Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette (Copycat) (2024)

This chipotle vinaigrette tastes exactly like the chipotle honey vinaigrette from the beloved Chipotle restaurant. It’s sweet from the honey, smoky from the chipotles in adobo, and tastes just like the dressing at Chipotle.

If you’re wondering “does Chipotle sell their vinaigrette?”, sadly the answer is no, but luckily we’ve got this copycat recipe that’s just as good, maybe better! Pair it withchipotle corn salsafor the ultimate combo on your salads or burrito bowls.

I am obsessed with Chipotle’s Honey Vinaigrette dressing. I’m guessing you’re a fan of Chipotle mexican grill too since you landed here! I always order a salad and the dressing is my favorite part.

I was craving the dressing when we madeBBQ chicken saladsand I wanted to make my homemade vinaigrette. The smoky flavors from and the sweetness from the honey makes the most delicious sauce to top salads or burrito bowls.

About this Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

This chipotle honey viaigrette is the real deal. It tastes just as good, if not better, than the Chipotle version. It’s perfectly tangy, like a vinaigrette should be, with a little bit of sweet, and a little bit of smoke. All of the flavors balance together so well! It usesbasic vinaigretteingredients and a simple technique to mix everything together.

Skip slowly whisking in oil to emulsify the dressing and use a blender or lidded jar to shake the ingredients until blended.

Honey is a common emulsifying ingredient, which helps combine oil and vinegar together. Emulsifying means to mix two ingredients together that don’t mix easily, like oil and vinegar.

Adding an emulsifier like honey, mayo, or even dijon, like this fresh herb vinaigrette, makes the two blend well. ThisSerious Eats article about the point of a vinaigrette,explains it well!

Is Chipotle’s Honey Vinaigrette healthy? Although the calories in the Chipotle vinaigrette are somewhat high, it’s made of quality ingredients. I love making it at home because you can control the ingredients and amounts. Chipotle’s version is made with rice bran oil and a good amount of honey, but this recipe is made with olive oil and less honey to make it healthier.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a list of what Chipotle uses in their restaurant version, as well as our copycat chipotle vinaigrette. They’re all easy to find at the grocery store!

• Olive oil:I like to use light olive oil or a good quality EVOO in dressings because they’re the base and you can really taste them. Avocado oil is also really light and great quality.
• Red wine vinegar:this is what Chipotle uses in their recipe and it is full of acid so it balances out the oil really well and gives the dressing a tang. You could use apple cider vinegar wf you have that on hand.
• Honey:it’s in the name of the recipe after all! This gives the dressing sweetness but could be swapped for maple syrup, agave or omitted for a whole30 option.
• Chipotle in adobo sauce:these chipotle peppers come in the can and add so much spice and smoky flavor. Add more chipotle chiles if you want a deeper flavor.
• Garlic:fresh garlic is best but you could also use garlic powder.
• Lime juice:this also adds acid, but also gives it a real Mexican flavor.
• Spices:oregano, cumin, salt and pepper combine round out the flavor and spice. They really add so much to this dressing!

What to do with leftover chipotle’s in adobo:make theseInstant Pot chicken tinga tacos!

How to make Chipotle Vinaigrette

This is an overview with step-by-step photos, to make this honey chipotle salad dressing. Full printable instructions are in the recipe card below.

Step 1. Add the Ingredients to a Blender

Measure out all of the dressing ingredients and place them in a high-speed blender or food processor.

Step 2. Blend Until Smooth.

Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until it’s completely combined and the chipotles are broken down.

Success tip: Taste test the dressing and add more spices if needed. You can add another chipotle in adobo if you want a deeper, smoky, spicy flavor. Blend again if needed.

See Also

Old Fashioned Eggnog: The Classic Homemade Eggnog RecipeEASY Belgian Waffles Recipe - Lauren's LatestLemon Pizzelle Recipe - A Red SpatulaCranberry Orange Scones - Easy Scone Recipe!

Watch How to Make It

Recipe FAQ

Ways to Use Chipotle Vinaigrette

Vinaigrettes aren’t just for salads! In fact, thisSerious Eats article is all about the ways to use a vinaigrette beyond salads.

• Salads: Pour it over your favoritesaladslike thisroasted sweet potato and kale salad,kale and goat cheese salad,BBQ chicken salad, simple green salad, or the classic taco salad.
• Roasted vegetables: Drizzle the dressing overroasted sweet potatoes or other veggies.
• Toss it in a burrito bowl: make your ownhomemade chipotlewith rice, chicken, black beans,guacamole, cheese or drizzle it over our fiesta lime shrimp bowls.
• Use it as amarinadefor meat/seafood like in thiscilantro lime chickenorfiesta lime shrimp bowls. Learn how to marinate chicken and thank us later!
• Toss it withpasta salador veggie salads like thiscucumber tomato avocado saladorMexican street corn pasta salad.

If you make this chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below.You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

More Vinaigrettes Recipes

• Creamy cilantro lime jalapeno dressing (dairy free)
• Fresh herb vinaigrette
• Cilantro lime chicken