Chipotle Lime Sauce

Make this easy 5-minute chipotle lime sauce in a blender with only a few ingredients. It is bold, spicy, smooth, and creamy. It’s a perfect sauce made with canned chipotles in adobo, mayonnaise, lime juice, and spices. Use it on tacos, burritos, and so much more. Read on, and I’ll show you the best way to make this lime-infused chipotle sauce!

I almost always have a jar of this chipotle lime sauce in my fridge. Some of my favorite ways to use it are on shrimp tacos, as a burrito sauce, and mixed into quesadilla filling. 

I love that it happens to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian. And you can make it in less than 5 minutes. It’s so darn easy! You’ll want to put it on everything you make. 

What is chipotle sauce?

A chipotle is a red, ripe jalapeno that has been dried and smoked. We’ll use canned chipotles in adobo to get that smoky, spicy chipotle flavor. You can find them at most grocery stores. I have no problem getting them in my rural mountain town. 

To turn those smoky, saucy peppers into a chipotle lime sauce, we’ll blend them with mayo and lime juice. The smoky chipotles paired with tangy lime juice make a complex and irresistible sauce. 

This lime chipotle sauce goes by a few names. You may see it called chipotle lime dipping sauce or chipotle lime aioli. It’s very versatile! 

You can find several bottled chipotle sauces at the store, but it tastes much better when you make it at home. It’s incredibly easy to make, and you can control the ingredients. 

Ingredients for chipotle lime sauce

Chipotle lime sauce is easy to make in a blender. You only need a few simple ingredients. 

• Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give this sauce a smoky flavor and a spicy kick. You can find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in most grocery stores in the Mexican aisle. You can adjust the spice level of this sauce by using more or less peppers. 1 pepper will make a mild, lightly smoky sauce. 3 peppers will result in a robust and bold chipotle sauce. 
• Mayonnaise is the backbone of this sauce. It gives it a creamy consistency and acts as a carrier for the flavors of the peppers, lime, and spices. This results in a smooth, creamy, and flavorful sauce. You can use your favorite mayo for this recipe.
• Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a tart, citrusy, almost sweet taste to this sauce. It thins out the mayo enough to make a pourable sauce, and the acid balances the spice from the chipotles. 
• A few more seasonings to make the flavors really pop. Garlic, onion, and paprika add complexity. Then, a tiny amount of salt and sugar will brighten the sauce and help balance all the flavors.

Variations

Make this lime chipotle sauce vegan: Swap the mayonnaise for your favorite veganaise. 

Make it extra spicy: Use 3 chipotles in the sauce instead of 1, and add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper before blending. 

Use bottled lime juice: If you don’t have fresh limes, use bottled lime juice instead. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still work.

How to make chipotle sauce with lime

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Stop to scrape down the sides if needed.

That’s it! I told you this recipe is easy! Store in refrigerated in an airtight container for a week. I bet it won’t last that long.

How to use chipotle lime sauce

• I love it as a chipotle fish taco sauce or on shrimp tacos! 
• It makes a great sauce for burritos. I put it in my freezer-friendly burritos to help keep them from drying out.
• Mix it with shredded cheese as a quesadilla filling.
• Drizzle it over burrito bowls.
• Use it as a dipping sauce for chicken or fries.
• Use it as the sauce for a spicy grilled chicken sandwich.
• Spread it on sandwiches or wraps to give them a bold and spicy kick.
• Use it as a burger sauce. I love it paired with pickled jalapenos. 

More Mexican-inspired recipes

• Cilantro Lime Crema
• Black Bean and Corn Salsa
• Mexican Street Corn
• Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos
• Crispy Potato Tacos
• Peach Pico de Gallo
• Mexican Potatoes

What’s your favorite way to use chipotle lime sauce? Let me know in the comments!

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