CopycatSpices
Copycat Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce
Subway's Chipotle Southwest sauce is a smoky, creamy, slightly spicy sauce that transforms any sandwich — and takes just two minutes to make at home.
copycat · subway · fast-food · sauce
🕑Prep5 min
🍳Cook0 min
⏱Total5 min
🍽Serves8
⭐DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from the can)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- 1.Mince the chipotles. Remove 1-2 chipotle peppers from the can of chipotles in adobo. Mince them finely until almost a paste. Measure out 1 teaspoon of the adobo sauce from the can as well.
- 2.Combine all ingredients. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, minced chipotles, adobo sauce, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne.
- 3.Taste and adjust. Check the heat level. If you want more smokiness, add another 1/2 teaspoon of adobo sauce. For more heat, add more cayenne. The sauce should be creamy with a slow-building warmth.
- 4.Chill before using. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. The sauce will thicken slightly as it chills.
- 5.Use generously. Drizzle on sandwiches, wraps, burgers, or use as a dip for fries and chicken tenders. This sauce goes with almost everything.
Copycat Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Subway’s Chipotle Southwest sauce is the most requested condiment at the chain for a reason. It adds a smoky, creamy, mildly spicy kick to any sandwich that elevates it from basic to memorable. The base is mayonnaise, but the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give it that deep, smoky heat that’s more complex than just adding hot sauce.
The key ingredient is chipotles in adobo — smoked, dried jalapenos rehydrated in a tangy tomato-based sauce. A single can costs about $2 and contains enough for ten batches of this sauce. Store the leftover chipotles in a freezer-safe bag in individual portions.
Customizing the Heat
- Start mild, then add. The recipe as written is medium heat, similar to Subway’s version. For mild, use only the adobo sauce without the pepper. For hot, double the chipotles.
- Lime juice brightens everything. It cuts through the richness of the mayo and balances the smokiness. Don’t skip it.
- Sour cream adds tang. This is what separates this from plain chipotle mayo. The sour cream makes it tangier and lighter in texture.
Beyond Sandwiches
This sauce stores in the fridge for up to two weeks. Use it on burgers, as a dip for sweet potato fries, mixed into tuna salad, or drizzled over grilled chicken bowls. A bottle of similar sauce at the grocery store costs $4-5. This recipe makes the same amount for about $1.50.
