19 Recipes to Use Up That Can of Smoky, Spicy Chipotles in Adobo
Give everything a little kick.
There’s no denying that Ree Drummond loves chipotle peppers. Even back in the early days of her blog, she says she was “pretty much obsessed.” That’s because, unlike other hot peppers, chipotles are both spicy and smoky. Plus, they come conveniently canned in adobo sauce, and you can use both the peppers and the sauce to impart maximum flavor.
Now, if you haven’t made recipes with chipotles in adobo before, Ree cautions, “They’re spicy, man. There ain’t no getting around it.” Her solution: “The best approach with chipotles, if you’re unsure, is just to start with one pepper or half of a pepper and work your way up.” Or, you can just use the adobo. “It adds a smokiness and a spiciness at once, but the spiciness isn’t overwhelming. It’s like adding chipotles without adding chipotles.”
That’s actually why many recipes use a little bit of one or the other, and probably not a whole can. But you don’t want to discard the rest! That’s why you’ll want these chipotle recipes on hand, so you don’t waste a single drop of that “smoky, wonderful flavor,” as The Pioneer Woman calls it. From hearty chili recipes to Tex-Mex-inspired salads, tacos, and more, you’re about to kick up the flavor one little pepper at a time.
Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing
Kick a classic Caesar salad up a notch! Chipotle peppers in adobo are in both the creamy dressing and on the salmon. They add just enough heat and smokiness without overpowering the other ingredients.
Get Ree’s Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing recipe.
Turkey Quinoa Chili
If you’re craving warm, hearty comfort but also want something on the healthier side, this chili is it! Because of the other spices, you only need one chipotle. Try Ree’s chicken chili for a similar vibe!
Get Ree’s Turkey Quinoa Chili recipe.
Six Pepper Pasta
Why stop at one pepper when you can have six all in one pasta dish? This has baby and regular bell peppers, poblanos, jalapeños, and some adobo sauce for a milder taste of chipotle.
Get Ree’s Six Pepper Pasta recipe.
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Ree promises that you can make veggie burgers just as hearty and satisfying as their meaty cousins. They are packed with seasoned black beans, zucchini, carrots, and of course, smoky chipotle chiles in adobo for a kick.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers recipe.
Instant Pot Chili
Get that cozy comfort faster by using your multicooker. It has layers of flavor to make it taste like it’s been simmering for hours. And psst: You can make chipotle chili dogs, too!
Get the Instant Pot Chili recipe.
Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos
You only need the adobo sauce here to impart the smokiness and let the other flavors shine. Then have fun with the toppings! That’s what makes Taco Tuesday the best.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos recipe.
Chipotle Pasta Salad with Mozzarella
Your cookout is about to get a big kick of flavor! This pasta uses just the adobo sauce so it doesn’t overwhelm the tomatoes, cucumbers, and mozzarella mixed in. The creamy dressing ensures it’s not too spicy, either.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Pasta Salad with Mozzarella recipe.
Chipotle-Orange Pork Roast
Make an impressive and bold centerpiece for your next dinner party. The secret is in the glaze, which Ree calls “sweet, tangy, smoky, and lightly spicy.” It caramelizes into a shiny, flavorful crust.
Get Ree’s Chipotle-Orange Pork Roast recipe.
Pimento Cheese
You can’t have a gathering in the South without pimento cheese, and Ree takes it to the next level. All you need is a little adobo sauce, and you’ll create the most addictive appetizer.
Get Ree’s Pimento Cheese recipe.
Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad
Here’s another take on classic Caesar salad that’ll surely be a hit. The chipotle and adobo are mixed into the creamy dressing for just the right kick. Use rotisserie chicken and this will be ready in just 20 minutes.
Get Ree’s Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.
Brisket Tacos
A slow braise not only makes brisket meltingly tender but also gives enough time for the chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic, and ginger to infuse the meat. Top with pickled red onions, sour cream, lettuce, and fresh cilantro.
Get the Brisket Tacos recipe.
Honey-Chipotle Glazed Turkey with Gravy
No need to wait until Thanksgiving to make this stunner (though you certainly can). The sweet and smoky glaze turns plain turkey into something extraordinary. Put adobo in the gravy while you’re at it!
Cheesesteak Nachos with Chipotle Beans
No matter how you make your nachos, you know they’ll go over well. This Philly cheesesteak-inspired version uses both chipotle and adobo to flavor the pinto beans scattered on top along with shaved steak and cheese.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Chili
Meaty chili lovers will want at least two servings of this! It has both bacon and chipotles in it for smokiness, and the beef becomes so tender cooked low and slow in your handy-dandy machine.
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Chili recipe.
Little Smokies
You might remember these little appetizers from long ago. And Ree’s version is even better than you remembered. The real game changer for the homemade tangy-sweet sauce is (you guessed it) chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Get Ree’s Little Smokies recipe.
Chipotle Bloody Marys
There’s nothing like a spicy Bloody Mary to cure what ails you at brunch. The chipotle flavor is both on the plump shrimp garnish and in the actual cocktail for a double hit of smokiness.
Get the Chipotle Bloody Marys recipe.
Cherry-Chipotle Balsamic Vinaigrette
Go ahead, make your own dressing from scratch. It will make a world of difference because you can control the balance of sweet and spicy. You’ll want to spoon it over everything!
Chipotle Steak Salad
Ree knows her way around a steak salad. And this one gets a double dose of flavor with chipotles in the dressing and adobo in the steak marinade. She suggests making extra dressing to dip veggies in later!
Get Ree’s Chipotle Steak Salad recipe.
Barbecue Chicken
You don’t have to rely on bottled BBQ sauce. Ree shows you how easy it is to make your own with sweet, spicy, and smoky elements for a perfectly balanced, sticky glaze on chicken.
Get Ree’s Barbecue Chicken recipe.
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