Chipotle Lime Sauce
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This easy Chipotle Lime Sauce uses only 6 ingredients to transform chipotle peppers in adobo into a creamy, balanced sauce you can use as a drizzle, spread, dip, and so much more.
It’s been a long time since I bought bottled sauce from the store. Between learning how to make vinaigrettes, to discovering how easy things like Asiago cream or Dijon cream sauce are to whip up, I haven’t seen the need for purchasing bottled sauces.
They usually fail to impress with flavor, and I can often make them with basic ingredients I already have on hand. Also…is it just me that is freaked out by how long bottled dressing lasts?.
This chipotle lime sauce is another addition to my homemade sauce lineup. It’s flavorful, SO EASY, and made with simple ingredients. No preservatives, just pure honest ingredients that make it tasty.
6 Ingredient Chipotle Mayo
There are just 6 super easy things you need to make this sauce and they create a finished product that’s balanced between creamy, spicy, and zesty.
- Mayonnaise – I was pregnant when developing this so I did use prepared mayonnaise (pasteurized), but feel free to use homemade mayo!
- Chipotle Peppers in adobo – one can of these babies goes a loooong way. Just one or two is all you need for this recipe depending on how spicy you like it.
- Lime – you’ll need 1 lime, zested and juiced. In a pinch, bottled juice works.
- Honey – a little sweetener for balance is essential. You can also use agave or maple syrup.
- Salt & Cumin – These two pantry staples are the only additional seasonings you’ll need. Be sure to use ground cumin.
A tip on chipotle peppers…if you’re like us and don’t have the spice tolerance to slam a can of adobo peppers down in a week, then learning to store them is essential.
I like to separate each pepper with a dollop of sauce into ice cube trays and freeze them. Then I just pop a cube out for whatever I’m making.
Tips for Making & Storing Chipotle Lime Sauce
There’s not much to this recipe…just BLEND! But I do have some tips for getting those flavors just right and keeping it fresh.
- Scrape down the blender – that mayo tends to cling and for a truly creamy, even sauce, we want everything to blend together properly. Scrape it down and blend again.
- Salt to taste – I add a pinch, blend, then taste. If I need more I add another pinch and blend again. Repeat until it’s just right.
- Spice it up – I have a 3 year old, so 1 pepper with a teaspoon or so of adobo sauce is perfect. But add up to 2 or 3 peppers if you like it really spicy.
- Don’t skimp on the lime – I like 3 tablespoons of lime juice per batch, that’s usually about 1 large juicy lime. If you’re working with tiny or dry ones, juice more if needed to get the right consistency and flavor.
- Store in the fridge for 2 weeks – keep it in an airtight container.
I know I’ll be asked the all important question: can I use yogurt instead of mayo? To be plain, yes! Go for it. A lot of home cooks swap greek yogurt for mayo for its health benefits.
But I’ll be blunt, I simply don’t like it. The tang is overpowering for me in a sauce like this and I think mayo produces a much nicer result. I’d start with half mayo, half yogurt to begin.
All the Tasty Ways to Use It…
There’s really no limit on how you can use a jar of chipotle lime sauce. It’s key to our Chipotle Shrimp Bowls, delicious on top of Rockfish Tacos, Pollo Asado Tacos, and can make dipping Twice Fried French Fries something special.
But let your imagination do the work! Use it as a sandwich spread, a dressing for a salad or slaw, or a veggie dipper when you’re bored with ranch. It’s that good, I promise.
I hope you like slathering, spreading, and savoring it as much as we do, and don’t forget to check out these other tasty sauce recipes while you’re here!
- Maple Mustard Vinaigrette
- Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Red Pepper Aioli
- Lemon Dill Vinaigrette
Chipotle Lime Sauce
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 1 whole chipotle pepper in adobo* +1 teaspoon of adobo sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy.
- Scrape down blender, and repeat. Taste, add adjust with more lime, adobo sauce, or salt if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information and cooking times are provided as a best estimate. Values may vary based upon ingredients and equipment.
Sorry for the typo. Meant *your* recipes!!
I can’t wait to try this.. always looking for ways to use Adobe chipotle peppers… Loving you recipes… Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tammy, thanks so much for letting me know you’ve been enjoying my recipes. You made my day!