Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce: The Ultimate Easy & Authentic Recipe
Ditch the canned stuff forever! Making homemade red enchilada sauce from scratch is incredibly easy, taking mere minutes on your stovetop. With a perfect blend of customizable spices, this recipe is guaranteed to be a total game-changer for your Mexican-inspired dishes. Get ready for a burst of authentic flavor that will elevate all your favorite meals!
Why Homemade Enchilada Sauce is a Must-Try
There’s an undeniable magic that happens when you create something delicious from scratch, and red enchilada sauce is no exception. Forget the dull, often metallic taste of store-bought cans. This homemade version offers a vibrancy and depth of flavor that simply cannot be replicated by pre-packaged alternatives. It’s incredibly rewarding to know exactly what goes into your food, free from unnecessary preservatives and artificial flavors. Plus, the ability to adjust the spice level to your family’s preference is a huge bonus, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys every bite.
My inspiration for perfecting this sauce comes from cherished memories of visiting the Taco House in Okoboji, Iowa. Their enchiladas are legendary – made with tender beef, corn tortillas, smothered in a rich red sauce, and baked to perfection with gooey cheese. Year after year, these enchiladas were a highlight of our trips. I always found myself yearning for that same authentic taste at home, which led me on a mission to find a comparable homemade recipe.
After countless Pinterest searches and experimenting with numerous recipes, I finally landed on this incredible concoction. It stood out as the best homemade red enchilada sauce, capturing the essence of those beloved Taco House enchiladas perfectly. This recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, bringing that special restaurant-quality flavor right to our dinner table, more than just once a year!
Elevate Your Mexican Dishes with This Sauce
This versatile red enchilada sauce is not just for enchiladas! It’s the secret ingredient that elevates many of my favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. It’s absolutely perfect in my Shredded Beef Enchilada Recipe, adding a robust and savory depth that truly makes the dish sing. Furthermore, it transforms simple Slow Cooker Smothered Burritos into an unforgettable meal, making them incredibly rich and flavorful.
Pair any of these saucy creations with a side of refreshing Cilantro Lime Rice and some creamy Restaurant Style Refried Beans, and you’ve got a complete, satisfying, and utterly delicious dinner ready to impress!
Simple Ingredients for an Amazing Red Enchilada Sauce
The secret to any outstanding sauce lies in its ingredients, particularly the spice blend. This red enchilada sauce relies on a carefully selected mixture of herbs and spices that work in harmony to create a truly authentic and rich flavor profile. You’ll be amazed at how a few pantry staples can transform into something so incredibly delicious.
The Essential Spice Blend:
- Chili Powder: This is the cornerstone of red enchilada sauce, providing that iconic reddish-brown color and fundamental earthy, slightly smoky flavor. Choose a good quality chili powder for the best results.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth and aromatic kick without the need for fresh garlic, making the process even quicker.
- Salt: Crucial for enhancing all the other flavors and balancing the sauce.
- Cumin: Imparts a warm, earthy, and slightly pungent flavor that is quintessential to Mexican cuisine.
- Oregano: Mexican oregano is preferred for its citrusy, peppery notes, but regular dried oregano will also work beautifully, adding herbaceous complexity.
Adjusting the Heat: This base recipe produces a mild sauce, perfect for those who prefer subtle flavors. However, if you crave a little extra kick, simply add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the spice blend. You have full control to tailor the heat to your personal preference!
Beyond the spices, you’ll need just a few more components to bring this sauce to life. Chicken stock forms the liquid base, contributing savory notes. For a vegetarian or vegan version, easily substitute it with vegetable stock. Vegetable oil is used to create the roux, and all-purpose flour acts as the thickening agent. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free flour blend – the thickening process remains the same.
How to Make Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
You’ll be delighted by how straightforward this recipe is. All you need are a few basic kitchen tools: a saucepan, a whisk, and some jars for storage. In just minutes, you’ll have a rich, flavorful sauce that puts any canned version to shame.
- Create Your Roux: Begin by heating the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the all-purpose (or gluten-free) flour. Whisk continuously for about one minute until a paste forms and smells slightly nutty. This flour and oil mixture is known as a roux, and it’s the magical base that will thicken your enchilada sauce to perfection.
- Infuse with Spices: Next, whisk in the carefully measured spice blend: chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and oregano. Stir vigorously for another minute, allowing the spices to toast slightly in the hot roux. This step is crucial as it deepens their flavor and releases their fragrant aromas.
- Gradually Add Stock: Slowly, and this is key, begin to whisk in the chicken or vegetable stock, a little at a time. Whisk constantly as you add the liquid to ensure there are no lumps. The sauce will gradually smooth out and begin to thicken. Patience here will pay off with a silky-smooth sauce.
- Simmer to Perfection: Once all the stock is incorporated and the sauce is smooth, reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the flavors will meld beautifully, and the sauce will continue to thicken to your desired consistency. You want it thick enough to cling to your enchiladas without being overly pasty.
- Serve or Store: Your homemade red enchilada sauce is now ready! Use it immediately in your favorite recipes, or allow it to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to two weeks, making it perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners. You can also freeze portions for even longer storage.
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
If you’re as excited as I am to try this incredible, easy homemade red enchilada sauce recipe, make sure you don’t lose it! Pin this recipe to your favorite boards on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever those enchilada cravings strike. It’s too good not to save!
The Authentic Enchilada Sauce Debate: No Tomatoes Here!
There’s often a lively debate among food enthusiasts about whether authentic red enchilada sauce should include tomatoes. While some recipes call for them, my extensive testing revealed that the most flavorful and truly authentic red enchilada sauce, reminiscent of those traditional Mexican eateries, does not rely on tomatoes for its depth. This recipe proudly omits them, letting the rich blend of chili powder and other spices shine through.
The result is a sauce with a beautiful, deep reddish-brown color and a perfectly balanced flavor that comes purely from the spices. It achieves an ideal thickness – not too thin that it runs off your delicious enchiladas, nor too thick to be cloying. This is the hallmark of a great enchilada sauce, and I promise, you won’t miss the tomatoes one bit!
Exciting Recipes That Use Red Enchilada Sauce
Now that you’ve mastered the art of making the BEST red enchilada sauce, it’s time to unleash its full potential in your kitchen! Say goodbye to bland meals and get ready to infuse rich, authentic Mexican flavor into a variety of dishes. Here are some fantastic recipes where your homemade enchilada sauce will truly shine:
- Smothered Burritos in the Crockpot (only 3 ingredients, and pictured above!)
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup – a comforting and hearty meal.
- Bubble-Up Enchiladas – an easy and fun twist on classic enchiladas.
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas – the traditional way to enjoy this amazing sauce.
- Taco Bell Enchiritos – recreate a beloved fast-food classic at home.
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Barbacoa – this sauce is a perfect complement to sweet and savory pork.
- Enchilada Pasta – a unique and satisfying fusion dish.
- Black Bean Enchilada Soup – another fantastic soup option for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
LOVE MEXICAN FOOD? I certainly do! Discover all my flavorful Mexican recipes by clicking HERE!
I sincerely hope you enjoy this homemade red enchilada sauce recipe as much as my family and I do! It truly brings a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine right into your home with minimal effort. I’d love to hear your thoughts and see how you use it in your own culinary adventures!
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Print Recipe
How To: Make Your Own Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
Equipment
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Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick 1-Quart Saucepan with Lid
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoon all-purpose or gluten-free flour
- 4 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Instructions
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Heat vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir together with a whisk over the heat for one minute to create a roux.
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Stir in the remaining seasonings (chili powder through oregano). Continue to stir for another minute to lightly toast the spices.
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Gradually add in the stock, whisking constantly to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth consistency.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
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Use immediately in your favorite recipes or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on July 28, 2014. It was updated to improve user experience, enhance SEO, and reshared on January 21, 2021.
recipe source: Gimme Some Oven