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    Smoky Chipotle Salsa

    Published: Apr 1, 2023 by Gemma · This post may contain affiliate links.

    This Smoky Chipotle Salsa incorporates the smokiness of chipotle peppers with a touch of sweetness from fresh tomatoes. It is easy to make, deliciously spicy, and perfect with so many dishes.

    Jump to Recipe

    In my house growing up, salsa de chile chipotle would always grace our table whenever we would have molletes Mexicanos. To this day, I cannot make molletes without accompanying them with this delicious, smoky salsa.

    The salsa is another great recipe passed down by my Abuelita Maria to my mom and then to me. It is simple, delicious, and not only a great complement to molletes, but to a variety of other dishes as well.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • The Ingredients
    • How to Make Salsa de Chipotle
    • Tips and Variations
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Minimal Ingredients: This recipe only requires 6 ingredients.
    • Easy to Make: The only cooking needed is boiling a couple of tomatoes, then blend those with the rest of the ingredients and the recipe is complete.
    • Amazing Flavor: The salsa incorporates the smokiness of chipotles with a touch of sweetness from fresh tomatoes.
    • Customizable: Make it as spicy or as mild as you choose. Just add more chipotle peppers for a spicier result or less peppers with more of the adobo sauce for a milder salsa.

    The Ingredients

    Tomatoes, salt, garlic powder, chipotles in adobo sauce, water
    • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Chipotle peppers are made from jalapeño peppers that have been dried and smoked. The peppers are then canned in an adobo sauce made from a combination of vinegar, spices, and tomato paste. They are spicy, tangy, and smoky and can be found online or in the Latin American section of most grocery stores.
    • Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are more commonly used in Mexican cooking. Choose ripe tomatoes that are firm, but have a little give when pressed gently or squeezed.
    • Garlic Powder: Just a little bit of garlic powder adds a savory and zesty flavor to the salsa.
    • Salt
    • Water: Just a little bit of water helps blend the ingredients together without making the salsa too runny.
    • Oil: The salsa is sautéed in a little bit of oil at the end which enhances the salsa and really marries all the flavors of the ingredients together.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make Salsa de Chipotle

    Two boiled tomatoes in water
    Chipotles and boiled tomatoes in food processor
    Blended chipotle salsa

    1. Boil Tomatoes

    • Boil two whole tomatoes in water until fork-tender.

    2. Blend

    • Add the cooked tomatoes to a blender or food processor along with chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic powder, salt, and water.
    • Blend everything together until smooth.

    3. Cook Salsa

    • In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil on medium-low heat.
    • When hot, carefully pour the sauce into the pan.
    • Simmer for about 2-3 minutes.

    4. Adjust Seasoning

    • Taste for seasoning and adjust salt as needed.
    • Serve.

    How to Serve

    As I stated earlier, in my house this chipotle salsa is synonymous with molletes. They are the absolute perfect pair! However, this salsa is also amazing on other dishes such as:

    • Huevos con Tortilla
    • Papas con Huevo
    • Simple Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Mixed with sour cream and drizzled on some pork flautas or chicken flautas
    • Added to soups or stews

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for about 3-5 days.

    This salsa is best served warm. To reheat, place in a microwavable safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and reheat for 50-60 seconds.

    You can also reheat in a small saucepan on the stove without the need of adding more oil.

    Tips and Variations

    • To Increase the Amount of Salsa Without Sacrificing Flavor: The original recipe I have provided has equal proportions of the main ingredients for the best flavor. So if you want to increase the amount of salsa and keep the flavor consistent, follow this rule:
      • For every 1 tomato, use 1 chipotle pepper, 1 teaspoon of adobo sauce and 2 tablespoons of water. Adjust the salt and garlic powder accordingly.
    • For a Spicier Salsa: Use 2 tomatoes and increase the chipotles to 3 or 4.
    • For a Mild Salsa: Use 2 tomatoes and only 1 chipotle or half of a chipotle with more of the adobo sauce.
    • Gluten-Free: This salsa is gluten-free as long as the chipotle peppers don't contain gluten. Be sure to check the ingredient label as some brands add flour to their chipotles.

    I hope you enjoy! If you give this recipe a try please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to stay in touch, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter.

    Bowl of smoky chipotle salsa with tomatoes and a wooden spoon on the side

    Recipe

    Smoky Chipotle Salsa

    by Gemma Aguayo-Murphy
    This Smoky Chipotle Salsa incorporates the smokiness of chipotle peppers with a touch of sweetness from fresh tomatoes. It is easy to make, deliciously spicy, and perfect with so many dishes.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course salsa
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 36 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender or food processor
    • saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 medium Roma tomatoes
    • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    • 2 teaspoon adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
    • 4 tablespoon water
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Boil the tomatoes in water until fork-tender.
    • Add the whole cooked tomatoes to a blender or food processor along with the chipotle peppers, the 2 teaspoons of the adobo sauce, garlic powder, salt and water.
    • Blend together until smooth.
    • In a small saucepan, heat the oil on medium-low heat. Once hot, carefully pour the sauce into the pan.
    • Simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
    • Taste for seasoning and adjust salt as needed.
    • Serve.
    • Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 3-5 days.

    Notes

    • To Increase the Amount of Salsa Without Sacrificing Flavor: The original recipe I have provided has equal proportions of the main ingredients for the best flavor. So if you want to increase the amount of salsa and keep the flavor consistent, follow this rule.
        • For every 1 tomato, use 1 chipotle pepper, 1 teaspoon of  adobo sauce and 2 tablespoons of water. Adjust the salt and garlic powder accordingly.
    • For a Spicier Salsa: Use 2 tomatoes and increase the chipotles to 3 or 4.
    • For a Mild Salsa: Use 2 tomatoes and only 1 chipotle or half of a chipotle with more of the adobo sauce.
    • This salsa is best served warm.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 servingCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 3.7gProtein: 0.4gFat: 2.6gSaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 246mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 1.8gSugar: 1.8gCalcium: 5mg
    Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and star rating below or mention @everydaylatina on Instagram!

    Originally published April 29, 2020. Updated post April 2023.

    More Salsas and Sauces

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      Guajillo Enchilada Sauce
    • Mango Pico de Gallo
    • Bowl of salsa bandera with a plant and red cloth in the background
      Fresh Salsa Bandera (Pico de Gallo)
    • Tangy Jalapeño Sour Cream

    About Gemma

    Gemma is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Everyday Latina. Gemma was born in Mexico, but has spent the majority of her life in the United States. She has been sharing recipes since 2018 with an emphasis on her parents' traditional Mexican cuisine and a focus on clean, healthy ingredients. Her goal is to build a community of people who appreciate family, food and culture and, who like her, want to live a healthy, happy everyday life.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly

      May 08, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      This sounds delish! My hubby would love it!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 14, 2020 at 7:25 pm

        Thank you! It is so good!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Gemma! I am originally from Mexico and the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Everyday Latina. Here you will find traditional Mexican cuisine and a focus on clean, healthy ingredients. 

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