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Home > Recipes > Vegan Kitchen Basics

Vegan Chipotle Sauce

Published: Apr 27, 2025 · Modified: Apr 28, 2025 by Iosune Robles · This post may contain affiliate links

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Vegan chipotle sauce in a bowl with ingredients and a spoon around it.

This easy, creamy Vegan Chipotle Sauce comes together in just 10 minutes with 8 simple ingredients! It’s thick, smoky, and the perfect addition to tacos, burritos, veggie burgers, and more. A zesty, dairy-free sauce that’ll quickly become your go-to for all your favorite dishes!

Looking for ways to use your this sauce? Try it with Vegan Tacos, Jackfruit Carnitas, or Vegan Fajitas for a smoky, creamy kick that takes these dishes to the next level. It's perfect for drizzling, dipping, or even as a spread. You’ll be adding flavor to every bite!

Vegan chipotle sauce in a bowl with ingredients and a spoon around it.

This Vegan Chipotle Sauce is not only super tasty but really versatile. You can easily adjust the spice by adding more or fewer chipotle peppers. It’s dairy-free, so it’s great for plant-based diets, but still packs a ton of flavor. Whether you're meal prepping or just need something quick, this sauce is a must-have in your kitchen.

Not just for tacos, this sauce makes everything better. Think roasted veggies, grain bowls, and wraps. It gives a creamy, smoky kick that turns regular meals into something special. Use it as a dip or drizzle it over your snacks. Once you try it, you'll be putting it on everything!

Ingredients for vegan chipotle sauce

Ingredients for making vegan chipotle sauce.
  • Raw cashews: These give the sauce a nice creamy texture. I haven’t tried it without them, but if you don’t have cashews, you can use macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or eveb sunflower seeds instead. If you don’t want to use nuts or seeds, you can try my Vegan Chipotle Mayo recipe (coming soon!), which is similar and absolutely delicious.
  • Water.
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Add more or less chipotles depending on how spicy you like your sauce. Just remember, it’s chipotle sauce, so it’s gotta be chipotle peppers! If you don’t have them, no worries, chipotle powder works too. About 2 teaspoons of chipotle powder equals roughly 2 chipotles, but feel free to adjust to your spice level.
  • Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is always the best option for the freshest flavor. If you don’t have fresh limes, you can use bottled lime juice or even lemon juice as a substitute. Just keep in mind that fresh is always tastier!
  • Garlic powder.
  • Onion powder.
  • Ground cumin.
  • Salt.

Find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

How to make vegan chipotle sauce

Ingredients for vegan chipotle sauce before blending in a blender jar.

Step 1: Put all the ingredients into your blender or food processor.

Vegan chipotle sauce in a blender jar.

Step 2: Blend everything together until it’s smooth and fully mixed.

Vegan chipotle sauce in a bowl.

Storage instructions

Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.

Freezer: You can freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge and give it a good stir or blend it again, as the texture may change slightly after freezing.

Frequently asked questions

What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are basically smoked and dried jalapeños in a tasty, tangy sauce made with tomatoes, vinegar, onion, and spices. They bring that smoky, spicy kick to all kinds of dishes and are a staple in Mexican cooking.

You can usually find them at most grocery stores in the international aisle or at Mexican markets. If you can’t find them locally, you can grab them online on sites like Amazon.

Can I use chipotle powder?

If you can’t find chipotle peppers, a dried and ground version works in a pinch! One canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce is roughly equal to 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder. For the two canned chipotles you’d use in this recipe, about 2 teaspoons of chipotle powder would be a good replacement. If that doesn’t give you enough flavor or spice, feel free to add a little more and blend again to get the taste you want.

Can I make it without cashews?

Yes, you can! If you don’t have cashews, you can substitute them with other nuts like macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or even sunflower seeds.

If you prefer a nut-free and seed-free option, you can use silken tofu for a creamy texture. Another great alternative is to try my Vegan Chipotle Mayo recipe (coming soon!), which is similar and so tasty.

Is it spicy?

Yep, this sauce can be spicy depending on how much chipotle you use. Chipotles in adobo sauce have a smoky kick, but if you want it less spicy, just use fewer chipotles, or use a bit of the adobo sauce without the peppers. You can always adjust it to your taste!

How can I use it?

This chipotle sauce is incredibly versatile and can take your dishes to the next level! Drizzle it over your favorite tacos, like Vegan Tacos, Jackfruit Tacos, or Tofu Tacos.

Use it as a dipping sauce for Baked French fries, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, or crispy veggies. You can even spread it on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers like Vegan Black Bean Burgers, or Vegan Chickpea Burgers.

Top your Jackfruit Carnitas, Vegan Burritos, Vegan Fajitas, Vegan Quesadillas, or Vegan Buddha Bowl with this creamy sauce for an extra boost. There are endless ways to enjoy this sauce, so get creative and make every meal a little tastier!

Spoon taking vegan chipotle sauce from a bowl.

More vegan sauce recipes

  • Vegan Sour Cream
  • Vegan Mayonnaise
  • Vegan Aioli
  • Vegan Tartar Sauce
  • Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
Spoon taking vegan chipotle sauce from a bowl.
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Vegan Chipotle Sauce

This easy, creamy Vegan Chipotle Sauce comes together in just 10 minutes with 8 simple ingredients! It’s thick, smoky, and the perfect addition to tacos, burritos, veggie burgers, and more. A zesty, dairy-free sauce that’ll quickly become your go-to for all your favorite dishes!
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Total: 10 minutes mins
Servings: 10 servings
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Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or boiled in water for 10-15 minutes
  • ¾ cup water
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • ½ lime, juiced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
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Instructions 

  • Add ingredients. Throw all the ingredients into your blender or food processor.
    Ingredients for vegan chipotle sauce before blending in a blender jar.
  • Blend. Blend until everything is smooth and well combined.
    Vegan chipotle sauce in a blender jar.

Notes

  • Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
  • Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using and blend if the texture has changed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let me know how it was!
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Iosune Robles

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Vegan chipotle sauce in a bowl with ingredients and a spoon around it.
Iosune with a glass of juice.

Hi, I'm Iosune!

I share easy and delicious vegan recipes perfect for everyday meals and special occasions, all made with simple, everyday ingredients.

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