This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy enchilada sauce is easy to make in only 10 minutes and requires no dried chiles! All you need are a few staple herbs and spices in your pantry, and you’re good to go!
[ez-toc]
When you’ve got a craving for some Mexican food but don’t have a jar of enchilada sauce in the pantry, this recipe will save the day!
Ready in only 10 minutes, this recipe is a quick and easy version of the authentic enchilada sauce my Mom taught me how to make using whole dried chiles and Mexican chocolate.
Since posting that recipe a few years ago, I’ve realized that not everyone has easy access to those ingredients as I do. So I’ve decided to create a good alternative version that tastes very similar to what I grew up eating and is made with easy-to-find ingredients that you likely already have.
Let’s get to it!
Ingredients Needed
- Olive oil and all-purpose flour: These two ingredients are cooked together to make a roux, which thickens up the sauce just a tad and gives everything a good mouthfeel. (You could also use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour if you want.)
- Seasonings: Chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin and dried oregano.
- Broth: Chicken or vegetable broth both work.
- Tomato paste: This provides a nice velvety tomato flavor without making it too watery like tomato sauce can sometimes do.
How to Make Enchilada Sauce
- Make a roux by whisking the flour and oil together over medium-high heat. Cook it for about a minute to eliminate any raw flour flavor.
- Add all the spices and herbs to the roux, and whisk it up. Cook for about 30 seconds. To make the process easier, I like to put all the spices into a small bowl so I can dump everything in all at once.
- Slowly add the broth while continuously whisking to make sure no big lumps form.
- Add the tomato paste and continue whisking the sauce until it’s completely smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, remove it from the heat, and that’s it!
Storing and Freezing
You can use this enchilada sauce immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months and use it for later, which is perfect if you make a double batch.
Be sure to check out my recipe for green enchilada sauce, too!
Easy Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 ¼ cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a small pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the flour and whisk together for 1 minute.
- Add the chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin and dried oregano and whisk together for 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour in the broth while whisking constantly to make sure no big lumps form.
- Add the tomato paste and whisk the enchilada sauce until completely smooth.
- Bring to a simmer, remove from heat, and serve.
Notes
- Storage: This sauce can be stored in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Concerned this may be too spicy? Start with using only half of the chili powder and add more to taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was perfect and delicious! Super easy to make and made for some really great enchiladas. I’ll never be buying canned enchilada sauce again! Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe!!
Good, but still a little watery.
Do you use regular chili powder or Mexican chile powder?
Hi Ronnie! Either one is fine, regular chili powder is what is used in this recipe.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! This was so easy and simple to follow. And especially delicious! I reduced the spice to only 2 teaspoons because my husband doesn’t like things that are too spicy. To everyone who is complaining about the spiciness of it, READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS/ TIPS BEFORE BEGINNING. kthanks.
Ho, just followed your recipe, but a bit to Spivey for me. What can I do to tame it down?
Thanks
Hi Kate! You can reduce the amount of chili powder and only use 2-3 tbsp instead of 4!
Oh my word! This is fabulous! I never made enchiladas, I have eaten them though and love’em. I made my first batch of Tamales last month and froze the extra pork mixture. I used that and your sauce…myself and everyone who had the LOVED them. This is definitely a keeper! And so simple, Thank you much!!
Thank you, thank you thank you!! This is the only enchilada sauce I will use. I HATE caned sauce and its hit and miss with restaurants. My husband LOVES enchiladas and I love that I can now make it for him. The recipe is SUPER simple and perfect for me…the epitome of a white girl. Thanks again!!
Thank you so much Angel!
Finally got around to make this sauce! Oh my! So easy and so good! Why would anyone not make it homemade??
This is a great recipe. It’s exactly the way I make it and it turns out great every time.
Just made this sauce and we loved it! Full of flavor and easy to make. Thanks again for another amazing recipe!