Have you ever liked a side dish or a dip so much that it compelled you to order the main dish just to enjoy it? For me, that irresistible side is Chipotle’s Vinaigrette. Its tangy, zesty flavor is so addictive that it becomes the highlight of my meal sometimes even making me choose a dish just to have an excuse to savor it!
I must say, Chipotle Mexican Grill has successfully cracked the code of reaching out to customers through its variety of sauces, dips, and dressings. However, my constant craving for this vinaigrette got me to try it out at home.
I did some thorough research and explored Chipotle’s website to recreate their famous vinaigrette perfectly. If you’re a fan of this tangy dressing or haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend giving this recipe a go. It captures the flavor you love, bringing a taste of Chipotle to your kitchen.
This homemade dressing is packed with bold flavors and is sure to elevate your meal to the next level with its smoky, sweet, and tangy mix of flavors.
So, let us explore this recipe for homemade dressing. With a few tips and tricks, you can achieve the best version of Chipotle’s vinaigrette.
Equipment Required
- Small Bowls: I use small bowls to assemble all the ingredients that will be required to make this dressing.
- Large Bowl: You will need a large bowl to mix all the ingredients for this dressing.
- Jar: While I use a jar to store this dressing, you can use any airtight container for storing purposes.
Chipotle Vinaigrette Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make 10 servings.
- ½ Cup Red Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar or Balsamic vinegar can be used as an alternative in this recipe.
- 1½ Cups Olive Oil: Usually, chipotle uses rice bran oil in this recipe but I generally prefer olive oil as it is easily available in my kitchen.Â
- ½ Tsp Dried Oregano: While Chipotle uses Mexican dried oregano in this dressing, you can substitute it for Italian oregano or marjoram to prepare this dressing.
- 1 Tsp Garlic powder: Granulated garlic can be substituted in this recipe.
- 1 Tbsp Adobo sauce: If I’m out of Adobo sauce, I usually substitute tomato paste with apple cider vinegar in a 1:1 ratio for adobo sauce in this recipe.
- â…“ Cup Honey: Agave syrup or maple syrup are the best substitutes for honey in this recipe.
- 1 Tsp Ground Cumin: Ground coriander can be substituted instead of cumin in this dressing.
- 1 Tbsp Water
- 1 Tsp Both Salt and Pepper to taste
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Total Time |
|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 5 Minutes |
How To Make Chipotle Vinaigrette At Home
Step 1
In a large bowl, add one teaspoon of adobo sauce.
Step 2
Then, add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to the sauce.
Step 3
Next, add ½ teaspoon of cumin powder to the bowl.
Step 4
Then add one tablespoon of oregano to the bowl.
Step 5
Add one teaspoon of honey and mix all the ingredients with a spoon until well combined.
Step 6
Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground pepper and mix well.
Step 7
Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the mixture and combine well.
Step 8
Now add red wine vinegar to the mixture and mix well.
Step 9
Next, drizzle the mixture with olive oil and mix until the dressing comes together and emulsifies.
Step 10
Season the dressing with salt and pepper as per taste and add 1 tbsp water to adjust the consistency.
Step 11
The dressing is ready to be transferred to the jar, and it is left to rest for a while for the flavors to meld together.
Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe Video
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- I always make sure that I use quality ingredients for such dressings, as the freshness of the ingredients taste brings out the best flavors in the dressing.
- This dressing can be made three days in advance. I usually prefer to make it in advance, as the flavors meld together, making it more flavorful.
- I also add a splash of lemon juice apart from vinegar to enhance the flavor of this dressing.
- You can also use this dressing as a marinade for beef, shrimp, etc.
- This sauce allows for a lot of room for experimenting with its taste and flavor profile. If you like it sweet, add more honey. If you like it spicy, add peppers like cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to get that slight kick in your dressing.
- I also use fresh herbs like chopped cilantro, parsley, or basil to give freshness to my dressing.
FAQs About Chipotle Vinaigrette
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Chipotle Vinaigrette can be considered a healthy dressing as it is not too high in calories and sugar content.Â
| Calories | 206 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Sodium | 195 mg |
| Potassium | 11 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Vitamin C | 1 mg |
| Calcium | 5 mg |
| Iron | 1 mg |
This Chipotle Vinaigrette is completely suitable for people following a vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free diet. No ingredients in this recipe interfere with their respective diets.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Vegan Diet: The honey used in this vinaigrette is not vegan-friendly or vegetarian-friendly, but it can be substituted with maple syrup or agave nectar to make it suitable for a vegan diet. My husband doesn’t like the taste of honey, so I often substitute it with maple syrup, and the vinaigrette still comes out well.
- Keto-Friendly Diet: People following a keto diet can substitute honey for monk fruit or stevia in this recipe.
- Sugar-Free Diet: My friend is a diabetic, so she makes this vinaigrette using stevia or monk fruit to make it suitable for her sugar-free diet.
- Sodium-Free Diet: People following a sodium-free diet can substitute regular salt for nu-salt to make it suitable for their diet.
Storing This Recipe
- Refrigerator: I store the vinaigrette in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. This way, it can last for up to 5 days in the fridge. However, I shake it well before using it.
- Freezer: I prefer freezing the vinaigrette when I want to save it for a longer time. I label the airtight container and store the vinaigrette in the freezer. This way, it can last for up to 3 months when frozen.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This Chipotle vinaigrette is versatile and useful for adding umami flavors to dishes. I usually drizzle it over my Tacos, Green Salads, Bean Salad, and Burrito Bowl as a salad dressing.
You can also drizzle it over your Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salisbury Steak, or Baked Orzo.
Printable Version
Chipotle Copycat Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1½ Cups Olive Oi
- ½ Tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Tsp Garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp Adobo sauce
- â…“ Cup Honey
- 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Tbsp Water
- 1 Tsp Both Salt and Pepper to taste
Equipment
- Small Bowls
- Large Bowl
- Jar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add one teaspoon of adobo sauce.
- Then, add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to the sauce.
- Next, add ½ teaspoon of cumin powder to the bowl.
- Then add one tablespoon of oregano to the bowl.
- Add one teaspoon of honey and mix all the ingredients with a spoon until well combined.
- Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground pepper and mix well.
- Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the mixture and combine well.
- Now add red wine vinegar to the mixture and mix well.
- Next, drizzle the mixture with olive oil and mix until the dressing comes together and emulsifies.
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper as per taste and add 1 tbsp water to adjust the consistency. The dressing is ready to be transferred to the jar, and it is left to rest for a while for the flavors to meld together.
- Enjoy your fresh and unique Chipotle Vinaigrette.
Video
Notes
- Different spices will enhance the flavor of the vinaigrette. You can use smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cumin.Â
- This vinaigrette will taste best with fresh ingredients, which will always result in a better-flavored vinaigrette. Try using fresh honey, red wine, and oregano.Â
- Emulsifying means whisking the oil and vinaigrette together until they turn smooth.
- Seasoning this Dressing properly is essential. When appropriately emulsified, season the Dressing properly, as this will be flavorful.Â
Nutrition
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Conclusion
This Chipotle Vinaigrette is sure to become your go-to condiment because of its versatility and rich flavor profile. It is simple and easy to make, requiring only blending a handful of ingredients easily available in your kitchen pantry.
So, go ahead and try this recipe right now, as it can be prepared in no time. You can then come back and thank us later and also leave your thoughts and opinions about this recipe in our comment section.
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