When looking to substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, it is important to go through a check list. There are a lot of peppers that although produce heat, are not similar enough to use in the adobo sauce. This sauce acts as a base and is absolutely delicious, while also packing a punch of heat!
Through this blog, you will learn how to make adobo sauce, the history behind this delicious sauce, and the four peppers you can substitute inside. Keep in mind, that every home has their own version of this sauce and that it is a staple is a lot of authentic and traditional Mexican cuisine.
What Is Adobo Sauce?
You may have noticed while searching the web for a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, that a lot of the sauces and meals are a vivid red and orange color. This is because the recipes use a lot of sauce for the meal and the dishes to soak in the flavor, which also leads to the vivid color.
Adobo sauce is a thick sauce that almost resembles tomato sauce but is actually made out of different chiles and vegetables. Sometimes though, chipotle chiles are not easy to find and you need to make changes to the adobo sauce ingredients list.
When cooking with Adobo sauce, usually you would marinate the meat or the item in the sauce. Once you feel ready to cook it, add some to a pan with oil and water. Brown the sauce and add the meat to simmer. Pork loins especially go well with adobo sauce.
How To Make Adobo Sauce?
Before you can choose a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, it is important to learn how to make this scrumptious and delicious sauce. It is best to start by preparing the chiles. Purchase, or use your own fresh chipotle chilis. The darker and more vibrant they are, the better flavor and heat they have!
When preparing the chiles, it is important to cut off the stem and completely carve out the insides. There should be no seeds left inside of the peppers as you blend them. They can be a choking hazard, however, they also aren’t toxic so if you do eat one, no worries!
Blend the peppers in a mixture of vinegar, oil, and various seasonings. If you cannot find the right chipotle peppers, it is okay to find a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. Some people add tomato sauce to add more color and vibrancy, but it is not always necessary.
4 Ways To Find A Substitute For Chipotle Chiles In Adobo Sauce
Although I have only listed four substitutes for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, there are a lot more! Four good chipotle adobo sauce substitute ingredients are:
1. Jalapenos
Possibly the most popular hot pepper to use as a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce is the jalapeno pepper. These are super common throughout Latin America and grow quickly! These peppers don’t have much of a kick though. If you want to use jalapenos, I recommend doubling the amount of peppers for the recipe.
These peppers are not as large or as long as chipotle chiles. While this is the case, they make a good substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce because the peppers have a thin skin that is perfect for blending. If you want more of a kick with jalapenos, and color in your sauce, use ripe peppers that are red-purple.
2. Serrano Peppers
Another flavorful and delicious red pepper is the serrano pepper. These peppers rank high on the Scoville scale then Jalapenos and although they are not the most popular, they are on the top of the list! This is perfect if you want your adobo sauce to have a delicious flavor, while maintaining spice and the red-orange color we know.
3. Habanero Peppers
Habanero peppers are probably the most different type of pepper on this list. Don’t let its shape fool you though, this pepper can be very hot and is just as tasty. When looking for a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, habanero peppers are high on the list.
However, if you want to maintain the deep red color the peppers have, I do recommend also adding tomato sauce as well as paprika. The tomato sauce thickens the adobo sauce, while also adding the deep red color!
4. Cayenne Pepper
My mouth is watering at the thought of cayenne peppers as a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. These peppers are long and skinny. They are long peppers that have a lot of spice to them! You can easily store these peppers and make them last longer as a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
Tips And Tricks On Preparing Peppers For Sauce
I have a few tips and tricks that may help you in cooking and making your own adobo sauce with a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. No matter the substitute pepper you choose, from the heat is still there. These peppers are not easy to work with.
If your hands are sensitive, I recommend using gloves to protect your fingers from the hot oil that secretes from the skin of the peppers. The seeds can also affect your skin. Don’t touch your face either when using and preparing a substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
I prefer to also cook my adobo sauce after blending it. This gives the adobo sauce a smoke flavor. However, it is not necessary.
Conclusion
All in all, finding a suitable substitute for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce takes a lot of time and thought. This is because these peppers are packed in flavor and give a delicious and vibrant red color to the adobo sauce. That being said, you can still substitute the pepper, however, it is necessary to make changes to the recipe.
FAQs
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