Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of creamy chipotle sauce garnished with cilantro.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Creamy Chipotle Sauce Recipe (for tacos, dips & more)

This Creamy Chipotle Sauce is the perfect balance of smoky, creamy, salty and spicy. It is my go-to sauce for tacos (especially fish tacos), burritos, and bowls. Best of all, it comes together in under 15 minutes!
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 20 Servings
Author: Luay Ghafari
Cost: $8

Ingredients

  • 1 can Chipotles in adobo - 7 oz can
  • ½ cup Sour cream - Or Mexican crema
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
  • ½ tsp Ground cumin
  • ½ tsp Mexican oregano - Or regular dried oregano
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • White sugar (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  • Prepare the peppers. Using gloves, remove any stems and seeds from the chipotle peppers. You only need the flesh and juice.
  • Blend. Add the peppers to a blender or food processor. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, oregano, a bit of salt and pepper. Blend until you have a smooth sauce.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Taste the sauce. It should be smoky, salty, sweet and a bit spicy. Make any adjustments you like at this point. You can add some sugar to balance the heat but it’s not necessary.
  • Serve. Transfer your sauce to a bowl and garnish with optional cilantro. You can also transfer the sauce to a squeeze bottle.

Notes

See the blog post above for step-by-step recipe photos.
Important ingredient notes:
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo: Sold in small cans, this standard Mexican product can now be found at most if not all grocery stores. You can also get it online or at your local Mexican or Latin market. They give the sauce its distinct smoky heat flavor. Use them in my Chipotle hot sauce recipe. 
  • Cumin: Cumin powder is a classic Mexican ingredient. It’s a warm spice that adds another layer of great flavor to the overall sauce.
  • Mexican Oregano: Not everyone has access to Mexican Oregano. You can certainly substitute for regular dried oregano.
Optional additions: garlic powder, fresh garlic, olive oil, cayenne pepper or chili powder (for a spicier sauce).

Nutrition

Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.3mg