Easy to make and packed with flavor, this Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette copycat recipe is perfect for so many Mexican-inspired dinners. Try this vinaigrette over a salad, burrito bowl, tacos, or quesadillas to add even more flavor. Or try making it into Chipotle’s ‘secret sauce’ version below that isn’t on the menu at Chipotle, but makes everything taste amazing! This vinaigrette also works as a dipping sauce or a marinade for chicken or pork.
Chipotle is pretty good for a quick, relatively healthy meal out. But do you know what makes it so much better? Their Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette, of course!
I’ve somehow been missing out on this for years… probably because we rarely go out with all the recipe testing at home. But we recently ate quite a bit of Chipotle in the making of my Chipotle Honey Chicken recipe.
And that’s when we discovered both this vinaigrette and their ‘secret sauce’ that’s not on the menu. So, of course, I needed a homemade version right away.
Chipotle released its vinaigrette recipe on Reddit a few years back. I tried that recipe and taste-tested it next to the vinaigrette I bought from the store, and they definitely taste different.
So my recipe today is very similar to what they posted online, with a few tweaks to taste a bit more like what I get at Chipotle. And if you want to know what the ‘secret sauce’ is, it’s this vinaigrette mixed with sour cream poured over anything you get at Chipotle!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Avocado oil – Chipotle uses rice bran oil, but that isn’t widely available. We like to use avocado oil as a neutral oil for dressings. It has a buttery flavor that works well for so many recipes.
- Red wine vinegar – is what Chipotle uses in many of their recipes, including this vinaigrette, but you could also use lime juice.
- Honey – adds a nice flavor to the chipotle, but if you can’t have honey or need this recipe to be vegan, try using agave nectar.
- Oregano & cumin – add the perfect amount of flavor that works well with the chipotle.
- Garlic – adds savory flavor to this sweet/spicy combo.
- Chipotle in adobo – is traditional, but there is also an option to use ground chipotle chili powder as well.
How to make this recipe step by step
Step 1: Add all the ingredients listed to a blender container. If you honey is grainy or solid, melt it gently over low heat first.
Step 2: Blend the dressing starting on low and working up to medium until emulsified.
Step 3: Pour the dressing into a non-reactive container like glass, cover, and store in the fridge.
Ways to serve this
- Use this vinaigrette over salads, burritos/burrito bowls/tacos/quesadillas, or as a marinade for pork or chicken.
- Mix this vinaigrette together with sour cream to taste and use it over my Chipotle Honey Chicken with all the burrito bowl sides you’ll find with that recipe.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for raw veggies, chicken nuggets, fries, or sweet potato fries.
FAQ’s
According to the Chipotle website, Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette contains: chipotle chili, black pepper, cumin, garlic, honey, oregano, red wine vinegar, rice bran oil, and salt. For a homemade version, I use avocado oil. In the recipe they released online, they call for water as well, but I omit that for a more concentrated flavor.
It’s sweet & spicy with a hint of smoky and enough vinegar to balance the flavors.
Storing leftovers
- To store – place in a glass container, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Make ahead – this vinaigrette tastes even better the next day as the oregano infuses it over 1 day.
Tips & Tricks
- Chipotle’s Secret Sauce: mix this chipotle honey vinaigrette with sour cream and use this sauce over burrito bowls, tacos, and quesadillas.
- Be sure to blend the dressing long enough that it is completely emulsified. If the vinaigrette does separate, whisk it back together again. Or shake it vigorously in a jar with a tight lid until it comes back together.
Dietary Options & Substitutions
- Paleo – use the ground chipotle chili powder option instead of the chipotle in adobo.
- Vegan or Vegetarian – use agave nectar instead of the honey.
More Chipotle Copycat Recipe Inspiration
I really hope you enjoy this Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette copycat recipe! If you do get a chance to make this, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp Chipotle in adobo - or up to 3 tbsp, see notes
- 1 clove garlic - minced
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp honey - melted if it's solid
- 1/2 tsp sea salt - or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup avocado oil - or neutral oil of choice
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all the ingredients to a blender container. Blend on low and increase to medium until the dressing is emulsified.
- Adjust the vinaigrette to taste. Add more salt, chipotle in adobo, honey, or vinegar until it tastes right to you. The amount of salt called for tastes like less than the vinaigrette you get at Chipotle, but that's what we've found we enjoy.
- Pour the vinaigrette into a glass container and store in the fridge for up to