17 Chipotle Recipes To Make Right Now

So you’ve bought the can of chipotle peppers in adobo, now what?

I’ve got 17 chipotle recipes right here that are going to finish off that can in no time!

What are Chipotle Peppers and Where Do you Buy Them?

First things first: Chipotle chili peppers are simply smoked jalapeño peppers.

The jalapenos are allowed to ripen fully until they turn red, then the ripe red jalapeños are smoked and dried.

That being said, every red jalapeño is not the same. A smaller variety that is more intensely flavored and fragrant is turned into Morita chiles.

Bigger ones are turned into Chipotle Mecos and are more commonly used only as completely dry chiles and usually not ones sold canned in adobo sauce.

• 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 can be found at almost any grocery store next to the other Latin foods.
• You can also find chipotle chili powder which is the dried chiles ground into a fine powder to be used to add spice to rubs, marinades, and many other recipes.

Are Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Super Spicy?

Short answer: Yes. But you can control the heat 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 adobo sauce that the chiles come packed in. The sauce is a mixture of tomatoes, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices and packs a little heat but not half as much as the chiles.

When Do I Use Chipotle Peppers in Adobo?

Their smoky flavor can add a boost to just about anything. You’ll often find them in Tex-Mex recipes, authentic Mexican salsas, and barbecue sauces.

During the smoking process and more often when they can the smoked peppers they typically remove the stems which means they are ready to use straight from the can.

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 and mixing into mayonnaise for a quick sandwich spread.
• Chopping 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 a clean resealable jar and keep in the fridge for a month.
• Blend any leftovers into a smooth paste and freeze in ice cube trays.
• 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!!

Smoky Chicken Tacos with Mango Pico de Gallo

Honey Chipotle Cocktail Meatballs

Manchego Chipotle Cheese Ball

Fig Chipotle Jam

Roasted Carrots with Chipotle Honey Butter

Salpicon Fattoush Salad with Chipotle Dressing

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Chipotle Cream via Veganmiam

Veggie Black Bean and Chipotle Chili

Piñata Chicken Wings

Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Tacos al Pastor with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Pizza

Beef and Chipotle Chili

Charred Pineapple and Chipotle Mole {Manchamantel Mole Sauce}

Chipotle Chicken Flautas

Turkey Tinga Sopes

Mexican Meatball Soup with Rice {Sopa de Albondigas}

Need More Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce Recipes?

• Hit up my Chipotle Pepper Recipes Pinterest Board.

One More Thing

Did you love this post? I want to know! Leave me a comment and snap a photo for Instagram. Tag @holajalapeno and use the #holajalapeno hashtag so I can see your beautiful creation! Your feedback is super important to me. If you run into trouble shoot me a message on Instagram and I’ll walk you through it.

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Header image by Food and Wine