Chipotle Paste Is Totally Tubular (2025)

I love the smoky, tangy taste of chipotles in adobo, but I hate the inconvenience of opening a can only to use one or two chiles or a little bit of sauce. Each time I give in, I end up stashing the can in the way-back of my fridge, sure to be found 23 years later when I'm packing up for my government-mandated relocation to Earth II.

I thought I'd found a solution when I came upon the idea of puréeing the entire contents of a can upon opening it and spooning the purée into a resealable glass jar, so I could administer smoky heat whenever necessary. But now, I've found something even better: chipotle paste in a tube!

I've long been a fan of tomato paste in a tube, anchovy paste in a tube, and harissa in a tube, but I'd never seen chipotle chiles packaged this way until recently. And I am pumped.

When you squeeze chipotle paste from a tube, it means you don't need to fish whole chipotles out of the can and chop them while you're wearing protective gloves (and feeling guilty if those protective gloves are single-use only). And you don't have to chop them while not wearing protective gloves, feeling the sting of residual chile oil on your fingers while you figure out what to do with the rest of the can.

With chipotle in a tube, you don't need to file half a jar into a Stasher bag to freeze until you eventually forget where it is and open another can.

There's more good news: The tube preserves that chipotle magic better than the glass jar hack, since exposing the chiles to oxygen (which happens more quickly through the wide opening of a can or jar) can dry them out and degrade their flavor. Tubed chiles last longer; there's no rush to use them up.

Even if you don't need to, you probably will use the tubed paste up more quickly. Adding a little bit to a dish comes more naturally when there's no commitment. And more importantly, the tubed stuff just tastes better. When I did a side-by-side comparison of puréed jarred chipotles in adobo beside tubed chipotle paste by mixing equal amounts of each into Greek yogurt, the paste in a tube won hands down.

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup, now 100 percent easier.

Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog

Chipotle Paste Is Totally Tubular (2025)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for chipotle paste? ›

Smoked Paprika has all the smoky flavor you crave, making it the best substitute for chipotle. Although it is a much milder spice than dried chipotle or even fresh jalapeños, mix in the desired amount of cayenne pepper to dial up the heat.

What is the difference between chipotle sauce and chipotle paste? ›

It's also worth noting that the tubed paste doesn't have the vinegar kick of canned chipotles in adobo, since—at least in the brand that I've been using—that adobo sauce isn't included in the paste. It's just the chiles in there, along with some water, salt, and citric acid.

What is chipotle paste made of? ›

Chipotle paste is made from a purée of chipotle chillies – jalapeño chillies that have been smoked and dried. It usually includes ingredients such as onion, garlic, tomato purée, vinegar, spices, dried herbs and sugar.

How long does chipotle paste last? ›

Once opened keep refrigerated and use within 6 weeks. For best before date see side of lid or base of jar.

What's the difference between harissa and chipotle paste? ›

I'm assuming whatever you're making that calls for harissa is Mediterranean flavored. Subbing chipotle will change the flavor profile and probably make it taste Mexican instead. Could definitely still be tasty, but just different from the original recipe.

How to make chipotle flavor without chipotle? ›

Smoked Paprika

This deep red powder is commonly found in most grocery stores and is an easy swap for chipotle powder. Smoked paprika adds a warm smoky flavor and pop of color to dishes without being too spicy. The substitute ratio for paprika is 1:1; use the same amount you would for chipotle powder.

Does sriracha mayo taste like chipotle? ›

Chipotle Mayo and spicy mayo are similar but not identical. Typically, the term “spicy Mayo” refers to a creamy, hot sauce prepared by blending Sriracha hot sauce with mayonnaise. On the other hand, this mayo uses chipotle chiles specifically to add a smoky and spicy flavor.

Is chipotle paste very hot? ›

The heat level of chipotle paste can vary depending on the brand and how the peppers are processed. Some brands of chipotle paste are quite mild, while others can be very hot. When using chipotle paste, it is important to start with a small amount and add more to taste, as the sauce can be quite spicy.

Can I substitute sriracha for chipotle? ›

As a replacement for sriracha? Just hear us out: Sriracha and chipotle sauces are made with jalapeños — chipotle peppers are just smoked — so you'll still get a comparative burst of peppery flavor. This also means that both sauces will land in the same neighborhood on the Scoville scale.

Can you buy chipotle paste? ›

Tesco Chipotle Chilli Paste 95G - Tesco Groceries.

Can I freeze chipotle paste? ›

Always. We like to freeze the extra peppers and sauce, whether that be in an ice cube tray or flattened in a Ziploc bag, for future use. Kept this way, they'll last almost forever, and are super easy to thaw and bring back to life for use in a wide variety of dishes.

Is chili powder the same as chipotle powder? ›

Chipotle and ancho chile powders are dried, ground peppers—not to be confused with chili powder, which is a blend of ground chilies and other spices. Ancho chile powder is made from the sweetest dried chile, and has a moderately spicy but rich flavor.

Does chipotle in adobo go bad? ›

Once the chipotles are blended up, they'll last for a few months in the refrigerator, but for true long-term storage, use this method on saving tomato paste and freeze it in measured spoonfuls instead.

What's the difference between chilli paste and chipotle paste? ›

Chipotle paste is, simply put, chipotle chillies ground to a paste with a few added ingredients. You end up with a smoky and spicy chilli paste that is going to jazz up your meals to no end!

What is chipotle made of? ›

All chipotles start as jalapenos. A Chipotle Morita is a jalapeno left on the plant to ripen until it is semi-sweet and ruby red. Then it is dried and lightly smoked. Mexican chiles often go by one name when they are fresh and another when they are dried.

What is a substitute for chopped chipotle? ›

Top 5 Substitutes for Chipotle Peppers
  • 1 – Smoked Paprika.
  • 2 – Ancho Chili Powder.
  • 3 – Canned Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce.
  • 4 – Cayenne Pepper.
  • 5 – Jalapeño Peppers.
Jun 5, 2024

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