Homemade Chipotle Mayo
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I started making chipotle mayo in a restaurant I owned years ago. Over the years, I’ve perfected and simplified the recipe so it’s easy to make at home.
With just a handful of pantry staples, I make this chipotle mayo in about five minutes—and it tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant. It’s creamy, smoky, gently spicy, and just a little tangy, with all the flavors working together instead of competing. This is one of those sauces that instantly upgrades whatever you put it on.
All it takes is mayonnaise mixed with chipotle peppers in adobo and a touch of liquid smoke. The mayo keeps everything rich and smooth, the chipotles bring heat and depth, and the liquid smoke adds that unmistakable smoky finish without any extra effort. It’s quick, bold, and endlessly useful, which is why I almost always keep a batch in the fridge.
What to eat with chipotle mayo
This chipotle mayo sauce is a creamy, versatile condiment that adds a kick to anything you serve it with. It tastes great as a dip with sweet potato fries, french fries, chicken bites, or chicken fingers.
Its smokiness is a great match with grilled foods like burgers, seafood, and even grilled veggies. Spread it on sandwiches and wraps or drizzle it over tacos.
This is the same chipotle aioli that I use in my maple glazed pork belly – a recipe that was often requested when I owned an underground restaurant.
Watch how to make this recipe
Chipotle Mayo Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (see notes)
- 12 drops liquid smoke (see notes)
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1 ½ teaspoons dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl and mix well.¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 ½ teaspoons pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 12 drops liquid smoke, 1 large garlic clove, 1 ½ teaspoons dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt
- Either serve it right away or store it for up to 10 days.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This is literally the closest recipe to the chipotle mayo that comes with A&W’s sweet potato fries. I did add some ketchup (didn’t have tomato paste) to it though, since tomato paste is one of the ingredients listed on A&W’s website, and just added lime juice to taste given ketchup is already a bit tangy. The liquid smoke is just genius!
I never thought of that but you’re right, it is a lot like A&W’s!
Perfect sauce! Making it for the second time. I always have a lot of leftover chipotle peppers, and freeze what’s left. But I wonder if freezing the sauce itself is possible?
I don’t recommend freezing this as mayonnaise can break and becomes watery when thawed. I’d recommend making a half portion if you won’t be able to eat the full amount in 2 weeks. 🙂
This was SO easy and the flavor was FANTASTIC! I absolutely love it and will add it to my regular recipe repertoire. The liquid smoke added a new level of flavor – definitely add it if you have it on hand. So good!
I’m a sauce girl, and knew I had to make this chipotle mayo with our steak fries. It was so good and everyone loved it!
Great dipping sauce. The slight sweet from the maple was a great offset to the heat.