Chipotle Hot Sauce Recipe
Chipotle hot sauce is a smoky, spicy condiment made from dried chipotle peppers, vinegar, garlic, and other seasonings. To make it, blend soaked chipotle peppers with vinegar, garlic, and spices for a smooth, flavorful sauce. This versatile hot sauce adds depth and heat to tacos, grilled meats, and various dishes.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Cutting board
- knife
- Spoon or spatula
- Blender (optional, for smoother texture)
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowl (for the vinegar and lime juice)
Ingredients
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce canned
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for extra smokiness
- 1/4 cup water
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar optional
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients:
- Start by mincing the garlic, chopping the onion, and removing the chipotle peppers from the can of adobo sauce. Set aside.
Cook Aromatics:
- Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Add Chipotle Peppers:
- Add the chipotle peppers to the saucepan along with the adobo sauce. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes.
Season:
- Stir in the white vinegar, lime juice, smoked paprika (if using), water, salt, oregano, cumin, and sugar (if desired). Simmer the mixture on low heat for about 8-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Blend (Optional):
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to purée the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
Taste and Adjust:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, lime, or sugar based on your preference.
Cool and Store:
- Let the sauce cool before transferring it to a jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
If you’re sensitive to heat, consider adjusting the number of chipotle peppers you use. Chipotles have a nice smokiness with medium heat, but you can control how fiery the sauce gets.
For a milder version, start with fewer peppers and add a touch of honey or more sugar to balance out the spice.
On the other hand, if you’re a heat-seeker like me, feel free to experiment with adding a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to increase the heat!