Chuy's Copycat Version Creamy Jalapeno Dip
I lived in Texas for about 2 days before everyone and their dog was telling me all about this famous Chuy's creamy jalapeno dip that I must try asap. Of course, I ditched unpacking in my quest to do some culinary research. Was it really as good as everyone said? I wanted to be the judge.
Dean and I chose a weekend night and drove straight to Chuy's. There was a line out the door and a long wait. That is always a good sign! People seemed to love this place -- even if it was for the star of the show, the creamy jalapeno dip.
We sat down and within minutes, the creamy jalapeno dip was sitting right in front of me. A basket of hot chips, fresh out of the fryer were beckoning me. I took the tortilla chip and dipped it into what looked more like a cilantro jalapeno dressing than anything and took the first bite. Wow. This stuff was straight up addicting.
Before I knew it, Dean and I had devoured an entire basket of chips and he was asking for more. Trouble. I was hooked on this creamy jalapeno dip and there was no turning back!
We just flew back to San Antonio last week for my darling niece's wedding (hi Amanda!). I married into such a wonderful family and loved being with the Stadler crew.
We had a Mexican feast on Sunday and another darling niece (I have a lot of them), Haley, was bringing it! She is a little whiz in the kitchen and shared her version of Chuy's famous creamy cilantro jalapeno dip. Once she put it out on the table, it was like watching vultures. It was a huge hit and I begged her for the recipe!
This is our version of the Chuy's famous creamy jalapeno dip is super simple to make and can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes. I without a doubt could drink this stuff....all day long. It is also reminiscent of Cafe Rio or Costa Vida's cilantro ranch dressing. You can use this dressing to drizzle on a salad, a burrito bowl, or just as an appetizer.
How do you make this famous Chuy's creamy jalapeno cilantro dip dressing? You start with jarred jalapenos and cilantro pureed in a blender. You can use fresh jalapenos as well but I prefer the jarred jalapenos as I can control the heat. The jarred jalapenos are much milder than fresh ones but give off a crazy amount of flavor. Fresh cilantro brings the freshness and balances out the heat.
Both sour cream and mayonnaise are used as the base of this creamy cilantro ranch dressing. A packet of dry ranch dressing dip brings that ranch flavor that everyone seems to love. If you want to add more freshness, throw in a couple of tomatillos. You can use fresh tomatillos or canned tomatillos. Buttermilk makes a huge difference in this dressing and use just enough to thin it to desired consistency and taste.
The jalapenos and cilantro are pureed in a blender or food processor. My favorite inexpensive food processor can be found HERE.
Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno Cilantro Dip Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Sour Cream
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise (if you prefer less mayonnaise, you may use 1 cup of sour cream and ½ cup mayonnaise)
- 1 packet 1 oz Dry Ranch Dip
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Salt
- ½ cup Cilantro (tightly packed, may add more for fresh flavor)
- ¾ cup Pickled Jalapenos (plus juice from a jar (may add up to 1 cup depending on heat preference)
- ½ cup Buttermilk (if you want it to be thinner, add more buttermilk)
- 2 Tomatillos optional
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Lime Juice optional
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch dip packet, and garlic salt.
- In blender or food processor, puree cilantro and pickled jalapenos with a little juice. (If using tomatillos, blend with jalapenos and cilantro).
- Add cilantro jalapeno puree to mayo mixture.
- Stir in buttermilk until you reach desired consistency. Add fresh lime juice, if using.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
I hope you love this copycat version of Chuy's popular Creamy Jalapeno Dip! It's a family favorite. Happy Eating, my friends!
William
This recipe is spot on and absolutely delicious. Thanks so much for posting!
J Smith
If we don't buy buttermilk, but make our own by putting white vinegar in regular milk, will this recipe work and taste the same?
also, will it work with all sour cream instead of any mayo?
or what about with olive oil mayo or low fat mayo?
what about substituting plain greek yogurt for the mayo?
thanks!
Ashley
I LOVE chuy’s. I LOVEEE creamy jalapeño. I’ve been using this recipe for years and all I gotta say after multiple experimentations with this recipe is that you gotta follow it pretty much exactly how it is. Modern Honey cracked the code and hit the jackpot with this recipe and I am so grateful. If you don’t have one of the ingredients, it really doesn’t taste the same. For example- I don’t normally keep buttermilk around since it expires fast but it makes a difference yall. Great recipe, great creator, great creamy jalapeño. Pair this with homemade margaritas and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect weekend!
Rebekah
This stuff is literally incredible and definitely making it for the rest of my life lol. Quick question. Followed the recipe but it seems extra runny. Maybe because of the jalapeño juice I added. Is there a way to thicken it up a little more?
Megan
Nailed it! Just like Chuy’s! I forgot to buy sour cream, but had Fage yogurt. It worked out great, I’m gonna but this sauce on everything! 😉
Monique
Love this dip, one of our favorites! I know this may be crazy, but what is the name of the food processor you are using in the video?
Sam Calhoun
Love this! I made it with fat-free greek yogurt and low-fat mayo just to save some calories. So good. I pretty much want to put this on everything.
Thanks!
Jack
Made this for a birthday celebration and it was a big hit..."this stuff is addicting" was the comment most often heard. A new family favorite!
David Dodson
Spot on. Thanks for posting this wonderdul recipe.
Suzy
Excellent recipe! I had to tone it down some using a little over 1/2 cup jalapeños and less jalapeño juice, but it’s always been a hit in our house! Thank you for the great recipe!
Ava
I have tried many Chuys dip recipes and this is my favorite. I made it for my volleyball team and everyone loved it
Valerie
One of the MOST delicious, tangy dips I've ever eaten!!!!
Modern Honey
I am so glad you loved this dip recipe! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Shelley
This looks really good. How long can it be stored in the refrigerator?
Modern Honey
Hi Shelley! This Chuy's dip can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. It will just need a good shake or stir to make sure the ingredients are mixed together.
Margarita Stone
On the nutrients information, how much of this dip is that information for? It can’t be the whole dip because the fats doesn’t make sense.
Modern Honey
Hi! So at the top of the recipe card, you will find the amount of servings. There are 8 servings so the nutritional information is per serving. I hope this helps!
Susan
Love this dip. I make it alittle different with Serranos and fresh jalapeños from our garden and with a hard splash of white vinegar. It's so creamy and spicy, awesome on pretty much anything. My favorite was making shredded chicken enchiladas smothered in it.
Modern Honey
That sounds amazing! Nothing better than fresh vegetables from your garden. I bet it tasted incredible. Now I want to go smother my chicken enchiladas in this dip! What a great idea!
Amy
Awesome dip! How long can it last in the fridge?
Haley
How does the dip last for in the fridge.
Andrea
Wonderful copycat recipe. Will make again!!
Modern Honey
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
Jewell
Yours is the best out of all of the knock-off recipes! It is my go-to & everyone raves about it, thanks!