Red Enchilada Sauce

Red Enchilada Sauce

2 servings
This enchilada sauce is so flavorful and incredibly easy to make with just a few pantry staple ingredients. Once you try this recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought!Before making this sauce, I recommend having all of your ingredients ready and measuring out the spices into a small bowl. Once you get the garlic in the pan, you’ll want everything else ready so that the garlic doesn’t burn.

Ingredients

  • olive oil
    1 tbsp
  • garlic

    minced

    2 cloves
  • can tomato sauce
    15 oz
  • low sodium vegetable broth

    or low sodium chicken broth

    ¾ c
  • chili powder
    2 tbsp
  • cumin
    1 ½ tsp
  • onion powder
    ½ tsp
  • garlic powder
    ½ tsp
  • salt
    ¼ tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.

  2. 2

    Add all remaining ingredients: tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir.

  3. 3

    Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook at a low simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. 4

    Enchilada sauce can be used immediately or stored for future use. To store, let it cool and then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Red Enchilada Sauce

Red Enchilada Sauce

4.8(21)15 min2 servings39 cal

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Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 21 ratings

kristineskitchenblog.com
4.8(21 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Craving authentic, rich enchilada flavor without the fuss? This homemade Red Enchilada Sauce recipe is incredibly easy to whip up with just a few pantry staples, ensuring you'll never reach for a can again.

What makes this red enchilada sauce truly special is its vibrant depth of flavor, achieved with common spices like chili powder and cumin, yet it comes together in a mere 10 minutes of cook time. The secret to its effortless perfection lies in a smart prep tip: having your minced garlic and other ingredients measured and ready before you start ensures a smooth cooking process, preventing the garlic from burning and building a robust flavor base right from the start.

You can expect a beautifully smooth, savory sauce with a well-balanced kick from the chili powder and the earthy warmth of cumin, deepened by aromatic onion and garlic powders. The tomato sauce provides a rich body, creating a truly comforting and authentic taste experience that’s far superior to anything store-bought. This easy enchilada sauce recipe yields enough for 2 servings, making it perfect for a smaller batch of classic enchiladas or to effortlessly elevate your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes with genuine homemade flavor.

This flavorful enchilada sauce is quite adaptable. For those following a vegetarian diet, ensure you use low sodium vegetable broth, as the recipe also suggests low sodium chicken broth as an alternative. If you're looking to adjust the heat level, you can certainly fine-tune the amount of chili powder to your preference, though the given amount creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that shines through in your final dish.

This versatile red enchilada sauce is the heart of any great enchilada dish, ready to beautifully coat and elevate your chicken, beef, or cheese enchiladas. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual get-together, providing a comforting and deeply satisfying culinary foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions