I fell in love with Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce in Mexico. So much that I came home with cans stuffed in my backpack. They didn’t last long but luckily I came up with plenty of simple Chipotle Chillies in Adobo Sauce Substitutes.
What are Chipotle Chillies in Adobo Sauce?
Chipotle chillies are ripe (ie. red) jalapeno peppers that have been dried and smoked. They have a medium heat and a beautiful fruity smoky flavour.
Adobo sauce is a savoury concoction made with onion, tomato, vinegar and spices.
When combined they make an incredibly flavoursome ingredient.
But if you can’t find them all is not lost!
The Best Chipotle Chillies in Adobo Sauce Substitutes
1. Smoked Paprika
For recipes where there is already tomato replacing the chipotle with smoked paprika is often enough. Start with 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika and add more as needed.
If you want some heat as well, any fresh or dried chilli peppers can be added to taste.
2. Smoked Paprika + Tomato
If your recipe is using the chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce, and doesn’t already have some sort of tomato, you’ll need to some smoked paprika for the smoke factor and tomato for the sauce.
A commercial tomato pasta sauce that contains onion would be idea. But tomato passata, puree or canned tomatoes will also work. Just sub these 1:1 with the adobo sauce.
If you only have ketchup, that will be better than nothing. Just start with a small amount though as ketchup is significantly sweeter than adobo.
3. Dried Chipotle Powder or Whole Peppers
I chose smoked paprika above actual chipotles because it’s easier to find. But if you happen to have chipotle chilli powder or whole dried chipotles, they will work incredibly well.
If using whole chillies, soak in boiling water to soften before chopping and adding to your dish (along with the soaking liquid).
4. Dried Chipotle Powder or Whole Peppers + Tomato
As per substitute #2 above, if you are using the adobo sauce and your recipe doesn’t already contain tomato, a combo of dried chipotle and tomato pasta sauce / passata / canned tomato.
Recipe Ideas for Chipotle Chillies
- Quick Cheese Burgers with Chipotle Mayo
- Smoky Mexican Sausages
- Chilli Con ‘Tuna’(tuna & beans)
- Mexican Omelette with Smashed Avo
More Ingredient Substitutes
- Thai Red Curry Paste
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Collard Greens
- Miso Paste
- Oyster Sauce
- Pesto
- Tahini
- Miso Paste
- Fish Sauce
Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x