Why You’ll Love This Chipotle Vinaigrette
If you’ve ever opened a Chipotle takeout bag only to find they forgot your dressing (IFKYK), this recipe is your new best friend. Inspired by Chipotle Mexican Grill’s famous honey vinaigrette, this homemade version balances smoky flavor, sweet honey, zesty lime, and a little heat from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
I came up with this copycat Chipotle vinaigrette after testing a few batches using Chipotle’s published ingredient list. After some tasty experimentation, I landed on a version that tastes just like the real deal—maybe even better. It’s one of my favorite homemade dressings because it’s easy to whip up, easy to store, and elevates everything from burrito bowls to roasted veggies. If you’re planning your weeknight meals, this dressing is amazing with our BBQ Chicken Salad or the Harvest Bowl.
Looking for another dressing to batch prep this week? Try this Herb Vinaigrette or this Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing—both are great alternatives.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick look at the flavor-building ingredients in this chipotle salad dressing—no measurements here, just the role each ingredient plays.
- Olive oil: A mild oil like light olive oil or avocado oil gives body and richness.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds bright acidity to balance the honey. Apple cider vinegar also works for a fruitier touch.
- Honey: Sweetens the vinaigrette and helps emulsify the dressing. Use maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: These smoked jalapeños provide the signature smoky flavor and spice. Adjust the number of peppers to control the heat.
- Fresh garlic: Adds sharpness and depth. Garlic powder can sub in if needed.
- Lime juice: Adds brightness and balances richness.
- Spices: A classic blend of oregano, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper rounds out the flavor.
Ingredient Swaps
- Honey → Maple syrup or agave for a vegan version
- Red wine vinegar → Apple cider vinegar or extra lime juice
- Olive oil → Avocado oil or rice bran oil
- Sour cream (for creamy version) → Greek yogurt
How to Make Chipotle Vinaigrette
This recipe uses a blend of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce to create that signature smoky flavor you know and love.
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Taste and adjust—add more honey for sweetness or extra chipotles for heat. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later.
No blender? No problem. Mince the garlic finely, then whisk or shake everything together in a mason jar.
Serving Tips
TLet it chill for an hour before serving—the flavors deepen as it rests. For a creamy variation, blend in 2 tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt. This spicy dressing is incredibly versatile and meal prep-friendly:
- Drizzled over a burrito bowl, taco salad, or fajita bowl.
- As a marinade for grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak.
- As a dip mixed with sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- On roasted veggies like roasted broccoli and carrots, loaded sweet potato nachos, or oven-roasted maple glazed carrots.
Storage Tips
Store in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 7–9 days. Shake well before using.
To freeze, pour vinaigrette into an ice cube tray, freeze, then store cubes in a bag for up to 2 months. Thaw before using.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! It actually tastes better after a few hours as the flavors meld together.
It depends on how many chipotle peppers you use. Start with one for mild, add extra chipotles for a kick.
Yes—replace vinegar with extra lime juice for an all-citrus base that still adds a bright, tangy note.
Oil-based dressings naturally separate. Just shake well or give it a quick blend before serving.
Freeze chipotle peppers and adobo sauce in an ice cube tray or bag for up to 6 months.
This easy chipotle vinaigrette recipe with a blend of chipotle chiles brings restaurant flavor home with bold, smoky spice and natural sweetness. If you’re a fan of Chipotle, try this copycat Chipotle corn salsa with with steak fajitas to make your favorite takeout at home.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
Chipotle Vinaigrette (5-Minute Copycat Recipe)
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Ingredients
- 2/3 cup olive oil (sub avocado oil/vegetable oil— Note 1)
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 1 chipotle in adobo + 1 teaspoon of the sauce (more or less to desired spice level)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high speed blender or food processor and blend on high for 1-2 minutes until it's completely combined and the chipotles are broken down. Alternately, mince the garlic and shake everything vigorously in a lidded jar.
- Taste test the dressing and add more spices if needed. You can add another chipotle in adobo if you want a deeper, smoky, spicy flavor. Blend again if needed.
- Serve over your favorite salad or store in a mason jar in the fridge for later.
Notes
Video
Equipment
- High speed blender or food processor
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Had this w/chicken enchiladas. It was very good.
Thank you Betty!
I didn’t have 3 of the ingredients, swapped what I had in pantry and this was still SOOOOOO delicious! If you love chipotle salad dressing like me, save this one! 👍🏽
Thanks Pamela!
Current obsession!! I have made this recipe twice this week. It is also great brushed on shrimp skewers after they are grilled.
That sounds delicious. Glad you love it, Laurie!
This is the new family favorite and go-to dressing for pretty much everything Mexican on our weekly menu. Thank you for sharing. I’ve even subbed out the lemon for lime because that’s what I had and it still hit!!
So glad you loved it Dotty! Thank you!
Simple instructions and easy to follow. The dressing was spot on! Thank you for sharing.
Glad you like it!
This was great!!! I made a half recipe, but didn’t have any chipotles in adobo sauce so added a bit of regular chili pepper and smoked paprika and we all liked it!
Sounds delish!
I’ve now made this 3 times in less than a month! it goes with any type of salad , thanks
We love this one too! Thanks Bridget!
Taste is very similar but too much oil for me.
Glad you think so Sonya! This might depend on the type of oil you used. Some brands have stronger flavors than others.