Creamy Chipotle Southwest Sauce

This creamy chipotle southwest sauce blends ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and chipotle peppers in adobo into a smoky, tangy sauce with just a touch of sweetness. It takes about 5 minutes to make in a blender and tastes even better after chilling. Use it on burgers, tacos, sandwiches, fries, or as an easy dipping sauce.

Why This Southwest Chipotle Sauce Works

I’ve always loved the Chipotle Southwest Sauce from Subway, and the other day I found myself craving it even though I didn’t really want a sub. So I decided to make my own homemade version that falls somewhere between the Subway sauce and a creamy chipotle ranch.

The combination of ranch dressing and mayonnaise gives the sauce a rich, smooth base with more flavor than plain chipotle mayo. Chipotle peppers in adobo add smoky heat, while the ranch brings a cool, herby flavor that keeps the sauce balanced and easy to pair with just about anything. Vinegar cuts through the richness, a little sugar rounds out the heat, and the onion and garlic powders add plenty of savory flavor. Blending everything together creates a smooth, pourable sauce with the chipotle evenly distributed throughout every bite.

That balance makes it perfect for subs, grilled chicken, burgers, tacos, wraps, fries, and just about anything that needs a smoky, creamy sauce.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup ranch dressing
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Ingredient Notes

• Chipotle peppers in adobo: These are smoked jalapeños packed in a tangy, tomato-based sauce. Use some of the pepper along with the surrounding adobo sauce for the fullest flavor. Start with less for a milder sauce, then add more to increase the smoky heat.
• Ranch dressing: Use a ranch you already enjoy since its flavor forms the base of the sauce. A thicker ranch will create a creamier dipping sauce and a thinner ranch will make it more pourable.
• Mayonnaise: Mayo adds richness and gives the sauce a smooth, creamy consistency. Regular mayonnaise provides the best texture, but light mayonnaise can be used for a slightly thinner result.
• White distilled vinegar: Vinegar adds the sharp tang that keeps the sauce from tasting too rich. Apple cider vinegar works as a substitute, but it will add a slightly fruitier flavor.
• Onion and garlic powder: These add savory flavor without changing the sauce’s smooth texture. Make sure they’re fully blended in, then let the sauce chill so the seasonings have time to soften and develop.

How to Make Chipotle Southwest Sauce

Step 1: Combine everything

Add the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, vinegar, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder to a blender or food processor.

Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy, with no visible pieces of pepper remaining.

Step 2: Chill

Transfer the sauce to a squeeze bottle or an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time lets the flavors meld together fully.

Step 3: Store and serve

Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve with burgers, tacos, sandwiches, fries, or as a dipping sauce for pretty much anything.

My Tested Tips for the Best Chipotle Southwest Sauce

• Use more adobo sauce for smoke without too much heat. The peppers provide most of the spice, while the sauce surrounding them adds smoky, tangy flavor. Add extra adobo sauce rather than another whole pepper when you want more depth without making the sauce significantly hotter.
• Wait until after chilling to adjust the consistency. The sauce thickens slightly in the refrigerator. If it’s too thick after resting, blend in a teaspoon of water at a time until it’s easy to drizzle.
• Hold off on adding salt. Ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and canned chipotles already contain salt. Taste the finished sauce before adding any additional seasoning.
• Scrape down the blender. Onion powder, garlic powder, and small pieces of chipotle can collect around the sides or beneath the blades. Stop once to scrape everything down so the flavor is evenly distributed.
• Make it a day ahead when possible. The smoky, tangy flavors become more balanced after several hours in the refrigerator, making this an easy sauce to prepare before a party or meal prep.
• Keep the sauce cold while serving. Only pour out what you plan to use and return the rest to the refrigerator for later use.

What to Use Chipotle Southwest Sauce On

• Subs and sandwiches: Spread it on turkey, chicken, steak, or veggie subs in place of plain mayonnaise for a smoky, tangy flavor similar to Subway’s Chipotle Southwest Sauce. Use this Italian herbs and cheese bread for your sub.
• Burgers: Spoon it onto beef, turkey, or chicken burgers for a creamy sauce with a little heat.
• Tacos and burritos: Drizzle it over chicken, steak, shrimp, or fish tacos, or add it to burritos and burrito bowls.
• Grilled chicken: Serve it with grilled or roasted chicken as a dipping sauce or spread it over the chicken just before serving.
• Fries and loaded fries: Use it as a dip for French fries, sweet potato fries, or onion rings. It’s also delicious drizzled over loaded fries or nachos.
• Wraps and quesadillas: Spread it inside chicken wraps or serve it alongside quesadillas for dipping.
• Southwest salads: Thin the sauce with a small splash of water and use it as a dressing for salads made with grilled chicken, corn, black beans, avocado, and tomatoes.
• Breakfast sandwiches: Add it to egg, bacon, or sausage breakfast sandwiches for a smoky alternative to ketchup or hot sauce.

How to Store Chipotle Southwest Sauce

Store the sauce in an airtight container or sealed squeeze bottle in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Stir or shake it well before serving since the ingredients can settle slightly as it sits.

Don’t leave the sauce at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Return any unused portion to the refrigerator promptly and discard it if it develops an unusual smell, color, or texture.

I don’t recommend freezing this sauce. Mayonnaise and creamy dressings can separate after freezing and thawing, leaving the sauce watery or grainy.

Chipotle Southwest Sauce FAQs

What is chipotle southwest sauce made of?

Chipotle southwest sauce is a creamy sauce made with ranch dressing, mayonnaise, chipotle peppers in adobo, vinegar, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder. It has a smoky, tangy flavor with mild heat and a touch of sweetness.

Is this the same as Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce?

This recipe is inspired by Subway’s Chipotle Southwest Sauce rather than being the exact restaurant formula. It combines the smoky, slightly sweet flavor of the Subway sauce with the cool, herby creaminess of chipotle ranch.

Is chipotle southwest sauce spicy?

Chipotle southwest sauce is mildly to moderately spicy. The exact heat depends on how many chipotle peppers you use. Start with less for a milder sauce, then blend in more until it reaches your preferred spice level.

Is chipotle southwest sauce the same as chipotle mayo?

No. Chipotle mayo is usually made with mayonnaise and chipotle peppers, while chipotle southwest sauce includes ranch dressing, vinegar, sugar, and additional seasonings. This gives it a tangier, more complex flavor.

Can I make chipotle southwest sauce without a blender?

Yes. Finely mince the chipotle peppers, then whisk all the ingredients together until evenly combined. The sauce won’t be quite as smooth, but the flavor will be the same.

Can I use chipotle powder instead of chipotle peppers in adobo?

Yes, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different. Start with ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder, taste the sauce, and add more as needed. You may also need a small splash of water or extra vinegar to replace the moisture from the adobo sauce.

How can I make the sauce milder?

Use 1 tablespoon of chipotle peppers instead of 2 tablespoons. You can also add more ranch dressing or mayonnaise to soften the heat without making the sauce watery.

Can I make chipotle southwest sauce ahead of time?

Yes. This sauce is ideal for making ahead because its flavor improves after chilling. Prepare it several hours or up to a day before serving, then stir it well and adjust the consistency if needed.

More Sauce Recipes to Try

• Subway Sweet Onion Sauce
• Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
• Honey Sriracha Sauce
• Bang Bang Sauce
• Cheddar Cheese Sauce