Baja Style Chipotle Sauce
8
on Mar 15, 2021
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Creamy, spicy, and bright, this Baja Style Chipotle Sauce is pure condiment perfection. Once you whip up a batch of this easy, 5-minute sauce, I can basically guarantee you’ll be drizzling it on everything from fish tacos to french fries.
You know how people call good things the “cherry on top of a sundae” or “the frosting on the cake?” Well, in my house, the things to be grateful for are “the chipotle sauce on top of a taco.” This addictive sauce is a great condiment to have in your fridge.
Why I Love This Recipe
With just four ingredients and almost no effort, you can make your own (mostly) homemade creamy chipotle sauce. All you need is a food processor or blender and a minute or two of prep to get it on the table!
This yummy Baja sauce recipe is also quite forgiving. Feel free to use crema Mexicana, sour cream, or Greek yogurt. I usually reach for a lemon (both zest and juice are important here!), but you can also opt for limes. And, since you’re making the sauce for yourself, feel free to increase the heat to your preference. I personally like it spicy and use two chipotle peppers.
Once you make this Baja-style chipotle sauce, it’ll be your new go-to ingredient to turn anything from ho-hum to WOW!
Not only is it the perfect sauce for drizzling on fish tacos, it’s also an excellent dipping sauce for french fries and an awesome swap for mayo on your favorite sandwiches. It also pairs beautifully drizzled on Fried Avocado Tacos. We basically put this yummy, creamy, and spicy sauce on everything and I bet you will, too.
What Are Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce?
Chipotle peppers start their life journey as jalapeño peppers. The jalapeños are then smoked and dried to create chipotles. Cool, right?
For this recipe, I call for canned chipotles in adobo sauce. You should be able to find them in the canned section of your grocery store (possibly in the “ethnic” section).
Adobo sauce is a tangy and spicy sauce. When it is packed with chipotles, it also takes on some of the smoky flavors of the smoked peppers. In short, this one little can is absolutely packed to the gills with flavor.
How to Make Creamy Chipotle Baja Sauce
Aside from opening a can of chipotles in adobo, the only prep you need to do is zesting and juicing a lemon. Be sure to remove just the bright yellow part of the citrus skin, as the white part is pretty bitter.
Once you have the zest ready to go, give the lemon a firm roll on your counter for about 10 to 15 seconds to help release the juice from the flesh.
Toss the crema, zest, juice, chipotle, and salt into the blending device of your choice. Whiz it up until combined, and voíla! Your creamy chipotle Baja sauce is ready to use.
Serving and Storage
Now that you’ve done yourself the favor of making this yummy Baja-style chipotle sauce, you’re ready to dig in! While it can be used in myriad applications, here are a few dishes to get you started:
- Fish Tacos
- Fried Avocado Tacos
- Chicken Tacos
- Beer Battered Baja Fish Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos
- Lobster Tacos
- Savory BLT Waffles
- Slow Cooker Pork Tinga Flautas
- Healthy Homemade Crunchwrap
This creamy sauce is a great substitute for mayo on your favorite torta or sandwiches! However you opt to use this creamy sauce, I have a feeling you’re going to be just as obsessed! Once made, the chipotle sauce will keep in the refrigerator for one week.
TIP: I highly recommend investing in a squeeze top bottle for easy serving and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! It should last in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days after making.
Sure! I’d recommend swapping in either mayonnaise or some dairy free plain greek yogurt.
If you’re wondering what to do with those leftover chipotles and adobo sauce after making my Baja-style creamy chipotle sauce, here are some recipes for you:
- Chicken Tinga
- Maple Syrup Chipotle Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad
For even more ideas, check out this fun post from Bon Appètit.
Love making sauce?
If you made this simple recipe for homemade Baja-Style Chipotle Sauce, please be sure to rate and review it below!
Baja Style Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup crema Mexicana or sour cream
- 1 to 2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, combine crema, chipotle in adobo and sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice, and salt until smooth; transfer to a small bowl.1 cup crema Mexicana or sour cream, 1 to 2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- If your sauce is too thick, you can add a little water to desired consistency.
Notes
Drizzled on:
- Fish Tacos
- Fried Avocado Tacos
- Chicken Tacos
- Beer Battered Baja Fish Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos
- Lobster Tacos
- Savory BLT Waffles
- Slow Cooker Pork Tinga Flautas
- Healthy Homemade Crunchwrap
- Poke Bowls
Slathered on:
As a dipping sauce for:
- Chicken wings
- French fries
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Raemi Vermiglio
Since you are only using on or two peppers so how do you store the rest of the can of chipotles in adobo. Thank you
I usually freeze leftover chipotle peppers in a small ziplock bag. Make sure to label them 😉
The instructions do not specify how much water. Can you please send the amount of water.
If your sauce is too thick, you can add a little water to desired consistency.
I noticed the recipe says to mix with water as well, however I do not see any water in the ingredients list.. Any suggestions with that?
If your sauce is too thick, you can add a little water to desired consistency.
Love it must try
I can’t wait to try this Recipe