Chipotle Vinaigrette

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Make the smoky-sweet Chipotle Vinaigrette you love and crave at home (a copycat from the restaurant of the same name). It comes together in minutes with easy pantry ingredients, and it tastes exactly like it should.

Chipotle vinaigrette in a clear bowl on a countertop.


 

I love to order salads at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Loaded with chicken, rice, veggies, beans, and all the toppings, this hearty bowl eats more like a meal than a salad.

“Do you want the vinaigrette on the side?”

They ask this every time, which is fine, I’m all about reducing food waste so it’s good to ask. Little do they know, the Chipotle salad dressing is a primary driver to order a salad in the first place. Otherwise I’d just get a bowl, right?

If you’re a fan of Chipotle, it’s really easy to make your own copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette at home. It’s made with a combination of red wine vinegar, honey, adobo sauce, and spices. Blitz in a blender, then add the oil to emulsify, and you’re done.

Faster than they can say “Chips and guac?” Which is also a yes.

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette dressing.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Adobo sauce: This is the sauce in which chipotle peppers are packed in when canned. To make your own adobo sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or ½ teaspoon EACH smoked paprika and cayenne powder), ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch EACH of oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
  • Oregano: Chipotle uses dried Mexican oregano. It tastes more like marjoram than Italian oregano and can be tricky to track down (I always find it at the Mexican grocery store). You can use either one (and you can choose fresh over dried if you want).
  • Olive oil: Chipotle uses Rice Bran oil in all of their recipes. I always substitute olive oil because that’s what I have on hand (you can use any neutral oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil).

Step-by-step instructions

  1. In a food processor or blender, combine red wine vinegar, honey, adobo sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano and pulse to combine.
Ingredients in a blender for Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette.
  1. With the motor still running, drizzle in the oil and blend until the salad dressing comes together and emulsifies.
Ingredients in a blender for Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette.
  1. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 tablespoon salt and 1 ½ teaspoon pepper).
A bowl of Chipotle honey vinaigrette with a Chipotle sofritas burrito bowl in the background.

Recipe tips and variations

Chipotle sofritas in a white bowl with rice.
Chipotle Sofritas with Cilantro-Lime Rice, romaine lettuce, Mild Tomato Salsa, and Chipotle Vinaigrette makes an excellent meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a substitute for adobo sauce?

To make a substitute for adobo sauce, whisk together: 1 tbsp. tomato paste, 1 tbsp. cider vinegar, 1 tsp. chipotle powder (or ½ tsp. each smoked paprika and cayenne powder), ½ tsp. cumin, and 1 pinch EACH oregano, garlic powder, and salt.

More Chipotle recipes

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Chipotle vinaigrette in a clear bowl on a countertop.

Chipotle Vinaigrette

Make the smoky-sweet Chipotle Vinaigrette you love and crave at home (a copycat from the restaurant of the same name). It comes together in minutes with easy pantry ingredients, and it tastes exactly like it should.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings 16 servings (2 tbsp each)
Course Pantry
Cuisine American, Mexican
Calories 206
4.99 from 266 votes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a food processor or blender, combine red wine vinegar, honey, adobo sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano and pulse to combine.
  • With the motor still running, drizzle in the oil until the salad dressing comes together and emulsifies. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 tablespoon salt and 1 ½ teaspoon pepper).

Notes

  1. Adobo sauce: To make your own adobo sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or ½ teaspoon EACH smoked paprika and cayenne powder), ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch EACH of oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
  2. Oregano: Chipotle uses dried Mexican oregano. It tastes more like marjoram than Italian oregano and can be tricky to track down (I always find it at the Mexican grocery store). You can use either one (and you can choose fresh over dried if you want).
  3. Olive oil: Chipotle uses Rice Bran oil in all of their recipes. I always substitute olive oil because that’s what I have on hand (you can use any neutral-flavored oil).
  4. Yield: This recipe makes about 2 cups of Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette, enough for 16 servings, 2 tablespoons each.
  5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tbspCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 195mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

  1. It was better than Chipotle! I will always make this instead..so flavorful and delicious!

    Thank you so much!

  2. Hi. I loved this recipe. When this shows up on pinterest it has a nice bottle with a pour spot. Can I ask you where you got it?

    1. Hi Pat! I’m so glad you loved this dressing! The bottle is old, but I think it came from Sur la Table or Target. I hope this helps! – Meggan

    2. Hey Pat, check out your salad dressing aisle and look for the Good seasons brand. It’s a box that comes with the glass and 3 packets of Italian seasoning to make the dressing.

  3. I worked there and have the exact recipe.and how much to put in This one here is wrong. Just to let you know they don’t put garlic cloves or powder in it.

    1. Hi Steven, thank you for your comment. Chipotle lists garlic as an ingredient in their dressing. Please write again if you would like to share the recipe with us! Take care! – Meggan

  4. I’ve made this a few times and liked it but I don’t think it tastes just like Chipotle’s. I’m starting to master their exact recipe and can’t 🙁4 stars

  5. YUM! I’ve never had this at Chipotle, but this is great! Thanks so much for sharing, I will definitely be making this again.5 stars

    1. You’re so welcome, Kristine! I’m glad you loved it! Have a great weekend! – Meggan

  6. Hi! Where did you purchase that salad dressing container? I am tired of the mess of storing dressings in mason jars

    1. Hi Michelle, I understand! It’s really old, I think I got it from Sur la Table. Take care! – Meggan

  7. So so good, tastes just like Chipolte- quick and easy. I used the Adobe chipotle peppers, I believe 3 in the sauce from the can. Scrumptious- deliocious! I had the wild flower honey- hesitant at 1st, but it came out so yummy!5 stars

    1. Wildflower honey sounds wonderful, Courtney! I’m so happy to hear you loved it! Take care! – Meggan

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