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I’ve been trying to figure out this Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette recipe for months. It’s inspired by the dressing from Chipotle, only this copycat version tastes even better.
(Probably because it uses less oil!)
If you’ve been disappointed with other Chipotle copycat dressings online, don’t give up until you try this one. I’ve tested it at least 10 times to make sure it’s repeatable, not too oily, and perfectly seasoned.
Drizzle it over tacos, salads, quesadillas, and more. It’ll instantly elevate your meal, so you’ll feel like you’ve ordered take-out, but at a fraction of the price.
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Ingredients
This recipe comes together with simple pantry ingredients—oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper—plus a few extras, such as chipotle peppers, honey, and a few spices. I’m using avocado oil for this, but olive oil will work, too.
According to Chipotle’s website, they don’t use lime juice in their salad dressing. But after testing several batches, I’ve noticed that lime juice has a positive impact on the flavor. It makes me crave more salads!
If you’ve never bought a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, you can see what the can looks like in the photo below. It’s key to getting the right flavor! You’ll only need one of these peppers for this recipe, so I recommend freezing the rest for future use. (I freeze them individually in an ice cube tray, then transfer to a storage bag in the freezer.)
How to Make Chipotle Vinaigrette
Step 1:
Add the avocado oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, chipotle pepper, garlic, honey, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to a high-speed blender. Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
This will blend best in a personal-size blender or a large blender with a narrow base. (If you’ve watched my Vitamix review video, you know how much of a difference your blender can make when it comes to blending a small batch of dressing.)
Note: If you don’t have a small or narrow blender option, consider making a double batch of this dressing, which will blend more smoothly in a large pitcher. (One batch = 3/4 cup, double batch = 1 1/2 cups, FYI.)
Step 2:
Secure the lid and blend until the mixture is smooth. Make sure you haven’t missed any chunks of chipotle pepper or garlic, since that would be unpleasant to find later. Taste and make any necessary adjustments.
If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a little more honey. For a tangy flavor, add more lime juice. If you want a super-spicy dressing, add another chipotle pepper! You can also double the batch if you need more.
It’s ready to use right away! Drizzle it over burrito bowls, tacos, baked chicken, quesadillas, and more. It will instantly boost the flavor of any meal.
Storage Tips
Pour the dressing into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to a week. If it thickens when chilled, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow it to become pourable again.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (see notes)
- 1 garlic clove
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender (see notes below), combine the oil, vinegar, lime juice, honey, chipotle pepper, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, and salt. Secure the lid and blend until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Taste the dressing to make sure you like the flavor. You can always add a little more honey for sweetness or a splash of vinegar to make it taste more tangy. Pour the dressing into an airtight jar with a lid and store it in the fridge for up to a week. If it thickens when chilled overnight, let it sit on the counter to return to room temperature, and then shake well before using.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Chipotle Sweet Potato Noodles (uses more chipotle peppers!)
- Healthy Ground Beef Tacos
- Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
If you try this Chipotle Vinaigrette recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it!
This dressing is amazing! Perfect copycat. I even drizzled on salmon before baking in the oven, so good!