Quick and Easy Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Learn how to make easy and delicious Enchilada Sauce that comes together in just ten minutes. When you see how easy it is to make enchilada sauce at home, you will never get the store-bought stuff again.

Made with spicy chili powder and fragrant cumin, all you need is a few simple pantry ingredients to make this bold and rich homemade Enchilada Sauce. Once you taste it, you are going to want to keep this recipe on hand for forever and a day.

The wonderful thing about making your own Enchilada Sauce is that you can control the ingredients and keep the bad stuff out. THAT, and the fact that you can also make my Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas whenever hunger strikes. 

I often make a double batch and keep half of the sauce in the freezer for future use. AND to keep it away from my husband who will dip all-the-foods in his favorite red sauce. He says it’s his “special ketchup”… ?

INGREDIENTS FOR ENCHILADA SAUCE

• Vegetable Oil
• All-Purpose Flour
• Chili Powder
• Paprika
• Ground Cumin
• Water OR Chicken Broth
• Tomato Sauce
• Tomato Paste
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Ground Cinnamon
• Salt 
• Fresh Ground Pepper

HOW TO MAKE ENCHILADA SAUCE

This recipe goes real fast so I suggest you prepare all the ingredients before you start: Scroll down for the FULL RECIPE

1. Grab a large skillet and heat up the oil over medium heat; whisk in the flour, chili powder, paprika, and cumin, and cook for a minute, stirring constantly.
2. Add some water, whisk until it all turns into a thick paste.
3. Whisk in remaining water or chicken broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. 
4. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens; whisk frequently. (In this recipe, the whisk is your BFF.)
5. Remove from heat; let cool before putting it away.

My disclosure: While this may not be a 100% authentic recipe, my easy red enchilada sauce is quick, SO incredibly flavor-FULL, and can be made ahead of time.  ?

HOW TO STORE ENCHILADA SAUCE

• Enchilada Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Store Enchilada Sauce in freezer bags and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

IF you haven’t noticed, I love making Homemade Sauces, and Homemade Spices, and Salad Dressings, and whatnot. Here’s a few to start making at home, A.S.A.P.

ENJOY!

TOOLS USED IN THIS RECIPE

Enchilada Sauce

Learn how to make easy and delicious Enchilada Sauce that comes together in just ten minutes.

Course:

Condiments/Sauces, Sauce

Cuisine:

Mexican, Mexican/Southwest

Keyword:

enchilada sauce, enchiladas recipe, homemade condiments

Servings: 8

Calories: 69 kcal

Ingredients

• 3
  tablespoons
  vegetable oil
• 2-1/2
  tablespoons
  all-purpose flour
• 2
  tablespoons
  chili powder
• 1
  teaspoon
  paprika
• 1
  teaspoon
  ground cumin
• 2
  cups
  water or chicken broth
• 1
  can (8 ounces)
  tomato sauce
• 1
  tablespoon
  tomato paste
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  onion powder
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  garlic powder
• 1/8
  teaspoon
  ground cinnamon
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  salt
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  fresh ground pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Whisk in flour, chili powder, paprika, and cumin.

3. Cook for 1 minute while constantly whisking.

4. Add 1/2 cup water and whisk until it all turns into a thick paste.

5. Pour in the rest of the water (or chicken broth), tomato sauce, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper; whisk until thoroughly combined.

6. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens; whisk frequently.

7. If sauce is too thick for your liking, add a bit more water or broth to thin it out.

8. Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.

9. Remove from heat; let cool before storing away.

10. Store in an airtight container or a jar; keep in the fridge for 1 week.

Recipe Notes

WW FREESTYLE POINTS: 2

 

HOW TO STORE ENCHILADA SAUCE

• Enchilada Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Store Enchilada Sauce in freezer bags and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Enchilada Sauce

Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)

Calories 69
Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 5g
8%

Saturated Fat 4g
20%

Cholesterol 0mg
0%

Sodium 270mg
11%

Potassium 163mg
5%

Total Carbohydrates 4g
1%

Dietary Fiber 1g
4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 1g
2%

Vitamin A
17.4%

Vitamin C
2.9%

Calcium
1.3%

Iron
5.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.