If there’s one dip you need in your life, it’s this spot-on copycat Chuy's Creamy Jalapeño Dip! It's a flavorful ranch-style dip made with simple ingredients that comes together in just minutes. Perfect for dipping tortilla chips, veggies or topping your favorite foods!
The ONE. The ONLY. Chuy's Creamy Jalapeño Dip! Y'all, I knew if I searched long enough for it, I would get my hands on the real deal, and this is it. Like you, I've seen many copycat recipes with varying ingredients, but none were spot-on til' now!
What I adore about this dip, besides how yummy it is, is how simple it is to whip up. With only 7 ingredients, it takes about 10 minutes to make from start to finish! If you've not yet had this addictive dip Chuy's Tex-Mex restaurant, it'll be love at first dip! It brings together the zesty kick of jalapeños, garlic and herbs, with the smooth blend of mayonnaise and buttermilk.
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Grab your favorite tortilla chips, tacos or some fresh veggies, and get ready for a flavor explosion that will leave everyone coming back for more! Game day, a backyard barbecue, Cinco de Mayo or just a snack on a Tuesday night, this copycat Chuy's Creamy Jalapeño is perfect for any occasion. Serve it on our Fried Chicken Tacos, Pulled Pork Enchiladas Verde, or Taco Cups!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Tastes Just Like the Restaurant: With so many dupes out there, this flavorful dip is spot on! It may be the best copycat recipe I've made!
- Versatile: Use it as a dip for chips, fresh vegetables, a yummy topping for tacos, burritos, a burrito bowl, or as a salad dressing for a taco salad.
- Quick and Easy: Chuy's jalapeño dip comes together in just a few minutes!
- Customizable: Adjust the heat level to suit your taste and personalize it with your favorite ingredients.
- Tasty and Fun: Everyone loves a good creamy dip, and this one is sure to be the highlight at any party or get-together!
Ingredients
Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card
- Buttermilk: Provides a creamy and tangy base.
- Mayonnaise: Real mayonnaise adds an extra layer of creaminess and richness.
- Sliced Pickled Jalapeños: Contributes spice and a tangy flavor, while the reserved juice can be used to adjust the consistency and heat.
- Tomatillo Sauce: Enhances the dip with a delicious, slightly tangy flavor that complements the jalapeños perfectly.
- Sour Cream: Provides texture, creaminess, and tang.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a bright, refreshing to the dip.
- Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix: Ranch seasoning brings a robust blend flavors from various spices.
- Garlic Salt: This is optional but it adds an extra savory garlic note that rounds out the dip.
Tools You'll Need
How to Make Chuy's Creamy Jalapeño Dip
- Situate a colander inside a bowl. Drain the sliced pickled jalapeños. Reserve the liquid.
- To a blender or food processor, add the jalapeños, 2 tablespoons of the juice from pickled jalapeño, tomatillo sauce, sour cream, buttermilk, cilantro, ranch dressing mix, and garlic salt. Blend until the mixture is fully incorporated.
- Taste and adjust to your preference. You can add lime juice for tanginess, more pickled jalapeños or fresh jalapeño for more heat, or additional ranch mix or garlic salt for extra flavor.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with chips and raw vegetables or as a topper for tacos and nachos!
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Let the Flavors Marry: While it will definitely tastes great right away, letting this dip chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours allows the flavors to meld and deepen. I recommend tasting it right before serving to adjust the flavors if needed.
- Adjust Heat: If you prefer a milder dip, reduce the amount of pickled jalapeños or use less of the juice. For more heat, add fresh jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
- Pickled versus Fresh Jalapeños: You can absolutely use fresh jalapenos. Just be aware that they will give a different flavor profile, and you may want to add a touch of vinegar for acidity. Remove the seeds if you want to lessen the heat!
- Herb and Flavor Variations: Swap cilantro for fresh parsley or green onions if you’re not a fan of cilantro or want to try a different flavor. Even though the real recipe doesn't call for them, some copycat Chuy's creamy jalapeno dip recipes like to add fresh garlic, garlic powder, garlic salt, fresh lime juice, or green chilis.
- Tomatillo Sauce Alternative: Chuy's uses their homemade tomatillo sauce, so no matter the brand you choose, it will be every-so-slightly different on the flavor profile than what you get in the restaurant. If you can’t find tomatillo sauce, you can use green salsa or a milder green sauce for a similar effect.
Storage
Store leftover creamy jalapeño dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. Give the dip a good stir before serving, as some separation may occur during storage. It is not ideal to freeze as the texture will be compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing is not recommended, as the dip may separate and change texture upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.
It pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, veggie sticks, or as a topping for tacos, nachos, or grilled meats.
The spice level can be adjusted based on the amount of jalapeños you use. For a milder flavor, start with fewer jalapeños or remove the seeds.
To make this dip have a thicker consistency, you can either reduce the amount of buttermilk, add more mayonnaise, or swap some of the buttermilk with sour cream. Mix and adjust the ingredients to your desired consistency.
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Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno
Ingredients
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 12 ounce jar sliced pickled jalapeños drain and reserve the juice
- ¼ cup tomatillo sauce
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro or more to taste
- 1 ounce packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
- ½-1 teaspoon garlic salt amount as desired
Instructions
- Situate a colander inside a bowl. Drain the sliced pickled jalapeños. Reserve the liquid.
- To a blender or food processor, add the jalapeños, 2 tablespoons of the juice from pickled jalapeño, tomatillo sauce, sour cream, buttermilk, cilantro, ranch dressing mix, and garlic salt. Blend until the mixture is fully incorporated.
- Taste and adjust to your preference. You can add lime juice for tanginess, more pickled jalapeños or fresh jalapeño for more heat, or additional ranch mix or garlic salt for extra flavor.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
-
- Let the Flavors Marry: While it will definitely tastes great right away, letting this dip chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours allows the flavors to meld and deepen. I recommend tasting it right before serving to adjust the flavors if needed.
-
- Adjust Heat: If you prefer a milder dip, reduce the amount of pickled jalapeños or use less of the juice. For more heat, add fresh jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
-
- Pickled versus Fresh Jalapeños: You can absolutely use fresh jalapenos. Just be aware that they will give a different flavor profile, and you may want to add a touch of vinegar for acidity. Remove the seeds if you want to lessen the heat!
-
- Herb and Flavor Variations: Swap cilantro for fresh parsley or green onions if you’re not a fan of cilantro or want to try a different flavor. Even though the real recipe doesn't call for them, some copycat Chuy's creamy jalapeno dip recipes like to add fresh garlic, garlic powder, garlic salt, fresh lime juice, or green chilis.
-
- Tomatillo Sauce Alternative: Chuy's uses their homemade tomatillo sauce, so no matter the brand you choose, it will be every-so-slightly different on the flavor profile than what you get in the restaurant. If you can’t find tomatillo sauce, you can use green salsa or a milder green sauce for a similar effect.
Crystal
Love this recipe! I've never had Chuys version but there's another restaurant in Houston that has a salsa like this and it is a super close copy. Thank you
Laura Ashley
Awwww!! That makes my heart so happy to hear!! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 Where in Houston do you get the similar one! I live in that area!
Becky
I made this tonight for a big family dinner, and wow! was it a hit! We love Chuy's but I think this recipe is actually better than theirs. Thank you for sharing!
Laura Ashley
Now this is music to my ears!!! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 I'm so happy you made it and liked it so much!!