Baja Chipotle Sauce is a creamy, spicy sauce that can be used as a dip or spread. With a squeeze of lime juice and adobe chipotle peppers adding a sharp kick, this sauce has all the savory flavors you could want and more.
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Why this Adobo Chipotle Chili Sauce Recipe is a Keeper
This smoky southwest chipotle sauce is a copycat of the Subway chipotle southwest sauce recipe, although it tastes even better than the Subway sauce because you can make it at home! This dipping sauce has a distinct zesty flavor, and is great with grilled chicken or fish tacos, quesadillas, and more.
- 5 Minute Meal: Have this tangy, flavorful sauce ready in just 5 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: All of the ingredients for this copycat recipe for Subway chipotle sauce can likely be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Party Pleaser: A tablespoon of this sauce is great for tacos, burgers, chips, and more, making it a go-to for all your party options.
If you’re looking for more homemade sauce recipes, try these: Chipotle Ranch Dressing, Chipotle Lime Aioli, and Southwest Ranch Dressing.
What is Baja Chipotle Sauce?
Baja chipotle sauce is a creamy sauce that uses chipotle peppers, which are jalapeno peppers that have been smoked and dried. They are then canned in adobo sauce, which is a stock made of paprika, garlic, and vinegar. Chipotle in adobo has a distinct smoky flavor, and is the secret ingredient to make the perfect sauce.
Ingredient Notes for Baja Chipotle Southwest Sauce
- Lime Juice: Juice half of a fresh lime into this recipe. It’ll add a refreshing taste to this Baja sauce recipe.
- Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce: You can find chipotles in adobo sauce in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
- Mayonnaise: A half cup of mayo will make this Subway copycat sauce extra creamy. Use regular mayo or any kind you’d like, or use a low-fat mayo for a healthier option.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Spicy Baja Chipotle Sauce
- Greek Yogurt: For a healthier option, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- Chipotle Pepper Paste: If you can’t get chipotle peppers, you can make this sauce with chipotle pepper paste.
Special Equipment Needed for this Chipotle Sauce Recipe
- Blender or Food Processor: Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the ingredients and make a smooth, creamy sauce. This will allow the flavors to combine.
Pro Tip
This sauce makes a great marinade for chicken.
How to Make Subway’s Chipotle Baja Sauce
These are the basic steps for making Baja chipotle sauce. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Blend All the Ingredients
Place all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and purée until combined. Once the sauce is ready, refrigerate until ready to use.
Homemade Baja Chipotle Sauce Frequently Asked Questions
Expert Tips for Making Baja Chipotle Sauce
- Lemon: Feel free to use a drizzle of lemon juice instead of lime in this easy Baja chipotle sauce recipe.
- Thai Basil: If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can use Thai basil instead.
- Taco Seasoning: Make this recipe with a teaspoon of taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, or onion powder. You can also season it with chipotle powder or cayenne pepper to make it even spicier. Other options for extra ingredients include cider vinegar or a clove of garlic.
What to Serve with Baja Chipotle Sauce
- Grilled Lime Fiesta Chicken
- Chipotle Crock Pot Short Ribs
- Chipotle Pork Tenderloin Sliders
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Baja Chipotle Sauce
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Ingredients
- ½ Lime, juiced
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayo
- ¼ cup Cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Chipotle Chili in Adobo Sauce
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and purée until combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Christina’s Notes
- Lemon: You can easily use lemon instead of lime in this easy Baja chipotle sauce recipe.
- Thai Basil: If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can use Thai basil instead.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.