Easy Red Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 cups water
- 3 oz. tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3/4 tsp salt or to taste
Directions
- 1
Add the cooking oil, flour, and chili powder to a sauce pot. Turn the heat on to medium and whisk the ingredients together. Continue to whisk as the mixture begins to bubble. Whisk and cook the mixture for one minute once it begins bubbling.
- 2
After one minute, whisk in the water, tomato paste, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Allow the sauce to come up to a simmer. Once it reaches a simmer it will begin to thicken slightly.
- 3
Starting with a 1/2 teaspoon, add salt to taste. I used about 3/4 teaspoon total. The sauce is now ready to use!
Easy Red Enchilada Sauce
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About this Recipe
Craving authentic enchilada flavor without spending hours in the kitchen? This Easy Red Enchilada Sauce recipe brings rich, savory taste to your table in just 10 minutes.
What sets this homemade sauce apart is its remarkable speed and depth of flavor. By starting with a simple roux and layering classic spices like earthy chili powder, aromatic ground cumin, and a hint of cayenne, you build a complex base that tastes like it simmered all day, but comes together incredibly fast. It’s the secret to transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
Prepare for a vibrant, deeply savory sauce with a beautiful reddish-brown hue. It boasts a balanced profile of robust chili, subtle warmth from the cayenne, and an umami richness from the tomato paste and spices. The texture is smooth and velvety, perfect for coating your favorite enchiladas, delivering that comforting, restaurant-quality experience right at home. You'll love how easy it is to achieve such a robust flavor.
Want to adjust the heat? Increase the cayenne pepper for more kick, or omit it entirely for a milder sauce suitable for everyone. For a different flavor profile, you could experiment with adding a pinch of dried oregano. If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, you can add a bit more flour to the roux, or for a thinner consistency, simply whisk in an extra splash of water.
This versatile red enchilada sauce is the cornerstone of any homemade enchilada dish, whether you're making chicken, beef, or vegetarian options. It's also fantastic poured over burritos or even used as a base for chilaquiles, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a casual weekend gathering.