If you’re a fan of Chipotle Mexican Grill, you’re likely familiar with their amazing chipotle honey vinaigrette. This dressing is the perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and tangy, making it an ideal complement to salads, bowls, and grilled dishes. The good news is you don’t have to go to Chipotle to enjoy this flavorful vinaigrette. This copycat recipe allows you to easily recreate the authentic taste of Chipotle Mexican Grill Vinaigrette right in your own kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can have a batch of this delicious dressing ready in minutes. Get ready to elevate your homemade meals with this spot-on Chipotle Mexican Grill vinaigrette recipe!
This homemade chipotle mexican grill vinaigrette tastes incredibly similar to the restaurant’s original recipe. By experimenting with the ingredients listed on the Chipotle website, I’ve developed this copycat version that hits all the right notes. It’s fantastic tossed with romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, creamy avocado, your favorite grilled meats, or a combination of everything for a vibrant and flavorful salad. And if you’re a true Chipotle enthusiast, you should also try this Chipotle-inspired cilantro-lime rice to complete your homemade Chipotle experience!
What You’ll Need To Make Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Creating this copycat chipotle mexican grill vinaigrette requires just a handful of readily available ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the signature Chipotle flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Red Wine Vinegar: This provides the essential acidity and tangy base for the vinaigrette, perfectly balancing the sweetness of honey and the richness of the oil. Red wine vinegar is key to achieving that authentic vinaigrette tang.
- Honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and depth of flavor that is characteristic of Chipotle’s vinaigrette. It not only sweetens but also contributes to the dressing’s smooth texture.
- Vegetable Oil: A neutral vegetable oil is essential for creating the right emulsion and texture. It ensures the vinaigrette is smooth and coats your salad ingredients evenly and beautifully.
- Dried Oregano and Cumin: These dried spices bring warm, earthy, and slightly herbal notes, adding complexity and depth to the dressing’s flavor profile, making it more than just sweet and spicy.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple but crucial, salt and pepper enhance all the other flavors and properly season the vinaigrette, ensuring it’s perfectly balanced and delicious.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: The star ingredient! Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce deliver the signature smoky heat and complex flavor that defines Chipotle’s vinaigrette. You can usually find these in the Latin American food section of most grocery stores. Using both the peppers and a bit of the adobo sauce is key to the authentic taste.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic provides a pungent, aromatic depth and savory undertones that round out the flavor profile of this amazing vinaigrette.
For precise measurements, jump to the printable recipe card below.
How To Make Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Making this copycat Chipotle honey vinaigrette is incredibly easy and quick. It’s a simple matter of combining all the ingredients and blending until smooth. Here’s the step-by-step process:
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Combine Ingredients: Place all of the ingredients – red wine vinegar, honey, vegetable oil, dried oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and garlic – into a blender or a mini food processor.
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Blend Until Smooth: Process or blend the mixture until it is completely smooth and emulsified. This should only take about 30-60 seconds, depending on your blender or food processor.
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Taste and Adjust: Give the vinaigrette a quick taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You might want to add a pinch more salt, pepper, or even a touch more honey or vinegar to perfectly match your taste preferences.
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Enjoy! Your homemade Chipotle Mexican Grill vinaigrette is now ready to use! Drizzle it over your favorite salads, bowls, tacos, or grilled meats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making and storing chipotle honey vinaigrette:
Can I make chipotle honey vinaigrette ahead of time?
Absolutely! This vinaigrette is perfect for making ahead. It stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Just remember that the ingredients may separate slightly upon standing, which is perfectly normal for homemade vinaigrettes. Before each use, give it a good shake to recombine everything and restore its smooth consistency.
How should I store leftover chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce often come in a can, and you likely won’t use the entire can for just one batch of vinaigrette. Freezing leftover chipotle peppers in adobo is a great way to prevent waste and have them ready for future recipes. A convenient method is to portion them into small amounts and freeze them in ice cube trays. Once frozen solid, transfer the pepper cubes to a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage. You can then easily thaw just the amount you need for your next batch of vinaigrette or other recipes. Alternatively, if you don’t have ice cube trays, you can spread tablespoon-sized portions of the peppers and adobo sauce on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, and then transfer the frozen portions to a freezer-safe container for storage.
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Recipe
By Jenn Segal
Inspired by Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Honey Vinaigrette
This homemade chipotle honey vinaigrette is a copycat recipe that tastes just like the original Chipotle Mexican Grill dressing.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yields: 1 ¼ cups
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 small garlic cloves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or mini food processor and process until completely smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to shake well before serving if stored.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 173
Fat: 17g
Saturated fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Sugar: 6g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 172mg
Cholesterol: 4mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and varies based on product brands and cooking methods. Contact a medical professional or dietician for nutritional advice.
