The Best Chipotle BBQ Sauce (Easy, No Cook)

Jen Lopez

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chipotle bbq sauce in a clear bottle with sauce dripping from the top. A small wooden spoon is on top of the bottle.

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This post is in partnership with Primal Kitchen Foods.

Nothing says summer quite like firing up the grill. This chipotle BBQ sauce is the perfect condiment for your next BBQ. This BBQ sauce recipe is smoky, spicy, slightly sweet and with just the right amount of tang. It’s perfect on top of grilled chicken breasts, drumsticks and chicken thighs! This chipotle BBQ sauce is made with just a few ingredients and requires no cooking, So the next time you find yourself in need of BBQ sauce but you don’t want to run to the store, this chipotle BBQ sauce recipe has got you covered! The other benefit to making your own sauce is that you know exactly what’s going in it!

Table of Contents hide

Ingredients

How To Make Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Serving Suggestions

Frequently Asked Questions

Chipotle BBQ Sauce

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This post is in partnership with Primal Kitchen Foods. While this post is sponsored, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am so grateful to work with a company I fully trust and believe in! Thanks for your continued support.

Ingredients

This recipe requires just a few ingredients and besides chipotle peppers, you probably have most of them in your kitchen ready to go!

Unsweetened Ketchup – I’ve been saying this for years and regardless of being an affiliate or not, Primal Kitchen Foods is always my favorite unsweetened ketchup. It has the perfect flavor without any of the additives! And BONUS – their ketchup now comes in an easy squeeze bottle. Now adding Primal Kitchen Foods ketchup to your hamburger or hotdog (or even to a measuring cup like in this recipe!) just got a whole lot easier! Code “BEAUTY10” will save you $$ on their website!
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce – you can find this in the Hispanic section of your local grocery store. For this recipe you will need both the sauce and the peppers themselves. This gives the sauce a nice smoky flavor.
Coconut Aminos – homemade BBQ sauce often calls for Worcestershire sauce however, if you are looking for a gluten free alternative, coconut aminos are the way to go.
Apple Cider Vinegar – This helps add some of the tart, tangy flavor to your sauce
Honey – this all-natural sweetener provides a subtly sweet flavor to the chipotle BBQ sauce.
Spices – onion powder, smoked paprika and garlic powder are added to give your sauce a delicious flavor

How To Make Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Step 1: Chop 3 chipotle peppers into small pieces and place into a small mixing bowl along with 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce.

Step 2: Add ketchup and the rest of the liquid ingredients (apple cider vinegar, honey, coconut aminos) and mix thoroughly. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. If you find you want a little more spice, you can add in additional chipotle adobo sauce or even chipotle powder until the desired level is reached.

3 whole chipotle peppers laying on a cutting board with a knife.

chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chopped into pieces on top of a wooden cutting board with a knife on the cutting board.

Step 3: Add onion powder, smoked paprika and garlic powder to the mixing bowl and stir to combine.

chopped chipotle peppers placed at the bottom of a silver mixing bowl.

liquid ingredients for chipotle bbq sauce added to a silver mixing bowl. A blue spatula is inside the bowl.

Step 4: Add your sauce into a jar (I used these ones I found on Amazon) and use a brush to add to your favorite proteins on the grill or use as a dipping sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This chipotle BBQ sauce recipe is great with any protein on the grill like drumsticks, ribs, tri-tip and burgers but would also go great with any of the following recipes as well:

Grilled Chicken
Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls
Air Fryer Potatoes
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps (replace the BBQ Sauce in this recipe with the Chipotle BBQ sauce!)

grilled chicken brushed with chipotle bbq sauce on a plate. One chicken breast is sliced and the other is whole. — Brush chipotle bbq sauce onto grilled chicken for a spicy kick!

grilled chicken breast brushed with chipotle bbq sauce on top of a salad of mixed greens, — Add your chipotle chicken breast to a salad!

French fries on a plate with a cup of chipotle bbq sauce on the side. — Add your chipotle chicken breast to a salad!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chipotle BBQ sauce taste like?

Chipotle BBQ sauce tastes similar to regular BBQ sauce with a spicy kick. It has the smoky flavor and spices of chipotles paired with the traditional BBQ flavor you’re used to!

Is Chipotle BBQ sauce spicy?

It can be as spicy or as mild as you’d like. You can decrease the spice level by using 2 chipotle peppers instead of 3 or by using 1-2 teaspoons of the adobo sauce instead of a tablespoon

How do I store Homemade BBQ Sauce?

Add your sauce into an air tight container (I used these ones I found on Amazon) and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. I find it tastes best when used within a week.

Chipotle BBQ Sauce

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Author: Jen Lopez
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 min
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 16
Category: Sauces
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

This BBQ sauce is smoky, spicy, slightly sweet and with just the right amount of tang. It’s perfect on top of grilled chicken breasts, drumsticks and chicken thighs! This chipotle BBQ sauce is made with just a few ingredients and requires no cooking. This recipe is gluten-free and without any added preservatives.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup no sugar ketchup
3 chipotle peppers in adobo chopped
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion power
salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Chop 3 chipotle peppers into small pieces and place into a small mixing bowl along with 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce.
Add ketchup and the rest of the liquid ingredients (apple cider vinegar, honey, coconut aminos) and mix thoroughly. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. If you find you want a little more spice, you can add in additional chipotle adobo sauce or even chipotle powder until the desired level is reached.
Add onion powder, smoked paprika and garlic powder to the mixing bowl and stir to combine.
Add your sauce into an air tight container (I used these ones I found on Amazon) and use a brush to add to your favorite proteins on the grill or use as a dipping sauce.

Notes

This recipe makes about 2 cups of sauce

Add additional chipotle peppers if you like more spice

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 22
Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 4.8
Fiber: 0
Protein: 0

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Meet Jen

Jen is a self-proclaimed fitness lover and beauty addict and this blog is a marriage of her favorite things! She believes wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning to take care of yourself in ways that feel good, sustainable, and joyful. That includes a good meal, a better mindset, and yes—killer lashes if you want them.

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