Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Much better tasting than the canned variety!

Ingredients

  • vegetable or canola oil
    ¼ c
  • all purpose flour
    2 tbsp
  • chili powder
    2 tbsp
  • low sodium chicken broth
    1 ½ c
  • one 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • ground cumin
    ½ tsp
  • garlic powder
    ½ tsp
  • onion salt
    ½ tsp
  • salt
    ¼ tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat the oil in a large skillet to medium heat. Whisk in the flour and chili powder. Reduce heat to medium and continue to whisk until lightly browned. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, cumin, garlic powder, onion salt and salt. Stir until smooth, and continue simmering over medium heat about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

  2. 2

    Serve immediately, or keep in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

143 cal

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About this Recipe

Tired of bland, store-bought enchilada sauces that just don't hit the mark? This homemade enchilada sauce recipe delivers a depth of flavor that's much better tasting than the canned variety, transforming your everyday enchiladas into something truly special.

The secret to this sauce's superiority lies in building a rich, flavorful base from scratch. Instead of relying on artificial flavors, you're creating a robust foundation with aromatic chili powder, cumin, and savory garlic powder. This careful layering of spices ensures a vibrant, authentic taste that elevates your dish.

What you'll get is a beautiful, deep red sauce with a smooth, velvety consistency. It offers a wonderfully savory and earthy flavor profile, balancing the warmth of the chili with subtle notes of garlic and onion. This sauce is robust enough to stand up to hearty fillings, yet refined enough to let the other ingredients shine. It's an essential component for authentic Mexican-inspired meals, and you'll love how easy it is to prepare, requiring only 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.

While this recipe is fantastic as written, it's also incredibly adaptable. For a vegetarian version, simply swap the low sodium chicken broth for a good quality vegetable broth. You can also experiment with different types of chili powder to fine-tune the heat and flavor, or add a pinch of cayenne for an extra kick. If you don't have onion salt, you can use onion powder and a bit more regular salt, adjusting to your taste.

This versatile homemade enchilada sauce is perfect for coating your favorite chicken, beef, or cheese enchiladas, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings. It's the flavorful backbone that will make your next Mexican meal truly memorable.

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