Homemade Enchilada Sauce: Your Secret to Authentic Mexican Flavor in Minutes
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant, rich flavor of a homemade enchilada sauce. Forget the store-bought cans filled with preservatives and artificial flavors. This recipe for **enchilada sauce made from scratch** delivers a truly authentic, spicy, and deeply satisfying tomato base that will elevate any Mexican-style dish. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to prepare and ready in just 20 minutes, using only five essential ingredients. It’s not just a sauce; it’s the foundation for countless delicious meals!
Why Choose Homemade Enchilada Sauce?
You might wonder why bother making enchilada sauce from scratch when there are so many options available at the grocery store. The answer lies in the unparalleled taste, quality, and control. Preparing your own **homemade enchilada sauce** is remarkably simple, transforming humble ingredients into a rich, complex sauce that tastes infinitely better than anything pre-made. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a delightful, flavorful sauce that you can customize to your exact preferences, ensuring every bite is a culinary masterpiece.
The Benefits Are Clear:
- Superior Flavor: Fresh ingredients mean a brighter, more nuanced flavor profile that store-bought versions simply can’t match.
- Control Over Ingredients: You dictate the amount of salt, spice, and any other additions. This is perfect for those with dietary restrictions, allergies, or who prefer to avoid certain additives.
- No Preservatives or Artificial Flavors: Enjoy a wholesome sauce free from unnecessary chemicals.
- Cost-Effective: Making your own sauces often proves to be more economical than regularly purchasing specialty items.
- Customization: Easily adjust the spice level, add more herbs, or experiment with different chili powders to create your signature taste.
This basic recipe is not just delicious; it’s a versatile starting point for a myriad of dishes. For instance, with this incredibly easy **red enchilada sauce**, you can make a mouth-watering enchilada casserole, or use it as a base for tacos, burritos, and more. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Mexican fiesta! Have fun cooking!
Connect and Share Your Culinary Creations!
Did you try this delicious **homemade enchilada sauce recipe**? We’d absolutely love to see your culinary masterpieces! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I cherish seeing what your creation looks like and regularly feature the most beautiful photos from our community. Did you enjoy this recipe? Then please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback helps other home cooks, as well as me, enormously.
Need even more culinary inspiration and cooking tips?
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📖 Recipe: Quick & Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 1 red onion, finely sliced
- 2 cups sieved tomatoes
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Heat the sunflower oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely sliced red onion and sauté until they become soft and translucent, which usually takes about 3 minutes. This step is crucial for building a flavorful base for your homemade enchilada sauce.1 red onion, 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
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Once the onions are translucent, add the remaining ingredients to the skillet: sieved tomatoes, chili powder, dried thyme, and white vinegar. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine, then increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.2 cups sieved tomatoes, ⅛ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon white vinegar
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As soon as the sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to low. This prevents scorching and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering time allows the ingredients to fully combine and the flavors to deepen, creating a rich and aromatic **homemade enchilada sauce**. Once done, it’s ready to use or store!
Notes & Tips
2. Ingredient Variations:
- Garlic: For an even richer flavor, add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic along with the onions.
- Herbs: Fresh cilantro, oregano, or cumin can be added to enhance the authentic Mexican flavor.
- Tomato Base: While sieved tomatoes provide a smooth texture, you can use crushed tomatoes for a slightly chunkier sauce.
- Sweetness: A tiny pinch of sugar or a splash of maple syrup can balance the acidity of the tomatoes, especially if your tomatoes are on the tart side.
- Broth: If you prefer a slightly thinner sauce or want to add more depth, a splash of vegetable or chicken broth can be incorporated during simmering.
3. Storage Instructions: Proper storage ensures your delicious **homemade enchilada sauce** stays fresh and ready for your next meal prep.
- Refrigerator: Store your freshly made enchilada sauce in an airtight container or a sealed glass bottle. Ensure it’s completely cooled before refrigerating. This way, you can keep the sauce for 3 to 5 days, making it perfect for meal prepping throughout the week.
- Freezer: To extend the shelf life of your **from scratch enchilada sauce**, freeze it! Pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container, leaving about ½ inch of headspace from the top, as the sauce will expand during freezing. You can also freeze it in smaller portions using ice cube trays for easy single-serving use. This method allows you to store the sauce for up to 2 months without losing its flavor or quality. When ready to use, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat it on the stovetop.
Nutrition
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How to Use Your Homemade Enchilada Sauce
This versatile **red enchilada sauce** is not just for enchiladas! Its rich, spicy, and tangy profile makes it an incredible base for a wide array of Mexican-style dishes and beyond. Here are just a few ideas to get your culinary creativity flowing:
- Classic Enchiladas: Of course, this is its primary purpose! Whether you’re making chicken, beef, cheese, or vegetarian enchiladas, this sauce will provide that authentic, mouth-watering flavor you crave.
- Enchilada Casserole: As mentioned, it’s perfect for a layered casserole. Simply stack tortillas, your filling of choice, cheese, and a generous pour of this sauce, then bake until bubbly and golden.
- Tacos and Burritos: Drizzle a little sauce over your filled tacos or burritos for an extra layer of moisture and flavor. It can even be mixed into your ground meat or bean filling.
- Huevos Rancheros: Elevate your breakfast! Spoon warm enchilada sauce over fried eggs served on tortillas for a hearty and spicy start to your day.
- Chili and Soups: Use it as a base or an enhancement for chili. It adds depth and a lovely spice to bean soups or chicken tortilla soup.
- Mexican Rice: Incorporate some sauce into your rice as it cooks to infuse it with a rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavor.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve it warm as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips, quesadillas, or taquitos.
- Pizza Sauce: For a fun twist on pizza night, use this enchilada sauce as your pizza base, topped with Mexican cheeses, seasoned ground beef, jalapeños, and cilantro.
- Meat Marinade: It can also act as a quick marinade for chicken or pork before grilling or baking, adding a fantastic kick.
With its bold flavor and ease of preparation, this **homemade enchilada sauce** truly is a game-changer for anyone who loves Mexican cuisine!
More Basic Recipes to Master Your Kitchen Skills
Once you’ve mastered this amazing homemade enchilada sauce, you might be inspired to try other fundamental recipes that can elevate your cooking. Building a repertoire of homemade staples not only enhances the flavor of your meals but also gives you greater control over ingredients and helps reduce processed foods in your diet.
- Homemade Chicken Seasoning Recipe
- Homemade: crème fraîche (also lactose free)
- Lactose free puff pastry
Learning to make these foundational recipes, like your **easy homemade enchilada sauce**, not only builds confidence in the kitchen but also opens up a world of culinary possibilities. Enjoy the process of creating delicious, wholesome meals from scratch!