Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (2024)

By Patrick 29 Comments

Chipotle Mexican Grill lists ingredients for their menu items here, including the ten ingredients that make up their lauded Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette. For some reason though they don't list exact measurements 🙂

Don't they know that there are legions of Chipotle fans out there who would give up all other forms of food in exchange for Chipotle every meal?

Luckily though you can follow a few simple tricks and make your own copycat version of their delicious Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette, and who knows, it might even surpass the one you're used to.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (1)

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Recipe

A great starting point for a homemade salad dressing is a 3:1 oil to vinegar ratio. This is an industry standard and will ensure that the vinegar doesn't overpower the dressing.

I used olive oil but you've got quite a bit of leeway in the oil choice. Keep in mind that you are getting gobs of flavor from the honey and chipotles, so you don't necessarily need the oil to contribute any additional flavor. In other words, a neutral flavored oil is a good starting point.

But oil and vinegar aside, it's really these beauties that make the dressing a keeper:

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (2)

If you are new to chipotles in adobo here is a good page with some details on working with them. They are essentially dried jalapenos swimming in a tangy, smoky adobo sauce and they can be used in a wide range of dishes. I'm in the habit of scraping out the seeds but you can consider this optional.

Okay, keeping in mind a 3:1 oil to vinegar ratio, here's what our starting measurements look like:

1.5 cups oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup honey
3-4 chipotles in adobo
1 tablespoon adobo sauce
4 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon oregano (I used Mexican oreganobut regular is fine)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
freshly cracked black pepper
squeeze of lime
splash of water

Add ingredients to a blender or food processor and give it a good whirl.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (3)

And now take a taste to check on the heat and sweetness. I was happy using 1/4 cup of honey but some of you might want a little more. You can also add additional adobo sauce or another chipotle if you want more heat. Some of the heat will get covered up by the sweetness so you might need more than you think. I used 4 chipotles for this batch.

You're left with a sweet, smoky vinaigrette that will work wonders on salads, veggies, and even fingers. So good!

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (4)

I mean...if it's hard to stop licking the spoon that's a good sign right?

This batch is designed to fit in a pint-sized Mason jar and will make 2+ cups of sweet, smoky deliciousness.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (5)

This should keep in the fridge for at least a few days. Having it on standbyis probably the quickest way to get more greens in your diet.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (6)

Which leads to an important question...

Who needs Chipotle when there is a chef like you in the house?!!

Buen Provecho.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (7)

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe

Here's an easy recipe to mimic the awesome Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette from Chipotle Mexican Grill. It has a sweet, smoky flavor that'll make your salad sing!

4.15 from 56 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 201kcal

Author: Mexican Please

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups oil (olive or any neutral oil)
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3-4 chipotles in adobo
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • freshly cracked pepper
  • squeeze of lime
  • splash of water

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor.

  • Taste for heat and sweetness, adding additional chipotles and honey if you want.

  • Serve immediately. Store in an airtight container in the fridge where it will keep for at least a few days.

Notes

I used olive oil but neutral flavored oils will work well here too.

I'm in the habit of scraping out the seeds of the chipotles but that is optional.

Don't forget to take a taste after blending to check on the heat and sweetness levels.

Adapted from Chipotle Mexican Grill's ingredient list.

Like this recipe?Click the stars above to rate it or leave a comment down below! @mexplease

Our most recent recipe is Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (8)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brittany

    I LOVE chipotle’s dressing. Definitely going to make this!!!

    Reply

  2. Elizabeth

    Yummeh! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Patrick

      🙂

      Reply

  3. Cass

    Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (9)
    This came out so good! The only thing I changed was the amount of oil, I only used 3/4 cups and it came out perfect! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Patrick

      Hey thanks much for your note Cass -- and thanks for mentioning the oil adjustment too. Cheers.

      Reply

  4. Mireya

    Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (10)
    I followed the recipe, but the oil was too much. I don't think the ratio is right. I used a mixture of olive and grape seed oil.

    Reply

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Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette -- Copycat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chipotle honey vinaigrette made of? ›

To make this recipe, you'll want to haul out your blender, plus four ingredients, including red-wine vinegar, honey, canned chipotles in adobo, and dried oregano (not counting basics like salt, pepper, oil and water). In Chipotle locations, they use their chipotle marinade in place of the canned chipotles.

Can you buy the vinaigrette from Chipotle? ›

It comes standard with every salad, but it isn't available in the assembly line in the store, or as an add-on in the app. The vinaigrette has a tangy and smoky flavor that's a simple way to level up anything you order at Chipotle. All you have to do to get your hands on some is to ask for it in-person.

What kind of vinegar is at Chipotle? ›

If you're a fan of Chipotle, it's really easy to make your own copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette at home. It's made with a combination of red wine vinegar, honey, adobo sauce, and spices.

How long is chipotle vinaigrette good for? ›

Store your homemade chipotle honey vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator – I like to use a canning jar. It will keep well for up to 1 week. To use, shake the (tightly sealed) dressing vigorously to combine. If the oil solidifies, just set the dressing out on the counter for 30 minutes before eating.

What is chipotle's salad dressing made of? ›

Honey – Its sweetness balances the heat of the chipotle pepper. Garlic and cumin – They add depth to the sweet and spicy blend of chipotles and honey. Avocado oil – It gives the dressing body and richness. And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

What is the main ingredient in chipotle? ›

Our namesake ingredient, the chipotle chili pepper is a dried and smoked jalapeño produced using the age-old craft of smoking them over pecan wood for several days. These intensely smoky, spicy peppers are the foundation for much of the food we serve - from our chicken, steak, and Barbacoa to our beans and vinaigrette.

What honey does Chipotle use? ›

We use Wildflower honey, which means that the nectar that inevitably finds its way to the vinaigrette in your salad mostly comes from Wildflower plants - and if one had four leaves, who knows, maybe it'll give you a little luck.

What does chipotle honey vinaigrette taste like? ›

They make it with blend of spices, adobo, honey, red wine vinegar or something. Basically, it's like a sweet and fluffy, tangy thing.

What vinegar do Mexicans use? ›

White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and sugarcane vinegar (vinagre de caña) are popular, but Mexico also has a rich culture of fruit vinegars, which are often homemade using fruits such as pineapple and banana.

What type of cheese does Chipotle use? ›

What cheese does Chipotle use? In most of their dishes, Chipotle Mexican Grill uses a shredded blend of two kinds of cheese: White cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. On their menu, the cheese blend is referred to as "shredded cheese," and it is used in burritos, tacos, and salads.

How long does chipotle honey vinaigrette last in the fridge? ›

Can I make chipotle honey vinaigrette ahead? Sure! It will keep nicely for up to 5 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good shake before using to recombine any separated ingredients.

How many calories are in chipotle vinaigrette? ›

Chipotle Vinaigrette (2 fl oz) contains 12g total carbs, 11g net carbs, 25g fat, 0g protein, and 260 calories.

Does chipotle have honey vinaigrette? ›

Honey is one of the ingredients in our Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette, which we make from scratch in small batches every morning.

What is honey chipotle flavor? ›

Our Honey Chipotle sauce has a rich flavor with a slight hint of smoke. It adds just the right amount of zing to any dish! This all purpose sauce can be used as a marinade, glaze, dipping or finishing sauce. Ingredients: Honey, Worcestershire sauce, ancho chilies, and Chipotles.

What does honey chipotle sauce taste like? ›

What does honey chipotle sauce taste like? Sweet, smoky, tangy, umami, and fiery - it's a collaboration of bold flavors rolled into one delicious sauce.

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