Copycat Chipotle Vinaigrette

This chipotle vinaigrette is exactly like the original from Chipotle. It’s sweet from the honey, smoky from the chipotles in adobo, and easy it to mix up in 5 minutes or less.

Pair it with copycat Chipotle corn salsa to make your favorite takeout at home.

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If you’re wondering “does Chipotle sell their vinaigrette?”,  sadly the answer is no, but luckily we’ve got this copycat recipe that’s just as good, maybe better!

I am obsessed with Chipotle’s Honey Vinaigrette dressing. I’m guessing you’re a fan of Chipotle mexican grill too since you landed here! I always order a salad and the dressing is my favorite part. 

I came up with this recipe after testing a few versions using the ingredients listed on Chipotle’s website. It tastes just like the one at the store. Whip this up for any weeknight, or if they forgot your chipotle vinaigrette in your order (IFKYK).

It’s perfectly tangy, like a vinaigrette should be, with a little bit of sweet, and a little bit of smoke. All of the flavors balance together so well! It uses basic vinaigrette ingredients and a simple technique to mix everything together.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a list of what Chipotle uses in their restaurant version, as well as our copycat chipotle vinaigrette.  Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Olive oil: I like to use light olive oil or a good quality EVOO. Avocado oil is also really good option.
• Red wine vinegar: this is what Chipotle uses in their recipe and it is full of acid for tang. You could use apple cider vinegar wf you have that on hand.
• Honey: This gives the dressing sweetness. Honey is an emulsifying ingredient, which helps combine oil and vinegar together. This Serious Eats article about the point of a vinaigrette, explains it well!
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: these come in the can and add spice and smoky flavor. Add more chipotle chiles if you want a deeper flavor.
• Garlic: fresh garlic is best but you could also use garlic powder.
• Lime juice: this also adds acid, but also gives it Mexican flavor.
• Spices: oregano, cumin, salt and pepper combine round out the flavor and spice.

How to make Chipotle Vinaigrette

This is an overview with step-by-step photos, to make this honey chipotle salad dressing. Full printable instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Measure and add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until smooth and you’re done!

Can I make this in a jar? Yes, you can add everything to a mason jar and shake well.

Recipe FAQs

Ways to Use Chipotle Vinaigrette

Vinaigrettes aren’t just for salads! In fact, this Serious Eats article is all about the ways to use a vinaigrette beyond salads.

• Salads: Pour it over  salads like this roasted sweet potato and kale salad, kale and goat cheese salad, BBQ chicken salad, simple green salad, or the classic taco salad.
• Roasted vegetables: Drizzle it over roasted sweet potatoes or other veggies.
• Toss it in a burrito bowl: make your own homemade chipotle with rice, chicken, black beans, guacamole, cheese or drizzle it over our fiesta lime shrimp bowls.
• Use it as a marinade for chicken or seafood. Learn how to marinate chicken and thank us later!
• Toss it with pasta salad or veggie salads like this cucumber tomato avocado salad or Mexican street corn pasta salad.

If you make this chipotle honey vinaigrette 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!

More Vinaigrettes Recipes

• Creamy cilantro lime jalapeno dressing (dairy free)
• Fresh herb vinaigrette
• Cilantro lime chicken

Tap stars to rate!

4.77 from 21 votes

Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

This Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette takes just like the original! Grab the simple ingredients and make it in 10 minutes or less.

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Molly Thompson

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Molly Thompson

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Servings: 7 servings

0.5x1x2x3x

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.

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Notes

Note 1. Oil: Chipotle uses rice bran oil in their recipe. We chose to use olive oil or avocado oil for added flavor and nutritional reasons, but rice bran, canola oil or vegetable oil will work too.

Chipotle in Adobo: we’re only using a few in this recipe, so use the rest to make sheet pan shrimp fajitas, white bean vegetarian chili, Instant Pot chicken tinga, or spicy chicken chipotle pasta. You can also flash freeze them on a sheet pan and then store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Storage: Store leftover dressing in an airtight container for 7-9 days. A wide-mouth mason jar with a lid is one of our favorite ways to store dressings and marinades. These chipotle peppers have a strong pigment so choose a container that won’t stain. This is why we love a glass container!

Video

Equipment

• High speed blender or food processor

Nutrition

Serving: 2ounces | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 334mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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