Why You’ll Love Vegan Chipotle Aioli Recipe
This aioli is completely dairy-free while still being smooth and creamy.
It has a bold smoky flavor from chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.
It works as a dip, spread, drizzle, or sauce.
The recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients and a blender.
It can be adjusted to be milder, spicier, tangier, or more garlicky.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 cup raw cashews
3/4 cup non-dairy milk
3 chipotle peppers from a can with adobo
1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the can
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Directions
Add the raw cashews to a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them soak for 30 minutes to soften.
Drain the cashews, then rinse them well with cold water.
Add the soaked cashews to a blender along with the non-dairy milk, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lemon juice, sugar, minced garlic, salt, and nutritional yeast.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Transfer the aioli to a container and chill it in the refrigerator before serving. Serve with tacos, fries, sandwiches, wraps, or burrito bowls.
Servings and timing
Servings: 6
Prep time: 30 minutes
Blend time: 2 to 3 minutes
Total time: About 30 minutes
Variations
For a spicier aioli, add an extra chipotle pepper or more adobo sauce.
For a milder version, use only 1 or 2 chipotle peppers.
For extra tang, add a little more lemon juice.
For a stronger garlic flavor, increase the minced garlic to taste.
For a slightly thinner sauce, blend in a splash more non-dairy milk.
Storage/Reheating
Store the Vegan Chipotle Aioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Stir before serving, as it may thicken slightly as it chills.
This sauce is best served cold or at room temperature. Reheating is not recommended because it may affect the creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I make this aioli without soaking the cashews?
Soaking the cashews helps them blend into a smoother sauce. If you have a high-powered blender, you may be able to reduce the soaking time, but soaking is still recommended.
Is this Vegan Chipotle Aioli spicy?
It has a moderate smoky heat from the chipotle peppers. You can make it milder by using fewer peppers or spicier by adding more.
Can I use water instead of non-dairy milk?
Yes, but non-dairy milk gives the aioli a creamier texture. Use unsweetened milk for the best flavor.
What type of non-dairy milk works best?
Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or cashew milk all work well.
Can I make this nut-free?
This recipe is cashew-based, so it is not nut-free as written. For a nut-free version, you could try using soaked sunflower seeds, though the flavor and texture will be slightly different.
How long does it last in the fridge?
It will keep well for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Can I freeze Vegan Chipotle Aioli?
Freezing is not recommended because the texture may become grainy after thawing.
What can I serve it with?
Serve it with tacos, fries, burrito bowls, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, wraps, veggie burgers, or grain bowls.
Can I make it thicker?
Yes. Use slightly less non-dairy milk or chill the aioli longer before serving.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. This aioli is great for meal prep and can be made a day in advance. The flavor may deepen as it chills.
Conclusion
Vegan Chipotle Aioli is a simple, creamy, and flavorful sauce that adds smoky heat to almost any meal. With soaked cashews and bold chipotle flavor, it is a versatile dairy-free condiment that works beautifully as a dip, spread, or drizzle.
