✔ Updated · step photos, dip vs dressing thickness and storage times
Chipotle ranch is classic creamy ranch with a smoky, spicy kick from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. It blends in 5 minutes, and I'd happily put it on everything from tacos to fries.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Start with one chipotle pepper plus a spoonful of the adobo sauce, blend, then taste. You can always add heat, but you can't take it back out.
Why You'll Love This Chipotle Ranch
- Smoky, creamy and tangy all at once, with a slow-building heat.
- Five minutes, one blender, and mostly pantry and fridge staples.
- Dip or drizzle: adjust the buttermilk for a thick dip or a pourable dressing.
What Goes in Chipotle Ranch
The base is a classic creamy ranch: mayo for richness, sour cream or Greek yogurt for body and tang, and buttermilk to loosen it. Chipotle peppers in adobo bring the smoke and heat, and lime juice keeps it bright.
Garlic powder, onion powder and dill do the ranch work. If you like a cooler, herby ranch, my Wingstop-style ranch and Texas Roadhouse-style ranch dressing are both on this site.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Freeze the leftover chipotles. A can holds far more than one batch needs. I spoon the rest onto parchment in single peppers with a little sauce, freeze them, then keep them in a freezer bag for next time.
- No blender? Mince the chipotle very finely, mash it with the adobo sauce and whisk everything together in a bowl. It's a little more rustic but just as tasty.
- Dip or dressing. Skip the buttermilk for a thick dip for wings and fries. Add 2 to 4 extra tablespoons for a pourable salad dressing.
- Let it rest. Dried herbs need time to soften. Ranch always tastes better after 30 minutes in the fridge, and even better the next day.
- Lighter version. Swap the mayo for more Greek yogurt. It's tangier and a bit thinner, so go easy on the buttermilk.
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
10
servings5
minutes0
minutes95
kcal35
minutesA creamy, smoky chipotle ranch dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk, blended with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic, onion and dill. Thick enough for dipping or thinned for drizzling.
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream (or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup buttermilk, plus more to thin
1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the can
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tbsp fresh)
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Chop the chipotle pepper (start with 1) and measure 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce from the can.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, chipotle, adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, salt and pepper to a blender or small food processor.
- Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until smooth and evenly orange. Taste and add the second chipotle for more heat, more lime for tang, or a splash more buttermilk to thin it.
- Stir in the chives, transfer to a jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so it thickens and the flavors blend.
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir or shake before using.
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Thick Dip or Pourable Dressing?
Same ingredients, different splash of buttermilk:
| Use it for | Buttermilk | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Wings, fries, veggie dip | None | Thick and scoopable |
| Tacos, bowls, burgers | 1/4 cup | Spoonable sauce |
| Salads | 1/3 to 1/2 cup | Pourable dressing |
What to Serve It With
Drizzle it over chipotle shrimp tacos, spoon it onto a bowl with cilantro lime rice, or set it out next to buffalo chicken dip and French onion dip on game day. For another smoky, creamy sauce, try my Subway-style chipotle southwest sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is adobo ranch?
Adobo ranch is ranch dressing blended with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, the smoky, tangy red sauce the peppers are canned in. It's the same thing as chipotle ranch. Some versions use only the adobo sauce for a milder, smoother flavor.
How spicy is chipotle ranch?
With one chipotle pepper and a tablespoon of adobo it has a gentle, smoky medium heat. Two peppers make it properly spicy. For a mild version, use only the adobo sauce and leave the peppers out.
How long does homemade chipotle ranch last?
Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Because it's made with mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk, don't leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. It doesn't freeze well; it separates when thawed.
Can I use chipotle powder instead of chipotles in adobo?
Yes. Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder and add a pinch of smoked paprika and an extra squeeze of lime. You'll get the smoke and heat, though not the tangy, saucy depth of adobo.
What do you eat chipotle ranch with?
It's great on tacos, burrito bowls, salads with grilled chicken, burgers, fries, wings and quesadillas, or as a dip for raw veggies and tortilla chips. I also stir a spoonful into chicken salad.
