Quick and easy, hands down the BEST Enchilada Sauce Recipe ever! Made with warm, spicy chili powder, earthy cumin and bright oregano. Step by step directions on how to make red enchilada sauce with authentic flavor and taste! This sauce is thick, rich and luscious plus only takes 15 minutes to make? First Published: May 3,2018... Last Updated: May 21, 2019
Best Enchilada Sauce ever - this sauce is quick and easy too!
How to Make Red Enchilada Sauce
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Are you planning a party? If so I seriously have you covered! We're having a party over here with the gal's from #FreakyFriday!
You remember what that is right? It's when a bunch of us bloggers get together. We are assigned another colleague's blog and get to choose, makes and share one of their recipes! This time I get to share a recipe from Life Currents!
Freaky Friday Spring Edition, 2018
I was super excited to be assigned Debi's blog because I've known her "virtually" for the last couple of years. Deb has quite a mix on her blog where shares her love of food, DIY projects, research and more. Please make sure you head over to check out her blog and spend some time to get to know her better!
Debi and I have shared some friendly banter back and forth. We are both football fans - Debi is a Seattle Seahawk Fan and of course I'm a Green Bay Packer's fan! We've jabbed each other here and there. It's a friendly competition and always in good fun!
It was great going thru her blog, but tough to pick a recipe to share with you.
There are just so many delicious options! After looking at the calendar and realizing Cinco de Mayo is (almost) here, I decided I had to share something for party fun.
Hmmm.... was it going to Mexican Corn Salad? Or Mushroom Asada? and honestly this Avocado Sauce is totally to die for! There are many choices!
But I kept coming back to this enchilada sauce!
This red chili enchilada sauce comes together in just 15 minutes!
How to make Homemade Enchilada Sauce
And you can see why, right? It's quick easy and so flavorful - here are the steps to make enchilada sauce.
How to make the best enchilada sauce
- in a large skillet whisk flour and chili powder together until it's combined
- add the oil, and whisk to combine, heat on low for 2 minutes, or until fragrant
- turn the heat up to medium, add broth, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin, whisking to combine
- bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, for 10 minutes, until sauce thickens and smooths out.
- this makes about 3 cups of sauce
This red chili sauce is so rich and thick, it's just delicious!
Best Enchilada Sauce
What can I use enchilada sauce for?
- enchiladas - well I guess that goes without saying, right?!!! 🤣
- drizzled over spicy nachos!
- make a spicy Tex-Mex Pizza!
- swim some tamales in this heavenly sauce
- turn an ordinary pork roast into a fiesta with this braising liquid!
- how about lasagna Mexican style?!!
- top off a great tex-mex salad
- add to your Spanish rice for authentic flavor!
- huevos rancheros - doesn't that sound delicious?
- chicken tortilla soup (you know I was going to work a soup into this right?!!)
Have I talked you into making this sauce yet? I know you're going to love it when you do!
How to Make Red Enchilada Sauce with Chili Powder
This is a simple sauce to make in fact you may have everything you need in your pantry and spice cabinet!
Shopping list for enchilada sauce
- red chili powder
- flour
- cumin
- chicken or vegetable stock
I've made this sauce a couple of times now! The first night I made stacked cheese enchiladas and tonight roll chicken enchiladas - both were just amazing! If you love delicious Mexican food, I know you'll really enjoy this recipe!
It's easy to make and just has the BEST flavor! The warm, spicy chili powder, earthy cumin and bright oregano are the perfect combinations. This makes an authentic enchilada sauce that is thick, rich and luscious!
Don’t forget to check out the other Freaky Friday recipes…you’re sure to find some great recipes to try!
A Dish of Daily Life - Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers • An Affair from the Heart - Everything Bagel Dip • A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures - Cottage Cheese and Pinto Bean Salsa • Bacon Fatte - No Bake Strawberry Shortcake Dessert • Hostess at Heart - Rhubarb Oat Muffins • LeMoine Family Kitchen - Brown Sugar Jalapeño Bacon • Life Currents - French Onion Tart • Lisa's Dinnertime Dish - Tuscan Pork Sheet Pan Dinner • Mildly Meandering - Roasted Red Pepper Dip • Seduction in the Kitchen - Caprese Tortellini Skewers • Take Two Tapas - Mexican Beer Cheese Skillet • West Via Midwest - Reuben Totchos • Who Needs a Cape? - Raspberry Daiquiri Pie
Love Southwest Flavor? Check out these recipes for more inspiration!
- Roasted Salsa Verde Recipe - delicious and authentic
- Chicken Pozole Verde - so savory and delicious
- Roasted Hatch Green Chile - roasting the chiles gives it the smokey flavor
- Authentic Posole Recipe; Mexican Stew - easy and SO fabulous!!
- Mexican Albondigas Soup (Meatball Soup) - one of my favorites!
Items you may also need:
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Cast Iron Skillet - no kitchen should be without a great skillet! Cast Iron is affordable and cooks so evenly!
So are you planning something fun for the weekend? Are you going to a fiesta or will you be having some cervesas at home? I'd love to hear what your plans are!
If you love this sauce as much as we do, be sure to comment below and give it a five star rating!
Best Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp oil olive, canola or avocado oil
- 2 cups broth chicken or vegetable
- 1 6 oz. tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
Instructions
- In a large skillet mix flour and chili powder together. Whisk it together well until it's thoroughly combined.
- Add oil, and whisk to combine. Heat on low for 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Turn the heat up to medium, add broth, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin, stirring to combine.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, for 10 minutes, until sauce thickens and smooths out.
- Add salt and sugar, and taste for seasonings, adjusting to taste.
Laura
Do you know how many cups this makes? Thanks!
Bowl Me Over
Hey Laura - this makes between 3-4 cups.
Belinda
Have you heard of “burrito sauce” . It’s served over Chile rellnos, it’s smoky with lots of onions. I could eat it as soup! Our local mexican restaurants serve it . Looking for a recipe!?
Bowl Me Over
Oh now you're making me hungry Belinda! I have not heard of burrito sauce (where have I been?!!) When I google it I found this creamy sauce that looks quite delicious! (link here) Tell me more about the sauce, is it a red sauce or creamy sauce? Love to hear more about it!
Sam
Finally, a good red enchilada sauce recipe!! I've tried maybe a dozen this month but this is definitely my favorite. It's got the perfect amount of spiciness for me and the texture is great! Thanks for sharing!
Bowl Me Over
Sam isn't this just the BEST?!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it also. Thank you!!
Michele
This will be great to have on hand throughout the summer when we're often in the mood for big flavors and "lighter" dishes! Can't wait to try it!
Bowl Me Over
Great, I hope you really enjoy this sauce it's so versatile - thank you Michele!
Lori Vachon
You know I love all things Mexican but have never made my own enchilada sauce. No excuses, this is happening next time I get a hankering for enchiladas.
Bowl Me Over
Perfect!! You will love it Lori, thank you!
Jennifer Stewart
I love that this has way more flavor than the store-bought! I just really want to put this in my margarita too!!
Bowl Me Over
I'm sure there's a way... right?!! Bring it on baby! 😀
Michaela Kenkel
There is nothing better than homemade!! This looks like a delicious sauce -- I am going to give it a try on my shredded beef enchiladas this week!
Bowl Me Over
Homemade is definitely the BEST!!!
[email protected]'s Dinnertime Dish
The combination of flavors in this sauce sound absolutely amazing and it couldn't be easier to make! I can't wait to give it a try!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful! I know you’ll enjoy this sauce Lisa! Thank you for stopping by Lisa.
Michelle
Homemade enchilada sauce is the best! We always make our own too! Debi's recipe is great and your pictures are gorgeous!
Bowl Me Over
Yes it is - such a winning recipe. Thank you Michelle!
Julie
Us foodies know how important a great sauce is and how many things you can do with it. This sauce looks so thick and flavorful!
Bowl Me Over
Yes, yes and YES! 😀 Thanks Julie this one is a real winner!!
debi at Life Currents
This is one of our house favorites! So easy to make. We always have it in the fridge, or for longer storage, in the freezer. Full flavored! Yummy! I'm so happy you picked this recipe. It's so good!
Bowl Me Over
It is fantastic! I'm so appreciative of sharing this recipe on my site thank you Debi!
Liza
Loving this recipe! It's so simple and so flavorful! Although I didn't get to make it for today, I'm definitely saving it and making it later! Such a great recipe! Thanks!
Bowl Me Over
I know you're going to love this Liza! It's so good with such flavor - enjoy!
michele
Why have I never thought to make my. own enchilada sauce... I know its going to be so much better than store-bough! Cant wait to try this ... it sounds so good!
Bowl Me Over
You'll love it Michele - so much flavor and so easy! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Madi
This looks like the perfect enchilada sauce! I can't wait to try it out!
Bowl Me Over
Nailed it! Enjoy Madi!!!
Christie
I love making my own sauces! I can't wait to try this one. It looks so rich and delicious.
Bowl Me Over
You'll love it Christie - excellent sauce, great depth of flavor really delicious!
Deanna
This BEST ENCHILADA SAUCE RECIPE looks super yummy!!! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo!!!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful, I hope you give it a try Deanna!
Angela
This sauce sounds amazing and no doubt so much better then anything store bought! I love all your ideas on different ways to use it too! Love the idea of a Mexican style pizza!
Bowl Me Over
It is SO GOOD Angela! I'll be bringing some new yummy recipes to the blog, it too good to only use on enchiladas!
ang
This looks SO yummy, and your photos are gorgeous!!
I'm pinning this for later 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Ang!! This is such a great sauce, so versatile!
Karen Bade
I used this in my chicken enchilada soup since I had no canned sauce on the shelf. I’ll never buy canned enchilada sauce again!
Bowl Me Over
Oh my gosh Karen, isn't this Just the BEST?!!! I love this sauce, I'm so happy you gave it a try. Thanks for swinging back and letting me know!