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Chipotle Ranch Dressing is the spicy cousin of traditional Ranch dressing. Easy to make in under 5 minutes and great on top of salads, tacos, burgers and steak - and an amazing option to dip your chips or veggies in. This version is made without buttermilk, using store bought mayonnaise.
This Chipotle Ranch Dressing is the delicious spicy sauce you need for all your dipping needs. Or serve on top of a steak, or seafood! Perfect for barbecue season and so quick and easy to make you'll be coming back to it over and over again.
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Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick - done in under 5 minutes
- It's easy - just mix together the ingredients
- It's delicious with a base of classic ranch flavors paired with spicy chipotle
- No food processor * needed - just a bowl, a fork, and a garlic press or knife
- Multiple options for what chipotle to use so you can use what you have
What you need to make Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Mayonnaise - store bought mayo is fine
- Sour cream can be swapped for Greek yogurt to lower fat & calories
- Chipotle paste can be swapped for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (2-3 peppers for one batch) or chipotle powder (½ teaspoon for one batch).
- If using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, blend the sauce in a food processor * or blender *
- Fresh garlic can be swapped for garlic powder
- If using chipotle powder or chipotles without seasoning you can add a bit of onion powder as well
- Lime juice can be added to lighten it up
How to make it
- Start by placing minced * garlic and fine table salt in a bowl and mash it together with a fork, until well combined
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream and chipotle paste
- Add the paprika powder
- Mix well, taste test and adjust seasoning if needed - and serve!
Tips & Tricks
- If you don't have a garlic press you can chop the garlic very small instead
- The flavor and spice deepens as it sits so if you plan on storing it you might want to reduce the amount of chipotle paste
- Make it healthier by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
- Make it less spicy by using less chipotle paste
- Make it spicier by adding more chipotle paste or a dash of cayenne pepper
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container and it's good for at least a week
Recipe FAQ
Chipotle ranch can be made in many different ways but is basically a ranch dressing with chipotle flavoring mixed in.
You can make it from scratch or using a regular ranch dressing, and you can use chipotle paste, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or chipotle powder.
Chipotle ranch is usually a bit spicy, but it depends on how much chipotle you add - and if you add any other spicy spices such as cayenne pepper.
This version is a litte bit spicy, but not very. However, if you're sensitive to spice I suggest starting out with half of the stated amount of chipotle paste.
The contents of chipotle paste can vary depending on the brand. I use Santa Maria Chipotle Paste which is made from 34% chipotle chili and also has onion, tomato puré, vinegar, garlic, salt and other spices.
You can usually find one or the other - or both - at your supermarket. Look in the Mexican aisle!
How to serve it
Just like its more traditional cousin Ranch Dressing this Chipotle Ranch is great for so many things. Here are just some of my favorite ways to have it:
- As a salad dressing
- In a sandwich
- As a sauce for steak
- With chicken
- To dip tortilla chips or raw veggies
- As a sauce for cooked veggies
- With french fries
- On top of burgers
- Drizzled over tacos
And what's good with one sauce - is even better with two! Pair this sauce with a Garlic Parmesan Sauce for ultimate dipping.
More sauces you can make in 5 minutes
Like quick & easy sauces, like this chipotle ranch? Then I think you will love these:
- Lime Aioli
- Blue Cheese Sauce
- Avocado Lime Ranch
- Gluten Free BBQ Sauce
- Whipped Feta Cheese with Basil
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Print RateIngredients
- 1 garlic clove peeled and minced
- 1 pinch fine table salt
- ½ cup mayonnaise*
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoon chipotle paste
- ¼ teaspoon paprika powder + extra to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Place minced garlic and salt in a bowl and mash together with a fork.1 garlic clove, 1 pinch fine table salt
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Taste test and adjust seasoning if needed, and serve!½ cup mayonnaise*, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 teaspoon chipotle paste, ¼ teaspoon paprika powder
Equipment needed for this recipe
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Mayonnaise - store bought mayo is fine
- Sour cream can be swapped for Greek yogurt to lower fat & calories
- Chipotle paste can be swapped for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (2-3 peppers for one batch) or chipotle powder (½ teaspoon for one batch).
- If using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, blend the sauce in a food processor or blender
- Fresh garlic can be swapped for garlic powder
- If using chipotle powder or chipotles without seasoning you can add a bit of onion powder as well
- Lime juice can be added to lighten it up
Tips & tricks
- If you don't have a garlic press you can chop the garlic very small instead
- The flavor and spice deepens as it sits so if you plan on storing it you might want to reduce the amount of chipotle paste
- Make it healthier by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
- Make it less spicy by using less chipotle paste
- Make it spicier by adding more chipotle paste or a dash of cayenne pepper
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container and it's good for at least a week
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Traci
Chipotle ranch wins every time in our house. So easy and goes on everything. YUMMMM
Emmeline Kemperyd
Same here Traci!
Dannii
I love anything with chipotle in, so this sounds amazing.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thansk Dannii!
Alexandra
So simple to prepare and full of flavour - this sauce goes with so many things!
Adrianne
I love a dressing that has a little kick to it and this chipotle ranch sounds like it does! I can definitely see this being used on everything. Can't wait to give it a go, thanks!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Let me know how it turns out!
jack
This ranch recipe is so easy to make and delicious. I love the addition of the chipotle
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you, Jack!