Spicy Chipotle Mayonnaise

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 07/26/19
Chipotle mayonnaise as a dip
Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
85 Calories
8g Fat
3g Carbs
1g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 85
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 67mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 1g
Calcium 19mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Flavored mayonnaise has become almost as common as the original version, and chipotle mayonnaise is one of the most popular varieties. Although you can find a bottle of it in the grocery store, it is easy to make yourself (and perhaps contains fewer preservatives). This tasty chipotle mayonnaise recipe is not only perfect as a sandwich or burger spread but also makes a delicious dip for chicken or fish, and would be welcome as a topping for fish tacos. It's a quick and easy aioli to prepare, with a few chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce, jarred mayonnaise, and green onion and garlic, as well as cilantro and lime juice for added zing.

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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo (finely chopped)
  • 1 green onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro (finely chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 small clove garlic (pressed and mashed into a paste)

Steps to Make It

  1. In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, green onion, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; blend well. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

  2. Use this mayonnaise as a dip or burger topping or sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise.

Tips

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are sold in a can and are readily available in the Mexican food aisle of the supermarket. Chipotle chiles are actually dried and smoked jalapenos and adobo is a red sauce with a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. It is the paprika and tomato puree that imparts the red hue, while vinegar and sugar provide the tang and sweet.

When chopping the green onion, which is also called a scallion, use only the white and light green parts. You can incorporate any dark green leaves as long as they are not too fibrous and tough. To get the most juice from a lime, bring it to room temperature and then roll it on the countertop, applying gentle pressure, before using. This will loosen up the membranes and release more liquid when squeezing the citrus. To mash the garlic into a paste, use the flat side of a large knife, pressing against the garlic and then swiping to the side until it becomes smooth and uniform.

In addition to using flavored mayos as dips and sandwich spreads, they are also a quick way to spruce up a potato or chicken salad, and a delicious topping for poached or grilled fish.

Other Flavored Mayonnaise Recipes

Once you have a jar of plain mayonnaise, it is simple to turn it into a spread or dip with loads of flavor. Simply add some fresh herbs and little Dijon mustard for mayo with a bit of zip and color, or lemon juice and capers for the perfect accompaniment to fish. Add a bit of hot sauce for a nice kick, or Creole seasonings for mayonnaise with personality. A roasted red pepper mayonnaise can be made with homemade or jarred roasted peppers, and garlic and cilantro mayonnaise are wonderful as a dip and perfect on pulled pork arepas.