Unleash Flavor: The Ultimate Rich & Spicy Chipotle Avocado Dressing (Keto & Low Carb)
Prepare to elevate your meals with a dressing that’s not just a condiment, but a star in its own right: our Rich & Spicy Chipotle Avocado Dressing. This vibrant, creamy, and flavor-packed dressing is a game-changer for anyone craving the bold, zesty tastes of Southwestern cuisine. Whether you’re assembling a classic Cobb Salad, wrapping fresh veggies, or building a hearty Southwestern-style bowl, this dressing delivers an irresistible combination of fresh avocado creaminess, tangy lime, and a perfect kick from chipotle. Best of all, it’s wonderfully low-carb and completely Keto-friendly, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
For those days when only a rich, ranch-like dressing will do, but you want something with a unique twist and fresh ingredients, this recipe is your answer. It’s become my personal go-to, especially when pairing with grilled chicken, steak, or even as a decadent dip. Just recently, I whipped up a Cobb-like salad featuring leftover hangar steak, crisp romaine, creamy avocado, sharp red onions, perfectly hard-boiled eggs, extra sharp cheddar, juicy tomatoes, and a scattering of fresh parsley. And instead of cilantro, I opted for parsley in the dressing that day. Both herbs work beautifully, but the fresh, peppery notes of parsley complemented the steak wonderfully, showcasing the versatility of this incredible dressing.
Why This Avocado Dressing Will Become Your New Favorite
What makes this particular avocado dressing so special? It’s a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, designed to tantalize your palate while adhering to a healthy lifestyle. Here’s why it stands out:
- Unrivaled Flavor: The combination of ripe avocado, fresh lime, and smoky chipotle creates a dynamic flavor profile that’s both refreshing and deeply satisfying.
- Creamy & Satiating: Thanks to the healthy fats in avocado and a touch of mayonnaise, this dressing is incredibly creamy, providing a luxurious mouthfeel that truly satisfies. You’ll feel full and content, without needing heavy ingredients.
- Low Carb & Keto-Friendly: With carefully selected ingredients, this dressing fits perfectly into low-carb and ketogenic diets, allowing you to enjoy rich flavors without compromising your health goals.
- Incredibly Versatile: Beyond salads, imagine this dressing drizzled over taco bowls, as a spread for sandwiches and wraps, a dip for fresh vegetables, or even a marinade for grilled proteins. Its uses are limited only by your imagination!
- Quick & Easy: With just a few simple steps and the help of a blender or food processor, you can have this gourmet dressing ready in minutes.
Understanding Chipotle Chiles: Your Guide to Smoky Heat
The star ingredient providing that distinctive smoky kick in our dressing is the chipotle chile. If you’re new to these incredible peppers, they are essentially smoked jalapeño chiles. This smoking process transforms the common jalapeño into something deeply complex and flavorful, adding a layer of warmth and a unique aroma that regular chiles just can’t match.
Chipotle chiles are available in several forms, each offering a slightly different experience:
- Dry Pods: These are the whole, dried, smoked jalapeños. You’ll typically find them in Mexican or Latin markets, often sold loose by the pound or in small bags in the produce or spice aisle. To use them, they usually need to be rehydrated and then minced or puréed. They offer the most authentic and intense smoky flavor.
- Chipotle Chiles en Adobo (Canned): This is perhaps the most popular and convenient form for many home cooks. These are jalapeños that have been smoked and dried, then rehydrated and packed in a rich, tangy adobo sauce. What exactly is adobo? It’s a versatile, flavorful sauce made from dried chiles, vinegar, and various spices, a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Chipotle en adobo brings a beautifully intense smoky flavor with a pronounced heat, and the sauce itself adds depth to your dishes.
- Ground Chipotle: For ease of use and a more subtle flavor, ground chipotle powder is an excellent option. It’s made from dried and ground chipotle chiles, offering a consistent way to add smoky heat without the need for chopping or puréeing. This form is ideal when you want to sprinkle chipotle into a dish or prefer a milder, more integrated spice.
I’ve crafted this Rich & Spicy Avocado Dressing using both ground chipotle and Chipotle en Adobo, and the results vary wonderfully. For a distinctly smoky and spicier dressing, Chipotle en Adobo is the clear winner, infusing every bite with robust flavor. If you prefer a milder, more controlled heat, the ground chipotle powder will achieve a delicious balance. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect level of zest and spice!
Crafting Your Rich & Spicy Avocado Dressing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this dressing is incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. All you need is a blender or a food processor, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality dressing ready in just minutes. It’s truly as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Tips for Perfecting Your Dressing:
- Choosing Avocados: Always start with ripe avocados. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure but not be mushy. Ripe avocados ensure a smooth, creamy texture and the best flavor.
- Consistency: The amount of water you add can be adjusted to achieve your desired consistency. For a thicker dip-like dressing, use less water. For a thinner, pourable dressing, add a little more, a tablespoon at a time, until perfect.
- Taste & Adjust: Don’t be shy about tasting as you go! This allows you to adjust the salt, lime juice, and chipotle to your personal preference. Some prefer a tangier dressing, others a spicier one.
- Herbs: The recipe calls for cilantro or parsley. Cilantro provides a classic Southwestern flavor, while parsley offers a fresher, slightly peppery note. Feel free to use your favorite or a mix of both!
Storing Leftover Chipotle en Adobo
If you opt for Chipotle en Adobo, you’ll likely have some chiles left over in the can. Don’t let them go to waste! A fantastic way to store them is to freeze them in silicone ice trays. Once frozen, you can pop out the individual portions and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container, ready to be used in future recipes like marinades, sauces, or even other dressings. You can see a detailed process for freezing leftover canned goods here. Just a heads-up: they tend to get spicier as they sit in the freezer, so a little goes a long way!
So, go ahead and prepare your favorite salad, because this Rich & Spicy Avocado Dressing is an absolute winner that will transform any ordinary meal into a culinary delight. Its incredible flavor and versatility make it a must-have in your recipe repertoire!
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
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Rich and Spicy Avocado Dressing
Ana | Claudia’s Table
January 21, 2021
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 2 medium avocados ripe, skin and pits removed
- 1 cup cilantro or parsley fresh
- 2 tbsp red onion finely chopped
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 4 tbsp lime juice fresh, about 2 limes
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3-4 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp chipotle, ground or 1 tsp of Chipotle en Adobo, finely minced. See note about this.
- 2 tsp salt kosher
- 1/4 tsp cumin ground
Instructions
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Add all ingredients into food processor or blender.
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Process for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
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Taste and adjust salt, lime, or chipotle if necessary to suit your preference.
Notes
Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The lime juice helps prevent browning, but a thin layer of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface can also help maintain its vibrant green color.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
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