Key Takeaways:
- Quick 5-minute prep time yields a rich, tangy sauce
- Makes enough for 4 people (about 1 cup total)
- Stores well in the fridge for up to 5 days
- Customizable heat level to suit your taste
Your homemade empanadas deserve better than plain store-bought sauce. This easy empanada dipping sauce recipe brings together bright citrus, rich garlic, and just the right kick of heat to make your empanadas shine. Ready in just 5 minutes!
Nutrition Information (per 1/4 cup serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Fat | 11g |
| Carbs | 4g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sodium | 350mg |
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup |
| Fresh lime juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic cloves, minced | 2 |
| Chipotle pepper in adobo | 1 |
| Fresh cilantro, chopped | 1/4 cup |
| Ground cumin | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
Kitchen Tools
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Garlic mincer (optional)
- Knife and cutting board
- Storage container with lid
- Paper towels
- Small spoon for tasting
- Citrus juicer (optional)
Simple Substitutions
- Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter option
- Swap lime juice with lemon juice
- Use garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon) instead of fresh garlic
- Replace chipotle with hot sauce to taste
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners
Before You Start (2 minutes)
- Clean Your Workspace
- Wipe down your counter with warm, soapy water
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds
- Lay out a clean kitchen towel for spills
- Gather Your Tools
- Place all tools on your clean counter
- Make sure your mixing bowl is completely dry
- Have measuring spoons ready
- Set up your cutting board and knife
- Prepare Your Ingredients
- Remove all ingredients from the refrigerator
- Place them on your counter in order of use
- Let mayonnaise sit at room temperature for 5 minutes for easier mixing
Ingredient Preparation (5 minutes)
- Prepare the Garlic
- Peel 2 garlic cloves:
- Cut off the hard ends
- Place clove under flat side of knife
- Gently press to crack skin
- Remove and discard skin
- Mince garlic:
- Slice each clove lengthwise
- Cut into thin strips
- Cut across strips to mince
- Keep minced pieces very small (about size of rice grain)
- Prepare the Cilantro
- Rinse cilantro under cold water
- Pat completely dry with paper towels
- Remove leaves from stems
- Gather leaves into tight bunch
- Chop leaves finely
- Measure 1/4 cup packed
- Prepare the Chipotle Pepper
- Open can of chipotles in adobo carefully
- Remove one pepper using fork
- Place on cutting board
- Remove seeds if less heat desired
- Chop very finely
- Keep 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from can
- Juice the Lime
- Roll lime on counter using firm pressure
- Cut in half
- Squeeze to extract juice:
- Use citrus juicer if available
- Or squeeze by hand over bowl
- Remove any seeds
- Measure 2 tablespoons
Making the Sauce (5 minutes)
- Start with Base
- Add 1/2 cup mayonnaise to mixing bowl
- Scrape sides of measuring cup with rubber spatula
- Ensure no mayo remains in measuring cup
- Add Wet Ingredients
- Pour in measured lime juice
- Add 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
- Whisk until completely smooth
- Scrape sides of bowl
- Incorporate Seasonings
- Add minced garlic
- Add chopped chipotle
- Sprinkle in ground cumin
- Add salt and pepper
- Whisk gently to combine
- Final Mixing
- Add chopped cilantro
- Fold everything together with whisk
- Mix until evenly distributed
- No streaks should remain
- Taste Test
- Use clean spoon to taste small amount
- Adjust seasonings if needed:
- More salt for overall flavor
- More lime for tanginess
- More chipotle for heat
Final Steps (3 minutes)
- Check Consistency
- Sauce should be thick but spoonable
- Should coat back of spoon
- If too thick, add lime juice 1 teaspoon at a time
- If too thin, add mayonnaise 1 tablespoon at a time
- Transfer to Storage
- Use rubber spatula to scrape bowl clean
- Pour into clean storage container
- Smooth top with spatula
- Wipe rim of container clean
Troubleshooting
Sauce is too thick:
- Add lime juice or water, 1 teaspoon at a time
- Whisk after each addition
- Check consistency before adding more
Too spicy:
- Mix in extra mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon at a time
- Add a touch of honey (1/4 teaspoon)
- Increase cilantro amount
Too tangy:
- Add a pinch more salt
- Mix in 1/4 teaspoon honey
- Add extra mayonnaise
Variations
- Creamy Garlic:
- Skip chipotle
- Double garlic (4 cloves)
- Add 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Increase mayonnaise to 3/4 cup
- Extra Spicy:
- Add extra chipotle (2 total)
- Include 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- Mix in hot sauce to taste
- Have extra lime juice ready
- Herb Lovers:
- Double cilantro (1/2 cup)
- Add 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Include 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
- Reduce salt slightly
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Transfer to airtight container
- Seal lid tightly
- Keep refrigerated
- Stays fresh up to 5 days
- Do not freeze
Before Serving:
- Remove from fridge 10 minutes early
- Stir well with clean spoon
- Add splash of lime if needed
- Check consistency
- Taste and adjust seasonings
Safety Notes & Tips
- Always wash hands before and during prep
- Use clean utensils for each taste test
- Don’t leave sauce at room temperature over 2 hours
- Check ingredients for freshness before using
- Store covered to prevent contamination
- Label container with date made
- Clean all surfaces and tools after prep
- Refrigerate immediately after making
- Keep sauce separate from other foods
- Use clean spoon each time you serve
