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This fan-favorite red enchilada sauce is one of our most popular sauces. You’ll never buy canned sauce again!
Use this enchilada sauce for Cheese Enchiladas, Empanadas, or a casserole. Once you go homemade, you’ll never buy store-bought again!
Homemade Is Better!
Homemade enchilada sauce may seem hard to make, but the sauce we are sharing today is simple and a family favorite for our Mexican recipes.
We’ve made homemade enchilada sauce my entire life and use it to make our classic cheese enchiladas or poured over chicken enchiladas, Beef Enchiladas, or Burritos!
Yes, you can buy sauce in the can, but it doesn’t compare to this homemade version.
Why we love it:
- Common ingredients. This delicious sauce takes just a few simple pantry ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand!
- Freeze for later. You can easily make a big batch and freeze or store it for later use, saving time and effort in future dinner recipes.
- Adjust the spice level. The chili powder does have some spice, but you can change the amount of powder used based on what your family likes.
Enchilada Sauce Ingredients
- vegetable oil – canola oil works as well
- all-purpose flour
- chili powder – we prefer Gebhardt’s chili powder. Note that how much chili powder and which brand you use will determine the color of the sauce. Generic chili powders tend to be darker which will create a darker sauce.
- garlic powder
- oregano
- salt
- cumin
- chicken broth – or vegetable broth
How to Make Enchilada Sauce
- ROUX. Add oil to a pot and heat on medium heat. Pour in flour and create a roux by whisking them together for 1-2 minutes.
- SEASONINGS. Add chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and oregano and mix until clumpy.
- THICKEN. Pour in chicken broth, whisking the entire time, until there are no more lumps. Heat for about 15 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
Pro Tip
The sauce is thick enough when it coats the back of a wooden spoon well.
In the pictures below, on the left, the sauce looks watery and doesn’t stick to the spoon. The picture on the right shows that the sauce is thick and sticks to the back of the wooden spoon showing that it’s ready.
Variations
- Make it creamy. Whisk in ½ cup of heavy cream. This is especially nice when you want to use the sauce as dressing for Nachos, Tacos, or a dip for Quesadillas.
- Spice it up, or not. For a more mild sauce, decrease the chili powder. For a spicier sauce, increase the amount used or use a spicier brand of chili powder such as ancho chili powder or chipotle chili powder.
- Tomatoes. To add a blend of tomato into the sauce, simply stir in 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste or tomato sauce. Note that this will thicken the sauce as well.
- Thicken. To thicken without changing the taste, use a cornstarch slurry. In a separate bowl combine 1 teaspoon cold water and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Once smooth add it to the pot of sauce. Simmer and stir for a few minutes to thicken. Repeat if necessary.
- Thinner. If the sauce is too thick add a little more chicken broth to thin it out to the desired consistency.
Storing Tips
- Make ahead of time. Quadruple the batch of seasonings, or even the homemade red enchilada sauce recipe to use for later. Combine the following ingredients and keep them in a jar in the cabinet:
- ¾ cup Gebhardt chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- Spoon out 3 heaping tablespoons of the mixture which is equivalent to about one batch of red enchilada sauce. Makes for easy cooking.
- STORE. Keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- FREEZE. Divide the sauce into 3-4 airtight freezer-safe containers, label, and freeze for up to 2 months. Take out the sauce the day before and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Heat it on the stove until it is smooth.
For More Mexican Dips and SAuces:
Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons chili powder (we prefer Gebhardt’s)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Add oil to a pot and heat on medium heat. Pour in flour and create a roux by whisking them together for 1-2 minutes.
- Add chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and oregano and mix until clumpy.
- Pour in chicken broth, whisking the entire time until there are no more clumps. Heat for about 15 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
- TIP: The sauce is thick enough when it coats the back of a wooden spoon well. In the picture above, on the left, the sauce looks watery and doesn't stick to the spoon. The picture on the right shows that the sauce is thick and sticks to the back of the wooden spoon showing that it's ready.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I have to be gluten free. I use potatoe starch instead of flour. Should I use that here or corn meal?
I haven’t tried either, so I would use whatever you usually use to substitute. I wouldn’t know how they each make it turn out.
Wonder sauce!!! I live alone, so I pour sauce into ice cube trays, freeze, then ziplock the cubes for meals. I was us a very good sauce from AllrecipEs, but Yours is even bettEr. I still do enchladas the old fashioned way, fry the tortillas lightly, dip, & roll. My kids do the prep still, but they stack into a casserole style. Thanks for posting!! Blessings!!!
That sounds perfect!! I will have to try that! Thank you!
What was the old recipe? My family loved that one and i cant find It. Thanks
I no longer have the older version 🙁 But, this one is just as good 🙂
Hello, recently made your basic bread recipe, first time using yeast and it turned out phenomenal!! My husband and i ate way more than 2 people should HAVE….Anyways, I’M looking through your other recipes and have stumbled on this sauce. Curious HOW long it lasts? If i make the sauce and am not using it IMMEDIATELY. Can i store it in the fridge for a bit? Thank you for your help!
Yay!! Thank you so much for trying the bread! Yes, you sure could. I would keep it a week or so.
this looks so good. I know what is going to be on my menu next week! i prefer homemade sauces so thanks so much for this new recipe!
This is the saMe sauce recipe my hispanic grandma uses! It is perfect for anY recipe calLing for red enChilada sauCe. So good!
Mine too. With the exception of served New Mexico style (layered flat) and with minced white onion. Top off with a fried egg. Soooo good.
Our favorite red chili sauce! Easy to make and comes together quickly. I love to make this in a big batch so I can use in other recipes. Such a great sauce to have on hand.
This sauce is amazing! it is perfect for enchiladas! It is so easy to make & love that I can store it, to use for other recipes.
wHAT IS MEXICAN CHEESE? PLEASE EXPLAIN
It is a cheese blend of usually, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, A Queso blend.
please post the oil and flour measurements. really excited to try!
It is 2 tablespoons of oil & 4 tablespoons of flour 🙂 Hope you like it!
I haven’t watched the video, but I don’t see the measurements for the oil or flour in the recipe.