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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
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. The sauce is thick enough when it coats the back of a wooden spoon well.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Really easy and yummy on the spice factor. Only change would be less salt. A bit to salty FOr us.
I am so glad you tried it 🙂 Thank you so much!
I have used all kinds of canned enchilada sauces, but that has changed due to this recipe. I was the easiest and had the most amazing flavor. I will never by canned again. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
You are so welcome!! I am so glad you found this recipe 😉
This was amazing! My fam always loveS my enchiladas but they said this sauce made them over the top good!
Yay!! I am so glad your family liked them! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Excellent!
So glad you think so 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know!
I’m surprised to see no recipe for homemade tamales or sopapias, two recipes I’d really like to have! Love hot tamales, love sopapias with a drizzle of honey!
No, I do not, but I would like to! My family makes tamales & I love them, so maybe one day, I’ll the recipe up!
There are no ingredients shown here to make the sauce red. How does it become red sauce?
The chili powder makes the sauce red 🙂
There are several questions about chili puree but the recipe does not have it listed or did i miss something??
I have updated the recipe, so it could be from the previous one 😉
Can you use flour tOrtillas instead?
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
Being a Texan in Montana i have been looking for Good enchiladas. This amazing sauce allows me to make Great enchiladas right at home. super easy and delicious! Thank you, KrIstyn!
You are welcome!! I am so glad you like it, as much as we do! Thank you!
Could a person make enough to can it
Yes, for sure. It lasts in the freezer for a couple months or in the fridge for like 4-5 days. Best to keep in the fridge or freezer.