Deliciously Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce: Your Go-To Recipe for Flavorful Meals
Transform your Mexican-inspired dishes with this incredibly easy homemade enchilada sauce recipe. Forget about bland, expensive store-bought versions; this from-scratch red enchilada sauce is bursting with rich, authentic flavor, takes minimal time to prepare, and is remarkably budget-friendly. Whether you’re making classic burritos, savory enchiladas, or experimenting with new weeknight dinners, this versatile sauce will elevate your meal to a delicious and inexpensive culinary experience. Its simplicity and depth of flavor make it an essential staple for any home cook looking to add a touch of authentic zest to their table.
Why Choose Homemade Enchilada Sauce Over Store-Bought?
The allure of a homemade enchilada sauce lies not only in its superior taste but also in the control it offers over ingredients and cost. Canned enchilada sauces often contain artificial preservatives, high levels of sodium, and sometimes even added sugars that can detract from the natural flavors. By making your own, you ensure a fresher, healthier, and more vibrant sauce.
- Unbeatable Flavor: Freshly combined spices simmered to perfection yield a complex, authentic flavor that canned sauces simply can’t match. You’ll notice the difference immediately.
- Cost-Effective: Pantry staples like tomato sauce and common spices are far less expensive than specialty canned goods. Making it from scratch helps you save money, especially when cooking for a family or batch-prepping.
- Ingredient Control: Avoid unwanted additives, control sodium levels, and adjust spices to your exact preference. This is particularly beneficial for those with dietary restrictions or specific taste preferences.
- Customizable: Want it spicier? Add more chili powder. Prefer a milder touch? Scale back. The power is in your hands to create the perfect flavor profile for your family.
- Quick & Easy: Despite its rich flavor, this sauce comes together in just about 10 minutes, proving that delicious homemade doesn’t have to mean time-consuming. It’s truly a game-changer for busy weeknights.
Essential Ingredients for Your Red Enchilada Sauce
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its reliance on simple, everyday pantry staples. You likely have most of these ingredients on hand already, making it incredibly convenient to whip up a fresh batch whenever the craving strikes. No fancy or hard-to-find items needed!
- Tomato Sauce: This forms the rich, flavorful base of your enchilada sauce. A 15-ounce can is perfect for a standard batch, providing that essential tangy and slightly sweet foundation.
- Dried Oregano: Essential for that authentic Mexican flavor, dried oregano adds an aromatic, earthy note. Mexican oregano, if available, can deepen this flavor even further.
- Garlic Powder: A staple in savory cooking, garlic powder provides a pungent, savory kick without the need for mincing fresh garlic. It blends seamlessly into the sauce.
- Chili Powder: This is the star spice, giving your enchilada sauce its characteristic warmth, depth, and color. You can adjust the quantity from ½ to 1 teaspoon (or even more!) depending on your desired level of spice and chili flavor. Use a good quality chili powder blend for the best results.
- Onion Powder: Similar to garlic powder, onion powder offers a sweet, savory onion flavor without the chopping. It contributes significantly to the overall savory profile.
- Ground Cumin: An indispensable spice in Mexican cuisine, ground cumin provides an earthy, warm, and slightly smoky aroma that is crucial for a truly authentic enchilada sauce. Add it to taste to find your perfect balance.
Optional additions for an extra layer of flavor: A pinch of smoked paprika for an even deeper smoky note, a dash of cayenne pepper for extra heat, or a tiny amount of cocoa powder for a rich, mole-like undertone. You can also add a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch slurry during simmering if you prefer a thicker sauce.
Crafting Your Homemade Enchilada Sauce: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this easy enchilada sauce is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you ever bought it in a can. With just one simple step and about 10 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, delicious sauce ready to go!
Step 1: Combine and Simmer. In a medium saucepan, combine all your ingredients: the 15 ounces of tomato sauce, ½ teaspoon of dried oregano, ½ tablespoon of garlic powder, ½ to 1 teaspoon of chili powder (adjust to your heat preference), 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and ground cumin to taste. Whisk everything together thoroughly to ensure the spices are fully incorporated and there are no lumps.
Once combined, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low to medium heat. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes. This simmering time is crucial as it allows the flavors of the spices to meld and deepen, creating a harmonious and robust sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
Pro Tip: Taste the sauce after about 5-7 minutes of simmering. This is your chance to adjust the seasoning. Need more heat? Add a pinch more chili powder or a dash of cayenne. Want it saltier? Add a small amount of salt (remember, canned tomato sauce can vary in sodium content). A tiny pinch of sugar can also help balance the acidity of the tomato sauce if you find it too tart. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it with a tablespoon or two of water or vegetable broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
After 10 minutes, your homemade enchilada sauce is ready! It will have a rich, deep red color and a wonderfully aromatic fragrance, signalling it’s ready to be drizzled over your favorite dishes.
Customizing Your Homemade Enchilada Sauce
While the basic recipe provides a fantastic foundation, don’t hesitate to make it your own! Here are a few ideas to customize your homemade red enchilada sauce:
- Heat Level: For a mild sauce, stick to ½ teaspoon of chili powder. For medium, use 1 teaspoon. If you love a spicy kick, increase to 1 ½ teaspoons or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- Smoky Flavor: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky undertone that complements the chili powder beautifully.
- Herbal Notes: While oregano is key, you could also experiment with a tiny pinch of dried thyme or a bay leaf added during simmering (remember to remove the bay leaf before serving).
- Fresh Ingredients: If you have more time, sautéing a quarter of a finely diced onion and one clove of minced garlic in a little oil before adding the tomato sauce can add another layer of fresh, aromatic flavor.
- Richness: For a richer, slightly thicker sauce, you can start by making a roux. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter or oil in the saucepan, then whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour and cook for 1 minute before adding the tomato sauce and spices.
- Sweetness/Acidity Balance: A very small pinch of sugar (¼ teaspoon) can help balance the acidity of the tomato sauce, especially if you prefer a slightly sweeter profile. Conversely, a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar can brighten the flavors.
Experimenting with these variations will help you discover your perfect homemade enchilada sauce, tailored precisely to your family’s preferences.
Freezer Instructions for Easy Meal Prep
One of the many benefits of making your own enchilada sauce is the ability to prepare it in bulk and freeze it for future use. This is a fantastic strategy for meal prepping, ensuring you always have delicious, homemade sauce on hand for those busy evenings. Save time and money by making several batches at once!
How to Freeze Homemade Enchilada Sauce:
- Multiply the Recipe: Use the adjustable serving slider in the recipe card below to easily scale up the ingredient quantities. For example, to make three batches, adjust the slider to “3x”.
- Prepare in Bulk: Follow the cooking instructions to prepare your larger quantity of enchilada sauce.
- Cool Completely: Allow the sauce to cool down to room temperature before freezing. This prevents ice crystal formation and ensures better quality when thawed.
- Divide into Portions: Divide the bulk sauce into recipe-sized portions. A single batch of this recipe roughly equals one 15 oz. can of store-bought enchilada sauce, which is a convenient portion size for most recipes. You can use freezer-safe bags, airtight containers, or even ice cube trays for smaller servings. If using bags, lay them flat to freeze; they’ll take up less space.
- Label Clearly: Label each portion with the contents (“Homemade Enchilada Sauce”) and the date it was made. This helps you keep track of your freezer inventory and ensures you use the freshest sauce first.
Thawing and Using:
When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw the frozen enchilada sauce in the refrigerator overnight, or gently reheat it in a saucepan on the stove over low heat. Once thawed, use it just as you would canned enchilada sauce. It retains its full flavor and texture beautifully.
Homemade enchilada sauce can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months without significant loss of quality.
Recipe
Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Add to Shopping ListGo to Shopping List
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ to 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ground cumin to taste
Instructions
-
In a medium saucepan, combine 15 ounces tomato sauce, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ tablespoon garlic powder, ½ to 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ground cumin to taste. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
-
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low heat. Let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to fully combine and deepen. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Notes
This easy, made-from-scratch enchilada sauce is perfect for meal prep. It can be made in bulk and frozen in recipe-sized portions for ultimate convenience. Simply multiply the recipe by the number of batches you would like to make (use the adjustable serving slider to adjust quantities), then divide the bulk sauce by that same number of portions to freeze. Label your frozen portions clearly for easy identification.
Homemade Enchilada Sauce Date____________________
Thaw and use in place of canned enchilada sauce. Each batch of this recipe roughly equals one 15 oz. can of enchilada sauce.
Nutrition per serving
Share
Pin
Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Enchilada Sauce
This easy homemade enchilada sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in a multitude of delicious ways beyond traditional enchiladas and burritos. Its rich, savory flavor makes it a perfect accompaniment to many Mexican-inspired dishes and even some surprising meal enhancements.
- Classic Enchiladas: Drench beef, chicken, cheese, or bean enchiladas in this flavorful sauce before baking. It creates that irresistible, comforting dish everyone loves.
- Wet Burritos (Burritos Mojados): Pour generously over your favorite filled burritos and top with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro for a satisfying “wet” burrito experience.
- Chilaquiles: Use it as the base for a quick chilaquiles dish. Simmer tortilla chips in the sauce until softened, then top with eggs, cheese, and your favorite garnishes.
- Taco or Burrito Bowls: Add a spoonful or two to your taco or burrito bowls for an extra layer of moisture and flavor, turning a simple bowl into a gourmet meal.
- Mexican Casseroles: Incorporate the sauce into layered casseroles with rice, beans, meat, and cheese for an easy one-dish dinner. Think “Beefy Bean Bake” style!
- Huevos Rancheros: Elevate your breakfast or brunch by spooning warm enchilada sauce over fried eggs served on tortillas.
- Soups and Stews: Stir a ladle or two into chili, taco soup, or even a simple chicken broth-based soup to infuse it with robust Mexican flavor, like in a creamy chicken enchilada soup.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve it warm as a dipping sauce for taquitos, quesadillas, or even chicken tenders for a fun twist.
The possibilities are truly endless when you have a homemade sauce this good. Get creative and enjoy the incredible flavor it brings to your meals!
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Even with a simple recipe, questions can arise. Here are some common issues and their solutions to help you perfect your homemade enchilada sauce:
My sauce is too thick/thin. How can I fix it?
Too Thick: If your sauce is thicker than you prefer, simply whisk in a tablespoon or two of warm water or vegetable broth until it reaches your desired consistency. Add gradually to avoid making it too thin.
Too Thin: If the sauce is too watery, you have a few options:
- Continue simmering uncovered over low heat to allow more liquid to evaporate.
- For a quicker fix, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Whisk this into the simmering sauce and cook for another minute or two until it thickens.
What if my sauce isn’t spicy enough (or too spicy)?
Not Spicy Enough: Stir in a small amount of additional chili powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Let it simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Too Spicy: To reduce heat, you can add a bit more tomato sauce, a small amount of sugar to balance, or a tablespoon of sour cream (if you don’t mind a creamy sauce) to mellow the spiciness. A squeeze of lime juice can also help cut through intense heat.
Can I use fresh garlic and onion instead of powder?
Absolutely! For a richer, more complex flavor, you can sauté about ¼ cup of finely diced onion and 1-2 cloves of minced fresh garlic in a teaspoon of oil in your saucepan for 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Then, proceed with adding the tomato sauce and other spices, omitting the garlic and onion powders from the recipe.
Is this sauce truly gluten-free and vegetarian?
Yes, as written, this recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, making it suitable for a variety of diets. Always double-check your individual spice blends and tomato sauce labels to ensure they don’t contain any hidden gluten-containing ingredients if you have strict dietary needs.
📌 Pin this Delicious Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe!
Loved this recipe? Don’t forget to save it for later! Pin this image to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find this incredibly easy and flavorful homemade enchilada sauce whenever you need it. It’s perfect for meal planning and a great way to keep your favorite Mexican dishes tasting their best without breaking the bank.
Elevate Your Meals: Try Homemade Enchilada Sauce in These Recipes!
Now that you’ve mastered the art of homemade enchilada sauce, it’s time to put it to good use! This versatile sauce is the secret ingredient that will transform your everyday meals into extraordinary culinary delights. Explore some of our other fantastic recipes that beautifully showcase the rich flavors of your freshly made red enchilada sauce:
- Burritos Mojados
- Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup (15 Minute Meal)
- Beefy Bean Bake
- Southwestern Hamburger Skillet