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15-Minute Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Have you tried making homemade enchilada sauce? This easy enchilada sauce recipe is a game changer — once you make it, you’ll likely stop buying the canned variety.

Easy Enchilada Sauce for great Mexican Recipes in a glass bowl with spoon

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

We love enchiladas and find that store-bought sauce can be bland. Making your own enchilada sauce is simple and lets you control flavor and heat. This recipe is straightforward and adaptable: add cayenne or ground chipotle for more heat, or increase the chili powder for a milder but still flavorful sauce. Once you taste homemade, the canned versions will seem disappointing.

Video of Easy Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Easy Enchilada Sauce for great Mexican Recipes step by step

Tips for Enchilada Sauce

Homemade enchilada sauce has richer, more pronounced flavors — earthy, smoky, and balanced. You can tweak the seasoning to your taste. The texture is usually thicker than canned sauce; if you prefer a thinner consistency, simply add a little water while cooking. This recipe makes plenty of sauce to use on enchiladas, tacos, casseroles, or as a topping for other Mexican-inspired dishes.

Perfect Sauce for Everyday Mexican Recipes

This enchilada sauce pairs beautifully with many dishes, such as one-pot chicken enchilada pasta or chicken taco and rice. Extra sauce is great spooned on top of baked dishes, rice bowls, and more. Try it wherever you’d normally use a red enchilada or taco-style sauce.

Easy Enchilada Sauce for great Mexican Recipes in a glass with spoon

Easy Enchilada Sauce for great Mexican Recipes | @bestrecipebox

Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Yield:

4
cups sauce (approx.)
Prep Time:
2 mins
Cook Time:
13 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
This version is mildly spiced. Increase chili powder, add ground chipotle, or a pinch of cayenne to boost heat. Homemade enchilada sauce is the best!
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 29 ounces (822 g) tomato sauce (about 3 1/2 cups)
  • 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt, or to taste
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Stir in the flour and whisk until smooth and lump-free.
  • Add the tomato sauce, chili powder, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Notes

*Calorie values based on 1 cup of sauce

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 145 kcal,
Carbohydrates: 18 g,
Protein: 4 g,
Fat: 8 g,
Saturated Fat: 6 g,
Sodium: 1772 mg,
Potassium: 818 mg,
Fiber: 5 g,
Sugar: 11 g,
Vitamin A: 2669 IU,
Vitamin C: 15 mg,
Calcium: 59 mg,
Iron: 4 mg
Course: Main Course, Sauces
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 145

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  • slow cooker Mexican chicken
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  • Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Salad
  • Here’s some great international recipes for you to try.