Chipotle lime sauce is one of my top go-to quick sauces for elevating simple meals. It comes together in minutes, is creamy with a mild kick, and brightened by lime — perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, sandwiches, fries, and more. Here’s how to make it and ideas for using it.
I’ve always disliked plain mayonnaise, but when it’s transformed into a flavored aioli or a chipotle lime crema, I’m all in. The mayo becomes the creamy base, and with sour cream, chipotle in adobo, and lime, it turns into a sauce that complements a wide range of dishes.
What you will need to make this creamy chipotle sauce:
- Mayo: Use a good-quality mayo such as avocado oil or olive oil mayo, though any mayonnaise will work.
- Sour cream: Combined with mayo, sour cream adds tang and creaminess. You can substitute plain Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: These add smoky heat and are typically sold in the international aisle or at Latin markets. Use sparingly — they’re spicy and full of flavor.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice (or lemon juice) brightens the sauce and balances the heat from the adobo.
How to make two ways:
Blended version: In a food processor or small blender attachment, combine the mayo, sour cream, lime juice, and 1 chipotle pepper with about 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Taste and add more adobo sauce for extra heat or more lime juice for brightness. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a little water until you reach the desired consistency.
Non-blended version: Finely chop the chipotle pepper and whisk it into the mayo, sour cream, and lime juice. Stir in adobo sauce to taste. This version keeps a bit more texture and small pepper pieces for visual interest.
What to use this chipotle lime crema on:
- Fish tacos
- Spicy potato soft tacos
- Shredded beef or chicken tacos
- Any style of tacos — it’s a universal topping
- Rice bowls and grain bowls
- Taco salads
- Nachos and totchos
- Burritos and breakfast burritos
- Scrambled eggs or omelets
- Sandwiches and wraps
- French fries or potato wedges
- Chicken wings, grilled chicken breast, or tenders
This sauce also works as a dipping sauce, a quick marinade, a creamy salad dressing, or a fry sauce — versatile and flavorful.
FAQs
Chipotle peppers in adobo are spicy, and many recipes use only one or two. Store the remaining peppers in a small airtight glass container and freeze them. Defrost a pepper briefly when you need it. Properly stored, they keep in the freezer for up to a year.
For a plant-based option, try a creamy vegan dressing like a spicy cashew dressing or use vegan mayo and a dairy-free yogurt alternative in place of sour cream.
Keep leftover sauce in an airtight container or a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to five days.
You can substitute chipotle chili powder or a smoky hot sauce, though they won’t perfectly replicate the unique smoky, tangy flavor of chipotle in adobo.
It’s dinner time — whip up some fish tacos, drizzle on chipotle lime sauce, and dig in!
If you love this homemade sauce, you’ll love some of my other favorite sauces:
Spicy jalapeño lime vinaigrette
Roasted garlic parmesan aioli
Kimchi mayo
Fig balsamic dressing
Salsa verde
Amazingly Easy Chipotle Lime Sauce (4 ingredients)
Description
Simple but full of flavor, this chipotle lime sauce will become a staple for taco night. The recipe scales easily if you want a larger batch.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1/2 lime, juiced (about 1–2 tablespoons juice)
Instructions
- Whisk or blend all ingredients together. Adjust consistency with a splash of water if needed. Taste and add more adobo sauce for heat or more lime for brightness. Optionally, add a small squeeze of honey or maple syrup to balance the flavors.
Notes
See the article above for serving suggestions, substitutions, and frequently asked questions. Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.
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