Copycat Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce Recipe

Our copycat Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce recipe is an almond-based sauce that makes the perfect condiment to add some zing to your chips and veggies! There’s no need to hunt for the original in stores when you can recreate this super flavorful sauce right at home.

I’m excited to finally share this recipe with you! I’ve had it in the back of my mind for years, and after weeks of testing, I’m really happy with the results. I’ve been buying Bitchin’ Sauce for years, long before it was available in major grocery store chains. If you’ve never had it, you’re in for a treat! And, if you’re as addicted to the original version as I am, I so hope you enjoy this version as much as I do. Happy eating!

What is Bitchin’ Sauce?

Founded by husband and wife Starr and L.A. Edwards, Bitchin’ Sauce focuses on creating delicious nut-based dips. It started as a small business selling its sauces in and around San Diego’s farmers’ markets. Since then, it has grown thanks to the quality and popularity of its products! Now, the sauces are widely available in many places, such as Costco, Ralphs, Kroger, and other grocery stores. You can also buy them online. In addition to their Original and Chipotle flavors, they also make and sell other tasty flavors such as Cilantro Chile, Bombay, Pesto, Buffalo, Caramelized Onion, Spinach Artichoke (another personal fave!), and even some sweet flavors like Apple Pie. You can visit their website to learn more about them and their products. 

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Almond Dip

• It’s just as good as the original!
• It features a bold flavor and smokiness to it that’s so enjoyable.
• This comes together in less than 10 minutes and is so easy to make, as a food processor or high-powered blender does all the work!
• You get a load of antioxidants, protein, and fiber from the almonds. 
• It’s cheaper than the store-bought version, yet so versatile! You can use it in many ways.  
• Certified crowd-pleaser! Great for serving at parties and/or gatherings. 
• Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and plant-based.

Ingredient Notes

Water: Dilutes the ingredients and gives the Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce recipe a good consistency. Use filtered water for best results. 

Raw almonds: Acts as the base of the sauce, giving it a nutty, savory taste. Use raw almonds only.

• If you have a blender or food processor that isn’t the best with blending nuts, soak the almonds in water for a few hours before using them in this Bitchin’ sauce recipe. This will soften the nuts and make them easier to blend with the other ingredients. 
• If you prefer making this recipe nut-free, you can substitute sunflower seeds for the almonds. There will be a bit of a difference in both flavor and color, but I do believe sunflower seeds would be the best nut-free option if you want to give this sauce recipe a try.

Grapeseed oil: Provides a neutral-tasting foundation to the sauce.

• The original recipe calls for grapeseed oil, but you can substitute avocado oil, sunflower oil, or another neutral-tasting oil if needed.

Lemon juice: Adds some brightness to the recipe. Fresh or bottled works well here.

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Adds all the chipotle flavor and some delicious spicy smokiness. The original recipe also uses vinegar and tomato as ingredients, but canned chipotle peppers contain these ingredients, so we’re using chipotles in adobo sauce instead of fresh chipotle peppers or dried chipotles.

• You can adjust the amount you put in depending on how hot you’d like your sauce to be. 2 chipotles taste much like the original to me, but if you are sensitive to spice, go with 1 pepper instead.

Soy sauce: Imparts umami flavor and some saltiness to the sauce. Use gluten-free soy sauce if necessary.

• You can swap in Bragg’s Liquid Aminos if you have it. It’s actually what was in the early store-bought versions of the Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce when I first started buying it! 

Nutritional yeast: Adds a bit of saltiness and cheesy flavor to the sauce and also acts as a thickener.

Garlic clove: Gives the sauce a good dose of garlicky flavors. 

Onion powder: Adds savory depth to the sauce.

Smoked paprika: Adds more smokiness and warmth to the Bitchin’ sauce.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

How to Make Bitchin’ Sauce

1. Add all the ingredients to a food processor or high-speed blender. 
2. Blend on high for about 2 to 5 minutes or until it has reached your desired consistency. Just add a touch more water if it turns out too thick. 
3. Serve right away, or place in a container and chill in the fridge for a few hours to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
4. Enjoy!

Delicious Ways to Use Homemade Bitchin’ Sauce

• As a tasty dip for crunchy veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, etc.
• It can be used as a salad dressing, but you might want to thin it out a bit with water, lemon juice, and/or vinegar.
• As a spread on toasted gluten-free bread or sea salt chickpea crackers.
• As a smoky dip for tortilla chips or pita chips.
• Drizzled all over tacos, burrito bowls, and other amazing vegetarian Mexican recipes.
• Drizzled over veggie burgers or used as a spread for wraps or sandwiches.
• Add a dollop to rice or quinoa bowls.
• Use as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks, hush puppies, or French fries.

Storage

Store the copycat Bitchin’ Chipotle sauce in an airtight container or jar, then refrigerate it. It should be good for up to one week. 

Note that the sauce may separate as it sits in the fridge, and that’s okay! Just give the sauce a stir, and it’s good to go. 

More Delicious Copycat Recipes

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Copycat Chipotle Chili Corn Salsa

Copycat Starbucks Dragon Drink

Copycat Starbucks Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte