Chipotle Ranch Dressing (Easy Homemade Recipe)

This creamy, smoky chipotle ranch dressing is quick to make in the blender and better than anything bottled. Use it as a salad dressing, dip, or sauce for tacos, burritos, and bowls. Vegan and healthy variations included.

Recipe

A clear glass pitcher filled with a creamy orange sauce sits on a light gray countertop; the sauce appears speckled with herbs. In the foreground, part of a small dish with a glossy brown sauce is visible. The background is softly out of focus.

About this recipe

This Chipotle ranch dressing is smoky, creamy, and just a little spicy — the perfect way to level up anything from salads to tacos to grain bowls. Unlike store-bought versions, this recipe uses real ingredients you already have in your kitchen, no preservatives or bottled “ranch packets.”

The star here is the chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. It blends with the classic ranch flavors of garlic, onion, and herbs to create a dressing that’s rich, zesty, and slightly smoky. Think of it as a cross between creamy ranch and a chipotle sauce — one you’ll want to drizzle on everything.

Why you will love this recipe

  • Homemade beats bottled – fresher taste, no preservatives.
  • Quick & easy – the blender does the work in under 5 minutes.
  • Flexible – make it with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich ranch, or swap in vegan mayo/yogurt for a dairy-free version.
  • Multi-purpose – serve as a dip for veggies and fries, a sauce for tacos and burritos, or a creamy salad dressing.

ingredient notes

A hand uses a yellow citrus squeezer to press juice into a clear container filled with white liquid and brownish ingredients on a light countertop, suggesting an easy Chipotle Ranch Dressing homemade recipe in the making.
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo. Start with one and add more if you like extra heat.
  • Mayonnaise – use regular, vegan, or even avocado mayo. It gives creaminess and body.
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream. Vegan yogurt works too.
  • Lime juice
  • Garlic + onion powder – classic ranch flavors.
  • Fresh herbs – cilantro, dill, or parsley. Use what you have.

How to make Chipotle ranch dressing

  1. Add mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or vegan substitute), chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust: add more chipotle for heat, more lime for brightness.
  3. Stir in chopped fresh herbs. If needed, thin with water or milk until it’s your preferred consistency.
  4. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Variations & serving ideas

  • Chipotle ranch dip – Keep it thick and serve with tortilla chips, roasted veggies, or fries.
  • Chipotle ranch pasta salad – Toss with cooked pasta, corn, and black beans for a Tex-Mex-inspired salad.
  • Taco ranch dressing – Use as a drizzle for taco night.
  • Healthy Chipotle ranch – Swap half the mayo for extra Greek yogurt or silken tofu for a lighter version.
  • Vegan Chipotle dressing – Use vegan mayo and plant-based yogurt.

Home-cook to home-cook tips

  • If your dressing is too spicy, balance it with more yogurt or a drizzle of honey or agave.
  • For extra smokiness, add a pinch of smoked paprika.
  • If you’re meal-prepping, double the recipe — it goes fast!
  • Always taste after blending; chipotles vary in spice level depending on the brand.
  • This dressing thickens as it chills. Thin it with a splash of water or lime juice before serving if you want it pourable.

Frequently asked questions

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A clear glass pitcher filled with a creamy orange sauce sits on a light gray countertop; the sauce appears speckled with herbs. In the foreground, part of a small dish with a glossy brown sauce is visible. The background is softly out of focus.

Chipotle Ranch Dressing (Easy Homemade Recipe)

Alejandra Graf
This creamy, smoky chipotle ranch dressing is quick to make in the blender and better than anything bottled. Use it as a salad dressing, dip, or sauce for tacos, burritos, and bowls. Vegan and healthy variations included.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise regular, vegan, or avocado mayo
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream use plant-based yogurt for vegan
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce start with 1 for mild, add more for heat
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice about 1/2 lime
  • 1 clove garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs cilantro, dill, or parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
  • Optional: 1–2 tablespoons water or milk to thin if needed

Instructions
 

  • Add mayonnaise, yogurt, chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings: more chipotle for heat, more lime for brightness.
  • Stir in chopped herbs. Thin with water or milk if you prefer a pourable dressing.
  • Transfer to a jar or airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.

Notes

Storage: Keeps in the fridge for 4–5 days in a sealed jar. Stir before using.
Spice level: Start with one chipotle and add more as needed — some brands are hotter than others.
Healthy version: Replace half the mayo with extra Greek yogurt or even silken tofu.
Serving ideas: Perfect as a Chipotle ranch dip for fries and veggies, tossed into a Chipotle ranch pasta salad, or drizzled on tacos and burritos.

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
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