Wondering how to cook with chipotle peppers ? Here are 35+ recipes! Never throw away a moldy can of chipotle peppers again, with this lengthy list of recipes plus tips on the best chipotle brands, where to buy them, how to store them, and more!
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First posted January 24, 2018. Last updated with more recipes on January 24, 2024.
what is a chipotle pepper and where do you buy them?
First things first: A chipotle chili pepper is simply a smoked jalapeño pepper.
When jalapeño peppers are allowed to ripen fully they turn red, then the ripe red jalapeños are smoked with wood chips and dried. These dried, smoked jalapeños are now dried chipotle peppers!
That being said, every red jalapeño is not the same. A smaller variety that is more intensely flavored and fragrant are called Morita chiles and these are the ones that are used to make canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
The bigger ones with a tough brown skin are called Chipotle Mecos and are used as dried chiles.
Where To Buy
- Chipotles can be bought in their dried form (in Latin markets or well-stocked grocery stores with the other dried chiles)
- But more often they are rehydrated, packed in adobo sauce and canned. Canned chipotle in adobo sauce can be found at almost any grocery store next to the other Latin foods.
- You can also buy chipotle powder and use in rubs, marinades, and many other recipes.
- Read more about my favorite chipotle in adobo sauce brands.
are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce super spicy?
Short answer: Yes. But you can control the heat level by:
- Scraping out the seeds.
- Using less than the recipe calls for. Start with half and then add more according to your tastes.
- Use just the tangy tomato sauce that the chiles come packed in. The flavorful sauce is a mixture of tomatoes, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices and packs a little heat but not half as much as the chipotle chili itself.
when do I use chipotle pepper?
It adds smokiness and spicy flavor to just about anything. You’ll often find them in Tex-Mex recipes, authentic Mexican salsas, and as a sauce marinade.
I use these hot peppers in so many different ways. Here are just a few:
- Chopping and adding to a can of black beans
- Pureeing the whole can in a food processor and mixing a teaspoon or two into mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for an easy chipotle sauce for sandwiches or fish tacos.
- Chop the chili peppers fine and mixing into hummus.
- Adding a few tablespoons of the adobo sauce to chicken broth for a quick soup. Heck, adding a few tablespoons of the adobo sauce to ANY soup.
how long do chipotle peppers in adobo last?
- After opening your can of chipotle peppers transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for a month.
- Blend any leftover chipotles into a smooth paste and divide into an ice cube tray and place in the freezer.
- Once frozen, pop the chipotle ice cubes out of the tray into a resealable plastic bag and take them out as you need them.
- Frozen, they should last up to 6 months.
now give me some recipes with chipotle peppers!!
1. Smoky Chicken Tacos with Mango Pico de Gallo
These shredded chicken tacos are simmered with chipotle peppers and lime then topped with a fresh mango salsa made with sweet ripe mangos, jalapeños and red onion.
2. Huaraches with Squash Blossoms and Chipotle Aioli
This plant-basedHuaraches recipetakes you step-by-step through how to make these heavenly bean-filled masa cakes topped withtomatillo salsa, sautéed squash blossoms, and chipotle aioli.
3. Super Easy Chipotle Enchilada Sauce
Never use store-boughtenchilada sauceagain! This homemade red enchilada sauce recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients like chipotle chili and comes together in 5 minutes. It is no-cook, vegan, and gluten-free. You are going to love this recipe!
4. Chipotle Beef and Bean Enchilada Casserole
This ChipotleBeef and BeanEnchilada Casseroleis absolute comfort food at its best with ground beef, pinto beans, sour cream, and jack cheese tucked between layers of tortillas and topped with chipotle enchilada sauce.
5. Roasted Carrots with Chipotle Honey Butter
Sweet roasted carrots tossed in a chipotle and honey butter and sprinkled with fresh mint leaves. Gluten-free!
6. Smoky Chipotle Guacamole
Everyone’s favorite dip, this easyguacamole recipeis full of fresh ingredients like ripe avocados, lime juice, and red onion with the smoky kick of chipotle peppers.
7. Deep Dish Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
This recipe for Black BeanEnchilada Casserolehas eight layers of tortillas, black beans, olive oil roasted vegetables, our favorite chipotle pepper enchilada sauce, and cheese making it the most delicious ever! Serve with our favorite Cilantro-Lime Slaw.
8. Chipotle Black Bean Chili
A plant-basedBlack Bean Chili recipewith chipotle chiles, and loads of fresh vegetables.
9. Fall Harvest Enchiladas with Chipotle Cream Sauce
These root vegetable enchiladas have all the feels of a colorful fall harvest. Bathed in a smoky chipotle cream sauce they are the perfect cozy fall dinner. Serve with a big pot of our sofrito black beans.
10. Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chipotle Cream Sauce
Baked spaghetti squash takes on a whole new meaning when draped in fiery chipotle cream sauce and sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs and Cotija cheese.
11. Tacos al Pastor with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Tacos al Pastor, the classic taco truck staple can easily be made at home with this step-by-step recipe. Top with a grilled pineapple salsa for a sweet and spicy pork taco.
12. Instant Pot Pork Tinga
This stewy mixture of tender pork, tomatoes, and chipotle chile is one of the easiest and tastiest Mexican recipes out there and cooking it in theInstant Potalso makes it the fastest!
13. Beef and Chipotle Chili
This Instant Pot Beef and Chipotle Chili is the quickest way to get fiery, soul-satisfying beef and bean chili into your belly. Stove top instructions too!For dessert, how about a slice of our famous Tres Leches Cake?
14. Charred Pineapple and Chipotle Mole {Manchamantel Mole Sauce}
It is fruity from charred pineapple and spicy with chipotle chiles and so irresistible you’re destined to drip and dribble it just about everywhere. We love this mole sauce with our chicken and pumpkin tamales.
15. Chipotle Chicken Flautas
Easy Mexican recipes like these shredded chicken flautas make the perfect party food! Fry them in advance, and keep them warm in the oven for guests! Bonus points for using homemade tortillas.
16. Turkey Tinga Sopes
These Turkey Tinga Sopes is the most delicious way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Simmered in a spicy sauce of chipotles, orange juice, and garlic.
17. Sopa de Albondigas {Mexican Meatball Soup}
The most deliciousAlbóndigas Soupor Mexican Meatball Soup recipe with chipotle meatballs made with both pork and beef in a rich beef broth with tomatoes, rice, and spinach. Serve this strawberry tres leches cake for dessert.
18. Fig Chipotle Jam
Sweet and smoky flavor make this jam a stand out for cheese boards.
19. Manchego Chipotle Cheese Ball
This easy recipe is a perfect party snack. The unique flavor comes from the delicious coating of poppy seeds, pepitas, and herbs on the outside. A no-cook way to start learning how to cook with chipotle peppers.
20. Honey Chipotle co*cktail Meatballs
A little bit of chipotles go a long way in these easy 3-ingredient sweet and spicy co*cktail meatballs. Serve with our delicious citrus seafood ceviche at your next party.
21. Chicken Tinga Tacos
Thesetacosare perfect for busy weeknights—healthy with juicy chicken breasts, easy, and ready in under 30 minutes!A slice of our coconut tres leches cake would be great for dessert.
22. Piñata Chicken Wings
Chipotles give these chicken wings a punch of smoky heat to balance out the sweet raspberry jam, vinegar, and coffee; this sauce explodes like a piñata.
23. Smoky Chipotle Turkey Tortas
The spiciness of chipotles flavor leftover roast turkey (or chicken) for the most delicious sandwich filling. These turkey tortas use Thanksgiving leftovers to teach you how to cook with chipotle peppers.
24. Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Pizza
Veggie and chicken infused with chipotle flavor and calmed with the sweetness of honey make a delicious flatbread pizza.
25. Chipotle Black Bean Tortilla Soup
This black bean soup is super easy to pull together and is not quite is spicy—you only use the adobo sauce! Serve with a scoop of our arroz blanco {Mexican white rice with vegetables} in every bowl.
26. Carne Picada
One of the most popular recipes on the site, this rich meat braise is sensational in tacos or over rice.
27. Instant Pot Barbacoa
Tender, succulent beef is ready in a flash thanks to the Instant Pot. This recipe is a delicious way to learn how to cook with chipotle peppers.
28. Sweet Pea and Potato Empanadas with Tamarind Sauce
Flaky pastry surrounds a veggie filling but it’s the tamarind sauce flavored with chipotles that is the showstopper.
29. Birria Ramen
This recipe is a labor of love but worth every minute. Rich, flavorful meat in a chipotle broth with all your favorite ramen toppings. Fresh ramen noodles are a must here.
30. Short Rib Tacos
Tender, braised beef falling off the bone is the star of these Mexican short rib tacos.Recipe from Laura Fuentes’ Taco Tuesday Cookbook.
31. Vegan Slow Cooker Mexican Vegetable Soup Recipe
An easy way to learn how to cook with chipotle peppers is to make a big pot of this restorative soup. Black beans, fresh vegetables, and a rich vegetable broth give thisMexican Vegetable Soup Recipetons of flavor.
32. Fried Plantain Cemita Sliders
Perfect for an easy dinner, these bite-sized sliders are inspired by their larger, meatier cousins from Puebla, Mexico, but vegetarian, full of flavor, and completely irresistible. Serve with a big pot of our vegan pozole verde for the ultimate plant-based meal.
33. Mixed Mushroom Tostadas with Charred Scallion Pesto
Creamy chipotle black beans, a mixture of three different kinds of caramelized mushrooms, a drizzle of pesto sauce made from charred scallions, toasted almonds, and garlic, and a sprinkling of feta cheese (which you can leave off if you want it to be vegan). I also like adding pickled red onions for a tangy finish.
34. Salpicón Fattoush Salad with Chipotle Dressing
The ultimate mash-up of Mexican and Middle Eastern flavors. Toasted pita, sliced steak, avocado, and feta. The chipotle dressing brings it all together.
35. Easy Chicken Empanadas with Garlic Mojo Sauce
Finally, if you still don’t know how to cook with chipotle peppers try these empanadas. Flaky pastry filled with shredded chicken cooked with a one-two punch of chipotle chiles and saffron.
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