The Best Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Crafting a homemade enchilada sauce brings vibrant Mexican flavors dancing across your kitchen counter.

Bold spices and rich tomato depths create something far superior to store-bought versions.

Chefs know authentic recipes demand careful attention to each ingredient’s role.

Deep red hues and complex layers signal a truly spectacular sauce emerging from your pot.

Warm chili peppers and smoky undertones promise a delicious foundation for countless Mexican-inspired dishes.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical with minimal effort.

You’ll want to drizzle this sauce on everything imaginable.

Fun Takes On Enchilada Sauce

• Smoky Chipotle Kick: Blend in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deep, spicy flavor that adds complexity and warmth to the enchilada sauce.
• Roasted Vegetable Base: Char tomatoes, onions, and garlic before blending them into the sauce, creating a rich, caramelized undertone that enhances the overall depth.
• Green Chile Transformation: Swap red chiles for green Hatch chiles to create a vibrant, tangy sauce with a distinctly New Mexican character that brings bright, fresh notes.
• Creamy Poblano Fusion: Roast poblano peppers and blend them into the sauce with a touch of cream, resulting in a velvety, mild sauce with subtle earthy undertones.

Your Enchilada Sauce Questions

• What makes this enchilada sauce different from store-bought versions?

This homemade sauce offers a fresher, more authentic flavor with better control over ingredients and spice levels, allowing you to customize it to your exact taste preferences.

• Can I make this sauce spicier or milder?

Absolutely! Adjust the heat by adding more or less chili powder, or swap in different types of chili powder like ancho or chipotle to change the flavor profile and heat intensity.

• Is this sauce suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free flour or cornstarch, and can be easily adapted for vegetarian or vegan diets by using plant-based alternatives.

• How long can I keep this sauce before it loses its flavor?

When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this homemade enchilada sauce maintains its best flavor and quality for up to 5-7 days, allowing you to prep ahead for multiple meals.

Why Enchilada Sauce Makes Every Meal Better

• Whisking Magic: Create a silky-smooth base by carefully blending flour with hot oil, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, velvety foundation for your enchilada sauce.
• Quick and Easy Technique: Master this simple two-step process that takes less than 5 minutes, proving you don't need complex skills to make restaurant-quality sauce right in your own kitchen.
• Versatile Flavor Base: This foundational method works perfectly for multiple Mexican-inspired dishes, giving you a flexible cooking technique that elevates numerous recipes with minimal effort.
• Texture-Transforming Trick: By whisking flour and oil continuously, you'll create a perfectly smooth paste that prevents lumps and ensures a professional-quality sauce every single time.

All The Ingredients For Enchilada Sauce

• Vegetable Oil: Provides a neutral cooking medium with a high smoke point for even heat distribution.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a roux that thickens the sauce and gives a smooth, rich texture.

• Chili Powder, Cumin: Delivers authentic Mexican-style warmth and depth with a complex spice profile.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Adds aromatic background notes without chunky texture.

• Chicken Broth, Water: Helps create the right consistency and carries the spice flavors throughout the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Provides rich color and concentrated tomato essence with deep umami undertones.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and intensifies the overall flavor profile of the enchilada sauce.

Simple Steps To Make Enchilada Sauce

Step 1: Warm Up The Cooking Vessel

Place a medium saucepan on the stovetop and drizzle in some vegetable oil. Turn the heat to medium, allowing the oil to shimmer and become glossy.

Step 2: Create A Flavor Base

Sprinkle flour into the warm oil, grabbing a whisk to blend everything smoothly. Keep whisking continuously for about two minutes until the mixture transforms into a silky, golden-hued paste. This magical process helps build a rich foundation for your enchilada sauce, creating a perfect thickening agent that will make your sauce velvety and delicious.

Step 3: Introduce Aromatic Spices

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Garlic powder

Stir these spices into the flour mixture, allowing them to toast and release their deep, complex flavors. The kitchen will start to smell wonderfully warm and inviting.

Step 4: Pour In Liquid Gold

Slowly stream in tomato sauce and chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. The liquid will help transform your spice mixture into a smooth, vibrant sauce.

Step 5: Simmer And Develop Depth

Reduce the heat to low, letting the sauce bubble gently. Allow it to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will gradually thicken and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

Step 6: Taste And Adjust

Give your sauce a quick taste. Add salt and pepper as needed. If you want extra heat, sprinkle in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

Step 7: Final Touch

Remove the saucepan from heat. Your homemade enchilada sauce is ready to elevate any Mexican-inspired dish with its robust, tantalizing flavor.

Tips To Get Enchilada Sauce Just Right

• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk flour and oil constantly to create a smooth, lump-free roux that serves as the perfect base for your enchilada sauce.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Adjust the cooking time of the flour-oil mixture to determine the desired consistency, with longer whisking creating a thicker sauce.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast the flour slightly to develop a richer, nuttier undertone that adds complexity to your homemade enchilada sauce.
• Substitute for Dietary Needs: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free alternatives like cornstarch or rice flour for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Temperature Trick: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning while allowing the flour to cook evenly and develop a golden color.

How To Store Enchilada Sauce For Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover enchilada sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and ready for your next meal.
• Freeze: Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm the sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce appears too thick.
• Microwave Option: Transfer sauce to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

What To Pair With Enchilada Sauce

• Boost the Enchilada Flavor with Mexican Lager: Pair this rich, spicy sauce with a crisp Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo Especial. The light, refreshing brew cuts through the sauce's intensity, creating a perfect balance on your palate.
• Complement with Zesty Side Salad: Serve a bright cilantro-lime salad alongside your enchiladas. The fresh, tangy greens provide a cool contrast to the warm, robust sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Match with Creamy Avocado Crema: Top the enchiladas with a smooth avocado cream sauce. Its cool, buttery texture softens the sauce's spiciness and adds a luxurious layer of flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Pour Crisp White Wine Pairing: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño to accompany the enchiladas. These wines offer a zippy acidity that beautifully complements the sauce's depth and spice profile.

Enchilada Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade enchilada sauce elevates Mexican cuisine with rich, authentic flavors that dance across your palate. Crafted with simple ingredients, this sauce brings restaurant-quality depth to classic dishes you can confidently create in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 cups (480ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (or ½ cup tomato sauce)

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or lime juice)
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)

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Instructions

1. Warm a saucepan with oil, creating a shimmer of heat across the surface.
2. Sprinkle flour into the heated oil, whisking vigorously to create a pale, silky roux that develops a subtle nutty fragrance.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and chili powder, stirring rapidly to prevent burning and allow the spices to bloom and release their aromatic essence.
4. Pour in vegetable broth or water, stirring constantly to eliminate any potential lumps and create a smooth, consistent texture.
5. Add tomato paste, transforming the liquid into a rich, deep crimson base with robust flavor undertones.
6. Season with ground cumin, salt, and black pepper, allowing each spice to meld and enhance the sauce’s complex profile.
7. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and encourage gradual thickening.
8. Continue cooking until the sauce reaches a velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon, typically 10-15 minutes.
9. Remove from heat and let the enchilada sauce rest briefly, allowing flavors to harmonize before serving or using in your desired recipe.

Notes

• Prevent lumps by whisking the flour and oil constantly, creating a smooth roux that forms the base of a rich, velvety enchilada sauce.
• Swap wheat flour for gluten-free alternatives like rice or cornstarch to make the sauce friendly for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Adjust the heat level by adding more or less chili powder, allowing you to customize the sauce’s spiciness to your personal taste preferences.
• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making meal prep easier and reducing food waste.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg