Quick and easy, hands down the BEST sauce ever! Made with warm, spicy chili powder, earthy cumin and bright oregano. This authentic enchilada sauce makes every dish taste that much better.
This will be your favorite homemade sauce - you'll never use canned again!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
This is hands down the best red chili enchilada sauce you will ever try! What makes it so different from what you get in a can? It is rich and hearty and has a wonderful smoky flavor. The thick, flavorful sauce clings to corn or flour tortillas. It is so good!
Unlike the canned stuff, this homemade authentic Mexican recipe has no preservatives and it's just like your favorite Mexican restaurant!
It doesn't take long to make and will become your favorite enchilada sauce recipe, I promise you!
🗒️ Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the red chili enchilada sauce recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- red chilies powder
- all-purpose flour
- cumin
- extra virgin olive oil, I've also used vegetable oil
- chicken stock or vegetable broth
- tomato paste - be sure you use paste and not tomato sauce, the flavor is much more intense.
- dried oregano - I use Mexican oregano (found in the ethnic food aisle). If you're not able to regular oregano works just fine - just be careful not to overdo as too much can have a bitter flavor.
- salt and sugar
You only need a handful of simple ingredients!
I've made this red chile sauce several times now! The first night I made stacked cheese homemade enchiladas and tonight rolled chicken enchiladas - both were just amazing! Your meal will equal those of your favorite Mexican restaurants!
Equipment
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- 12" cast iron skillet - I prefer using cast-iron to make this recipe
- wooden spoons for cooking - this set is great as it includes a spoon, scraper and slotted spoon.
🔪 Instructions
Step by step instructions to make homemade red enchilada sauce recipe with chili powder. Using simple pantry ingredients, you probably have everything you need! If you don't these ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store!
- Whisk the flour and chili powder in a large skillet until it is combined.
- Over low heat, slowly add the oil, whisking the entire time. Heat oil and continue to cook for two minutes until it's fragrant.
- Next turn the stove up to medium heat. Add the broth, tomato paste, oregano and cumin - keep whisking!
- Bring the red chili enchilada sauce to a boil, reduce to low heat and cook uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and is completely smooth.
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!
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Enchilada sauce gets it's heat from chilis where taco sauce is spicer! It's heat comes from cayenne peppers!
The difference between green enchilada sauce and salsa verde is enchilada sauce is cooked, where the majority of the ingredients are raw. Enchilada sauce is blended with stock or water. Salsa verde doesn't not have stock added.
Be sure to fry the corn tortillas shells briefly in oil. It creates a barrier and keeps the shells from soaking up too much sauce and getting soggy.
👍 Tips
You're going to love this homemade version so much, be sure to make a double batch to freeze!
Variations
Make this homemade red sauce gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour.
Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder; it will enrich the sauce and give it incredible flavor.
Storage
Allow to come to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to three days. Freeze up to three months in a freezer-safe container.
Delicious Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Serving suggestions
I know once you make this delicious authentic red enchilada sauce recipe you'll never buy the stuff in a can again. It's easy to make and delicious on just about everything! Here are some great recipes and ideas!
- black bean or cheese enchiladas, chicken or beef enchiladas stacked or rolled - 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?!!
- add to your Spanish rice for authentic flavor!
- Make an amazing cheese enchilada casserole - yum!
- huevos rancheros - doesn't that sound delicious?
- chicken tortilla soup (you know I was going to work a soup into this right?!!)
Related Recipes
Still hungry? Here are more yummy Mexican food recipes try next time!
- Roasted Salsa Verde Recipe - delicious and authentic
- Chicken Pozole Verde - so savory and delicious
- Roasted Hatch Green Chiles - 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!
- Easy enchilada
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!
Easy Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 tablespoon oil olive, canola or avocado oil
- 2 cups chicken broth can substitute vegetable both
- 1 6 oz. tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
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Instructions
- In a large saucepan or skillet mix flour and chile 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.
Notes
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Recipe backstory
This recipe was part of a blog hop and a recipe I shared from Life Currents! I was able to peruse her blog to choose which recipe I would be sharing which is always so hard to do!
Would it be her recipe for Mexican Corn Salad or Mushroom Asada? Honestly this Avocado Sauce is totally to die for! I finally nailed it down to her recipe for this delicious sauce! Read more about the blog hop below under the recipe card.
This was originally shared as part of the freaky Friday blog hop!
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.
First published May 3, 2018 - Last updated May 29, 2021
Carol Seaholts
I have never made or tasted homemade red enchilada sauce. What a difference! No comparison to the bitter, tangy canned version. Smooth texture with great taste. I mix my own chili powders, added a touch more of cumin & oregano. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe.
Jim
So appreciate this recipe. I’ve used the canned sauces many times and tried to add to them to achieve a better sauce. This was so easy, and best of all soooo delicious. Makes you want to keep eating!! Made a double batch and looking forward to using it again
Bowl Me Over
You're welcome Jim, glad you made a double-batch, it's SO GOOD! Enjoy!!!
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!
Cathy P
I would love your burrito sauce recipe also. All I can find is enchilada sauce recipes. Thank you!
Bowl Me Over
i don't have a burrito sauce recipe, I use the enchilada sauce recipe for just about everything, it's amazing! I googled burrito sauce and found this recipe where she uses a combination of tomato sauce, canned chile and enchilada sauce and uses it to make wet burritos, yum!!!
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!!!
Lisa@Lisa'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!