Calling all flavor lovers! This Chipotle Mayo Recipe is my go-to kitchen secret for instantly upgrading burgers, tacos, sandwiches, fries…and honestly, just about anything. Smoky chipotle peppers blended into velvety mayonnaise with a splash of zesty lime—each spoonful bursts with bold Southwestern flair and irresistible creaminess. If you’re craving something that transforms the everyday into showstopping bites, this is the condiment you’ll spoon (or slather) on repeat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Smoky & Creamy Perfection: You get the bold, smoky heat of chipotle perfectly mellowed by velvety mayo—addictive balance in every bite.
- Ridiculously Easy & Fast: Toss everything in a blender and you’ve got a gourmet sauce in just 5 minutes—no fancy skills needed.
- Super Versatile: This Chipotle Mayo Recipe turns the simplest meal into something special—use it as a dip, spread, or drizzle on your favorite dishes.
- Customizable Heat: Adjust the spice level from mild to fiery with a quick tweak—personalize to your perfect taste!
Ingredients You’ll Need
In true Chipotle Mayo Recipe fashion, the magic is in just a few powerhouse ingredients! Every element brings a punch of flavor—so select your favorites and get ready for creamy, smoky goodness.
- Mayonnaise: This is your luxurious base—use real, full-fat mayo for the richest texture (but light mayo works, too!).
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Smoky, deep, mildly spicy, and the star flavor profile; just one goes a long way, but you can dial up or down to your taste.
- Adobo Sauce: A tablespoon from the can infuses even more smokiness and a touch of tang—don’t skip it!
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the flavors and bring out the savory notes.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a warm, aromatic background that pairs beautifully with chipotle’s smoky character.
- Onion Powder: Rounds out the flavor with a subtle sweetness—another nod to Tex-Mex favorites.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed is best! A spritz adds brightness and that zesty “something extra.”
Variations
The fun of homemade chipotle mayo? How easy it is to make it your own! Whether you’re spicing things up, keeping it mild, or going vegan, this recipe adapts to every craving and need.
- Milder Version: Remove the seeds from the chipotle pepper before blending for a sauce that keeps all the smoky flavor with much less heat.
- Extra Spicy: Toss in another chipotle pepper (or more adobo sauce) for those who crave serious spice.
- Citrus Twist: Try a squeeze of lemon or a bit of orange juice instead of lime to switch up the zesty notes.
- Vegan Chipotle Mayo: Use vegan mayonnaise and you’ll have a delicious plant-based dip everyone can enjoy.
How to Make Chipotle Mayo Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Chipotle Base
Start by placing your chipotle pepper, a spoonful or so of adobo sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and a few tablespoons of mayonnaise into a small blender or food processor. Give it a good blitz! This ensures the pepper is fully pureed and the flavors meld into a bold, creamy, smoky paste—the heart of your Chipotle Mayo Recipe.
Step 2: Mix with Remaining Mayo
Now, scoop all that chipotle goodness into a bowl with the rest of your mayo. Stir thoroughly—you want that gorgeous amber swirl to run through every spoonful. Taste and adjust the salt or chipotle if you love it extra smoky or spicy. The transformation is quick but incredibly flavorful!
Step 3: Add Lime and Finish
Finally, squeeze in your fresh lime juice and give it one last mix. The citrus wakes everything up and gives the Chipotle Mayo Recipe a lively brightness. Now, it’s ready to dip, spread, or drizzle at will—taste test with a fry if you can’t wait!
Pro Tips for Making Chipotle Mayo Recipe
- Choose the Right Mayo: For the creamiest, richest Chipotle Mayo Recipe, use real, full-fat mayo—the texture makes the whole dip velvety and indulgent.
- Blending Is Key: Make sure to fully puree the chipotle—no big spicy chunks, just smooth, smoky perfection throughout your sauce.
- Chill for Full Flavor: Let the finished mayo sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (if you can wait!) to let the flavors get even deeper and smokier.
- Taste, Then Spice: Everyone’s heat preference is different—taste first, then add more chipotle or lime for your ideal balance!
How to Serve Chipotle Mayo Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your chipotle mayo with a sprinkle of smoked paprika, a dusting of chopped fresh cilantro, or a few extra lime zest curls. Each garnish adds a splash of color and a hint of freshness to the already-vibrant sauce—great for dipping or dolloping on top of your meal!
Side Dishes
The possibilities are endless! Serve this Chipotle Mayo Recipe with crispy fries, sweet potato wedges, onion rings, grilled corn, roasted veggies, or as a bold burger spread. It’s also delicious with tacos and burrito bowls for a creamy, smoky kiss of flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Try swirling the mayo into a shallow dish and topping it with colorful microgreens for a gorgeous dip at parties. Or, pipe it in neat zigzags across tacos or rice bowls. For appetizers, serve it in mini jars or spoon it alongside a sharing platter—watch your guests come back for seconds (and thirds!).
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any extra Chipotle Mayo Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge—it keeps fresh, creamy, and flavorful for up to a week. Just give it a quick stir before using, as some separation is totally normal.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for homemade mayo-based sauces like this one—the texture can separate and become grainy when thawed. Enjoy your spicy spread fresh and refrigerated for the best results.
Reheating
No reheating needed—the beauty of this chipotle mayo is it’s ready straight from the fridge! If it’s a bit thick after chilling, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and stir before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make this Chipotle Mayo Recipe without a blender?
Absolutely! Finely mince the chipotle pepper and vigorously mix everything with a fork or whisk. The texture will be a little more rustic, but you’ll still get that signature flavor.
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Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Yes—simply substitute your favorite vegan mayonnaise for the traditional kind, and you’ll have a plant-based version full of smoky, creamy goodness.
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How do I make this recipe less spicy?
To make a milder version, remove the seeds from the chipotle pepper before blending or use just a small amount of the pepper and adobo sauce. Taste and adjust until it’s perfect for you.
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Can I use this Chipotle Mayo Recipe as a marinade?
Of course! It makes a flavorful marinade (or finishing sauce) for chicken, shrimp, or tofu—just coat and let sit for extra depth before grilling or roasting.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let another meal go by without a dollop of this homemade Chipotle Mayo Recipe! It’s spicy, creamy, and so simple—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Grab those ingredients, blend up a batch, and get ready to see every dish disappear in record time. Enjoy, and let your tastebuds celebrate!
Print
Chipotle Mayo Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Chipotle Mayo recipe is a quick and easy way to add a spicy kick to your favorite dishes. Creamy, smoky, and tangy, it’s perfect for sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and more!
Ingredients
Chipotle Mayo:
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp Adobo Sauce from the can
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Lime juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Blend Chipotle Pepper: In a small blender jar, combine chipotle pepper with adobo sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and 2-3 tbsp of mayonnaise. Blend until smooth.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine chipotle puree with remaining mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly.
- Add Lime Juice: Squeeze in fresh lime juice and stir well.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust Spice Level:
- Medium spicy: The given amount in the recipe card makes the mayo medium spicy.
- Spicy: Add more chipotle peppers for extra heat.
- Mild: Remove seeds for a milder flavor.
- Extremely spicy: Refer to a chipotle sauce recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
