Chipotle Lime Sauce is one of the easiest and quickest recipes to bring out all the bold, classic flavors of chipotle and Mexican cuisine. It's perfect for drizzling over meat, adding to tortilla wraps, or simply using as a dip.
As I'm from a family that loves bold flavors, this sauce is an all-time favorite in our home.
The combination of smoky heat from chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, paired with tangy lime and a creamy base, creates a beautiful and flavorful sauce with a smooth, smoky-orange finish that's easy to prepare in just a couple of minutes.
This sauce is thick and luscious, making it perfect for everyday use. You can also blend this to a coarse texture for a rustic style, just like our chili-lime vinaigrette.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️It's super easy and quick to make.
⭐️Restaurant-style flavors,
⭐️Versatile & Family's favorite!
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: I used light mayo, but if you want to make it even lighter, feel free to swap some of it with Greek yogurt.
- Sour Cream: This helps balance the smoky chipotle.
- Chipotle Peppers & Adobo Sauce: I used canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce-they usually come in small cans with about 15 to 20 peppers inside. You only need two peppers for this recipe.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Adds that perfect zesty brightness.
- Honey: Provides a hint of sweetness that's needed for this recipe.
- Garlic and onion powder: These two simple spices beautifully round out the sauce's flavor profile. Just a little goes a long way!
How To Make Chipotle Lime Sauce
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, honey, onion, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper.
- Blend it and enjoy as a sauce or as a dip.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This chipotle lime sauce has a medium level of heat with a noticeable kick, but not overpowering. It's balanced with creamy mayonnaise and tangy sour cream.
If you find it too spicy, try using just one chipotle pepper instead of two-or even half of one for a milder kick. You can also use more adobo sauce and skip the whole peppers altogether.
Adjust to suit your spice level and enjoy it just the way you like!
The Leftovers
- You can store the chipotle lime sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Before serving, give it a quick stir to restore its creamy smoothness.
- I don't recommend freezing it, though-the mayo tends to separate, and the texture won't be the same once thawed.
FAQ
Chipotle lime sauce is an American-style sauce with Mexican influences. It's smoky, spicy, tangy, and full of bold flavor. It pairs fabulously with many main dishes and brings a zesty kick to anything you drizzle it on.
This is a super versatile sauce! Drizzle it over tacos, burritos, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, or salads. You can also use it as a dip for fries, roasted veggies, or even tortilla chips.
Sour cream adds extra creaminess and a mild tang to the sauce, but you can skip it if you prefer a milder flavor. It won't significantly affect the overall flavor. If you prefer, you can swap it with Greek yogurt or just leave it out altogether.
Feel free to add chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for a burst of freshness. A little honey or orange juice will bring a sweet or citrusy twist to balance the heat.
I recommend using canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce-they add a deep, smoky flavor that's hard to beat. But if that's not available, chipotle powder can be a substitute. Just note that the flavor will be different, and it might turn into a whole new sauce-but it will still be delicious!
More Flavorful Recipes To Try
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📖 Recipe
Chipotle Lime Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce canned
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the same can)
- 1½ tablespoons lime juice (about one lime)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a blender jar or food processor, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, honey, salt, and ground black pepper.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- And enjoy drizzling it over tacos, wraps, burgers, salads, grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted veggies!
Notes
- Swap light mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Use 1 chipotle pepper or just adobo sauce to reduce the heat; blend on a coarse setting for a rustic style.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; stir before serving.
- Not freezer-friendly-mayonnaise will separate and affect the texture after thawing.
Nutrition
Additional Info
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