How to Make Enchilada Sauce

5 from 10 votes
17 Comments

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Learn how to make enchilada sauce! It is so easy to make and tastes so fresh, you’ll never reach for store-bought, canned sauce again! 

Bowl of Homemade Enchilada Sauce with a ladle resting inside next to a plate of cheese enchiladas.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Homemade Enchilada Sauce
  2. Step by Step Instructions
  3. How to Thin or Thicken Sauce
  4. Tips on How to Use this Enchilada Sauce
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Enchilada Sauce
  6. Recipes that Use Enchilada Sauce
  7. What to Serve with Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
  8. How to Make Enchilada Sauce
  9. Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Homemade Enchilada Sauce is so delicious and easy to make, there’s no reason to ever buy the stuff in the can again. This is amazing with our Homemade Enchiladas. Emily’s sister-in-law, Katelyn, was kind enough to share this red enchilada sauce recipe with all of us. Once you discover the incredible flavor of this homemade enchilada sauce recipe, you will never go back to buying red enchilada sauce from the store. Gather some pantry staples and make a batch of this authentic enchilada sauce too!

Ingredients in Homemade Enchilada Sauce

With just a few simple pantry ingredients you can make whole batch of this yummy and super easy enchilada sauce recipe. Here’s what you need:

  • Vegetable oil – about three tablespoons.
  • Flour– all purpose flour or gluten-free flour, either one works in this recipe.
  • One quarter cup chili powder – yes, you really use that much! Don’t be scared. It won’t be too spicy, I promise.
  • Ground cumin – you can add other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper too.
  • Beef broth – You can use vegetable broth or chicken broth if you like.
  • Tomato sauce – about two cups, or more if you want a thinner consistency to the sauce.
  • Oregano – you can use dried or fresh herbs, whatever you have on hand.
  • One clove minced garlic – or you can substitute with garlic powder.
  • Salt – to taste
Ingredients to make Homemade Enchilada Sauce including tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, flour, oil, oregano, garlic and salt.


Step by Step Instructions

  1. First, whisk oil, chili powder and cumin in a saucepan over low to medium heat until bubbly.
  2. Next, add the broth, tomato sauce, oregano, garlic and salt.
  3. Simmer for about 15 minutes over low heat, stirring until you get to your desired consistency.
  4. Finally, serve with all sorts of enchilada recipes or soups. Check out some ideas below.

How to Thin or Thicken Sauce

If the sauce seems too thin, you can thicken it using a little bit of cold water and cornstarch. Mix the two together to create a cornstarch slurry, then add to the hot liquid and simmer until it thickens. If it’s too thick, try adding a little bit more broth at a time until it’s just the way you like it.

Pouring enchilada sauce with a ladle into a bowl. Plate of homemade enchiladas in the background.

Tips on How to Use this Enchilada Sauce

  • I like to double this recipe and put half in the fridge to use for later. It stays good for up to a week!
  • Use this enchilada sauce in chili or taco soup with ground beef.
  • You can also use it as your “red sauce” for Mexican pizza or as a layer in a hot bean dip.
  • Try this homemade sauce as a marinade or put it in the slow cooker with chicken or pork to make shredded filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc.
Ladling Homemade Enchilada Sauce over a dish of corn tortilla cheese enchiladas.

Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Can this sauce be frozen?

Yes! Store in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to two months! Thaw in the refrigerator and heat in a saucepan on the stove.

What is enchilada sauce made of?

Enchilada sauce is made of beef broth, oil, flour, and a blend of spices.

What if my enchilada sauce is too spicy?

If your sauce seems too spicy, you can add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a pinch of sugar to the sauce. You can also top your enchiladas with sour cream to cut the spiciness.

Can I use this sauce as a marinade?

Absolutely! It tastes delicious when placed in the slow cooker with shredded chicken or beef.

READ MORE: Mexican Food Recipes

Recipes that Use Enchilada Sauce

What to Serve with Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce

  • Restaurant Style Mexican Rice (seen in the pictures above): This is one of THE most popular recipes on our site and for good reason. This Mexican rice has gotten RAVE reviews and hundreds of positive comments and shares. It really tastes like the Mexican rice you will find at your favorite restaurants!
  • Cheater Restaurant Style Refried Beans: If you like the smooth, creamy refried beans like they serve at Mexican restaurants, you will love this recipe! Pair this with the Mexican rice (above) and you will be in HEAVEN.

How to Make Enchilada Sauce

Bowl of Homemade Enchilada Sauce with a ladle resting inside next to a plate of cheese enchiladas.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

5 from 10 votes
This Homemade Enchilada Sauce is so easy to make and tastes so fresh, you'll never reach for store-bought, canned sauce again! 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine Mexican/Spanish
Servings 8

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Stir oil, flour, chili powder and cumin in a saucepan on low heat until bubbly.
    Pan of Homemade Enchilada Sauce base next to a wooden spoon.
  • Add beef broth, tomato sauce, oregano, garlic and salt.
    Pan of Homemade Enchilada Sauce next to a wooden spoon.
  • Simmer for 15 min over low heat stirring occasionally.
    Wooden spoon stirring simmering Homemade Enchilada Sauce.
  • Serve over enchiladas, in soup, or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
    Ladling Homemade Enchilada Sauce over a dish of corn tortilla cheese enchiladas.

Notes

  • I like to double this recipe and put half in the fridge to use for later. It stays good for up to a week!
  • Use this enchilada sauce in chili or taco soup with ground beef.
  • You can also use it as your “red sauce” for Mexican pizza or as a layer in a hot bean dip.
  • Try this homemade sauce as a marinade or put it in the slow cooker with chicken or pork to make shredded filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 654mgPotassium: 405mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2472IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 3mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

  2. 5 stars
    Great sauce for all sorts of Mexican dishes! I love enchilada sauce. I love even just dipping a chicken quesadilla in the sauce. This is a really delicious recipe. And yes, that much chili powder is the exact right amount. Perfect.

  3. I want to make bean and cheese enchiladas for a vegitarian friend. Can I substitute Vegatable stock for the beef?

      1. We have never canned this so I can’t say for sure. Not sure if the acidity levels are safe for a water bath. You may want to find a recipe specifically for canning. Hope this helps!

  4. Yum!!! We made this for dinner tonight. Thank you for the amazing recipe. Do you have a green enchilada sauce recipe too?

    1. We haven’t tried freezing before but I don’t see why not! I am sure you should be able to freeze leftover sauce just fine!

  5. I don’t use garlic much, but I do use license powder. If I can replace the garlic powder for the minced garlic, how much would I use? Thanks.