The Easiest Burrito Sauce (Without Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce)
on Oct 27, 2023, Updated Nov 21, 2023
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The best burrito owes much of its magic to the sauce. Believe it or not, Burrito Sauce can make or break your burrito experience. This homemade creamy, savory, and spicy sauce plays a key role in delivering the perfect and saucy bite of your burritos.
I like to serve it with my Mexican favorites such as enchilada, tacos, and of course burritos. It’s also a perfect dipping sauce for chicken, pork, pasta, and veggies. The best part? This version doesn’t require any special ingredients or equipment, and it takes less than 5 minutes to make!
What is a Burrito Sauce?
Burrito sauce is a creamy and spicy condiment to enhance the taste of a burrito. It’s great for dipping or as a topping sauce.
The Biggest Challenge in Making Burrito Sauce
Most people give up on making burrito sauce after taking a look at the ingredient list. Almost all recipes call for “Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce”, but most of us don’t have that in our pantry.
I’m not a fan of rushing out to buy a big can just for a single recipe. So in my search for the best burrito sauce, I want to create one without this special ingredient. Good news: we’ve developed a recipe that tastes close to the authentic version.
But if you are able to get chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, you can definitely use it in your burrito sauce. See the recipe card at the end of the post on how to make the authentic version.
Best Substitute for Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce add two distinctive flavors to burrito sauce: smokiness and extra heat.
I’ve used the ingredients below to recreate the flavors:
- Smoked paprika: It brings delightful smokey flavors to your sauce. Make sure to use smoked paprika instead of the regular ones.
- Cayenne pepper: It adds an intense spiciness to your sauce. Add more if you prefer a spicier sauce.
- Tomato paste: I found tomato paste adds a rich and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce. You can also substitute ketchup in a pinch.
Here is the photo of the ingredients we used for the recipe:
How Spicy is a Burrito Sauce?
The spiciness can range from mild to fiery hot. The authentic version made with chipotle peppers is spicy and smokey while the mild version is made of chili powder and cayenne pepper with a more subdued flavor.
Hot vs. Mild Burrito Sauce: The choice between hot and mild burrito sauce depends on your personal preference. Whether you prefer a super spicy sauce or the milder notes of a smoky tomato-based sauce, you can easily tailor this recipe for every palate.
How to Make Burrito Sauce
Just mix all the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking! This version doesn’t require a blender. Simply mix and enjoy!
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t Add Burrito Sauce to the Filling
The BIGGEST mistake many people make is adding the sauce directly to the filling. Although it seems like a way to use the sauce, it can ruin your burrito experience. Here are the main problems:
- Soggy Burrito: The sauce will make your burrito soggy, especially if you don’t eat it immediately.
- Loss of Texture: Fillings like lettuce or diced vegetables can lose their texture when mixed with the sauce for an extended period.
Ways to Use Burrito Sauce
This sauce isn’t just for burritos; it can enhance any dish. Here are the most popular ways to use it:
- Use it as a dipping sauce for burritos and other Mexican dishes such as tacos and enchiladas.
- Serve it with breakfast items as breakfast burrito sauce.
- Season other meat, veggies, pasta, and rice with this sauce.
Variations
- Wet Burrito Sauce: Add olive oil, flour, and ketchup to turn this into wet burrito sauce. Spoon this over each half of the burrito to create wet burritos.
- Red Burrito Sauce: Mix it with red chili sauce to add a hearty, spicy kick to your burrito.
Other Sauces for Burrito
Aside from this classic sauce, there are many other sauces you can serve with your burrito:
- Enchilada Sauce
- Chipotle Sauce
- Pico de Gallo
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Tomatillo Sauce
5-Minute Burrito Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup plain yogurt, or sour cream
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper *, (add more if you prefer more heat)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Serve with burritos. Enjoy!
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
- *If you prefer a more authentic burrito sauce, use 2 tablespoons of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead of the cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
