This Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe is smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet. It adds big flavor to salads, roasted veggies, or burrito bowls!
author’s note
The Dressing I Want to Put on Everything!
I’ve always been obsessed with the smoky, spicy dressing at Chipotle. I used to wish they’d bottle it so I could pour it on everything at home. Since they don’t, I had to figure it out myself. Honestly, this from-scratch version might be even better.
I messed around with the ingredients until it hit that same spicy, sweet, tangy balance, with a fresh kick from lime. And the best part? You can tweak it to make it as spicy or sweet as you like.
If you love that dressing too (hi, let’s be friends), you’ve got to try this copycat. It’s thick, full of flavor, and seriously good on everything. I usually make it with my chipotle chicken copycat and keep both in the fridge all week.
What’s In This Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe
| Ingredient | Swap or Tip |
|---|---|
| Oil | Chipotle uses rice bran oil, but vegetable, canola, or olive oil all work |
| Honey | More honey makes it sweeter, less makes it spicier |
| Chipotles in Adobo | Use one pepper and freeze the rest for later (See tip below) |
Quick Tip
Freeze Leftover Chipotles
- Place peppers with sauce on a lined pan, keeping them 1/2 inch apart.
- Freeze for 1 hour, then move to a freezer bag. Store for up to 6 months.
- To use, let sit at room temp for 15-20 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Recipe Tips
- It is satisfying to wide-mouth jars with plastic lids for storing from-scratch sauces, including this Chipotle Vinaigrette recipe!
- Juice the lime with a citrus juicer.
- Use a small, strong blender for the best mix. A mini “Twister” jar works great for sauces!
- Blend the dressing long enough to get a smooth creamy dressing.
chelsea’s recipe tip
What To Drizzle This Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe On
- Salads: A game-changer! Try it on Chipotle Chicken Salad or Quinoa Corn Salad.
- Roasted Veggies: Drizzle over sweet potatoes or cauliflower.
- Burrito Bowls: Try it on a Taco Bowl or Chicken Burrito Bowls.
- Chicken Marinade: Marinate chicken, then drizzle more dressing on the chicken after grilling.
Spice Levels
This Chipotle Vinaigrette recipe is mild as written, but you can adjust:
- Less spice? Use a small chipotle and add more honey.
- More heat? Add extra chipotles or sauce from the can. Taste as you go!
Storage
Leftover Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe?
- Lasts about a week in the fridge (may get spicier as it sits!).
- Oil may solidify—let sit 15-20 minutes, then shake or stir.
