An easy Chipotle Crema Recipe that is made up of chipotle from a can, crema de tu gusto, onion, garlic, salt, and optional spices. No cook time goes down in my recipe and it is still flavor-packed and as spicy as you like in about 5-minutes. Let’s go make the sauce and learn more about all the different sazon de chipotle.
If you take it down to five ingredients you can still make my go-to base chipotle. I used greek yogurt for this creamy chipotle pictured above.
Note: I’ll provide how to make the stewed chipotles from dried peppers if you would like, just let me know! For this recipe, I used canned because it still achieves a delicious flavor. Vamos …
Why You Should Try This Recipe
What can I say, it’s perfect for spreading onto all your favorites and dipping those homemade papitas and crispy milanesa tortas.
Chipotle crema isn’t a regular food, but more like a smokey-spicy casera (homemade) treat in the form of sauce. If you love a sauce a lado, you must try this recipe. I especially for the holidays.
It’s not indulgent so zero guilt for eating it and it is still creamy-delish, despite its healthier alternative of crema or yogurt, instead of widely used mayonnaise base. They all have their perk in flavor dependent on what it’s being used for.
CHIPOTLE SPICE TO WARM YOU UP
It’s always good to know how to whip something quick using very few pantry ingredients. Not to mention a convenient and family friendly sauce when using sour cream or greek yogurt, especially since the spice level can be adjusted.
Its perfect for when you’re all out of tomatoes too, and need something pronto for topping! It’s truly a pantry friendly item to save the day, and an uneccessary trip to the mercado.
Ingredients To Make an Easy Chipotle Crema
Grocery Quick List: Sour cream or crema or plain yogurt, canned whole chipotle peppers, water, onion, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and lime optional.
- 1/2 can, about 4 or 5 chipotle peppers
- 1/8 onion, a few pieces, roughly,
- or up to 1/4 from small onion.
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup water
- 5 ounces greek yogurt
- pepper and salt OR bouillon
See the recipe card if you need a batch that is 2 cups! It is all there for you!
Ingredient Notes / Variations
- Canned chipotle chiles – Use your favorite type or drop me a note down below for brand recs. I always grab chipotles in adobo sauce this way I can build up the spice to my liking.
- A small can, about 7 oz, is enough but feel free to grab a larger if you have a lot to make.
- Pro Tip: If you have adobo sauce in a can, and not the whole chipotles, you can still get away with making this chipotle crema recipe.
- I use La Morena brand chipotle for this sauce recipe.
- A small can, about 7 oz, is enough but feel free to grab a larger if you have a lot to make.
- Sour cream, crema sin sal, or plain greek yogurt are all options for this crema.
- 3/4 cup of crema/greek yogurt for whole can of chipotle chiles.
- 1 small crema/yogurt cup for half can of chipotle chiles.
- For thinner consistency, use a crema fresca latina, and it will come out smoother because this type of delicious crema is pourable.
- Pull back on the water if using crema fresca. This is your heads up!
- Onion and garlic – are the perfect aromatic combo for this chipotle crema but if you’re missing one of the two ingredients you can still make it.
- It wont be exact but it will get you far enough to still enjoy the flavor of chipotle dip / topping.
- Raw form is good, no need to boil or grill these ingredients unless that is your preference.
- Using bouillion instead of DIY spice
- 1 tbsp of bouillon for 1 lb of sauce, or for half pound, 2 teaspoon and a sprinkle of salt is what I usually use.
- Be sure you’re tasting your chiles to see how salted they already come. This will vary by brand. Not all brands of chipotle are equally great in taste, know your brand.
- This photo below is what my DIY mexican spice blend looks like, incase you prefer to make your own for seasoning the crema.
Other ingredients with finer details, helpful tips!
- Pepper corns or ground pepper! 1/2 tsp of either pepper type, it’s a great addition.
- Water, we use just a bit and let the crema/yogurt and chilis do their thing when we blend it all together. The water helps thin the sauce out to desired level. We want a texture that’ll stick to a tostada, not drip off. Unless that’s what you want. This is your heads up!
- 1/4 c water for whole can chipotles
- 1 ounce water for half or as little as 3 chile chipotles.
- Lime – adding lime to your chipotle crema will depend on the dish you are making it for. I find it easier to have lime wedges on the side, this way all persons can eat as they please.
Ways To Spice It Up
Same advice I give in my easy chipotle sauce. Peppercorns can add a peppery magic. If using dried ground chiles for more spice variation and experimentation, I recommend getting familiar with the following:
- Ground Chili Tepin, also named Chiltepin
- Ground Chile California
- and ground Chile Pasilla, for sticking with the smokey flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
To make the Chipotle Crema
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth consistency is reached. Be sure the spice level is where you are comfortable. It’s so good!
A printer-friendly recipe card with instructions is available at the bottom of this post.
Need thinner consistency dip when using yogurt? If a bit more water is needed, add 2 tablespoons at a time.
I could talk about all the food chipotle crema makes better, all the time! Sauce a lado team all the way!
Foods To Eat It With Creamy Chipotle
Wondering what to serve with [Chipotle Crema], here are a few of our faves.
- Breakfast Potatoes
- Black Bean Dip
- Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
Ways To Flip [Chipotle Crema]
Use this crema for any of the following dishes or as a topping on everyday crunchy snacks or with veggies.
- Southwest Dressing
- Creamy Chipotle Pasta
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Creamy Chipotle Chicken
Pro Tips / Receta Notes
Recipe yield: about 1 cup chipotle crema.
Storage: Keep stored in food safe container with airtight lid. Keep refrigerated and stir before each use. Chipotle sauce will last for 7 days with proper food storage. Not recommended to freeze.
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Easy Chipotle Crema Recipe
DESCRIPTION
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Blender cup
- 1 Silicone spoon or stainless steel (depending on blender material, to prevent damage).
- 1 Food storage capapcity 10- 12 ounces.
Ingredients
Ingredients to make the Chipotle Crema
- 5 whole canned chipotle peppers Use the whole can for spicy, select your favorite canned chipotle pepper brand.
- 1/4 cup water 3/4 cup for thinner consistency.
- 2/3 cup yogurt or crema This can be of your choice. Single yogurt cup works perfectly for this small batch. See ingredient notes for thinner consistency.
- 1/4 whole onion white onion is best, brown onion will work also.
- 2 cloves garlic fresh.
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt, OR or 1/2 tsp sea salt.
- 2 tsp bouillon No salt needed if you are using a bouillon of choice. Always do a salt taste test.
Instructions
To prepare Chipotle Crema
- Gather all ingredients including the salt and water, and combine directly into blender (Tip: fits in a smoothie cup, if you are using a smoothie type of blender for easy clean up).
- Blend for 20-30 seconds until smooth. You'll want to do this enough to break up chipotle skins well, or not, if you prefer chipotle texture.
- Pour the chipotle crema in a small bowl and enjoy. Store in airtight and food safe container in the fridge when not eating.
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
- Blender
- Long spoon (blender safe)
- Storage jar with lid
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