Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (2024)

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This Easy Red Enchilada Sauce comes together in less than 15 minutes…that’s quicker than having to go to the store to buy some!

It’s made with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, and is more flavorful and healthier than the canned stuff!

Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (1)

I’ve used this Easy Red Enchilada Sauce on our Baked Red Chicken Enchiladas, but I wanted to post this recipe separately since it will be used on many more recipes to come!

How to make Easy Red Enchilada Sauce

  • Combine the flour and all of the spices in a bowl.
Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (2)
  • Pre-heat a large saucepan on medium heat, with the olive oil. Once it’s hot, add spice mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (3)
  • Add tomato paste, and slowly add in chicken broth, whisking each time.
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  • Bring to a simmer, and cook 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. (It will get thicker as it cools).
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  • Turn off heat, and mix in the apple cider vinegar.
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Ready to serve!

Recipe Notes

  • This makes enough for one tray of enchiladas.
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  • One batch of this easy red enchilada sauce yields a little more than 2 cups. So, it’s equivalent to a store bought 19 ounce can of Enchilada Sauce.
Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (8)
  • You can make a double batch and freeze half for another day! (See storage and thawing instructions below.)

How to store Easy Red Enchilada Sauce

This Red Enchilada Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

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FREEZER TIPS:

  • Store in a plastic freezer bag, then lay it flat to freeze. This will save space when storing in the freezer, and also allow for faster thawing.
  • To thaw: Place the bag in refrigerator overnight, and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave (covered in a bowl) until warmed through. Whisk or stir until smooth again.
  • Quick thaw: If you froze it flat in a freezer bag, and need it to thaw quickly, simply submerge the bag in a large bowl of warm water. It should take less than 30 minutes for it to be softened enough to be able to easily remove from the bag to heat up.
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Try it in our Baked Red Chicken Enchiladas, or Beef Enchilada Pasta recipes!

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Enjoy! 🙂

TRIED THIS RECIPE? PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW AND A STAR RATING IN THE COMMENT SECTION…WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW IT CAME OUT!

Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (12)

Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

Easy Red Enchilada Sauce is made with just a few simple ingredients, and is more flavorful and healthier than the canned stuff!

4.68 from 181 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 64kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, and gluten-free flour blends all work!)
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder (I used McCormick brand)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Combine the flour and all of the spices in a bowl.

  • Pre-heat a large saucepan on medium heat, with the olive oil. Once it’s hot, add spice mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes.

  • Add tomato paste, and slowly add in chicken broth, whisking each time.

  • Bring to a simmer, and cook 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. (It will get thicker as it cools.)

  • Remove from heat, and mix in the apple cider vinegar.

  • Ready to use!

Video

Notes

  • See Blog Notes for freezing tips, storage, and reheating instructions.
  • One batch of this enchilada sauce yields about 2 1/4 cups. So, it’s equivalent to a store-bought 19 ounce can of Enchilada Sauce.

This recipe was adapted from Cookie & Kate.

Nutrition Facts are for 1/4 cup red enchilada sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.5g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 4.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Cholesterol: 2.4mg | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 34.4mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 9.1IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 0.1mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: easy recipe, enchiladas, mexican, red enchilada sauce, sauces

Tried this recipe?Mention @thatsdeelicious or tag #thatsdeelicious!

Watch the VIDEO on how to make this Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Cooking Channel so that you never miss a recipe video! 🙂

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Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (14)

Looking for more Easy Recipes? Give these a try!

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Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have enchilada sauce? ›

Enchilada Sauce Substitutes To Spice Up Your Cooking
  1. Red Enchilada Sauce. Red enchilada sauce is usually made from dried and rehydrated chilies, which often turn red during the drying process. ...
  2. Taco Sauce. ...
  3. Restaurant Style Salsa. ...
  4. Ranchero Sauce. ...
  5. Picante Sauce. ...
  6. Sofrito Sauce. ...
  7. Homemade Enchilada Sauce. ...
  8. Chile Colorado Sauce.
Sep 30, 2023

What is red enchilada sauce made of? ›

Red enchilada sauce may also be called salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas or mole rojo. It is a sauce made out of ancho/ pasilla/New Mexico and/or Cascabel chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, cumin, oregano, etc. all blended together then simmered until thickened.

Do I need to add anything to canned enchilada sauce? ›

Add stock - Chicken, beef, or vegetable, stocks pack a ton of flavor - because they are prepared by simmering bones and vegetables in water for hours, often with herbs and spices until the flavor is extracted - and can instantly elevate the flavor of canned enchilada sauce.

Is there a difference between red enchilada sauce and enchilada sauce? ›

Red enchilada sauce is made with red chilies (in this recipe, ground red chilies or chili powder). Green enchilada sauce is made with green chilis, tomatillos, and sometimes jalapeños, so it tends to have a larger heat range. It can be spicy, but doesn't have to be.

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

Can I use salsa in place of enchilada sauce? ›

Traditionally, homemade enchilada sauce is made with tomato sauce. What is this? However, I got the brilliant idea to substitute in some salsa to bring another level of flavor to the sauce. I used a homestyle salsa, but you can pretty much use any flavor you want, including roasted garlic and pico de gallo.

What is Mexican enchilada sauce made of? ›

This rich concoction gets its flavor from tomatoes, chili powder, and other spicy seasonings. Green enchilada sauce follows the same basic formula but adds fresh green chiles for a brighter taste. Westernized white enchilada sauce is usually dairy-based and uses cream soup or stock to deepen the flavor.

What is the red sauce in Mexican restaurants? ›

Salsa roja ( lit. 'red sauce') is a type of spicy red sauce in Mexican cuisine. It is made of jitomate (red tomato), ground with onion, garlic, chilli, salt and pepper to taste.

What is Mexican red sauce made of? ›

Red Chile sauce is typically made from red chilies like New Mexico, California, or Guajillo chilies. Dried chilies are often used, but fresh ones can work too. The specific type of chili used can vary based on personal preference and regional style.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Toppings: When it comes to enchiladas, I vote the more toppings the merrier! Any combination of chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, diced red onion (or quick pickled red onions), sliced radishes, fresh or pickled jalapeños, sour cream or Mexican crema, and/or extra cheese would be delicious!

Do you cover enchiladas or no? ›

It isn't necessary to cover enchiladas while baking. All of an enchiladas components are cooked and you are just heating them through when you bake them. Ideally your ingredients will be room temperature, not ice cold, when you assemble the enchiladas.

Is Taco Bell red sauce just enchilada sauce? ›

You might also call it “enchilada sauce” since it tastes very similar to the stuff you can buy in cans labeled “enchilada sauce.” Whatever you call it, this red sauce is a simple combination of tomato purée, vinegar, and spices, and you can clone it with minimal effort.

Is the red sauce at Taco Bell enchilada sauce? ›

You might know it best from the classic Bean Burrito on the menu today. But, actually, this enchilada-style sauce has been around for decades. A Taco Bell® sensation in every sense. Safe to say, red sauce has had plenty of time to hone its taste-bud-tantalizing, deliciously disarming techniques.

What is in Las Palmas enchilada sauce? ›

Water, Dried Red Chile Peppers, Salt, Cottonseed Oil, Cider Vinegar, Fumaric Acid, Garlic Powder, Spice, Olive Oil. Product formulation and packaging may change.

Is enchilada sauce the same as spaghetti sauce? ›

Enchilada sauce is prepared so that can be used to coat stuffed tortillas, and then reduce when baked and hold its own with the tortilla filling when eaten. That filling is frequently rich, with lots of meat and/or cheese. That's a far different sauce than something intended to be eaten with pasta.

What are common enchilada sauces? ›

Enchilada Sauce Variations

Red enchilada sauce is the most commonly used. This rich concoction gets its flavor from tomatoes, chili powder, and other spicy seasonings. Green enchilada sauce follows the same basic formula but adds fresh green chiles for a brighter taste.

What is another name for enchilada sauce? ›

Also known as salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas, or mole rojo, red enchilada sauce also contains vinegar, onions, and garlic, including spices like cumin. Some red enchilada sauces may use crushed tomato or tomato paste as a base.

How is enchilada sauce different from other sauces? ›

Enchiladas just wouldn't be complete without enchilada sauce. This distinct sauce typically calls for dried chili peppers, onions, garlic, spices, and, yes, occasionally tomatoes. The exact recipe may vary depending on the region and personal preferences, resulting in a range of flavor profiles.

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