• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • About Good Cheap Eats
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Memorial Day
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • About
  • My Account
  • Members Only
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Memorial Day
    • Recipes
    • Shop
    • About
    • My Account
    • Members Only
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Kitchen Tips » Freezer Cooking

    Can You Freeze Chipotle Peppers?

    Published: Jan 25, 2022 · Modified: Jan 25, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

    Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Print0
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce add great heat and flavor to recipes, but few recipes will use the whole can. Can you freeze chipotle peppers you have leftover?

    Whether you’re going to cook up a pot of Barbacoa Beef for Tacos or stir up a batch of Homemade Chipotle Mayo, rest easy that nothing will go to waste when you freeze chipotle chiles.

    overhead shot of an open can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. this …
    Jump to:
    • Why Do This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Uses
    • Tell us what you think!
    • How to Freeze Chipotle Peppers

    Ripe jalapeño chiles that have been smoked and dried are called chipotles. Often sold canned in adobo sauce, they add delicious heat to any number of southwest dishes.

    While canned foods are generally shelf-stable for years to come, once you open a can, you’re on the clock to use up the contents before they spoil. Thankfully, you can freeze chipotle peppers.

    Why Do This

    Flash freezing the rest of the chipotle chiles in the can will not only extend the life of your purchase and help you avoid food waste, but you’ll have the peppers already portioned and recipe-ready when you need them.

    Ingredients

    can of san marcos brand chilpotle peppers on its side on a black countertop.

    Hotter than your standard green chile, chipotle peppers (also spelled chilpotle) are fully ripened jalapeños that have turned red on the vine and then dried and smoked. They are a moderately hot chile, ranging from 2,500 to 10,000 on the Scoville scale, on par with their fresh jalapeño counterpart.

    You can buy chipotle chiles dried, pickled, or canned in adobo sauce. The canned variety is the one that you may want to freeze, as once you open the can, you’ll need to use them up in about a week.

    The standard 7- to 8-ounce can holds 9 to 11 chipotle peppers and accompanying adobo sauce. At $1-2/can, you can really stretch this small purchase for many meals by freezing the leftovers.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Here’s how to freeze chipotle chiles:

    • chipotles and sauce spread out on a parchment lined sheet pan.
    • frozen chipotles and sauce on parchment-lined tray.
    • ziptop bag labeled with the words chipotle peppers, inside is the folded parchment with the frozen chiles inside.
    • Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, plastic wrap, or waxed paper. Distribute the individual peppers and a bit of sauce on a lined sheet pan and freeze until firm.
    • Once solid, transfer the frozen peppers to packaging and return to the freezer.
    • To use: add to recipe from frozen, chopping first if desired.

    Alternatively, divide the chipotle chiles into ice cube trays with their sauce and freeze until firm. Keep in mind this may stain the ice cube tray.

    If you know you will use the chiles chopped in recipes, you can chop them all prior to freezing to make them even more convenient to use.

    FAQs

    Are chipotle peppers hot?

    Chipotle chiles are fairly spicy. They land between 2500 and 10,000 on the Scoville scale, on par with their fresh jalapeño counterpart. By comparison, a bell pepper is between 0 and 100 while an Anaheim green chile is 1,000 to 2,500.

    How many chipotle peppers are in a 7-ounce can?

    There are 9 to 11 chipotle chiles in the standard can.

    What to do with chipotle peppers leftovers?

    Freeze chipotles leftover in the can so that you can use them up in future recipes.

    Uses

    • Barbacoa Beef for Tacos, Lettuce Wraps, Bowls, & Burritos
    • Chicken Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Crema
    • Easy Turkey Burger Recipe
    • Homemade Chipotle Mayo (5 cents/tablespoon!)

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    bagged and frozen chipotle peppers on a black table.
    Print Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    5 from 2 votes

    How to Freeze Chipotle Peppers

    Learn how to freeze chipotle peppers so that you can use the rest of the can without waste. It's a great way to save time and money and give your recipes a kick when they need it.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 14kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $1

    Equipment

    • parchment paper
    • heavy duty sheet pan
    • ziptop freezer bags

    Ingredients

    • 7.5 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Divide the chipotle peppers into ice cube trays with their sauce and freeze until firm. Keep in mind this may stain the ice cube tray.
    • Alternatively, to freeze them loose, distribute the individual peppers and a bit of sauce on a lined sheet pan and freeze until firm. Once solid, transfer the frozen peppers to packaging and return to the freezer.
    • To use: add to recipe from frozen, chopping first if desired.

    Notes

    Frozen chipotles will be safe indefinitely if kept at below zero degrees, but after ten months, their quality will start to diminish. Since home freezers are not as consistent and reliable as commercial freezers, try to use your frozen chipotles within a couple months.
    Use chipotles in salsas, soups, chiles, and sauces. They are great in Homemade Chipotle Mayo or Barbacoa Beef.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 269mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1063IU | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @goodcheapeatsblog or tag #goodcheapeats!
    « Turkey Avocado Baguette Sandwich
    Pantry Challenge – Day 25 »
    Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Print0

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen

      January 26, 2022 at 10:05 am

      Since I always want my chiles chopped, I blitz the sauce and peppers in the food processor first. Dump whole thing in a quart zip lock bag, press out air, and smooth flat to freeze. When you need some zing, just break off the amount you need. (now that your food processor is dirty, use it to chop the onions for whatever you needed the chipotle for initially!)

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        January 26, 2022 at 10:09 am

        5 stars
        Fantastic idea, Karen. Thanks!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter their budget.

    More about me

    as seen on banner
    cooking for one
    cooking for many banner
    cooking to freeze banner

    Memorial Day BBQ Recipes

    • BBQ Party Meal Plan for Less than $25!
    • Spicy Chicken Marinade
    • Grilled Pork Tenderloin (78 cent/serving)
    • Loaded Potato Salad Recipe
    • Grilled Brats with Peppers and Onions (94 cents each)
    • The Easiest Grilled Pizza You Can Make

    Popular Posts

    • What to Make for Dinner When There’s “Nothing” to Eat
    • Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea – Cheaper at Home
    • How to Cook a Chuck Roast in the Slow Cooker
    • Roasting Garlic Cloves
    learn how to cook great homemade meals

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Good Cheap Eats