Chipotle Garlic Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
A creamy and smoky chipotle garlic sour cream sauce that combines the tang of sour cream with the smoky heat of chipotle peppers and garlic, perfect for adding flavor to tacos, grilled meats, or as a dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Sauce Base
- 1 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt can be used for a healthier alternative)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
Spicy & Flavor Ingredients
- 2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or roasted
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for consistency)
Instructions
- Prep the garlic and chipotles: If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, roast the garlic cloves in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes until they are golden and soft. Roughly chop the chipotle peppers to make them easier to blend.
- Blend the base: In a blender or food processor, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, prepared garlic, lime juice, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, which typically takes 30–60 seconds depending on your device.
- Taste and adjust: Sample the sauce and adjust to your preference. For more heat, add another half pepper or some additional adobo sauce. If it’s too spicy, add extra sour cream. You can also tweak the salt and lime juice to balance the flavors.
- Check consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of olive oil or a teaspoon of water to thin it out, then blend briefly again to combine.
- Store and chill: Transfer the sauce to a glass jar or an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop fully before serving.
Notes
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier, lower-fat option.
- Roasting the garlic mellows its sharpness and adds depth to the sauce.
- Add more adobo sauce or chipotle peppers for extra spiciness.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after chilling, stir in a little water or olive oil to loosen it.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week.
