5-Minute Blender Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Recipe

If you’re looking for a Chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe that tastes just like the one from the restaurant, this is it. It’s smoky, sweet, tangy, and honestly a little addictive. I started making this at home after realizing I was ordering Chipotle bowls mostly for the dressing (not my proudest food habit, but true).

In simple terms, Chipotle honey vinaigrette is a blended dressing made with red wine vinegar, honey, chipotle peppers, oil, and spices. It’s easy, fast, and way cheaper than eating out. Even better? You can tweak it exactly how you like.

Ingredients for Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

The Chipotle honey vinaigrette ingredients are straightforward and pantry-friendly. This is one of those recipes where every ingredient actually matters.

You’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo + 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
• 1/4 cup neutral oil (like rice bran or avocado oil)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 small clove of garlic

If you need a red wine vinegar substitute, apple cider vinegar works great. I’ve also used white wine vinegar in a pinch, and while it’s slightly sharper, it still tastes good.

How to Make Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

Making Chipotle vinaigrette at home takes about five minutes, start to finish. You don’t need fancy skills, just a blender.

Step 1: Add everything to the blender
Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor. Yes, everything goes in together—no need to be precious about order.

Step 2: Blend until smooth
Blend for 20–30 seconds until the dressing looks creamy and fully combined. It should be pourable, not thick like mayo.

Step 3: Taste and adjust
This part matters. Taste it. Too spicy? Add a little more honey. Too tangy? A splash of oil helps. In my experience, everyone tweaks this slightly.

If you want Chipotle vinaigrette without adobo, skip the sauce and use smoked paprika plus a pinch of chili powder instead. It won’t be identical, but it’s still delicious.

What to Serve Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette On

You can put Chipotle honey vinaigrette on way more than salad. It’s surprisingly versatile.

I love it on burrito bowls, grilled chicken salads, roasted veggies, and even as a drizzle over rice and beans. Some people mix chipotle vinaigrette and sour cream for a creamy sauce, and honestly, it’s kind of amazing on tacos.

Storage Tips

Homemade chipotle dressing keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store it in a sealed jar or bottle. It will separate a bit—totally normal. Just shake it before using.

FAQs About Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

What is the Chipotle vinaigrette made of?
Chipotle vinaigrette is made from red wine vinegar, honey, chipotle peppers in adobo, oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Blended, these create a smoky-sweet dressing.

How many calories are in Chipotle honey vinaigrette?
Chipotle honey vinaigrette calories are usually around 150–200 per 2 tablespoons. Most of the calories come from oil and honey.

Can I make Chipotle vinaigrette without adobo sauce?
Yes. You can replace adobo sauce with smoked paprika and chili powder. The flavor is milder but still works well.

What is a good substitute for red wine vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even lime juice can replace red wine vinegar in chipotle vinaigrette.

Is this the same as Chipotle’s restaurant vinaigrette?
It’s a copycat Chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe, not the official one. That said, it’s very close, close enough that most people can’t tell the difference.

Conclusion

This Chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe is one of those small kitchen wins that feels bigger than it is. It’s quick, flexible, and makes boring meals exciting. I’m not entirely sure why it tastes so good, but it just does.

Once you make it home, you’ll probably stop asking for “extra dressing” at Chipotle. Or maybe you’ll still ask. No judgment here.