Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce vs chipotle powder from the spice aisle, which do you prefer?
My favourite are the chipotle chiles in adobo sauce so I use them more often but I have the chipotle powder too. You never know when you might need it!
It seems to me that chipotle mayonnaise is the recipe that really took these chiles mainstream. Yet the fake version given out at fast food joints tastes nothing like the real thing. Homemade mayo is silky smooth and the addition of these smoky little chile peppers is a match made in heaven. If you don’t have them in your kitchen yet you are in for a real treat! These smoked jalapeños are in a vinegar-based tomato sauce called adobo and they have the perfect balance of smokiness and acidity. They’re almost addictive.
Know Your Chiles – Fun Food Facts
As an everyday cook you only need to know enough about chiles to cook the recipes you like. Over time you learn more but a good guide to remember about chile peppers is the smaller the hotter. Jalapenos are not too small, are pretty well known and recognizable in the produce section. Chipotle chiles are smoked jalapeno chile peppers.
Did you know the ‘t’ in chipotle is silent? I didn’t. For years I read that word in cookbooks, hunted down those chiles in specialty food shops and pronounced the ‘t’. Fortunately one does not need to know how to pronounce any food word to cook with it and enjoy it.
Are Chipotle Chiles In Adobo Sauce Gluten Free
They are sold in small tins containing six to eight chile peppers in sauce so there is an ingredient list. Many brands are gluten free but I have seen a label that listed wheat as an ingredient (we will never know why). At one time I did a thorough investigation and learned that La Costena brand is gluten free so I stick with them. Products change and vary by country so always read the label.
How To Use Chipotle Chiles In Adobo Sauce
Recipes sometimes call for just one chipotles, one chile with sauce and some recipes even call for adobo sauce only. After using chipotle chiles and messing around with many ways to store them I realized they are always going to get pureed. My method of dealing with them now is to puree the whole can as soon as I open it. The amount is slightly less than one cup so I put it into a one-cup Mason jar and label it. With good cross contamination practices (always use a clean spoon) the chiles will keep in the fridge for months.
One chipotle chile is equivalent to approximately 1½ or 2 teaspoons. Depending on how much heat you like you can adjust this to your own taste. If you want to remind yourself how to use the puree then label the measurement right to the jar.
| 1 or 2 teaspoons puree = 1 chile pepper in adobo sauce |
I sometimes get teased about my use of a label maker but I love it. When I first starting learning about gluten free I added a second label to several things to help me learn. I think a label maker is an excellent purchase to stay organized and keep learning in your kitchen.
This specialty item can be found in Mexican and Latin American specialty shops but can sometimes be found with other Mexican ingredients in well-stocked grocery stores. Of course you can order them on Amazon too.
Chipotle Powder vs Chili Powder
Chipotle chiles are also sold dried, either whole or ground. You can find them in bottles is the spice aisle at many grocery stores. The bottle should contain pure ground chipotle chiles so would be naturally gluten free.
Chiles are a big topic and can be confusing with so many different types. For this post the message is that chili powder, the kind you might use to make a pot of chili, is not the same as chipotle chile powder. Growing up we ate a lot of chili. For us this was a one-pot meal of meat and beans. My grandmother called it chili con carne meaning chili with meat. In this case the word chili refers to both the spice and the dish itself. This type of chili powder is often a combination of different spices and I do not know what type of chile it might contain. Regardless, it is neither hot nor smoky but it is right there in the spice aisle. Know what you are looking for before you go shopping.
I have never bought the whole dried chiles but I do have ground chipotle powder in my spice cupboard. It can be used like any dry spice. Add it to a dry rub or in a marinade, anywhere you want to add the unique taste of chipotle chile peppers.
What About Chipotle Mayo?
I can’t not mention the mayo, again. If you like mayonnaise then you absolutely must make homemade chipotle mayo. Real mayonnaise is the result of a magic process combining egg yolks with oil. It’s simple to make using a hand blender or food processor. The result is a silky smooth condiment that is delicious on its’ own but can be flavoured with roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, chipotle chile peppers or just about anything.
If you’re looking for a fun Friday night project with a friend, make regular or sweet potato fries and homemade chipotle chile mayo. You won’t be sorry.
My chipotle mayo recipe uses chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. We put it into a squeeze bottle and squirt it on anything from tacos to pizza.
Let me know in the comments below your story about chipotle chiles.
The Recipes – Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce or Chipotle Powder
My favourite recipes that use chipotles in both forms plus ideas to add them in more recipes.
Click on the text on the image(s) to go to the recipe/blog post.
- Add some chipotle puree to the dressing for this Southwestern Quinoa Salad.
- Chipotle powder or the puree is an obvious choice to add some kick to homemade chili.
- My Corn with Feta and Lime starts by slathering a spicy mayo on the hot cobs of corn. Substitute chipotle powder in this recipe to add both heat and smoke. Be sure to include the feta and lime for the best corn dish you will make this summer!
- Another favourite is this Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter
- Even a basic cornbread recipe can be altered with the addition of grated cheddar cheese and a teaspoon of pureed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
