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Spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are the key to adding rich, smoky flavor in recipes! This little can is an essential ingredient we use often. Here’s why to stock these peppers in your pantry!

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
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Here’s a little can that packs a huge punch: chipotle peppers in adobo sauce! If this is a new-to-you ingredient, rest assured that what’s inside that tiny can is absolute magic. There’s nothing that brings richness, depth, and smoky complexity quite like these mighty peppers.

As two cookbook authors, we’ve come to find this ingredient is key in infusing flavor into meals. Here’s more about this ingredient, why it’s essential to stock in your pantry, and a few of our top recipes for using up a can.

What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are a small can that includes chipotle chiles: smoked and dried jalapeños that are rehydrated and canned, and adobo sauce, a purée of tomato, vinegar, garlic, and other spices. Both ingredients add a rich depth of flavor to dishes, sweet, spicy, dark and smoky all at once.

The can is versatile: you can use just the adobo sauce in recipes to add a mild smoky complexity. Or, add the finely chopped chili peppers themselves for a bolder heat. Chipotle peppers in adobo work well in sauces, soups, stews, beans, aiolis, marinades, glazes, and more.

How spicy are they?

Chipotle peppers have a similar heat level to jalapeño peppers. On the Scoville Heat Index, a scientific measure of spiciness, chipotle peppers measure between 2,500 and 8,000 SHU. Here’s how the chipotle stacks up with other peppers:

  • Sweet banana pepper: 0 to 500 SHU (No spice)
  • Jalapeño & chipotle peppers: 2,500 to 8,000 SHU (Medium hot)
  • Serrano peppers: 5,000 to 15,000 SHU (Hot)
  • Cayenne: 90,000 SHU (Very hot)
  • Habanero: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU (Extremely hot)
  • Ghost pepper: 1,041,427 SHU (Outrageously hot)

Where to find chipotles in adobo sauce

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are widely available at most grocery stores in the US. Check the canned vegetable aisle or near the Mexican ingredients. If you can’t find them at your local grocery, try ordering them online.

Storage info

One jar of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce has more quantity than needed for most recipes. Store the opened jar covered with foil for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

For longer term storage, you can freeze individual chipotle peppers in an ice cube tray, placing one pepper or one tablespoon sauce into each hole. Freeze for about 2 hours until solid, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze up to 3 months.

Ways to use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

Chipotle peppers in adobo add a pop of rich, smoky flavor to soups, stews, beans, aioli, marinades, glazes, and more. Here are some of our favorite chipotle recipes:

More quick guides

Mystified by an ingredient, or want to learn more about flavor secrets? Here are a few more quick guides to peruse:

Frequently asked questions

Are there any substitutes for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

If you can’t find chipotles in adobo, you can try using chipotle powder or smoked paprika for a similar smoky flavor, along with some cayenne pepper for heat. But the unique flavor of chipotles in adobo is hard to replicate completely.

How should I store an opened can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

Transfer leftover peppers and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, freeze in ice cube trays or small portions for longer storage.

Can I control the spice level when using chipotle peppers?

Yes! Start by using a small amount of the sauce from the can or a portion of a pepper, and gradually add more until you reach your desired level of heat. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

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Chipotle Aioli & Ways to Use Chipotle Peppers!

Chipotle Aioli
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5 from 1 review

Try this Chipotle Aioli sauce anytime you need a smoky, spicy heat! It’s ideal for burgers, fries, veggies, and more.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: ½ cup 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Sauce
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • ½ cup high quality mayonnaise
  • ⅛ teaspoon cumin
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Use a large knife to finely mince the chipotle peppers, then use the side of the knife to grind them into a paste as finely as possible. 
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of the mashed chipotle peppers with the grated garlic, mayonnaise, cumin, and kosher salt. (Taste and if desired, you can add more chipotle for an even spicier kick.)
  3. For a perfectly creamy sauce, use a spatula to press the sauce through a fine mesh strainer. Stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated. 

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!