Why You’ll Love This Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe
If you love the smoky-sweet honey vinaigrette from Chipotle, this homemade version tastes just like the original—maybe even better. After testing multiple batches using Chipotle’s published ingredient list, I perfected a balanced, bold, 5-minute chipotle vinaigrette recipe you can make anytime. It’s quick, reliable, and uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand.
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? Try this FreshHerb Vinaigrette, Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing, or Vegan Caesar Dressing.
Reader Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you love chipotle salad dressing like me, save this one! — Pamela
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 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. Extra lime juice can also substitute.
- 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.
How to Make This Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe
- Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor until smooth.
- 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
Let 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. If you’re not into spicy, start with one chipotle pepper for mild, add extra chipotles for a kick.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 and Freezing
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.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
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Chipotle Vinaigrette 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.2/3 cup olive oil, 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, 3 Tablespoons honey, 1 chipotle in adobo + 1 teaspoon of the sauce, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! It actually tastes better after a few hours as the flavors meld together.
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.
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Ah-mazing!! I hand-squeezed a bag of limes for cilantro lime rice, made beef barbacoa, and had all ingredients on hand so I was so shocked and extremely excited that I had all the ingredients on-hand. Even more so when I saw how easy it was to throw this delicious dressing together! (I’m totally that person who’s embarrassingly upset when they forget the vinaigrette.) Thank you for testing and sharing! I only hope the copycat chipotle salsas are next up on the list! 😀
Thank you so much Chloe!!
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.