Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

Home Chipotle Aioli Recipe

by Julie Blanner

updated Oct 16, 2023

5 from 13 votes

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.

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (2)

Table of Contents

  • What is Aioli?
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How to Make Chipotle Aioli
  • Tools to Use
  • Tips
  • Recipe Shortcuts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • How to Store
  • Dietary Considerations
  • More Dips + Toppings
  • Chipotle Aioli Recipe
  • Explore More

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.

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (3)

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!

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (4)

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

  • So fast to make – you’ll be done in under five minutes.
  • Just four ingredients – five if you add the cilantro.
  • It seriously adds flavor to everythingburgers, sandwiches, wraps, chicken, fish, steak… and don’t forget to dip! Pretty much anything can be dipped in this chipotle mayo and your life will be better for it.
Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (5)
Visit the printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

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!
Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (6)

How to Make Chipotle Aioli

  1. Combine– Using a food processor, combine ingredients until smooth. Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (7)
  2. Serve– Enjoy on your favorite sandwiches, vegetables, side dishes and more!

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (8)

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (9)

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!

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (10)

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.

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (11)
Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (12)

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
Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (13)

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Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (18)

5 from 13 votes

Chipotle Aioli Recipe

By Julie Blanner

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!

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 12

PinRatePrint

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.

Julie’s 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
  1. Pulse to combine above ingredients along with ingredients listed in the printable recipe below.
  2. 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.

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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2 Comments

  1. Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (22)
    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 ❤️

    Reply

    1. Hi Cassandra,
      What a nice review! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
      Have a beautiful week,
      Julie

      Reply

Easy Shortcut Chipotle Aioli Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of chipotle aioli? ›

Best Substitute for Sauces: Chipotles in Adobo Sauce

Made with chipotle peppers covered in adobo sauce (made with vinegar, garlic, sugar, and herbs), this is a best substitute for chipotle used in a sauce. Depending on the dish, use the sauce and / or peppers.

What is chipotle aioli made of? ›

Chipotle Aioli is a sauce made with mayonnaise, garlic, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, lime and salt. Both chopped chipotle chiles and adobo sauce are swirled into the mayo to really punch up the chipotle flavor.

Is spicy mayo the same as chipotle aioli? ›

Chipotle aioli is essentially the same thing as Chipotle mayo. Aioli is a term used to describe a mayo-based sauce that is typically flavored with garlic. Chipotle aioli refers to a version of aioli that includes chipotle peppers for added spice and smokiness.

What is chipotle mayo made of? ›

Place mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and chipotles in a tall, narrow jar. Using an immersion blender, puree until chipotles are completely chopped and mayonnaise is smooth. Pour into an airtight container, cover, and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

What is a good substitute for chipotle sauce? ›

The Best Chipotle Chillies in Adobo Sauce Substitutes

For recipes where there is already tomato replacing the chipotle with smoked paprika is often enough. Start with 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika and add more as needed. If you want some heat as well, any fresh or dried chilli peppers can be added to taste.

Is aioli just garlic mayonnaise? ›

Unlike mayonnaise, which is made by emulsifying oil into egg yolks, aioli is made by pounding garlic into a paste and then gradually adding olive oil to the mixture, creating a thick and creamy sauce. The garlic gives aioli its characteristic pungent flavor, while the olive oil adds richness and depth.

Which is healthier mayo or aioli? ›

There is an ongoing debate as to whether an aioli is healthier than its cousin mayonnaise. Mayo is essentially any neutral flavored oil, with egg yolk, vinegar and lemon juice, whereas an aioli begins with pounding garlic, which has many health benefits, with a mortar and pestle and using olive oil instead of canola.

What kind of vinegar is at chipotle? ›

If you're a fan of Chipotle, it's really easy to make your own copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette at home. It's made with a combination of red wine vinegar, honey, adobo sauce, and spices.

Why is chipotle aioli so good? ›

The chipotle peppers give the sauce some heat and a lovely smoky flavor as well.

Why do people say garlic aioli? ›

Aioli, meaning “garlic oil” in Catalan, is a sauce made by emulsifying mashed garlic with extra virgin olive oil, typically with a mortar and pestle. It originated in Catalonia, Spain and is often used in French cooking, especially in the region of Provence.

What is jalapeño aioli made of? ›

Blend mayonnaise, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, garlic, lime juice, cumin, and salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.

What is the main ingredient in chipotle? ›

Our namesake ingredient, the chipotle chili pepper is a dried and smoked jalapeño produced using the age-old craft of smoking them over pecan wood for several days. These intensely smoky, spicy peppers are the foundation for much of the food we serve - from our chicken, steak, and Barbacoa to our beans and vinaigrette.

Are chipotle mayo and chipotle sauce the same? ›

A: Our Chipotle Mayo brings a smokey, slightly spicy, pepper forward flavor to any food you pair it with! The smokey flavor in this product comes from smoked sweet paprika, and chipotle pepper powder! Our Special sauce incorporates elements of our mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, and also includes a custom relish.

What is KFC mayo made of? ›

Learn how to make delicious KFC-style mayo at home using Sauce Shop's Original Mayo and Buffalo Hot Sauce. This easy recipe includes lemon juice, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Perfect for your homemade fast food cravings.

What is aioli similar to? ›

With its creamy texture and white color, aioli does look just like mayo, and, unfortunately, in many places, the two have become synonymous. Although many restaurants tout aioli on menus when they're really using flavored mayonnaise, there is a legitimate difference between the two spreads.

Is aioli just fancy mayo? ›

Although both aioli and mayo are creamy, white emulsions made with egg, the two condiments have distinctly different flavors. That's because aioli is made with olive oil, while mayonnaise is made with a neutral oil.

What's the difference between garlic sauce and aioli? ›

Is garlic aioli the same as garlic sauce? A thick garlic sauce, aioli is a traditional condiment in the cuisine of Provence, France, and Catalonia, Spain. True aioli is an emulsion created with just garlic and extra virgin olive oil. This makes the common menu item, “garlic aioli,” rather redundant.

What is the same as chipotle paste? ›

I'm thinking of replacing the chipotle with harrisa paste as I'm thinking this will be less smoky. That would work - harissa would be hotter, but you can reduce the quantity to your taste and/or add tomato puree for colour. So I would suggest adding some of those ingredients and increasing the chili powder.

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