This creamy chipotle sauce recipe will bring a whole lot of flavor to your dinner table! It's smoky, spicy, a little tangy and just what you need to level up tacos, fries, burgers, and more. Whip it up from scratch in just 5 minutes!
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If you like it hot, you're going to love this chipotle crema. My recipe uses a whole can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for an extra spicy kick. This is my go-to sauce for zucchini tacos, sweet potato nachos, or anything that needs a little heat.
📖Why My Recipe Works
No mayo here! It's too heavy and overpowers the other flavors. Sour cream is lighter and lets the chipotle flavor shine.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Chipotle Peppers- Use the whole can if you like it spicy, like me, or reduce to just a few peppers for a milder sauce. The peppers should say in adobe sauce, do not use dried peppers in this recipe.
- Sour Cream - The creamy base of the sauce. You can substitute with plain Greek yogurt, but you might end up with a tangier sauce.
- Milk - To thin out the sauce, but you can also use a splash of water or vegetable oil.
- Lime - We're using both lime juice and zest.
- Garlic - A small clove adds a lot of flavor. Don't skip!
- Cumin - Just a pinch adds a warm, earthy flavor.
⏲️How to Make Chipotle Sauce
- Use a high-speed blender to blend the ingredients until you have a smooth, creamy, and lump-free sauce. Scrape down the sides if needed to blend everything.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more of milk at a time until you get the right consistency. Taste and adjust the flavors before transferring to a bowl.
🥗How to Use Chipotle Sauce
This chipotle sauce has so many uses, you might start wondering what you can't put it on. My favorite way is to serve them with tacos-bean and cheese tacos, shrimp tacos, or fish tacos. It just works.
It's also perfect for drizzling over beef nachos, avocado corn salad, a wagyu burger, or a roasted veggie sandwich. And if you're craving something bold to level up your zucchini fries, potato wedges, or onion rings, this sauce has your back.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
The sauce will be very thick after it sits in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature, and whisk it well before serving.
Common Recipe Questions
Using a whole can of chipotles already gives it a kick. But to put it up another notch, try adding ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper at a time until you get your desired level of heat.
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
Spicy Chipotle Sauce with Lime
Ingredients
- 6 ounce can canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 lime zested and juiced
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and process on high until smooth.6 ounce can canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ¾ cup sour cream, 2 Tablespoons milk, 1 lime, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon cumin
- Add more milk for a thinner consistency, and adjust salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
🌡️Storing Leftovers
- The sauce will keep in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to a week. Always stir before serving.
Kathy says
Delicious on fries