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Wondering what to do with that open can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce hanging out in your fridge? Here are 17 recipes to give help you use it up! Never throw away a moldy can of chipotle chiles again, with this lengthy list of recipes from sweet and spicy meatballs to chicken tacos. These are simple and easy recipes that will 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.

When jalapenos are allowed to ripen fully they turn red, then the ripe red jalapeños are smoked 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 chipotles in adobo sauce.

The bigger ones with a tough brown skin are called Chipotle Mecos and are used as dried chiles.

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.

Read more about my favorite chipotle peppers in adobo sauce brands.

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

A white plate with tacos sitting on top and a white napkin on the side.

These shredded chicken tacos are simmered with chipotle and lime then topped with a fresh mango salsa made with sweet ripe mangos, jalapeños and red onion.

Honey Chipotle Cocktail Meatballs

A bowl of meatballs being held in a persons hands.

These Honey Chipotle Cocktail Meatballs make a stunningly simple party appetizer with just three ingredients, they are made as fast as they disappear.

Manchego Chipotle Cheese Ball

Cheese slathered on two crackers sitting on a colorful napkin with a cheeseball in the background.

This manchego chipotle cheese ball is perfect for parties; coated with pumpkin and poppy seeds, and chives its a real crowd pleaser. Gluten-free!

Fig Chipotle Jam

A plate with two pieces of toast. One has jam on top with a knife on the side.

This fig chipotle jam might be the easiest jam you will ever make, not to mention one of the tastiest. It’s great with everything from cheese to fried eggs.

Roasted Carrots with Chipotle Honey Butter

A bowl of roasted carrots with lemon and mint leaves on top.

Sweet roasted carrots tossed in a chipotle and honey butter and sprinkled with fresh mint leaves. Gluten-free!

Salpicon Fattoush Salad with Chipotle Dressing

Salpicon Fattoush Salad on a black platter sitting on a marble table with a small bowl of vinaigrette near by and a spoon with dressing on it.

This recipe combines Salpicon salad and Fattoush salad with seasoned steak, oven-baked flatbread crisps, avocado, feta cheese, and spicy chipotle dressing.

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Chipotle Cream via Veganmiam

Person holding a taco with cauliflower, cilantro, and sauce.

Insanely delicious plant-based tacos with a creamy chipotle chili sauce!

Veggie Black Bean and Chipotle Chili

Overhead shot of a bowl of black bean and vegetable chili with a corn muffin and a cut lime wedge.

A vegan chili recipe with black beans, chipotle chiles, and loads of fresh vegetables. It’s one of our favorite one pot Mexican food recipes with pictures!

Piñata Chicken Wings

Close up shot of chicken wings sitting on a white plate on top of a white tablecloth.

Oven-baked chicken wings tossed in a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce made with caramelized onions, chipotle chiles, raspberry jam, and a jolt of coffee.

Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Overhead shot of cooked spaghetti squash on a white plate on top of a wooden table with a glass of wine in the corner.

Baked spaghetti squash takes on a whole new meaning when draped in fiery chipotle cream sauce and sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs and Cotija cheese.

Tacos al Pastor with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Two tacos sitting on a white plate on a wooden table.

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.

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Pizza

Flatbread pizzas getting ready to go on the grill sitting on a wooden board.

Grilled honey-chipotle chicken, green bell peppers, and sharp Cheddar cheese makes the ultimate chicken pizza. Using flatbread makes it a snap!

Beef and Chipotle Chili

An overhead image of a bowl of beef chipotle chili with kidney beans. There are thinly sliced red onions and cheese on top.

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!

Charred Pineapple and Chipotle Mole {Manchamantel Mole Sauce}

Person making tamales sitting next to a bowl of mole sauce.

One of the classic seven moles of Oaxaca, Mexico. Manchamantel, literally translates to tablecloth stainer. 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.

Chipotle Chicken Flautas

A tray of taquitos topped with chopped tomato, cilantro, and onions sitting on a wooden table.

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!

Turkey Tinga Sopes

Turkey soles with avocado and radishes on top sitting on a wooden table.

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.

Mexican Meatball Soup with Rice {Sopa de Albondigas}

The most delicious Mexican Meatball Soup recipe with chipotle meatballs made with both pork and beef in a rich beef broth with tomatoes, rice, and spinach.

Need More Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce Recipes?

Hit up my Chipotle Pepper Recipes Pinterest Board.

One More Thing

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Header image by Food and Wine

Sometime between the holiday’s fading glow and spring’s first warm breezes lies a long, frigid stretch of nights when we huddled in our homes, hunker down from the cold and wind, and heat up leftovers for dinner. There is no better time than now to gather some friends together and throw a party full of cozy comfort food, delicious cocktails, and loads of laughter—An Italian Polenta Party!

When Aida of Salt & Wind suggested the idea to myself and Meg from This Mess Is Ours we answered with an enthusiastic, YES! I mean, I am never one to turn down an opportunity to cook and gather together with my friends, especially over creamy mountains of soft polenta and Aida’s sensational creamy pesto.

Throwing an Italian Polenta Party is a really fun way to entertain. All you have to do is invite some fun-loving friends, make a few appetizers, a simple cocktail, and then pour out the polenta onto a board in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in!

Here’s All You Need To Know To Throw Your Own Polenta Party

We all gathered on a late Saturday afternoon and Meg mixed up some sparkling Apple Basil and Prosecco Spritzer cocktails while Meredith finished her sweet herb and floral wreaths to line every plate. Aida arranged Fontina and Prosciutto Puff Pastry Squares and Mushroom Ragout Agrodolce Bites on a marbled wood board along with balsamic roasted apples, several types of cheese, and charcuterie. It was all just the beginning to the main event about to come: The Polenta!!

Italian Polenta Party Menu

Here is the rundown of the entire menu. We did one meat topping and one vegetarian topping to go with the polenta but you could always just pick one. It is all the little extras however that make it super fun, so try to have at least three or four different sauces or garnishes that your friends can add to their polenta. Included are the recipes to make these but you could easily make one or two and buy a couple more high-quality versions from the store. Or make the sauces and have toasted pine nuts and grated Parmesan or Pecorino on hand for generous sprinkling.

Drinks

Apple Basil and Prosecco Spritzer cocktails | This Mess Is Ours

Appetizers

Fontina and Prosciutto Puff Pastry Squares | Salt & Wind

Mushroom Ragout Agrodolce Bites | Salt & Wind

Nuts, Cheese, Sliced Charcuterie, Balsamic Roasted Apples, Crackers, and Fruit

The Polenta Board + A Salad

Escarole, Charred Mandarins, Toasted Almond Salad with Rosemary Balsamic Vinaigrette | Salt & Wind

Basic Creamy Polenta | Salt & Wind

Beer Braised Beef Barbacoa| ¡Hola! Jalapeño

Braised Chickpeas with Porcini and Tuscan Kale | This Mess Is Ours

Creamy Basil Pesto | Salt & Wind

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes | Salt & Wind

Red Pepper Romesco Sauce | Salt & Wind

Something Sweet

Blood Orange Tart with Vanilla Mascarpone | ¡Hola! Jalapeño

Serving the Polenta

For our party of 8 people Aida quadrupled this recipe and we had plenty of leftovers to take home (gratefully). The polenta is really nice because you can start it and then let it basically cook on its own, giving it a stir every now and again until it is ready.

To serve the polenta you’ll need a very large food-safe board. Meg had a gorgeous reclaimed wood board that ran the length of the table from Pasadenaville which worked perfectly as everyone had some polenta right in front of them at the table. A large wood cutting board or tray would also work. Just find your biggest food-safe board and pour the polenta out onto the it. Top half of the polenta with the barbacoa and half with the braised chickpeas and place it in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves. Serve all the sauces and garnishes in small dishes scattered about the table so your friends can add what they please. Aida also made a dairy-free version of the polenta with chicken broth and olive oil instead of the butter, milk, and cheese.

Make It Mexican! A Few Mexican Food Recipes That Would Go Great With Polenta

Slow Cooker Carne Adobada

Crispy Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

The Best Ever Canned Black Beans

The Place Settings

Our very talented friend Meredith created delicate mini wreaths made from fresh (and totally edible) herbs, olive leaves, and straw flowers. They look rustic and pretty on the plates and Louisa turned them into a darling little tiara after the party was over. Get all the details on how to make them here.

Shop The Party

Here are a few party essentials we can’t live without:

W/R/F Lab ceramics

Pasadenaville Polenta Board

Pink Shibori Napkins

Linen Napkins

Vintage Roly Poly Cocktail Glasses

Cheese Knives

Denim Cloth Table Covering

All Produce: Melissa’s Produce

What About The After Party Clean Up

Not to worry, I’ve got your back there too! Check out my 6 Kitchen Cleaning Hacks for easy clean up.

A humongous thanks goes to Salt & Wind and This Mess Is Ours for all the photos.

Did you love this post? I want to know! Leave me a comment and snap a photo for Instagram. Tag @holajalapeno 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.