This 4-ingredient easy chipotle mayo sauce is full of fresh, bold flavors. Whip it up in 5 minutes and keep it in the fridge as a spicy condiment to top all your favorite foods.
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Pop a dollop of this chipotle sauce on grilled southwest burgers or shrimp tacos with slaw. It’s also the perfect dip for vegetables and gives them a smack of savory goodness.
The ingredients get whizzed around in a food processor. Super simple, and yet this smokey and spicy sauce is a total game changer on fries, veggies, burgers, and more.
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Why You Will Love this Recipe
- Goes with everything: this versatile chipotle mayo sauce is the perfect creamy condiment for all your favorites. We love it as a spicy burger sauce, but it’s also great with tacos, potato wedges, or crispy fried fish.
- Quick and easy to make: Make this easy chipotle mayo recipe as a condiment to a last-minute meal.
- Customize the heat level: Dial the heat level up or down by changing the chipotle and adobo sauce ratio.
- Crowd-pleaser: Your guests will be impressed that you made your own homemade sauce.
What is Adobo Sauce?
Adobo sauce is a rich and flavorful sauce commonly used in Filipino and Mexican food. It is a critical component of many traditional dishes in these culinary traditions. Adobo sauce typically consists of a blend of ingredients that contribute to its distinct taste.
In Mexican cuisine, adobo sauce is a blend of:
- dried chili peppers (such as ancho or guajillo peppers)
- vinegar
- garlic
- spices (such as cumin, oregano, and paprika)
- Other ingredients like onions or tomatoes.
These ingredients are ground together into a paste or sauce, which is then used as a marinade or simmering sauce for meats, poultry, or vegetables. The sauce has smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors.
In Filipino cuisine, adobo sauce is slightly different. It is made by simmering a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The sauce is used as a marinade and cooking liquid for meat (often pork or chicken) and sometimes seafood. Filipino adobo sauce has a tangy and savory taste, with a hint of sweetness from the soy sauce.
It's important to note that the term "adobo" can refer to both the sauce and the cooking technique of marinating or braising meat in the sauce. Adobo dishes are highly regarded for their ability to preserve and enhance the flavors of the main ingredient.
Ingredients for Chipotle Mayo Sauce
- Mayonnaise: Choose a creamy, thick mayo for a premium feel to your sauce.
- Can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: 2 whole chipotle peppers in 1 teaspoon of adobo sauce for a medium-heat sauce.
- Lime juice: fresh is best for the brightest flavor. You can use bottled lime juice as an alternative, though.
- Garlic: Add fresh or roasted garlic for a more decadent sauce. Garlic powder is an excellent addition if you don’t have fresh.
- Salt: Season the sauce and taste it before removing it from the food processor.
Variations
- Make it herbaceous: Add some fresh cilantro to your chipotle southwest sauce to compliment the lime.
- Vary the heat: More or less chipotles and/or adobo sauce, depending on spice level preference. You can also throw in a pinch of chili powder or chipotle powder for extra flavor and heat.
- Sour cream: Use half sour cream and half mayonnaise to tone down the mayo flavor.
- Vegan version: Choose a vegan mayo or Greek yogurt to make this a vegan chipotle mayo.
How to Make Chipotle Mayo
Homemade Chipotle mayo uses a few simple ingredients and adds a burst of flavor to a variety of meals. Impress your guests (and yourself!) with how delicious and simple this creamy sauce is.
Step 1: In a small food processor, add mayonnaise, chipotle peppers with desired amount of adobo sauce, garlic, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a pinch of salt. You can also add all ingredients to a bowl and use an immersion blender.
Step 2: Pulse food processor until mixture is smooth (some chipotle chucks may remain). Scrap down the sides of the food processor as needed.
Step 3: Serve chipotle southwest sauce with fish tacos, crab cakes, as a spread on sandwiches and burgers, or as a creamy dip for French fries and veggies.
This chipotle mayonnaise recipe is a perfectly smokey and spicy sauce for burgers! Find the best sides with sandwiches and add this sauce to your plate.
Expert Tips
- Taste as you go: Balancing the flavors is key here. Check that the balance of salt and sour lime is on point.
- Clean the sides of the food processor: Occasionally scrap down the sides of food processor and pulse again as needed. This will ensure all ingredients get combined well.
- Rest the sauce: Give the ingredients a chance to meld before serving. This isn’t necessary, just a plus if you can.
Recipe FAQs
Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeño peppers known for their smoky and slightly sweet flavor.
One of our favorite things to do with this chipotle sauce is spread it on our southwest burgers. It’s also the perfect condiment for spicy shrimp tacos, quesadillas, crab cakes, fries, and vegetables, like air fryer green beans.
Mayo and aioli are similar, but the key difference is that mayo is made with a neutral oil, egg yolks, and vinegar or lemon juice. In contrast, aioli is a garlic-flavored version that traditionally uses garlic, olive oil, and egg yolks as its base ingredients.
Storage
Chipotle mayo should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerated for up to a week. However, please note that this is a general guideline, and the freshness can vary depending on the ingredients used. Always use your best judgment and check for any signs of spoilage before consuming.
We do not recommend freezing this sauce because the freezing and thawing process will change the texture.
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If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Enjoy!
Easy Chipotle Mayo Sauce
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Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a small food processor add mayonnaise, chipotle peppers with desired amount of sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt.
- Pulse food processor until mixture is smooth (some chipotle chucks may remain). Scrap down the sides of the food processor and pulse again as needed.
Notes
- Serve chipotle mayo sauce with fish tacos, as a spread on sandwiches and burgers, or as a dip for fries and veggies.
- Use more or less chipotles and/or adobo sauce, depending on spice level preference. You can also add a pinch of chili powder or chipotle powder for extra heat.
- Give the ingredients a chance to rest and meld before serving. This isn’t necessary, just a plus if you have the time.
Beverly
This sauce is so good, we have been putting it on everything!