe for Chipotle mayo. Of course I had to try it, because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I always need more mayonnaise in my life. Any medium will do.

She said she’s been putting it on everything lately. “My favorite so far is on a burger with mashed avocado and lime, topped with crispy fried onions. So good. I also had it on a hot dog yesterday and it was amazing. I want to try fries next.”

Well I wasn’t messing around, so I went straight out and bought myself 3 large fries from Carl’s Jr., which happens to be the closest fast food to my house. (I did the same thing when I shot this Garlic Aioli; click over to read a story about the time the employees had to walk all the way out to the drive through line to help me. 🤦‍♀️)

Look at this gloriousness. Don’t you wish you were alone in a room with all these fries and a little jar of chipotle mayo?? I know I do.

What is Chipotle Sauce?

Chipotle sauce is a delicious combination of blended chipotle peppers and, in this case, mayo. We’re also adding fresh lime juice, cilantro, cumin, paprika, and salt and pepper. It’s creamy, smooth, smoky, and good enough to eat with a spoon.

Chipotle Mayo Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you need! It couldn’t be easier. Scroll down to the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and complete instructions.

How to make Chipotle Mayo Sauce

Blend it all up and that is IT. Literally takes 5 minutes.

Chipotle Mayo Recipe variations

This recipe is totally adaptable to your tastes. Don’t like too much heat? Add fewer chipotles. Need it to be thinner for drizzling consistency? Add in a little milk. Don’t want it to be too smokey? Omit the smoked paprika. Although I really don’t understand why anyone would make that choice. BRING ON THE SMOKEY.

Here’s how much cilantro I used. If you are not into cilantro, leave it out, but I love it! I might add even more than this next time!

Is Chipotle Mayo spicy?

Canned chipotle peppers are SUPER spicy. A little bit goes a long way. In the can you will find whole chipotle peppers (which are jalapeno peppers that have been smoked), chopped onions (usually), all swimming in this magical stuff called adobo sauce. Adobo sauce is amazing all on it’s own, (just try this Cafe Rio Pork, it’s a key ingredient) and adds it’s own unique flavor to the mayo. Don’t skip it!

As you can see, chipotle chilies vary in size, just like jalapenos vary in size! This is why there is such a variance in the recipe. I call for 3-6 chipotle peppers. If you add 3 small peppers, it might be just right, if you add 6 humungo peppers, it might be too spicy to eat! Use your best judgment. Start small, you can always add more.

Another way to get the flavor but control the heat a little more is to open up the peppers and scrape out all the seeds before adding to your chipotle mayo. The seeds hold a ton of heat. Can you see how many I scraped out in the photo on the left?

Other ways to use Chipotle Peppers

What to do with those leftover chipotles? You will hardly ever use a whole can for any recipe, they are quite spicy. Freeze them in ziplock bags! I always, always have a stash of chipotle peppers in my freezer. They keep forever, and it’s really easy to snap off a hunk and add it to soup, chili, this Raspberry Chipotle Ham, this bacon wrapped pineapple…anything you want to add a little smokey heat to. The possibilities are endless. I add the whole leftover can to a ziplock, including the chilies, any onions, and the adobo sauce. It’s all to valuable to be wasted.

How to serve Homemade Chipotle Sauce

Wondering what goes with chipotle mayo? The question really should be what DOESN’T go with chipotle mayo??

How about you start out with this BLT. Omg you guys, it was so good. I’m obsessed with BLTs lately and actually have a recipe for the classic version on the docket for you soon.

Yeah. BLTs are the best. Also French fries. How about both??

Here are some other ideas!

• Sweet  potato fries
• Regular french fries or oven fries or potato wedges! Pretty much any potato situation.
• Latkes. See above about potatoes.
• Crab cakes
• Salmon cakes
• Pan seared salmon
• Hamburgers
• Hot dogs
• Sandwich or BLT!
• Dip potato chips in it
• fresh veggies like snap peas, carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes…
• Drizzle over tacos
• Roasted veggie and black bean tacos
• Nachos
• Use as dressing for taco salad
• Chicken Taquitos << dipped in chipotle mayo?? YAS.
• Aunt Shirley’s Creamy Chicken Enchiladas << these are so cheesy and delicious.
• Slow Cooker Pork Tacos with Chipotle Mayo? How can you go wrong?
• Drizzle on top of this Easy Chile Relleno Casserole!
• Beer Battered Fish Tacos << these are the real deal.
• Easy Baked Mexican Meatballs << throw these meatballs in a taco and top with chipotle mayo!
• Easy Rotisserie Chicken Nachos << top this with Chipotle Mayo? Yes please!
• 10 Minute Enchilada Chicken Quesadillas << who can say no to a 10 minute dinner?
• Chicken, Tomatillo, and Chipotle Chimichangas << chipotle mayo would make the best dipping sauce for these!! Yum.

Storing Chipotle Mayo Sauce 

Chipotle mayo will last for about two weeks in the fridge. Make the amount you can use up in that time (and then be prepared to make more when you underestimate your love of chipotle mayo). 

Oh, and don’t freeze it. Mayo is an emulsion, meaning that its ingredients will separate if their temperature conditions change so dramatically. Just call a friend and tell them if they’ll bring the fries, you’ll supply the sauce.

More sauce and dressing ideas!

• Garlic Aioli (Classic and Cheater Versions) << put this on any sandwich, dip all your fries. So good.
• Creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing << the first ingredient in most store bought ranch dressings is oil. This one, it’s buttermilk.
• How to Make Authentic Pico de Gallo << the most famous Mexican salsa! Worth all the hype.
• Killer Red Enchilada Sauce That’s Done in 10 Minutes << so fast, so delicious!
• How to Make Easy Chimichurri Sauce << Use this as a marinade and topping for literally any meat.
• Fry Sauce Recipe from The Dinner Bite
• Comeback Sauce Recipe from She Wears Many Hats
• Cowboy Butter Dipping Sauce from Eat Well 101