Chipotle Mexican Grill Ancho Chile Marinade for Meat Recipe

Infuse your favorite cuts of meat with bold, smoky, and tangy flavors using this Chipotle Mexican Grill Ancho Chile Marinade for Meat. Featuring a vibrant blend of ancho chile powder, fresh garlic, tangy lime juice, and a touch of honey, this marinade is elevated by the smoky heat of adobo sauce and the earthy depth of cumin and oregano. Perfect for chicken, beef, pork, or even tofu, this versatile marinade comes together in just 15 minutes and delivers restaurant-quality flavor right to your table. For best results, marinate overnight to allow the rich spices to penetrate deeply. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or pan-frying, this marinade ensures tender, juicy, and flavor-packed meals every time. Perfect for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or meal prep, this easy-to-make ancho chile marinade is your gateway to authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Ancho chile powder
• 4 large Garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 2 tablespoons Adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers in adobo)

Directions

Step 1

Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves or use a garlic press for convenience.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ancho chile powder, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, honey, ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, ground black pepper, water, and adobo sauce.

Step 3

Whisk the marinade ingredients together until well combined and smooth.

Step 4

Place your choice of meat (chicken, beef, pork, or tofu) in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.

Step 5

Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is thoroughly coated on all sides. Use your hands or a spoon to evenly distribute the marinade if necessary.

Step 6

Seal the plastic bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but for best results, marinate overnight to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Step 7

Before cooking, remove the meat from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes.

Step 8

Cook the meat using your preferred method (grilling, roasting, or pan-frying) until it reaches your desired doneness.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy the smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor paired with your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(241.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	606.1

Total Fat 44.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1498.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 50.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.8g	0%
Total Sugars 22.8g
Protein 6.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 123.6mg	0%
Iron 8.0mg	0%
Potassium 783.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.0%

Protein: 3.8%

Carbs: 32.2%