Chipotle 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
Scale
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
