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This chipotle aioli recipe kicks your creamy, craveable aioli up a few notches with the spicy zest of chipotle peppers. You’ll want to slather this chipotle mayo on everything!
Chipotle aioli is the ultimate savory, spicy way to top pretty much anything you can imagine. It’s perfect for dipping, too! Customize the heat level and enjoy it on all your favorite foods.
This chipotle aioli recipe has minimal ingredients but maximum impact. There’s no need to make your mayo from scratch, so it’s a bit of a “cheater” aioli… but just as delicious!
We love a fresh, tasty aioli for dipping our truffle fries and slathering on burgers. Adding that extra layer of zesty flavor really takes this classic menu items to a whole new level.
Don’t Skip These: You don’t want to miss my Truffle Aioli, Garlic Aioli, Sriracha Mayo, Avocado Mayo and Pesto Aioli for more incredible flavor. Once you’ve created your own aioli, it’s hard to go back to plain old mayo!
Customize the heat to your preference and enjoy!
What is Aioli?
Aioli is basically synonymous with mayo… or at least most people view it that way. It’s simply a mayo that is flavored with delicious additions.
When made from scratch, aioli and mayo are very similar, and they’re both emulsions. Nowadays, aioli simply tends to reference a kicked-up, flavorful version of mayo with a much fancier name!
Chipotle aioli tastes a little like combining the creamy flavor of mayo with your favorite salsa. It’s zesty, a touch spicy, and velvety smooth!
Why You’ll Love this Chipotle Mayo
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Mayonnaise – I tend to use an olive oil mayo because that’s our favorite, but you can use whatever you have on hand – light mayo or vegan mayo will work, too.
- Pepper – Ground black pepper works best here because you want a smooth, creamy aioli.
- Lime Juice – Fresh squeezed is always best for flavor but you can substitute with store bought lime juice as well.
- Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce – Finely minced. You can also substitute with chipotle chili powder or chipotle hot sauce.
- Cilantro – chopped, optional!
Variations
- Sub sriracha for your chipotle chiles in adobo.
- Add garlic, for a more traditional aioli flavor profile.
- You can also sub for jalapeño for an even spicier kick!
How to Make Chipotle Aioli
- Combine – Using a food processor, combine ingredients until smooth.
- Serve – Enjoy on your favorite sandwiches, vegetables, side dishes and more!
Tips
- Marinate – Make this chipotle aioli recipe a day in advance and keep covered in the fridge so flavors can marinate.
- From Scratch – You can also make your own mayonnaise, as outlined in our step by step tutorial.
Make More (or Less!)
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Recipe Shortcuts
- Use store-bought mayonnaise.
- Use store bought lime juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chipotle aioli taste like?
Smoked chili peppers are used frequently in Mexican inspired cooking. These chipotle peppers have a subtle sweetness that balances the smoky, spicy flavoring.
What’s the difference between chipotle aioli and mayo?
In this chipotle aioli recipe, we start with a shortcut – bottled mayo, and add depth of flavor and interest with chipotle peppers and more. Traditionally, aioli and mayonnaise are slightly different, but in today’s cooking terminology, they are basically synonymous.
Serving Suggestions
- Drizzle over Portobello Mushroom Tacos
- On Gourmet Grilled Cheese
- On a Gourmet Burger
- Add to a Burger Bar
- On a Chicken Wrap
- On Baked Chicken Breast
- On Fish / Seafood
- On Spanish Croquettes
- On BLT’s
- Drizzled on Baked Artichoke or served as a dipping sauce
- With Crispy Brussel Sprouts
- Drizzled on Asparagus
- As a dipping sauce for Sweet Potato Fries
- On Loaded Smashed Red Potatoes
- With Tater Tots
- With Onion Rings
- On Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- On Taco Pizza
- On Nachos
How to Store
- Room Temperature – You can leave this chipotle aioli out at room temperature for up to two hours while serving.
- Refrigerate – Store Chipotle Aioli refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
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Chipotle Aioli Recipe
This chipotle aioli recipe kicks your creamy, craveable aioli up a few notches with the spicy zest of chipotle peppers. You’ll want to slather this chipotle mayo on everything!
Yield
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon pepper ground, black
- 2 teaspoons lime juice fresh squeezed
- 6 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (We use a full 6 ounce can)
- 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped, optional
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in food processor.
- Turn processor on and blend until smooth aioli forms, about a minute. Turn processor off, scrape sides, process again until well combined.
Tips
Substitutions and Tips
- Substitute chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with one teaspoon chipotle chili powder or chipotle hot sauce.
- Marinate – Make aioli a day in advance and keep covered in the fridge so flavors can marinate.
To Store
- Refrigerate – Store Chipotle Aioli refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.
How To Make Mayo from Scratch
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- Pulse to combine above ingredients along with ingredients listed in the printable recipe below.
- Turn processor on and slowly pour olive oil and vegetable oil. Process until aioli forms, about a minute. Turn processor off, scrap sides, process again until well combined.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 127kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Cholesterol: 8mg (3%), Sodium: 119mg (5%), Potassium: 4mg, Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 12IU, Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg (6%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Cassandra Young says
I just made this to go on a Buddha bowl and I will forever use this recipe when I’m craving a Chipotle aioli. My spouse and I were obsessed and could not stop eating. It was phenomenal and I used it with the chipotle pepper powder. Thank you ❤️
Julie Blanner says
Hi Cassandra,
What a nice review! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Have a beautiful week,
Julie