Creamy Chipotle Garlic Sauce with Sour Cream Recipe

Introduction

This chipotle garlic sauce with sour cream is a creamy, smoky, and tangy condiment that adds a flavorful kick to any dish. It’s quick to prepare and versatile, perfect for dipping, drizzling, or spreading on your favorites.

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

1. Step 1: Add the sour cream to a medium mixing bowl. For easier blending, let the sour cream come to room temperature about 15 minutes before starting.
2. Step 2: Remove 2-3 chipotle peppers from the can and roughly chop them. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the adobo sauce from the can for extra flavor.
3. Step 3: Add the chopped chipotle peppers, reserved adobo sauce, and minced garlic to the sour cream. Sprinkle in the cumin, smoked paprika, and salt.
4. Step 4: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more adobo sauce for heat, lime juice for brightness, or salt to enhance the flavor.
5. Step 5: Transfer the sauce to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Tips & Variations

• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier, higher-protein version.
• Try vegan sour cream or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative.
• Adjust chipotle peppers from 1 to 4 depending on how spicy you want the sauce.
• Substitute fresh garlic with 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
• Add 1 tablespoon honey for a subtle touch of sweetness that balances the smoky heat.
• Incorporate chopped cilantro or sliced green onions for fresh herbal notes.

Storage

Store the chipotle garlic sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best flavor, let it come to room temperature and stir before serving. This sauce does not freeze well due to its creamy base. Reheat is not necessary, as it is best served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance. In fact, allowing it to rest in the refrigerator helps the flavors develop and deepen.

How spicy is this sauce?

The heat level depends on how many chipotle peppers you add. Start with 2 peppers and adjust to taste. The smoky chipotle flavor is balanced by the creamy sour cream and lime juice, so it’s generally mildly spicy with a pleasant warmth.

Creamy Chipotle Garlic Sauce with Sour Cream Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 65 reviews

This easy and creamy Chipotle Garlic Sauce with Sour Cream combines smoky chipotle peppers with rich sour cream, garlic, and warm spices to create a versatile and flavorful sauce. Perfect for drizzling over tacos, dipping veggies, or adding a spicy kick to your favorite dishes, it’s quick to prepare and can be customized to suit your heat preference or dietary needs.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes (including resting time)
• Yield: About 1 cup 1x
• Category: Sauce
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. 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.
2. 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 the adobo sauce from the can – it adds essential smoky flavor.
3. Build the Flavor: Add the chopped chipotles, adobo sauce, and minced garlic to your sour cream. The garlic will be strong at first, but mellows beautifully as the flavors combine. Sprinkle in the ground cumin and smoked paprika to add warm layers of smokiness and depth.
4. Mix and Taste: Whisk everything together until well combined. The sauce should have a lovely peachy-orange color with flecks of pepper and herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more adobo sauce for heat, lime juice for brightness, or salt for depth to find your perfect balance.
5. Let It Rest: Transfer the sauce to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes. Resting allows the garlic to mellow and flavors to marry beautifully. The sauce will thicken slightly, reaching ideal consistency for dipping, drizzling, or spreading.

Notes

• Allow sauce to rest for at least 15 minutes for best flavor; it can be eaten immediately if needed.
• Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
• Double the recipe and freeze half for future use.
• Use Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream as substitutions to suit dietary preferences.
• Adjust chipotle pepper quantity to control heat level from mild to spicy.

Keywords: chipotle sauce, garlic sauce, sour cream sauce, spicy dipping sauce, creamy chipotle, Mexican sauce