Versatile chipotle seasoning can complement many of your favorite dishes, but sometimes you could run out of it. Hence, we thought of sharing the best chipotle seasoning substitutes that’ll give a similar taste.
The best alternatives for chipotle seasoning include:
So, keep reading to learn how these substitutes would help to mimic the flavor you usually get from chipotle seasoning.
The Best 05 Chipotle Seasoning Substitutes
Chipotle seasoning is typically a flavor-packed blend with a unique spicy, smoky, savory flavor profile. It gets its smokiness and spiciness mainly from the ground chipotle peppers used, and other ingredients usually include:
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Salt
The blend itself is not very complicated and is often used to flavor steak, fish, vegetables, other seafood, and soups. So, let’s see how the substitutes in our list would help you out if you run short of chipotle seasoning in the middle of preparing a dish or when the original product is not available.
01- Homemade Chipotle Seasoning
If you need to have the same smokiness and the spicy accent you usually get from chipotle seasoning, making your own batch at home could be the best bet. And you can easily do this with a few simple ingredients and customize the things and go in upon your taste preference.
02- Taco Seasoning
Ubiquitous and versatile taco seasoning is the decent second choice when it comes to picking a suitable replacement for chipotle seasoning. This option does not normally contain chipotle pepper, but the smokiness it usually gives is often fulfilled by smoked paprika.
In addition, you can also find other similar ingredients like ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, etc. Taco seasoning might not contain ground coriander but could include a few other additional ingredients like red chili flakes and black pepper.
How To Make Taco Seasoning? (An Easy Homemade Recipe)
However, you can use this substitute in a 1:1 ratio or start with a little amount and then adjust the flavor depending on how you like it. The flavor approximation of this alternative is good to go with anything that originally calls for chipotle seasoning.
03- Adobo Seasoning
The third on our list is delicious Adobo seasoning which holds a profundity of flavor that could be compared to that of chipotle seasoning. This option is an all-purpose seasoning which becomes a plus point when used as a substitute.
Adobo seasoning shares some similar ingredients with our topic leader, like garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. But this option could sometimes be a little bit more intense, and it might be different in color since additional elements like turmeric powder, black pepper, and chili powder could be included.
How To Make Adobo Seasoning At Home- An Easy Recipe!
Nevertheless, you can use this in place of chipotle seasoning to flavor chicken, seafood, steak, and veggies or add it to soups. If you are uncertain of the amount, the best thing would be to start moderately and increase the amount as you go.
04- Chili Seasoning
Spicy and robust chili seasoning usually packs a punch regardless of the recipe or the brand you buy. It typically shares a set of common spices and herbs with our topic leader, such as ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano.
The chili seasoning mostly achieves the hot and smoky accent with the cayenne pepper and smoked paprika. However, most of the time, the spiciness of chili seasoning could be a bit overwhelming due to its extra ingredients like chili powder, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and red pepper flakes.
How To Make Chili Seasoning? (An Easy Step-By-Step Guide | Simple Recipe)
Therefore, you should be careful not to use too much at the beginning, especially when using this option as a substitute for dishes that call for chipotle seasoning as a primary ingredient. Thus, start with half the amount you usually use our topic leader and adjust according to your taste preference.
05- Cajun Seasoning
This is another readily available option commonly and popularly used in Southern USA cuisine to flavor meat, crawfish, and other foods. The flavor profile of Cajun seasoning can be compared to that of chipotle seasoning since it shares some ingredients like dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
But, you will not usually find ground cumin and coriander in Cajun seasoning. Therefore, you will have to adjust the flavor by mixing ground coriander and ground cumin in pinches if you need to have a better flavor approximation.
How To Make Cajun Seasoning At Home? (You Should Try This!) – Simple Homemade Recipe!
Start by using a small amount from this alternative since it could hold slightly more intensity due to the cayenne, black pepper, white pepper, and dried thyme content. You can always adjust the amount you use as you go with your meat, seafood, vegetables, soups, and stews.
These Chipotle Seasoning Substitutes Are Real Life-Savers!
Chipotle seasoning is a blend that could add a dynamic flavor to your dishes, but sometimes you could be concerned about not having it on hand for the special recipes you often make. In such instances, alternatives like Taco, Adobo, chili, and Cajun seasoning blends can come to your rescue. And if you are equipped with the necessary ingredients, you can even make your own chipotle seasoning at home to get the exact flavor.
