This easy copycat recipe recreates the sweet, smoky Chipotle Mexican Grill honey vinaigrette dressing that you love on your salads and burrito bowls. With just a few simple ingredients like chipotle peppers in adobo, honey, and red wine vinegar, you can duplicate this flavorful salad dressing Copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette recipe at home.
Making your own vinaigrette with chipotles in adobo sauce adds a depth of flavor that’s perfect for dressing up greens, grains, tacos and more. The adobo-infused vinaigrette has the right balance of savory and sweet, while lending a subtle heat and smokiness. This versatile all-purpose dressing keeps for weeks in the fridge so you can always have it on hand!
Why Make Homemade Chipotle Vinaigrette?
There are quite a few reasons to try this easy chipotle honey copycat recipe:
It’s cheaper
Making this popular dressing at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay to buy a pre-made bottle. Just a few affordable ingredients that you likely have on hand already.
No additives
Commercial dressings contain additives and preservatives. This homemade version contains wholesome natural ingredients you recognize.
Customizable
Don’t like things too spicy or sweet? Adjust the ingredients to suit your own tastes!
Long shelf life
Keeps fresh in the fridge for weeks thanks to the vinegar. Store-bought dressings don’t last nearly as long after opening.
So if you want to save money, control ingredients and spices, and have delicious Chipotle vinaigrette available anytime, then read on!
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Recipe Ingredients And Substitutions
Recreating the sweetness, smoke and mild heat of the restaurant-style dressing is easy with simple real food ingredients:
1⁄4 cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
1 small garlic clove, roughly chopped
1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
That’s it! Chipotle’s popular vinaigrette has just a few main ingredients that lend it tons of flavor.
How to Make Copycat Chipotle honey Vinaigrette Recipe
With just 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, you can whip up a big batch of this dressing that will last for weeks.
Here’s the quick step-by-step:
Add the chopped chipotles in adobo sauce, vinegar, honey, and seasonings to a blender or food processor.
Blend until smooth then drizzle in the olive oil with the blender machine running to emulsify and thicken.
Transfer to an airtight container, then store chilled.
Shake/stir before drizzling over salads, grains or proteins.
And that’s it – easy peasy! The Chipotle vinaigrette will thicken up to the perfect consistency after chilling in the fridge up to an hour.
Let’s go over the simple copycat Chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe so you can make this at home!
Tips for Making Copycat Chipotle Vinaigrette
I’ve made this chipotle dressing a bunch of times now and picked up some helpful tips along the way:
For less heat, seed the chipotles before chopping
Add more adobo sauce for extra smokiness
To thin the dressing, stir in a splash of water/vinegar
Use Greek yogurt instead of oil for a creamy vinaigrette
Drizzle over cooked grains or proteins while warm so it soaks in
Store leftovers sealed for 2-3 weeks max
So feel free to tweak this recipe to your preferences! The chipotle vinaigrette is quite versatile…
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Calories
A typical chipotle honey vinaigrette is made with ingredients like olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, chipotle peppers, garlic, and spices.
A 2 tablespoon serving would contain approximately:
Calories: 90-150
Total fat: 10g
Carbs: 5g
Protein: 0g
The calories are mostly coming from the oil and honey. Vinegars and spices add lots of flavor without significant calories.
A 2 tbsp portion works well for drizzling as a salad dressing or sauce. The calorie count would increase if using larger amounts to marinate proteins or toss with grains/veggies.
To reduce the calorie content, you could use less oil or replace some with Greek yogurt for a “light” creamy version. But the oil is key for proper emulsification.
So a roughly 100 calorie average for a standard chipotle honey vinaigrette is a reasonable estimate. Watch your portions and balance it out with low calorie salad fixings!
How to Use Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
This copycat dressing has that iconic Chipotle flavor that goes well with so many different meals:
Salad topping – Drizzle over mixed greens, grains, beans, proteins
Taco/burrito filling
Bowl base – Toss with rice, quinoa, chicken, veggies
Sauce for grilled or baked chicken
Marinade for shrimp, fish or flank steak
Dip for sweet potato fries, tater tots or nachos
With its addictive sweet and smoky taste, the possibilities are endless! And it couldn’t be easier to whip up this dressing anytime the craving strikes.
How To Store Honey Vinaigrette?
Here are some tips for properly storing homemade honey vinaigrette:
Proper Storage for Honey Vinaigrette
To keep your homemade honey vinaigrette fresh and flavorful for as long as possible, follow these simple storage guidelines:
Store in an Airtight Container
Pour the vinaigrette into a clean, airtight glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Mason jars work great.
Refrigerate Promptly
Don’t leave the dressing sitting out at room temperature. Refrigerate promptly after making for food safety.
Use Clean Utensils
Always use clean utensils when taking vinaigrette out of the container to avoid introducing bacteria.
Keep Lid Tight
Make sure to close the lid tightly after each use to block air exposure and prevent spoilage organisms from getting in.
Limit Refrigerator Time
Properly stored, the vinaigrette will keep fresh for up to 2-3 weeks refrigerated. Toss when it starts looking separated or smelly.
Follow these quick tips for maximizing the shelf life of your tasty honey vinaigrette. Tight sealing and cold storage are key to preventing premature spoilage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What oil does Chipotle use?
Chipotle restaurants use rice bran oil in their cooking for its neutral flavor and high smoke point. But for this vinaigrette recipe, olive oil adds nice flavor.
Can I use dried chipotle instead?
Dried chipotle chile peppers can work but may need to be reconstituted in hot water first to soften. The chipotles canned in adobo sauce add flavorful smokiness without the extra step.
How long does the dressing keep?
This vinaigrette stays fresh sealed in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. The vinegar helps preserve it.
Can I make it without a blender/food processor?
You can try to emulsify everything with a whisk but it will be more difficult to get a thick, creamy consistency.
Chipotle honey vinaigrette where to buy?
Since the Chipotle honey vinaigrette is a restaurant-style dressing, you won’t find this exact version for sale in stores. However, you can purchase prepared vinaigrette dressings with a similar smoky, sweet flavor profile from grocers or online. Some examples of ready-made dressings that are comparable to the chipotle honey vinaigrette are:
Brianna’s Rich Poppy Seed Dressing
Girard’s Champagne Vinaigrette
Newman’s Own Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Olive Garden Italian Dressing
Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette
Check the salad dressing aisle at your local supermarket. Or order from online retailers like Amazon, Vitacost, Walmart etc. Of course, you can always make the tasty copycat dressing easily at home too!
How to add vinaigrette to chipotle online order?
Unfortunately there is no way to add vinaigrette or other dressings to a Chipotle online order. Some options you have include:
Add dressing when you pick up your order in the restaurant. Ask for a side cup of vinaigrette or the dressing of your choice.
Order a salad instead of a bowl or burrito. Chipotle online allows you to select salad dressings when you order salads online.
Add guacamole or salsa to your order online. While not the same as vinaigrette, the extra fats and flavors can make your meal taste more fresh and flavorful.
Order sides of chips and guacamole or chips and fresh tomato salsa. The acidity from the tomatoes and creaminess of the avocado can approximate some flavors you may get from vinaigrette.
Make your own quick vinaigrette at home and bring it with you. Make a simple lemon or lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper dressing in a small container to add flavor when you receive your Chipotle order.
So while you unfortunately can’t directly add vinaigrette through the Chipotle website or app, there are some easy workarounds to still help flavor your Chipotle bowl, burrito or tacos to your preferences!
Now that you know how quick and easy it is to recreate Chipotle’s popular smoky, sweet dressing at home, you’ll never have to pay premium prices again!
Keep a batch of this copycat honey vinaigrette in your fridge to elevate simple meals:
Tacos, burrito bowls
Grain/protein salads
Baked, grilled or air-fried chicken
Simple steamed veggies
I love using this dressing as the base flavor for rice or quinoa bowls. Then loading it up with sauteed veggies, beans, avocado, cheese and crispy tortilla strips.
It’s also delicious drizzled over grilled flank steak or shrimp skewers. The chipotle-adobo notes pair so nicely with the char.
However you choose to use this versatile vinaigrette, I know you’ll love having the sweet and smoky Chipotle flavor on hand anytime.
It costs just pennies per serving to make at home. And the customized version allows you to tweak heat level and thickness to suit your tastes.
So ditch the expensive bottled dressings and go homemade! This easy chipotle honey copycat recipe will be your new go-to.
Conclusion
Whipping up a batch of this Chipotle honey vinaigrette copycat recipe is simple and so worthwhile. With just a few pantry ingredients like canned chipotles, vinegar, oil and spices, you can recreate that iconic sweet and smoky flavor we all crave.
The customized homemade version allows you to adjust spice level and thickness to your personal preference. And it costs just pennies per serving compared to premium bottled dressings.
Keep a jar of this tasty dressing in the fridge to elevate simple meals anytime the craving for those Chipotle flavors strikes. It’s so versatile for dressing up Tex-Mex style tacos, burrito bowls, salads, meats, veggies and more.
So skip the expensive dressing aisle and go homemade! This easy chipotle vinaigrette will be your new pantry staple
