• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Bless This Mess > Recipes

    Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

    Published: May 10, 2016 · Modified: Oct 27, 2022 by Melissa · 8 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    A jar of homemade red enchilada sauce

    Quick and easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce made from simple things from your pantry like oil, chili powder, and broth in about 15 minutes.

    Check out these easy enchilada recipes: Ground Beef Enchiladas, Easy Chicken Enchiladas and Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake.

    Quick and easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce made from simple things from your pantry like oil, chili powder, and broth in about 15 minutes.

    Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

    I adore all things Tex-Mex/Mexican/Southwest in flavor and that includes all things enchilada. I often want to turn taco night into enchilada night but what holds me back is the lack of enchilada sauce. I don't keep it on hand and I don't normally think of it when I'm at the store. This has caused me to find the best and easiest homemade red enchilada sauce recipe, and I'm so glad that I have!

    Chances are great you have everything on hand to make this amazing homemade red enchilada sauce (no special chili peppers required) and it only takes about 15 minutes to put together. The flavor and texture is excellent, it's inexpensive to make at home, and it also freezes really well. I always make a double batch of this recipes while I'm at it and freeze half for later use. You won't believe how east and delicious this one is! Happy Enchilada Making to you!

    Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

    Is this sauce spicy?

    If you are wary about heat/spice in your sauce, I would begin with 2 tablespoons chili powder and add more once the sauce has reached a simmer if you'd like. Be sure to use chili powder for this recipe, not cayenne. Traditional American chili powder is fairly mild, and should not be overly spicy.

    Does the brand of chili powder matter?

    I'd recommend using a good quality chili powder instead of something super cheap (like those Dollar Store spices... those never are great in my experience). Because so much of the recipe is built around the chili powder you're going to want to get a good one. I have had great results with Simply Organic Chili Powder as well as McCormick Spice.

    Again, this is just normal chili powder. It's not dark chili powder, hot Mexican chili powder, or cayenne powder (though those would probably work great if you like things hot, I haven't tried them though).

    I don't have chicken stock. What else can I use?

    You can make this with veggie, chicken, or even beef stock depending on what you like or have on hand. This is a great recipe to adapt to dietary needs such as gluten free or vegan because you are in control versus something from a can.

    Quick and easy homemade red enchilada sauce made from simple things from your pantry like oil, chili powder, and broth in about 15 minutes. 
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Quick and easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce made from simple things from your pantry like oil, chili powder, and broth in about 15 minutes.

    Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce


    ★★★★★

    4.7 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 2 cups 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Quick and easy homemade red enchilada sauce made from simple things from your pantry like oil, chili powder, and broth in about 15 minutes.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 tablespoons mild oil (olive, vegetable, corn)
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose or gluten-free flour
    • 4 tablespoons chili powder (not cayenne)
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon oregano
    • 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

    Instructions

    1. Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
    2. Add flour and stir together and cook for one minute.
    3. Stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and oregano.
    4. Gradually add in the stock, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until thick.
    5. Use immediately or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to two weeks. This also freezes very well so I like to make a double batch and freeze half for later use.

    Notes

    • If you are wary about heat/spice in your sauce, I would begin with 2 tablespoons chili powder and add more once the sauce has reached a simmer if you'd like. Be sure to use chili powder for this recipe, not cayenne. Traditional American chili powder is fairly mild, and should not be overly spicy.
    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Cook Time: 15 mins
    • Category: Condiment
    • Method: Stove-top
    • Cuisine: Mexican

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 144
    • Sugar: 2.5g
    • Sodium: 692.2mg
    • Fat: 9.7g
    • Carbohydrates: 11.6g
    • Protein: 4.6g
    • Cholesterol: 3.6mg

    Keywords: Enchilada Sauce, Homemade, Condiments, Marinades

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    This Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce recipe is from Ali at Gimme Some Oven. I've been making it for years from her site.

    You can use homemade red enchilada sauce on so many things! Here are a few:

    • Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake
    • Easy Chicken Enchiladas
    • One Pan Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    • Easy Shredded Meat and Corn Enchilada Bake
    • Green Enchilada Sauce (if you are looking for a green enchilada sauce recipe, it's great too!

    Complete the Meal by Making:

    • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Whole Wheat Tortillas
    • Pico + Guac = Pico de Guaco

    Enjoy this quick and easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce made from simple ingredients from your pantry and ready in about 15 minutes. Thanks for being here and being great. I so appreciate you.

    « Healthy Cherry Energy Balls (Homemade Cherry Pie Larabars)
    The Ultimate Hummus and Veggie Sandwich »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Sally

      February 23, 2022 at 2:49 pm

      I used only 2Tbls of chili powder & I thought it was quite spicy. I like some heat, but this would be really spicy to my husband,especially if I think it’s spicy. Good flavor, but for small children it might be too spicy.

      ★★★★

      Reply
    2. Kaysha

      April 18, 2020 at 11:18 am

      I made this to use in your ground beef enchiladas. It worked great!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. deb c

      January 04, 2020 at 8:14 pm

      This has become my go-to instead of the packets. Many thanks lady!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        January 04, 2020 at 10:30 pm

        Isn't it simple! I've stopped buying the canned stuff too which I'm happy about!

    4. Adrianne

      January 27, 2018 at 1:33 pm

      Awesome!?making some tonight

      Reply
    5. Jessica

      January 25, 2017 at 11:39 am

      How much garlic powder?? It says 1/2 garlic powder

      Reply
      • Melissa

        January 25, 2017 at 11:54 am

        It's a 1/2 teaspoon. Thank you for mentioning that! I'll correct it.

    6. deb c

      May 12, 2016 at 10:05 am

      Oh....I wanna make this....I wanna have some in the freezer! But the freezer is always maxed out! His solution.....buy another freezer......SCORE! Your blog has helped me soooooo much!!!!!!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Mexican Hot Chocolate
    • Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
    • Rugelach
    • The Best Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter