Vegan Chipotle Aioli

Vegan chipotle aioli is creamy, smoky, spicy, and easy to make! Made with cashews and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, this healthy condiment recipe is dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s a delicious dip, spread, or dressing to enjoy with tacos, sandwiches, burritos, french fries, and veggie burgers!

I’m sure you have tried aioli before, but have you ever tried chipotle aioli? It’s on a whole other level! Also known as chipotle cream or chipotle sauce, this vegan condiment is flavor-packed, super creamy, and made with surprisingly-healthy ingredients.

Recently, I have been intentionally catering all of my meals to this chipotle aioli. I think this is typically supposed to work the other way around… you know, make a meal and then grab a condiment as an afterthought. But food is merely a vehicle with which to consume this smoky sauce now. If you love Mexican cuisine, you will surely enjoy this recipe. It has all the flavor components you’d want in a savory sauce: smoky, spicy, salty, and subtly sweet. Mmmmmm.

This chipotle aioli recipe is:

• Vegan, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free
• Made with whole food ingredients // no mayo
• Naturally sweetened with maple syrup
• Used as a condiment, sauce, dressing, dip, or spread
• Especially delicious with Mexican meals!

What is vegan chipotle aioli made of?

• Cashews: Instead of mayo, we are using soaked cashews. They are rich in heart-healthy fats, plant protein, and provide a creamy consistency.
• Chipotle peppers: Be sure to use canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, not fresh peppers or chipotle powder.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice brightens and freshens flavor. You can also use lime juice.
• Nutritional yeast: Since this is a dairy-free aioli recipe, nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor.
• Maple syrup: Naturally sweeten it with maple syrup to keep the dressing refined sugar-free.
• Garlic: For a pungent, garlicky kick, add one clove. Feel free to add more if you’re a raw garlic lover.
• Cumin and paprika: A pinch of cumin and paprika increase the smoky, spicy flavor.

How to make vegan chipotle sauce

For the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card below.

Soak the raw cashews

First, bring a couple cups of water to a boil. Add raw cashews to a bowl. Once the water is boiling, pour it over the raw cashews. Soak for 20 minutes, then drain the water.

Blend the ingredients

Combine all ingredients in a blender. This includes the soaked cashews, chipotle peppers, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, garlic, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and water.

Blend ingredients until super smooth and creamy. If you do not have a high-powered blender, you can increase the water to get a smooth consistency.

Ways to use vegan chipotle dressing

There are various uses for this spicy aioli dressing. You can spread it, dip it, or drizzle it on all sorts of meals.

• Drizzle: drizzle on top of tacos, a vegan burrito bowl, salads, and pizza
• Spread: spread inside sandwiches, burgers, burritos, crunch wraps, and quesadillas
• Dip: use as a dip for crispy baked french fries, sweet potato fries, or roasted vegetables
• Dollop: add a spoonful on top of mexican stuffed sweet potatoes, soups, and chilis

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is this the same as chipotle mayo?

Yes, basically. Traditionally, aioli is an emulsified olive oil sauce mashed with lots of garlic. Nowadays, it’s just another way to say, “fancy mayo.” Check out Ok, What is Aioli, Anyway? to read more about the origins.

While the standard aioli is still flavored with garlic, you’ll often stumble across all sorts of varieties at restaurants and cafes. It is quite common to find this beloved chipotle aioli on the menu. Other popular flavors are enhanced with avocado, lemon, cilantro, lime, and red peppers.

What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

If this is your first time seeing “chipotle peppers in adobo sauce” on an ingredients list, you are probably wondering what that means. Here’s your answer: jalapeño chiles that have been dried, smoked, and canned inside a tangy, spicy, tomato-based sauce. This sauce, known as adobo sauce, is made from vinegar, chili powder, sugar, garlic, and herbs.

What can I do with leftover adobo sauce?

A can of chipotle peppers leaves some plain adobo sauce remaining. You can use it to marinate shredded jackfruit, tofu, or meat. Alternatively, add a spoonful to soup and chili for a smoky flavor boost.

Can I use chipotle powder instead?

No, I do not recommend using chipotle powder instead. This recipe requires whole chipotle peppers, particularly canned with adobo sauce. The dried powder will not provide the same results.

How to store it

Transfer the chipotle aioli to a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator (covered and sealed) where it will keep for up to 4 days.

More vegan dressing recipes

• Cashew Cream Sauce
• Vegan Nacho Cheese
• Vegan Cashew Sour Cream

If you try this Vegan Chipotle Aioli, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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