Enchilada Sauce (So Quick and Tasty!)

Name: Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup canola oil; ¼ cup diced red bell pepper; ¼ cup diced onion; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 2 tsp ground cumin; 3 tbsp New Mexico chili powder; 2 tbsp flour; 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth; 8 oz tomato sauce; ¼ tsp salt ((add more according to your liking))

Jump to Recipe

Learn how to make Mexican enchilada sauce from scratch. It's a restaurant-quality sauce that is better than the canned enchilada products. It is so easy to make you should always have some in your refrigerator.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Are you planning to make an enchilada but forgot to purchase a canned enchilada sauce from the store? Try this homemade enchilada sauce recipe instead.

Enchiladas are one of my favorite Mexican foods to enjoy when out visiting a Mexican restaurant.

It's usually made with corn tortillas that are rolled around a filling and covered with a smoky and savory sauce. You can fill the corn tortillas with any type of meat, bean, or cheese that you'd like. The taste of your enchiladas will shine if you use the right enchilada sauce for it.

So today, I am going to show you how I make my own homemade enchilada sauce at home. You can use this red enchilada sauce to make delicious enchiladas with any type of meat of your choice, such as this Chicken Enchiladas or Beef Enchiladas.

Ingredients

This homemade enchilada sauce contains fresh red bell pepper, New Mexico chili pepper, tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin, garlic, flour, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. It has a mild flavor but can be easily adjusted to your liking.

New Mexico chili pepper is made of dried chilies that are grown in, you guessed it, New Mexico. It has a moderate heat, is subtly sweet, and has a slightly smoky flavor. It makes a wonderful ingredient to add depth and complex flavors to sauces, stews, chilies, and meat.

New Mexico chili pepper is widely available at any grocery market. It's sold in small packages for around $1.99 per 4 oz.

How to Make Enchilada Sauce from Scratch

Making your own enchilada sauce from scratch is very easy and quick. It's done in one pot and can be ready in about 15 minutes.

So here are some important steps to follow.

Step 1. Cook the Fresh and Aromatic Vegetables

In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced red peppers, onions, and garlic. Keep stirring until soft and tender for about 2 minutes.

Step 2. Add the Dried Spices

Add cumin, chili powder, and keep stirring for about 1-2 minutes. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.

Step 3. Add the Liquid Ingredients

Add broth, keep stirring until the liquid is thickened. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce reduces to 2¼ cups. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper if necessary.

FAQ and Cooking Tips

How spicy the enchilada sauce is?

This enchilada sauce has a mild flavor but you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding a small amount of cayenne pepper.

What is the serving size of this enchilada sauce recipe?

You'll get about 2¼ cups of enchilada sauce per recipe (enough for baking enchiladas in a 9x13 inch pan).

Can I use regular chili powder instead of New Mexico chili powder?

It's not recommended but if that's the only thing available in your pantry, feel free to use it.

How long can you keep enchilada sauce in the fridge?

Store the leftover enchilada sauce in an airtight container. Properly stored, the enchilada sauce can last 5-7 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.

How do you reheat enchilada sauce?

Pour sauce into a saucepan. Add a small amount of water then bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce is warm and thickened.