Chipotle chillies are actually the smoked and dried form of jalapeños. It can be made from red or green jalapeños. Red jalapeños are typically used, which are green jalapeños that have been left to ripen for a little bit longer. As well as being found as whole dried chillies, chilli flakes and chipotle chilli paste, chipotle chillies are also popular canned in adobo sauce.

Chipotle chillies in adobo can be found in some specialty shops, or from online Mexican food shops. Adobo sauce is a slightly tart chilli sauce made from dried chillies. It’s delicious used along with the chipotle chillies.

You might also sometimes see chipotle chillies referred to as ‘chipotle morita’. This is to distinguish them from the less common ‘chipotle meco’. Chipotle morita are quite pliable, deep red and the best type of chipotle to use if the recipe doesn’t specify whether you should use morita or meco. Chipotle meco on the other hand are smoked and dried for some extra time, so they have a spicier, smokier flavour, are quite stiff and brittle, and are generally slightly dull brown rather than red.

There are so many different ways to use chipotle chilli. They’re delicious in mayonnaise, chilli oil, salsa macha, spice rubs, hot sauces, chutneys to name just a few. As a flavourful and fairly mild chilli, they’re really versatile and you’re sure to find yourself using them again and again. Check out our full collection of chipotle chilli recipes below for some inspiration!