Whenever I hear about Mexican condiments, San Marcos Chipotle Sauce first comes to my mind. It has a bold, smoky flavor that’s unforgettable. I have tried it with tacos and burgers, and veggies at the same time. You won’t believe this sauce tastes amazing with everything.
Maybe all of us don’t want the same level of spicy, tangy, or smoky note. In that case, you can make it by yourself. It’s very easy to make. You just need some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, vinegar, garlic, onion powder, and honey. Let’s just take you to its recipe guide.

What is San Marcos Chipotle Sauce?
San Marcos chipotle sauce is basically San Marcos chipotle peppers in sauce. Because the main ingredient is chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. These peppers give a rich kick to tacos, burritos, and even roasted vegetables.
It’s better to prepare San Marcos Chipotle Dip at home. You can skip preservatives and additives and make it healthier. Trust me, the homemade version is as tempting as the store-bought ones. For example, if you can’t tolerate the spice level, you can use more honey and fewer chipotle peppers. But if you want to make it spicier, you can increase the amount of peppers and decrease the amount of honey. In this way, you can create your own version of Mexican Chipotle topping.
Ingredients You Need
Your Chipotle salsa recipe is incomplete without any of the below ingredients.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (1 can or 7 oz)
These are mainly dried and smoked jalapeños that deliver heat and smokiness. Use 1 can or 7 oz of it.
Tomato Paste (2 tbsp)
Tomato paste is going to be the body for this sauce. Just use 2 tablespoons of it, and you will see your sauce getting the right amount of thickness and acidity.
Apple Cider Vinegar (2 tbsp)
2 tablespoons of apple cider are perfect for managing the sweetness and heatiness.
Honey or Maple Syrup (1 tbsp)
To balance the spice level of your sauce, use 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup. This is going to add complexity as well.
Garlic (2 to 3 cloves)
For a strong flavor base, you need 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic. Or you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead. This even complements the smokiness of the sauce.
Onion Powder (1 tsp)
Onion powder will add a sweet and savory layer. Also, it will deepen the flavor.
Olive Oil (2 tbsp)
In order to smooth out the texture, you need 2 tablespoons of olive oil. This will help to blend everything evenly.
Water (½ cup)
Water is for adjusting the consistency. If you want to make it pourable, ½ cup of water is enough. But if you want to make it thicker, ¼ cup of water is perfect.
How to Make San Marcos Chipotle Sauce? A Step-by-Step Guide
So we have all the ingredients ready with us. Let’s now head to San Marcos Chipotle Sauce recipe.
Step 1: Blend the Base Ingredients
First, take a blender. Add chipotle peppers with sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion powder, vinegar, and honey into it. Then add ½ or ¼ cup of water (as much as you want), and blend everything.
Step 2: Heat the Saucepan
Pour the blended mixture into a non-stick saucepan. Add olive oil to it. Now cook the mixture while stirring. Make sure it’s on low heat.
Step 3: Simmer the Sauce
Now let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on the same heat. This will deepen the sauce’s flavor and make it slightly thick. Remember to stir the sauce occasionally so that it doesn’t stick.
Step 4: Adjust the Sauce
Taste your San Marcos chipotle adobo to see if you need to make any adjustments to the ingredients. Let’s say the spice level is too much in the sauce. In that case, you can add some more honey or tomato paste to it. Or if it’s too thick, you can add some more water and sometimes more vinegar for extra tanginess.
Step 5: Let It Cool
Let the sauce cool at room temperature. Then transfer it into an airtight glass container and store it in the refrigerator.
Special Tips
If you want to have the best Chipotle sauce for tacos, do follow these tips.
- Always use high-quality chipotle peppers in adobo. Only then can you get the richest flavor.
- Remove the seeds from the spice if you want a low to moderate spice level.
- Don’t skip blending in a blender or food processor to get the smoothest texture.
- Let the sauce rest in the refrigerator overnight. Then have it the next day. You will see the flavors are bursting more.
Best Pairings for San Marcos Chipotle Sauce
Whether it’s a canned chipotle sauce or a homemade chipotle sauce, these ingredients below go well with both of them.
- Grilled chicken or steak
- Beef tacos
- Veggie burritos
- Pulled pork sliders
- Chicken sandwiches
- Scrambled eggs
- Grilled corn
- Roasted grains
- Sweet potatoes
- Grilled shrimp or salmon

San Marcos Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Can Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
- 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Honey or Maple Syrup
- 2-3 Cloves Garlic
- 1 Tsp Onion Powder
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Water
Instructions
- First, blend chipotle peppers, tomato paste, garlic, onion powder, vinegar, honey, and water in a blender.
- Pour the mixture into a saucepan over a low heat. Add olive oil and let it cook.
- Simmer the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes and stir it occasionally.
- Taste the sauce. For more tanginess, add more vinegar, or for more sweetness, add some more honey.
- Lastly, transfer the sauce into an airtight glass jar and store it in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Conclusion
We have already seen how easy it was to make San Marcos Chipotle sauce. You just need 30 minutes to impress your guests. When they try tacos and burritos at your house party, serve them this Mexican sauce.
I bet they will become your fans. Maybe you have to make it often for them. In that case, you can make a big batch of this sauce and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks. But if you want to store it for a month, you can keep it in the freezer and heat it every time you serve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is San Marcos Chipotle Sauce?
San Marcos Chipotle Sauce is a Mexican chipotle sauce. It is mainly made with chipotle peppers and has a spicy and smoky flavor. Here, other ingredients include vinegar, onion, spices, and tomato puree.
How to Use San Marcos Chipotle Sauce?
San Marcos Chipotle sauce is a versatile condiment. You can use it as a sauce, spread, dip, topping, or spicy chipotle marinade.
Is San Marcos Chipotle Sauce spicy?
Yes, San Marcos Chipotle sauce can be considered spicy. It’s because of the chipotle peppers, which are smoked and dried jalapeños.
What Are the Best Dishes With Chipotle Sauce?
With chipotle sauce, you must try some dishes. Like tacos, pasta, burgers, burritos, sandwiches, and enchiladas.