Chipotle Garlic Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Introduction
This Chipotle Garlic Sauce with Sour Cream combines smoky, spicy chipotle peppers with creamy sour cream and bold garlic for a flavorful condiment. Perfect for dipping, drizzling, or spreading, it adds a zesty kick to tacos, grilled meats, and roasted veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat works best for richness)
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon honey (for subtle sweetness)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Optional: 1 green onion, finely sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the sour cream to a medium mixing bowl. For easier blending, use sour cream at room temperature by taking it out of the fridge about 15 minutes beforehand.
- Step 2: Roughly chop the chipotle peppers on a cutting board. Don’t worry about perfect pieces, as they will mix in well. Save the adobo sauce from the can for extra flavor.
- Step 3: Add the chopped chipotles, adobo sauce, and minced garlic to the sour cream. Then sprinkle in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Step 4: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and evenly combined. Taste and adjust by adding more adobo sauce for heat, lime juice for brightness, or salt for depth.
- Step 5: Transfer the sauce to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. This resting time mellows the garlic and allows all flavors to blend. The sauce will thicken slightly and be ready for serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier, higher-protein version.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute with vegan sour cream or cashew cream.
- Adjust the number of chipotle peppers from 1 to 4 to control the spiciness.
- If fresh garlic is unavailable, 1 teaspoon garlic powder works as a substitute.
- Add honey for a subtle touch of sweetness that balances the smoky heat.
- Finish with chopped fresh cilantro or sliced green onion for extra freshness.
Storage
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before serving, give it a good stir. It’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Reheat is generally not recommended as heat may change the texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made a day in advance. Allowing it to rest in the refrigerator enhances the flavors and mellows the garlic.
Is chipotle pepper very spicy?
Chipotle peppers have a moderate heat with a smoky flavor. You can adjust the number of peppers in the recipe to suit your heat preference.
PrintChipotle Garlic Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
A creamy and smoky Chipotle Garlic Sauce made with sour cream, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, and vibrant seasonings. This versatile sauce combines smoky heat, garlic punch, and a hint of lime, perfect for drizzling over tacos, grilled meats, or as a spicy dip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup (8 servings) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat works best for richness)
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Optional Additions:
- 1 tablespoon honey (for subtle sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 green onion, finely sliced
Smart Substitutions:
- Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a tangier, protein-rich version
- Vegan sour cream or cashew cream works for dairy-free needs
- Adjust chipotle peppers from 1 to 4 depending on your heat preference
- Fresh garlic can be substituted with 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Start by adding your sour cream to a medium mixing bowl. Room temperature sour cream blends more easily, so take it out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before you plan to start. The creamy base will be the foundation that carries all those bold flavors.
- Process the Chipotles: Remove 2-3 chipotle peppers from the can and roughly chop them on a cutting board. Don’t worry about perfect pieces – they’ll get mixed in anyway. The chopping helps distribute the peppers more evenly throughout the sauce. Reserve that precious adobo sauce from the can – it’s liquid gold for flavor.
- Build the Flavor: Add the chopped chipotles, adobo sauce, and minced garlic to your sour cream. The garlic will be strong at first, but it mellows beautifully as the flavors combine. Sprinkle in the cumin and smoked paprika – these spices add layers of warmth that complement the smokiness perfectly.
- Mix and Taste: Whisk everything together until well combined. The sauce should have a lovely peachy-orange color with flecks of pepper and herbs throughout. Taste and adjust – add more adobo sauce for heat, lime juice for brightness, or salt for depth. This is your chance to make it perfect for your palate.
- Let It Rest: Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. This resting time allows the garlic to mellow and all the flavors to marry together. The sauce will also thicken slightly as it chills, reaching the perfect consistency for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- Room temperature sour cream blends more smoothly than chilled.
- Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to control the spice level.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute with vegan sour cream or cashew cream.
- Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Optional additions like honey, cilantro, and green onion add fresh dimensions to the sauce.
Keywords: chipotle garlic sauce, spicy sour cream sauce, chipotle sauce, adobo sauce, creamy chipotle dip, smoky garlic sauce, Mexican sauce
