Chipotle Crema (Spicy Taco Sauce)

I'm a big believer that tacos don't need much, but they do need a good sauce. And I love making homemade sauces! I love that this sauce is bold without being overpowering. The chipotle adds just enough smoky heat, the sour cream keeps it balanced, and the lime brightens everything up.

This chipotle sauce recipe is the one I make on repeat because it takes just a few minutes and instantly upgrades whatever meal I'm making, whether it's tacos, rice bowls, or a quick quesadilla.

My Favorite Spicy Taco Sauce

Chipotle crema is kind of sauce that works with almost anything, which is exactly why there's always a jar of it in my fridge.

• Smoky, creamy, and balanced: Chipotle peppers add deep smoky heat while sour cream keeps the sauce smooth and not overpowering.
• Made with just five ingredients: No fillers, no complicated steps, and everything here earns its place.
• Ready in minutes: A quick blend in the food processor is all it takes, making this an easy weeknight sauce.
• Easy to customize the heat: Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to make it milder or spicier based on your preference.

Ingredient Notes

Each ingredient in this chipotle crema is intentionally simple and chosen to create a smooth, smoky sauce that's bold but balanced.

• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce provide smoky heat and depth. Using the peppers (not just the adobo sauce) gives you that signature chipotle flavor, while still allowing you to control the heat level by adding more or fewer peppers.
• Sour cream creates the creamy base and keeps the sauce rich without feeling heavy. It also tempers the spice from the chipotles, making this a balanced taco sauce instead of an overpowering one.

Variation: If you prefer a richer, more mayo-forward sauce, you can use ½ cup sour cream and ½ cup mayonnaise instead of a full cup of sour cream.

• Lime juice brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness.
• A single garlic clove adds savory backbone without competing with the chipotle flavor. Fresh garlic works best here for clean, sharp flavor.
• Salt ties everything together and sharpens the flavors. Start with a small amount and adjust after blending.

Heat-Level Variations

• Mild: Use 1-2 chipotle peppers and scrape out the seeds before blending for smoky flavor with minimal heat.
• Medium (as written): Use 3 chipotle peppers for a balanced level of smoky spice that's flavorful without overpowering.
• Spicy: Use 4-5 chipotle peppers or add a spoonful of the adobo sauce for extra heat and deeper chipotle flavor.

Pro tip: Start with fewer peppers, blend, and taste before adding more. You can always turn up the heat, but you can't take it back.

How to Make Chipotle Crema

This quick method shows you how to make smooth, smoky chipotle crema in minutes using a food processor or blender.

Step 1: Add the chipotle peppers, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, and salt to a small food processor or blender.

Step 2: Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and silky, scraping down the sides as needed.

Serving Suggestions

This chipotle crema is incredibly versatile and works anywhere you want a little smoky heat and creaminess.

• Drizzle it over tacos: It's especially good on baked beef tacos, beer battered shrimp tacos, and Baja fish tacos.
• Serve with quesadillas or taquitos: Use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it on top for added richness and spice.
• Finish rice bowls: A spoonful over barbacoa bowls, burrito bowls, veggie taco bowls, or simple rice and protein bowls instantly pulls everything together.

Storage

Store chipotle crema in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before using, as the sauce may thicken slightly as it chills. If the crema thickens too much in the fridge, stir in a teaspoon or two of water or lime juice to loosen it back up.

This sauce actually gets better with time! Making it a few hours, or even a day, ahead allows the flavors to meld.

I do not recommend freezing this crema because our cream-based sauces can separate and develop a grainy texture once thawed.