When it comes to homemade cooking, there’s just something so special about making your own sauce from scratch. Homemade Enchilada Sauce is one of those game-changers—it’s rich, flavorful, and totally customizable. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the store-bought stuff!
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The beauty of this sauce lies in the perfect blend of spices, a touch of heat, and the depth of flavor that simmers together to create something truly mouthwatering. Whether you’re pouring it over enchiladas, tacos, or even as a dip for tortilla chips, this sauce will take your dishes to the next level.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Fresh & Flavorful: No more canned stuff! This sauce is made with fresh ingredients, packed with spices, and has so much more depth than anything you can buy.
Customizable: Adjust the heat level by adding more chili powder or omitting it if you prefer a milder sauce. You can also play around with the seasonings to suit your tastes.
Simple Ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, so you won’t need to go on a wild grocery store hunt. You can make it with what you already have!
Quick & Easy: This sauce comes together in just 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you’re craving something flavorful without all the hassle.
Versatile: You can use it on so many things—enchiladas, burritos, tacos, or even as a sauce for grilled meats or veggies.
Ingredients in Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Here’s what you need to make this sauce so delicious:
Chili Powder: This is where the magic begins. It gives the sauce its characteristic smoky flavor and just the right amount of heat.
Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy depth that balances out the chili powder.
Garlic Powder: For that savory backbone. Garlic brings a wonderful richness to the sauce.
Onion Powder: This adds a bit of sweetness and extra savory flavor.
Paprika: For a mild sweetness and beautiful color. You can also use smoked paprika if you like a deeper, smoky flavor.
Tomato Paste: The base of the sauce. It gives that thick, rich tomato flavor.
Vegetable or Chicken Broth: This thins out the tomato paste and gives the sauce a smooth, pourable texture.
Olive Oil: Helps sauté the spices and brings everything together.
Salt & Pepper: For seasoning and balance.
Sugar (optional): A tiny pinch to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and spices.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Heat the Oil: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Cook for about 30 seconds to allow the spices to bloom and become fragrant.
Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing it to slightly darken and develop flavor.
Add Broth: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and stir well to combine. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. If it gets too thick, you can always add a little more broth to reach your desired consistency.
Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity, and season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Once the sauce is thick and flavorful, remove it from the heat. It’s ready to be poured over your favorite enchiladas or any dish that needs a boost of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 30
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
How to Serve Homemade Enchilada Sauce
This sauce is great for so many different dishes! Here are a few ways to serve it:
Enchiladas: The classic use—pour it generously over a stack of rolled tortillas filled with your favorite filling, cheese, and baked to perfection.
Tacos or Burritos: Use it as a flavorful drizzle for tacos, burritos, or even tacos al pastor.
Chili or Stews: Add a little to your chili or stew for an extra layer of flavor.
Grilled Meats or Veggies: Brush it on grilled chicken, beef, or even roasted vegetables for a smoky, spicy kick.
Dipping Sauce: Serve it as a dip alongside chips or freshly baked tortilla chips for a tasty snack.
Additional Tips
Adjust the Heat: If you like more heat, add a chopped jalapeño or some cayenne pepper to the sauce. Start small, taste, and add more as you go.
Make it Smokier: Swap regular paprika for smoked paprika to give the sauce an even deeper smoky flavor.
Double It: This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, so make extra and store it for later use in other dishes.
Freezing: You can freeze this sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
A1: Yes! This sauce actually gets even better the next day, once all the flavors have had time to meld together. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Q2: Can I use this sauce for something other than enchiladas?
A2: Absolutely! This versatile sauce is great for tacos, burritos, grilled meats, chili, or even as a dip.
Q3: Can I adjust the spice level?
A3: Yes! If you like it milder, you can reduce the chili powder or skip it altogether. If you prefer more heat, add some cayenne pepper or fresh chilies.
Q4: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato paste?
A4: While fresh tomatoes can work, they won’t give the same thickness and depth of flavor. Tomato paste is best for this recipe.
Q5: Can I make this sauce without broth?
A5: You can use water in place of broth, but broth adds an extra layer of flavor. If you prefer, you can also use a bit of vegetable stock or chicken stock.
Q6: Can I make this sauce spicy?
A6: Yes! Add more chili powder, some chopped jalapeños, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to kick up the heat.
Q7: Can I freeze this sauce?
A7: Yes, this sauce freezes wonderfully! Just let it cool, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Q8: How do I store leftovers?
A8: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it for later use.
Q9: How can I thicken the sauce?
A9: If your sauce is too thin, simply simmer it longer to reduce and thicken, or add a little extra tomato paste.
Q10: How long does this sauce keep?
A10: This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 1 week. Make sure to store it in a sealed container to keep it fresh.
And that’s it! You’ve just created a rich, flavorful Homemade Enchilada Sauce that’s sure to bring some serious flavor to your kitchen. It’s easy to make, packed with bold flavours, and perfect for so many dishes. Try it once, and you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff again. Happy cooking!
Print
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 14 ounces 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: undefined
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This homemade enchilada sauce is a flavorful and versatile addition to enchiladas, tacos, soups, and more. Quick and easy to make, it beats the canned version any day!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, or distilled white vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Seasonings:
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cinnamon, and flour. Set aside. - Cook the Flour Mixture:
In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the flour mixture and whisk until it reaches the consistency of wet sand, about 1 minute. - Make the Sauce:
Stir in tomato paste and honey, cooking for another minute. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring continuously. - Simmer:
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 5 minutes, or until your desired thickness is achieved. - Finish:
Remove from heat, and stir in apple cider vinegar. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.
Notes
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg