Learn how to make this easy Chipotle Mayo recipe! You are going to want to put this homemade sauce on EVERYTHING you guys. It is the best secret sauce for so many Mexican inspired meals! Chipotle mayo is creamy and smooth, with a little bit of heat from the chipotles and a touch of smokey flavor from the peppers themselves and additional smoked paprika. Cilantro and lime round out the flavors perfectly. Then put. it. on. everything.
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.
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.
How to make Chipotle Mayo
Here are all the ingredients you need! It couldn’t be easier.
- mayo
- chipotle peppers
- adobo sauce from the chipotle can
- cilantro
- lime
- salt and pepper
- smoked paprika
- cumin, for that earthy flavor that makes you love Mexican food so much!
Blend it all up and that is IT. Literally takes 5 minutes.
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!
Canned Chipotle Peppers
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?
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.
What to make with this Chipotle Mayo!
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.
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.
The Best Chipotle Mayo
Ingredients
- 1 & 1/2 cups high quality mayonnaise
- 3-6 chipotle peppers from a can
- 2-3 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can
- 1/4 cup cilantro, packed
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, use 1/4 tsp for table salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth!
- Start with 3 small chipotle peppers and move up from there. If you are nervous about it being too spicy, start with 1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce, or omit entirely. (But I really love the flavor the adobo adds!)
- Add more lime juice if you want more zing.
- Thin it out with a little bit of water or milk if you want a drizzling consistency. Start by adding a tablespoon at a time and be careful of adding too much, you don't want to mute the flavors.
- Store leftovers in handy squeeze bottles so you're always ready for any chipotle mayo situation!!
How long will this last in the refrigerator
Hi Wensy! This chipotle mayo stays fresh for about 2 weeks in the fridge. Enjoy!
Hi Karen, made this today to have with BBQ’d chicken skewers and salad. Very nice!
Question please – how long do you think the sauce will last in the fridge and could it be frozen?
Thanks,
Woznme.
Hi Woznme! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This would be so good with chicken skewers! And no, sadly this sauce cannot be frozen. It will break in the freezer and when you try to thaw it. (It will not be smooth anymore). But it keeps in the fridge for quite some time (a few weeks at the least!)