Ditch the canned stuff for this awesome Homemade Enchilada Sauce! It’s easy to prepare, and it’s bursting with flavor. Spice up your meals!
Enchilada Sauce
Homemade Enchilada Sauce is a delicious and versatile ingredient. It can take any Mexican-inspired dish to the next level. The best part is that it’s easy to make. And, you can customize it to your taste preferences.
Also, by using fresh and natural ingredients, you can avoid the preservatives and additives that come with store-bought options.
Making your own sauce can be a cost-effective alternative to buying pre-made sauces. This homemade recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week! Or, freeze it for later use.
It can be used in a variety of dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, and burritos, or as a marinade for meats. By making your own enchilada sauce, you have complete control over the spice level. And, can experiment with different spices and flavors to make it your own.
Homemade Enchilada Sauce adds a burst of flavor to any meal. And, it can help take your dishes to the next level.
You don’t have to settle for store-bought sauce! Especially when you can easily make your own homemade enchilada sauce!
Making your own Homemade Enchilada Sauce is an easy and delicious way to add flavor and authenticity to your Mexican-inspired dishes.
Easy Enchilada Sauce: Ingredients & Substitutions
To make this Homemade Enchilada Sauce, you will need …
Ingredients
- green bell pepper, jalapenos, and garlic – the veggies that add flavor to your sauce.
- chili powder, dried oregano, and ground cumin – the spices or seasonings that will transform this sauce into something so flavorful you will want to put it on everything!
- water and tomato sauce – the base of the sauce.
How to make Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Y’all … if you ever thought making Enchilada Sauce was difficult, you are going to be so stoked about how easy it really is to make! Let’s go ….
Add ingredients to a saucepan. First, you will combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan.
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Bring to a boil and thicken the sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until slightly thickened.
Use in your favorite recipes! Use this enchilada sauce in your favorite enchilada recipe. Or, anywhere, enchilada sauce is listed in the recipe!
Enchilada Sauce: FAQs
Enchilada sauce is typically made with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and a liquid such as broth or water.
Yes, you can make enchilada sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it for later use (up to 3 months).
Absolutely! You can adjust the amount of chili powder or add in other spices, such as paprika or cayenne pepper, to make it more or less spicy. Also, try different chile peppers for different flavors and heat levels.
Homemade Enchilada Sauce can be healthier than store-bought options since you have control over the ingredients and can avoid any unwanted preservatives or additives.
Enchilada sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, such as enchiladas, tacos, and burritos, or as a marinade for meats. Sometimes, I like to make chilaquiles with it!
Absolutely! It will be just as delicious!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 – 2 jalapenos finely chopped, if desired
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz.
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine all of the enchilada sauce ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Use this enchilada sauce in your favorite enchilada recipe or anywhere enchilada sauce is listed in the recipe!
Notes
- You can make enchilada sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for later use (up to 3 months).
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on October 13, 2014. Updated on April 13, 2023.
I have never made enchilada sauce before. This recipe sounds so yummy and pretty easy too! I will have to give it a try. Thanks for linking at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party!
Yum! I've never made homemade enchilada sauce, but it seems simple enough. I may have to try it next time!
Oh how sad. 🙁 What are the chances that you would be thinking of her at that time? Yes, it is a right of passage, LOL
We love Enchiladas and Wet Burritos and this recipe would be the perfect addition to them, and I love the fact that I then do not have to use canned or jarred sauce anymore! Pinning.
I love enchiladas and am always on the lookout for a new sauce recipe. Thanks! BTW, when my son was in high school we housed some German exchange students. I will say that, of course, the English speaking students wanted to learn all of the bad words in German, and of course the Germans couldn't wait to find out how to say bad words in English! Hahaha – my husband and I learned quite a bit also! We had a wonderful time with the kids and, surprisingly, one of their favorite foods were tacos and enchiladas!
Thanks for sharing this! I am so guilty of buying the canned stuff but this recipe seems simple enough to make my own! Pinned this!!
Thanks for the recipe Jamie! I've been looking for an easy enchilada sauce because I don't really care for the stuff in the can. I loved the party of your story about the bad words! It made me remember that just last school year my kids tried me with some bad language spoken in Spanish that they're friends taught them. Needless to say they were quite surprised when momma knew everything they were saying because she had been taught those same bad words:) The looks on their faces…priceless!
This sounds great!! I love this idea and how I can adjust the spice level too!
I love homemade sauces. I have an enchilada sauce I love and I haven't purchased a can of it since. Homemade is the best.
What a sweet story to have associated with this recipe! And funny because I made homemade enchilada sauce for the first time last week for my mom's birthday! It was amazing. The recipe I used/altered was different than this though… more things to try!Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.
Jamie, your picture literally stopped me in my tracks as I was scrolling through Treasure Box Tuesday. Homemade Enchilada Sauce makes my li'l Texan heart go pit-a-pat. I think this post is a wonderful tribute to Sharon. 🙂 ♥ Pinning in her honor.
Jorden is a HUGE enchilada fan….as in enchiladas are the only thing he ever orders at a Mexican restaurant! I love this homemade sauce and I'm sure he would too….and I'm sure you're making Sharon proud!
This looks wonderful and delicious! I love enchiladas, and one of the main reasons is the sauce. Thanks for sharing!
Homemade is always so much better than the canned stuff! Pinning!
Thanks for the recipe! I love homemade anything!
Never thought of making my own sauce. Looks like a good recipe.
I love the idea of using a homemade sauce!! Thanks for sharing.
Yum! We have enchiladas somewhat regularly and I'm always looking for a good homemade sauce recipe. I hate buying the cans of it.
We love using enchilada sauce in recipes, so I will definitely have to give this a try. Homemade sauces are always better!
yum!! Looks so good and fresh! Oh and I love your new headshot!!!
You know, I live in Peru, and my husband and kids are Peruvian. Funny though, since I introduced them to Mexican style food, they prefer that to all the Peruvian food! Doesn't make my mother in law very happy – lol!
I need to try this! and your churros look fabulous as well.
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
I knew the moment I saw this sauce, I had to try it! I love how easy it is to make! Thanks for sharing, Jamie!
I always make my own enchilada sauce now. And, there's almost always a jar in the fridge or the freezer now (just in case I need to make dinner and I don't have anything planned). Enchilada sauce is a great way to start dinner! Thanks for sharing your recipe. It looks great!
I remember my cousin visiting from New Mexico. His wife owned a Mexican restaurant and she cooked dinner for us. She said that she spiced everything like she does for her kids. We never drank so much water with dinner but it was the first authentic Mexican food I ever had. I buy jar Enchilada sauce.. this looks easy enough and probably tastes way better. Pinned. Thanks.