This chipotle mayo recipe is a great smoky, tangy, slightly spicy condiment that you're going to want to put on everything! Tone the spice down or up depending on personal preference and easily make it vegan with a simple swap.
The first time I ever cooked with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, I added a fraction of the amount that the recipe called for, but everyone was still profusely sweating and dousing the food with any cooling sauce we could find.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce aren't messing around and can make you want to jump in the nearest milk bath if you're not careful. These babies pack some serious heat, so the key to getting that nice smoky flavor without knocking you on your ass is to balance them out.
Something I didn't really know about that first time around.
Ingredients for Chipotle Lime Mayo
- mayonnaise - either vegan or regular
- chipotles in adobo sauce
- lime zest - this adds a very lime forward flavor
- lime juice - adds plenty of tang that cuts through the rich mayonnaise and also helps to balance out the heat of the peppers
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- salt
Make It Your Way: Ingredient Substitutions
Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.
How can you make this chipotle lime mayo using what you already have? Here are some ideas…
- No mayo? ➝ use cashew cream instead for more of a crema style sauce
- No limes? ➝ you can also use lemon for both the juice and zest
- No chipotles? ➝ if you can't find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, you can also use chipotle powder (not the same thing as chili powder) - start with one teaspoon and add more as needed
- No onion powder? ➝ just leave it out
- No garlic powder? ➝ use fresh or omit altogether
Tools Needed
- blender - especially if using chipotle peppers. This is the easiest way to integrate the chipotle peppers, lime zest, juice, and spices seamlessly into the mayo.
- jar or bottle - for storing your chipotle mayo
Helpful Tips For Making The Best Chipotle Mayo
Avoid Burning Hands
Use a fork to transfer the chipotle peppers from the can to the base of your blender. This eliminates any possible burning of fingers. A fork is also a great tool to help you shake off any excess sauce on the peppers.
Adjusting the spiciness level
Chipotle peppers vary in size, so if two aren't enough for you, add another one or more adobo sauce. This chipotle lime mayo recipe has a lot of lime flavor on the front end and has a hint of spiciness on the backend without being overly spicy.
If you want it less spicy, omit the adobo sauce.
Food Waste Tip
Store the leftover chipotle peppers and adobo sauce in a tightly sealed container in the freezer for a couple of months, so the next time you want to make chipotle mayo, you'll already have some on hand.
How to Store
Store the mayo in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator for about 10-12 days.
More Sauce Recipes
Chipotle Lime Mayo
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo vegan or regular
- zest and juice of 1 lime about 2 tablespoons juice
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or more if needed
- 2 teaspoons adobo sauce or more if needed
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the base of a blender and blend until just combined.
- Taste and adjust the flavors as needed - more lime juice for tanginess, more adobo sauce or chipotle peppers for heat, or more salt for a balanced flavor.
- Makes 1 heaping cup.
Notes
- How can you make this chipotle lime mayo using what you already have? Here are some ideas…
- No mayo? ➝ use cashew cream instead for more of a crema style sauce
- No limes? ➝ you can also use lemon for both the juice and zest
- No chipotles? ➝ if you can't find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, you can also use chipotle powder (not the same thing as chili powder) - start with one teaspoon and add more as needed
- No onion powder? ➝ just leave it out
- No garlic powder? ➝ use fresh or omit altogether
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