What Is Enchilada Sauce?
Enchilada sauce is a vibrant and flavorful Mexican red sauce made with chili peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and spices. It adds a delightful kick to many dishes such as enchiladas, burritos, and tamales.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best easy enchilada sauce ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Olive Oil – Used for sauteing the garlic. You could also use avocado oil, your favorite neutral cooking oil, or even butter (or ghee). Garlic – I used fresh garlic for the best flavor, but you could use 2 teaspoons of jarred garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for convenience. Chicken Broth – I typically buy reduced-sodium or make homemade chicken broth, so you may need to adjust the salt depending on how salty yours is. You can also use bone broth for extra nutrition, or vegetable broth to make this vegetarian. Tomato Sauce – Tomato sauce adds a classic tang and richness, making it one of the essential ingredients in a recipe for enchilada sauce. If you don’t have any, you can substitute crushed tomatoes pureed in a blender or tomato paste diluted with water. Seasoning – For classic flavor, we’re using a combination of chili powder, dried oregano, aromatic cumin, savory onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper (optional). If you like some kick, add 1/4 teaspoon (or more) of cayenne pepper.
How To Make Enchilada Sauce
This section shows how to make easy enchilada sauce, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep homemade enchilada sauce to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze: For longer storage, store the sauce in a zip lock bag or airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight, and stir before using.
Ways To Use Enchilada Sauce Recipes
This sauce is surprisingly versatile! Use it with these easy recipes to add flavor and spice. The thickening process can take more or less time, depending on the size of your saucepan. The larger the pan, the faster you can make your homemade enchilada sauce!
Enchiladas – Obviously! You can use this sauce on beef enchiladas, gluten-free chicken enchiladas, or even black bean enchiladas. Tacos – Replace your taco sauce with this sauce to make the ultimate tacos! You can also drizzle it on other taco-inspired recipes, like zucchini taco boats, healthy taco salad, easy Crock Pot taco casserole, or taco dip. Burritos – Add this sauce to your burritos, or a tortilla-free burrito in a bowl. Fajitas – Add a more zing to shrimp fajitas, easy chicken fajitas, or Instant Pot steak fajitas. Casseroles – Use as a topping over an egg casserole or chicken bacon ranch casserole for a Mexican-inspired flair, or add inside Mexican ground beef casserole. Soups – Drizzle enchilada sauce over Mexican chicken soup or black bean soup. Finish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh cilantro.
More Homemade Sauce Recipes
Try some of my other homemade sauce recipes to take your meals from good to gourmet in no time: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
