This Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing packs a spicy kick for your yummy salad! It has a great Mexican flavor that you’ll love!
We appreciate your support
This post may contain affiliate links. Life Currents participates in different affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information see here.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Spice level
If you’re worried about the heat level in this Mexican-style vinaigrette dressing, start with 1/2 teaspoon chipotle paste and work your way up to 2 teaspoons. You can always add in heat, but you can never take it out!
Homemade Dressing
I’m happy to say that we don’t rely on bottled salad dressings anymore in our house. We pretty much only eat homemade dressings. My husband would say that his favorite, and the one he always asks for is my Sweet and Soy Dressing. But, recently I’ve been experimenting with some different flavored ones. Like this Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing. Easy to make, and super flavorful!
I like that I know exactly what’s in my dressings (have you ever read the labels on some bottles of dressings!). I make a batch, and keep it in a little Mason jar in the fridge. That way, whenever I want a salad, I have a yummy homemade dressing at the ready. Oh, just be sure to write on the lid what’s inside the jar! Trust me on this one, you don’t want to mistake teriyaki sauce for Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing!
Oaxacan Mole Sauce inspiration
I fashioned this Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing after Oaxacan Mole Sauce. Oh, and since I live in Southern California, Mole Sauce is super common, but in case you aren’t familiar with it, Mole is a Mexican Sauce that combines chiles, cocoa, and nuts. It’s typically thick, red, and flavorful, but there are many variations. My vinaigrette takes the flavors of Mole and turns them into a lovely dressing.
Chipotle Paste
I love keeping this chipotle paste around. I always have some in my freezer so I can use it at a moment’s notice. Just defrost a little in the microwave, and I’m all set.
Kitchen Tip!
One other thing of note, and also a kitchen tip for you, is how I’ve written the recipe.
The dry ingredients are at the top of the recipe, with the liquid ingredients coming afterwards.
I like to measure the dry stuff first so I can use the same set of measuring spoons through the whole recipe. That way, you keep your spoons clean with the dry stuff, the paste comes next because it makes a mess of the spoon, but the liquid stuff is poured in, so no cross contamination of the ingredients in their jars. I try to do this with most recipes.
Want to use this dressing on a fun salad?
Try making my Spicy Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad.
Let’s keep in touch
If you like seeing my recipes subscribe via email in the upper right.
Or, connect with me on your favorite social media channel for recipes, photos, & much more:
Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!
And find my shop on Amazon for recommendations on cool tools
If you try this recipe,
please come back & leave a comment below letting us know how it goes.
Share a picture & tag @lifecurrents on Instagram.
Or you can upload a “tried it” photo (I would love to see)
via the pin.
Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons chipotle paste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake to combine. Store any unused dressing in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Patty Haxton Anderson
This is cool because it is reminiscent of a Mexican mole with the addition of cocoa! Brilliant.
Masshole Mommy
That sounds ridiculously delicious. I would love to drown my salad in some of that.
KC Kahn the Kitchen Chopper
I love the “mexican chocolate” thing going on in your chipotle dressing. Pinning and stumbling and probably other sharing as well! 😉 this. You know how I love “stepping away from the bottle”!
Michelle F.
That looks really good. I just discovered that I love chipotle.
gussiedupcf
Wow!! That looks so delicious!! I think I will need to try it!!
Stephen S.
Great post. Looks cool and delicious since this is homemade dressing. Can’t wait to create one.
Liz Mays
Now that is a super tasty creation. What a nice change of pace from the regular!
Choclette
A dressing with cocoa, that’s got to be one for me. it sounds delicious. I don’t think it’s ever occurred to me to buy a salad dressing.
Kristin
You had me at Chipotle! I’m always looking for new salad dressing ideas!
Crystal @ Simply Playful Fare
What a great idea! This looks delicious! I LOVE Mole!
Travel Blogger
Oh this looks good! I’ve never tried to make my own salad dressing before.
Debi Gerhart
I never thought to make a chipotle vinaigrette before. I have never tried one with chipotle before
katrinagehman
looks like a great dressing. i will have to try it.
Debra
I love chipotle! I will have try this!
Alyssa C
That looks like a delicious dressing! I must try this
wstreetstory
I need to try this! And I would have never guessed cocoa to be the first ingredient…..but anything with cocoa is fine by me!
Katie
Yum! Sweet and savory. I wouldn’t have guessed one of the ingredients was cocoa!
sdaigneault2
I have been looking for a new dressing, thanks for sharing, Sounds good.
lovenerdmaggie
I wonder if I could get my husband to eat salads if I offered him this! Sounds delicious!
Jodie@Jodies Kitchen
This sounds fantastic. I like the tip you gave about using the measuring spoons. I also do that.