How to Make Enchilada Sauce

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! 

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

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Enchilada Sauce

READ MORE: Mexican Food Recipes

Recipes that Use Enchilada Sauce

Soups

Chicken Enchilada Chili

Dinner

Homemade Enchiladas

Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Pork

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe

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