Description
Homemade Enchilada Sauce is a bold, flavorful sauce that enhances enchiladas, tacos, and more. Made with chili powder, tomatoes, and spices, this easy sauce allows you to customize heat and flavor without additives. Perfect for meal prep and Mexican-inspired dishes!
Ingredients
Scale
Red Sauce Ingredients:
- 4–6 dried ancho or guajillo chilies (or 2 tbsp chili powder)
- 1 can (14 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes or 2 cups fresh Roma tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup chicken, beef, or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lime juice
Green Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh tomatillos (husked and roasted)
- 2 roasted poblano peppers
- 1 jalapeño
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 2 limes
- ½ tsp cumin (optional)
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Rehydrate Chilies (Red Sauce Only): Soak dried chilies in hot water for 20 minutes. Remove stems and seeds if you prefer less heat.
- Blend Base: Combine soaked chilies (or chili powder), tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano in a blender. Puree until smooth.
- Cook the Sauce:
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Pour in the blended mixture and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add spices (cumin, paprika) and broth.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust Consistency: Thin with broth if needed. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if too runny.
- Green Sauce:
- Sauté tomatillos and poblano peppers until soft.
- Blend with jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and cumin.
- Simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Taste & Adjust: Add salt, vinegar, or lime juice to balance flavors.
Notes
- Strain the sauce for a smooth texture, or leave it chunky for a rustic feel.
- Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 3 months.
- Add chipotle in adobo for a smoky kick.
- For a mole-inspired version, stir in cocoa powder and peanut butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: ~20
- Sugar: ~1g
- Sodium: ~50mg
- Fat: ~1g
- Saturated Fat: ~0.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~3g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg