Have you ever had a mix of chipotle sauce and ranch dressing? This fabulous combination is a perfect blend of flavors, managing to be smoky, savory, tangy, and creamy all in one go. That makes it pair brilliantly with a whole range of foods – so let’s find out how to make it!
How To Make Chipotle Ranch Dressing
To make chipotle ranch dressing, you will require:
- Apple cider vinegar: for a truly tangy dressing, apple cider vinegar is almost always crucial. Choose a high quality brand for maximum flavor, and consider purchasing one with the mother in it.
- Mayonnaise: you want the dip to be creamy and silky, so mayonnaise is a key ingredient. You can slightly alter the quantities to suit your tastes, but this basic ingredient is a must-have for this recipe.
- Greek yogurt: almost all ranch dressings have either Greek yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk in them, but Greek yogurt is the most versatile of these ingredients and is therefore often the best choice. You can swap in the other ingredients if you prefer, however.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: you need these peppers to get the classic, smoky, spicy flavor.
- Dried or fresh dill: this will give the dressing extra flavor.
- Onion and garlic powder: these two powders are necessary for hitting the exact right taste. You can adjust them to suit your preferences, but don’t leave them out.
Chipotle Ranch Dressing Recipe
Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes0
minutes250
kcalHow do you make incredible chipotle ranch dressing? Explore some simple steps, followed by top tips and FAQs!
Ingredients
½ teaspoon of dried dill
½ teaspoon of garlic powder
½ teaspoon of onion powder
¼ cup of mayonnaise
½ cup of Greek yogurt
1 1 chipotle pepper from a can of chipotle peppers (in adobo sauce)
1 teaspoon 1 apple cider vinegar
Pinch salt
Directions
- Get out a food processor and blend up the mayonnaise, yogurt, chipotle pepper, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and dill until they form a completely smooth dressing mix.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the ingredients to alter the flavor if necessary. You can add more mayonnaise if it’s too sharp, or a little more vinegar if you’d like more acidity. Alternatively, increase the herbs and spices.
- Tip the dressing into an airtight container and store it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Tips & Tricks
Let’s find out how to make some amazing chipotle ranch dressing! You want to know that your dressing will stand out from the crowd, and here’s how to do it.
- Use whole milk Greek yogurt: this will provide a fatty, creamy, silky taste that everyone will love. If you use low fat, your dressing may feel thin and lacking in flavor.
- Try this drizzled across salads or burgers.
- Tip a little into your burrito and enjoy its sharp, fresh taste and rich texture.
- Try a squeeze of lime to replace the vinegar, or a little bit of lemon juice.
- Remove the spice if you don’t like garlic or onion, or try adding in other spices that you do enjoy. A little paprika is a great option if you like some extra heat.
- Make this recipe vegan by choosing vegan mayonnaise and vegan sour cream or a yogurt substitute.
- If you can’t get chipotle peppers, use a little chipotle powder. This won’t have quite such a good taste, but it’s a great option if you’re stuck. Make sure you add it just a little at a time and keep testing the flavor so you don’t accidentally add too much to the mix.
- If you want the sauce to be thicker, add less vinegar, and if you want it to be thinner, add a little water while blending. This will allow you to alter the consistency; you can create a thick dip or a thin drizzling sauce with ease.
- Sprinkle in some pine nuts or sesame seeds after blending if you want to create a bit of crunch. These go very well with the sharpness of the dressing, and are a lovely way to make the recipe a little more exciting.
FAQs
Should you keep this dressing in the fridge?
Yes, this dressing should be chilled. Because it contains mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, it should not be left at room temperature.
Can you freeze this dressing?
This dressing does not freeze well, no. Mayonnaise tends to separate when frozen, and it will change the texture of the dressing when you defrost it.
How long will this dressing keep for?
Because of the vinegar, this dressing should last well. It will usually keep for up to 10 days if it is stored in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container, such as a sealed glass jar, to minimize airflow and prevent a crust from forming on the top.
Can I make this dip thinner?
Yes; this dip tends to thicken when it is stored in the fridge. If it becomes too thick, you can always add a little water and mix it well when you get it out of the fridge. This will make it more liquid and easier to pour.
Do I have to add vinegar?
This recipe really benefits from having an acidic ingredient of some sort added to it. If you don’t have vinegar, you could add lemon juice or lime juice, but without, the dip risks being greasy and heavy.
What can I serve this with?
This ranch dressing goes well all sorts of things, but particularly with chopped fresh vegetables, crackers, corn chips, pita breads, burgers, or even drizzled across a potato salad. It’s extremely versatile, so try it out with all your favorite foods!
Other Recipes
Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce
Conclusion
Chipotle ranch dressing makes a delicious sauce for any occasion, and you can vary the texture to ensure it is thick enough for dipping or thin enough for drizzling very easily.
If you find you’ve made it too sour, just add a little Greek yogurt or even cream cheese to mellow the flavor and enrich the texture. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a few different spices, too.
