This Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette is my go-to when I want bold, smoky flavor that still feels fresh. It’s tangy, a little spicy, and perfect for salads or drizzled over grilled veggies, tacos, or grain bowls.
Why This Recipe Works
This Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette is my go-to way to turn simple meals into something bold and unforgettable. Here’s why it’s always a hit in my kitchen:
- Big, Smoky Flavor: The chipotles bring a deep, smoky heat that makes every bite exciting. It’s the same irresistible kick I love in my Chipotle Skirt Steak Tacos.
- Perfectly Balanced: Honey, lime, and garlic mellow out the spice with just the right touch of sweetness and tang. If you’re into sweet and spicy, try my Asian Salmon & Rice Noodles.
- Comes Together Fast: Just toss everything in a blender and you’ve got a silky, restaurant-quality dressing in minutes. It’s as quick and easy as my Homemade Ranch.
- Goes on Everything: This isn’t just for salads. I drizzle it over grain bowls, tacos, and roasted veggies.
- Keeps All Week: Make a jar at the start of the week and watch it disappear. It’s the same kind of meal prep staple that makes my Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce so popular.
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Ingredients
- Chipotles in Adobo – Bring smoky heat and rich depth that give this vinaigrette its signature bold flavor.
- Honey – Balances the spice with a smooth, natural sweetness that ties everything together.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Adds bright, zesty acidity that wakes up all the other flavors.
- White Vinegar – Lends a sharp tang that sharpens and preserves the dressing.
- Olive Oil – Creates a luscious, silky body that carries the smoky, sweet, and tangy notes across every bite.
- Garlic – Infuses the dressing with warm, savory undertones that deepen the overall flavor.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions
- Load the Blender: Add chipotles with sauce, honey, garlic, vinegar, lime juice, oregano, salt, and pepper to your blender or food processor.
- Blend It Up: Pour in the olive oil and blend until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth.
- Jar and Chill: Transfer the vinaigrette to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in the fridge for up to 10 days.
- Shake and Serve: Give it a good shake before each use, then drizzle over salads, tacos, or grilled veggies.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Chipotle Options: If you don’t have chipotles in adobo, use smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne for heat and smokiness. Start with less and adjust to taste.
- Vinegar Swap: White vinegar can be replaced with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for a slightly different tang.
- Herb Choices: Fresh oregano adds a nice herbal note, but you can use cilantro, parsley, or even basil for a different flavor.
What to Serve with Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette
Salads and Grilled Veggies
- This vinaigrette is incredible on fresh or grilled veggies. Drizzle it over a Mexican Chipotle Potato Salad to add smoky depth and a little sweet heat.
- It also pairs beautifully with a platter of grilled peppers, zucchini, and onions, letting the chipotle and honey bring out the natural caramelized flavors.
Tacos and Grain Bowls
- Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette is a bold finishing touch for hearty bowls and tacos. Try it over Fennel, Orange & Olive Ground Lamb Quinoa Bowls where it ties all the citrusy and savory notes together.
- It’s also delicious spooned onto Grilled Pork Tenderloin Street Tacos, adding just the right balance of tangy, spicy, and sweet.
FAQs
What does Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette taste like?
This dressing is smoky, sweet, tangy, and a little spicy all at once. The chipotle peppers bring a warm heat and depth, while honey and lime juice keep everything bright and balanced.
Is there a way to make this dressing less spicy?
Of course. Use just one chipotle pepper instead of two, or remove the seeds before blending. You can also add a bit more honey to soften the heat.
What else can I use this vinaigrette on besides salad?
It’s fantastic drizzled over grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or tacos. You can even use it as a marinade for meats or shrimp before grilling.
How do I store Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette?
Keep the vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 10 days. Give it a good shake or stir before each use to bring it back together.
Not seeing your question here? Ask in the comments section and I’ll do my best to answer!
More Dressing Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce – This Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is my favorite hands-off way to get a rich, hearty sauce that tastes like it simmered all day.
- Spicy Peanut Sauce – This Spicy Peanut Sauce is my go-to for adding a creamy, fiery kick to noodles, salads, or grilled meats.
Purchase Books by Danielle Kartes of Rustic Joyful Food from these booksellers:
Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chipotles in adobo 2 whole peppers plus their sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 lime juice or from 2 limes. if needed
- 1 sprig fresh oregano
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until fully emulsified and creamy.
- Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the fridge for up to 10 days. Shake well before each use.
Notes
- If you like extra heat, add an additional chipotle pepper or a teaspoon of the adobo sauce. This bumps up the smoky spice without overpowering the other flavors.
- Use a juicy lime and roll it on the counter before cutting. This helps release more juice, so your dressing is bright and tangy.
- Start with 1/8 cup of vinegar, then taste and add more if you want extra tang. The sweetness from the honey balances it nicely.
- Fresh oregano gives the dressing a savory edge, but you can swap in a pinch of dried oregano if that’s what you have. Just use about half as much.
- This dressing thickens slightly in the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and shake well before serving to bring it back to a smooth pourable texture.
- Try drizzling it over grilled corn, roasted sweet potatoes, or chicken tacos. It’s also great as a marinade for shrimp or flank steak.