Chipotle Mayonnaise is the Mexican Secret Sauce that will elevate your favorite meals with the smoky allure of chipotle peppers seamlessly blended into creamy mayonnaise. This sauce is perfect for dipping, dolloping, and delighting your taste buds. Whether you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, a fry enthusiast, or a seafood lover, this easy-to-make Chipotle Mayonnaise is about to become your new kitchen essential.
There's a certain satisfaction in creating a condiment that not only elevates the taste of your favorite dishes but also adds a personal touch to your recipes. Many times it's those small little touches, like adding homemade chipotle mayo, that can make a simple meal memorable. When it's super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients that are pantry staples, it's a no-brainer.
Chipotle mayonnaise is a sauce that amplifies the ordinary into the extraordinary, turning a simple plate of fries, grilled chicken, or shrimp into a gourmet experience. You can add it to tacos, burritos, enchiladas and salads. The homemade touch allows you to tailor the spice level to your liking, ensuring that every bite is perfectly suited to your palate.
If you love this recipe, you should also try my Homemade Bang Bang Sauce.
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Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – Use your favorite store-bought mayonnaise from the grocery store or make it from scratch.
- Adobo Sauce – Adobo is typically made with a combination of chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, and various spices, delivering depth and complexity to the sauce. It is smoky and spicy.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright and zesty kick and a refreshing element that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and the smokiness of the adobo sauce.
- Paprika – This spice contributes a subtle sweetness and a vibrant red color to the Chipotle Mayonnaise. You can also use smoked paprika.
- Chili Powder – Introducing a bit of heat, chili powder enhances the spiciness of the sauce without overpowering the other flavors. It adds warmth and complexity to the overall taste profile.
- Salt – Kosher salt enhances all of the flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chipotle Mayo
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix until combined.
- Store in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 2 weeks.
Hint: Adjust the quantities of adobo sauce and chili powder to control the spice level adding more if you prefer a spicier sauce.
Variations
- Vegan Chipotle Mayo - Substitute the mayonnaise with a vegan mayo or silken tofu.
- Make It Lighter - Use a light mayo or plain greek yogurt for a healthier sauce. You can also use sour cream.
- Extra Smoky - If you want to intensify the smokiness of the sauce, consider using smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. It adds an extra layer of depth and enhances the overall smoky profile.
- Customize It – Feel free to get creative by adding minced garlic, finely chopped cilantro, or a dash of cayenne pepper for additional flavor dimensions.
Storage
Store the Chipotle Mayonnaise in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If made with storebought mayo, it will keep for about a week. If using homemade mayo, use within 3 days.
We do not recommend freezing this.
Top Tips
- Adjust the amounts of adobo and chili powder to control the spiciness of the sauce.
- Whisk or stir by hand or use an immersion blender or food processor to ensure all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- The flavors in the Chipotle Mayonnaise will continue to develop and meld over time. If possible, refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to harmonize and enhance the overall taste.
- Don't limit yourself to traditional uses. Experiment with using the Chipotle Mayonnaise as a dipping sauce for fries, a spread for sandwiches, or a topping for grilled vegetables. Its versatility makes it a delightful addition to various dishes.
FAQ
Adobo sauce comes in small cans ususally with the chipotles in the can with the sauce. Simply scoop the sauce out of the can with a spoon. You can also blend some of the peppers with the sauce until smooth then add it to the mayonnaise mixture.
To reduce the spiciness, start by using less adobo sauce and chili powder. You can also increase the amount of mayonnaise or add a small amount of honey or sugar to balance the heat.
Chipotle Mayo is incredibly versatile. Use it as a dipping sauce for fries, chicken, or shrimp. Spread it on sandwiches or burgers, or use it as a flavorful topping for chicken tacos, enchiladas, burritos, grilled vegetables, or shrimp. Get creative and explore different culinary pairings!
More Homemade Condiment Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
This versatile sauce makes a delicious dip, spread, marinade or dressing. A few of our favorite pairings include:
- The Best Brunch Burger Recipe with Bacon and Fried Egg
- Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Cabbage Slaw
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Crispy Oven Fried Zucchini Chips
If you like this Chipotle Mayo recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Chipotle Mayonnaise
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Adobo Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Lime Juice
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix until combined.
- Store in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
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Yu says
This Chipotle mayonnaise recipe is simple and delicious, with a good balance of flavors. I used it on my air fryer chicken fingers for lunch earlier, and I like it. Thank you for sharing!
Kathryn says
Love this spread on just about anything! It's so easy to make so I love having this around in my fridge to use any time!
Savita says
This easy chipotle mayonnaise is a flavor-packed game-changer for any dish! The creamy mayo takes on a smoky and spicy twist with the addition of chipotle, creating a versatile condiment that adds a bold kick to sandwiches, burgers, tacos, or as a zesty dipping sauce.
Alexandra says
This is the perfect recipe to enhance a simple store bought mayonnaise. We loved the balance of flavors and served alongside some sweet potato wedges. Next time I would like to try your suggestion of chopped cilantro too 🙂
Megane says
The easy chipotle mayo was an absolute flavor bomb! We dolloped it on some grilled chicken sandwiches, and it gave them the perfect kick. Thanks a bunch for sharing this tasty and quick recipe! 🌶️🥪👩🍳😋
Jessica says
We used the extra smokey version on shrimp and it was fantastic, my husband was raving. I'm going to use up the leftovers in a salad dressing like you recommend. Love this versatile sauce!
Veronika says
Loved the smoky chipotle flavor of this mayo! it definitely beats my usual spicy mayo with just sriracha.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Your chipotle mayo is so yummy and incredibly easy to make! I had all of the ingredients on hand and paired it with some smoked pork loin for sandwiches! So good!
Sean says
This mayo is so easy to make and the adobo and lime juice take this mayo to another level.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love this chipotle mayo. We had it with shrimps. So delicious!