Chipotles in adobo sauce are one of my favorite Mexican ingredients. They are ready to be spooned on top or inside of almost anything: quesadillas, tacos, sandwiches, grilled meats. Yet, they are also a wonderful cooking ingredient to use for making a wide range of dishes, from soups to moles, from salsas to stews and even mashed potatoes. Chipotles have truly unique layers of flavor that come together in a most wonderful way: smoky, sweet, deep, rich and pleasantly spicy.
The chipotles in adobo are Jalapeño chiles that have been ripened to a deep red, dried, smoked and pickled in a combination of vinegar, spices and tomato puree.
Yes! If you want to make your own, follow my recipe. However, ready to buy chipotles in adobo sauce in cans and glass jars are a staple in Mexican pantries and stores have a wide array of brands to choose from, each with their own peculiar spin. Should you opt for buying them as most people do, try a couple of different brands, they do vary in flavor.
Comments
21comments inChipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce
Sandra Gutiérrez
Aug 31
Me encantan las recetas que tienen historia!
Another winner, Pati.
Un beso,
Sandra
Pati
Sep 05
Mil gracias, Sandra!
Dawn
Dec 13
I need some chipotle with adobo but I can not find it anywhere. Can you please tell me where to find this ingredient? Thank you
Dawn
Pati
Dec 14
If your grocery store doesn’t carry it in its international aisle, try looking in a local Latin market! If that doesn’t work, you can order it online! Good luck!
Ashwin
Nov 24
I need a solution. Once I open a can of chipotle in adobo and use one or two pepper, how do I preserve the remainder of the can so they don’t dry out?
Thanks
Jacqueline Church
Jan 15
I simply transfer to a jar or small tupperwear (which will then always and only be the one you use for these) and they will keep a good long while in the fridge. I always have some on hand!
Janet Bullock
Nov 23
I love chipotles in adobo sauce. I buy and open them into my mini food processor. Just process up into a smooth sauce and keep in the refrigerator and spoon out the amount I want to use in a recipe. Works great as it integrates totally into the recipe!
Pati
Nov 23
I agree!
Hilary Jauregui
Aug 08
This is AMAZING. I am thrilled you created this recipe!!! The sauce is delicious and was even better when I used this to make Tinga Pollo. THANK YOU!!!!! : )
Pati
Aug 11
Gracias, Hilary! So happy you tried my recipe!!
Adela Rico
Jan 12
Hi, this looks awesome, however I cannot seem to find the recipe, please ayuda!
Pati
Jan 14
Hi Adela, The recipe is at the end of the post: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2011/02/chipotle_chiles_in_adobo_sauce-2/. I hope you have a chance to try these!!
Ellie
Dec 15
Hi,
I just tried this recipe. I have few questions -the chipotles remained rather leathery still after more than an hour of simmering, is this normal? I got tired of hanging around and put them in jars but the chipotles aren’t soft. Also, the heat seems to have died down and it is only mild ly spicy..can I prevent this from happening? I love the heat!
Thanks.
Pati Jinich
Dec 19
Hi Ellie, Not to worry, it’s normal for the chipotle chiles to remain leathery after simmering. They will soften as they pickle. Also, the pickling will reduce the heat level of the chiles some. If you leave the seeds in the chiles, they will be hotter. I’m glad you are trying this recipe!!
Arwaf
Oct 08
I’ve been looking for more ways to use my slow cooekr and with my chipotle pepper loving family, I think I have a winner. I sent a link to Michael who promptly responded Yes. Tonight?
Pati
Oct 09
Great!
Gayle Loyola
Sep 11
Once you open the Chipotles in adobo sauce how do I store them and for how long. I have not seen them in jars only in cans.
Thank you Gayle
Pati Jinich
Sep 14
Hola Gayle, you can store the chipotles in adobo sauce covered in the refrigerator for months. 🙂
cath kelly
Jul 27
Hi…i’ve been desperately looking for a recipe to make chipotles in adobo. we smoke our own jalapenos, which turn out beautiful, and this is the next step in my cooking process. please hurry up and cook them up for us!
thanks
cath
Pati Jinich
Jul 27
Hi there! So great that you smoke your own jalapeños! I will post about it as soon as I can… Many thanks for your note!