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.
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!
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.
Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
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
- 2 tablespoons mild oil (olive, vegetable, corn)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose or gluten-free flour
- 4 tablespoons chili powder (not cayenne)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Instructions
- Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add flour and stir together and cook for one minute.
- Stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and oregano.
- Gradually add in the stock, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until thick.
- 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.
- 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
Want To Save This Recipe?
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:
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.
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...
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I made this to use in your ground beef enchiladas. It worked great!
★★★★★
This has become my go-to instead of the packets. Many thanks lady!!!!
★★★★★
Isn’t it simple! I’ve stopped buying the canned stuff too which I’m happy about!
Awesome!?making some tonight
How much garlic powder?? It says 1/2 garlic powder
It’s a 1/2 teaspoon. Thank you for mentioning that! I’ll correct it.
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!!!!!!