chipotle

American  

[chi-poht-ley, chee-pawt-le] / tʃɪˈpoʊt leɪ, tʃiˈpɔt lɛ /

noun

plural

chipotles

1. a mature jalapeño pepper that is smoked until dried, used whole or ground into a spice, especially in Mexican cooking.

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Etymology

Origin of chipotle

First recorded in 1920–25; from Mexican Spanish chipotle, chilpotle, chilpocle, from unrecorded Nahuatl chīlpōctli, equivalent to chīlli chile ¹ ( def. ) + pōctli “smoke”

Explanation

A chipotle is a dried chili pepper with a smoky, rich flavor that's common in Mexican cuisine. Chipotles are used to make salsa and marinades, among other dishes. It takes a jalapeño to make a chipotle. If the slightly spicy green peppers are left on the vine, they eventually turn bright red. When these red jalapeños are smoked for several days over a wood fire, they officially become chipotles. You'll often find them packed in cans with adobo sauce made from spices and vegetables. Chipotle comes from the Aztec words chilli, "chili pepper," and poctli, "smoke."

Example Sentences

Affected flavors include roasted garlic, lemon, jalapeño, chipotle, balsamic, spinach and more.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2025

Black bean chipotle hummus was among the offerings in the craft services area.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2025

Barely touched bottle of chipotle mayo, I hardly knew you.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2023

We keep the filling simple, with roughly mashed potatoes and shredded cheese, but we amp it with two flavor-packed pantry ingredients — canned chipotle chilies and the smoky sauce they are packed in.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Try adding grainy mustard, some chopped fresh herbs or a pinch of ground spice such as cumin or coriander, or some chipotle chili powder and lime juice for a Latin influence.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 22, 2023