Why buy canned enchilada sauce when it is so easy to make it yourself at home with a handful of pantry staples.
We eat a lot of Mexican food at our house, and this super easy Quick Red Enchilada Sauce has become a staple in many of our favorite dishes.
Yes, there are more complicated (and probably more authentic) ways to make enchilada sauce using fresh or dried peppers. But if you’re looking for a homemade sauce that’s almost as fast as opening a can, this is the recipe for you.
You probably have all of the ingredients and spices in your pantry right now. There really isn’t anything fancy or tricky about this recipe. But it’s so much better than the canned stuff.
Not that I don’t resort to canned enchilada sauce sometimes. We all have those really hectic days where we’ll take all the help we can get in the kitchen, right?
But if I’ve got a few minutes to spare, I always opt for this homemade red enchilada sauce.
One of the best things about making your own enchilada sauce is that you can control the spice and heat level. My kids like it really spicy and I like it more on the mild side, so our sauce is usually somewhere in between.
I find the best way to adjust the heat level is by adjusting the amount of chili powder you use. If you like it really spicy, you can also add a pinch or to of cayenne pepper.
This sauce is–of course–great for enchiladas. I also use it in Tex-Mex style casseroles, Mexican rice, and in ground beef taco meat. Or try mixing it with some shredded chicken for a delicious burrito filling.
Homemade enchilada sauce will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator, but if you use it often, like I do, it also freezes well. You can freeze it in glass or plastic jars or containers–if using glass, let the sauce become firm in the freezer before putting on the lids.
Once you see how easy it is to make this Quick Red Enchilada Sauce at home, you may never buy the canned stuff again!
Be sure to save this Quick Red Enchilada Sauce recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Quick Red Enchilada Sauce
- Vegetable or canola oil
- Flour
- Spices: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
- Tomato paste
- Chicken broth
- Vinegar
Quick Red Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder. Add to the warm oil and whisk together. Cook for a few minutes until flour begins to turn golden.
- Add the tomato paste to the skillet, then slowly whisk in the broth, making sure to remove any lumps. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in vinegar, then salt and pepper, to taste. Store, covered in the refrigerator, for 5-7 days.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Nutrition
Never miss a Let’s Dish Recipe:
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
If you love this recipe, you might also like:
More Delicious Sauce Recipes
Chick-fil-A Sauce (Copycat Recipe)
If you love Chick-fil-A Sauce, you've got to try making it at home. It's so easy, and is great for dipping, as a sandwich spread, and more.
Roasted Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce
Fresh rhubarb is roasted, then pureed and cooked with traditional barbecue sauce ingredients in this unique and flavorful condiment.
Homemade Thai Peanut Sauce
Coconut milk, peanut butter, curry paste, lime juice and seasonings come together in this flavorful sauce that's perfect on grilled chicken or your favorite stir-fry.
Restaurant Style Salsa
This easy salsa recipe comes together in about 5 minutes, and tastes just like the salsa from your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Sriracha Ranch Sauce
A combination of sriracha sauce and ranch dressing, this spicy, creamy sauce is great on burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads and more!
Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce
This homemade barbecue sauce is infused with Dr Pepper soda, and has just the right amount of chili powder to give it a slightly spicy kick. This sauce is sure to become your new favorite condiment!
Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Home Made Interest
2 comments
Diane Still
Could this be canned in a hot water bath?
Danelle
I do not can much at all, so I honestly can’t say. I do know tomato based foods are a bit tricky when it comes to canning.