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Enchilada Sauce Recipe

5 from 30 votes
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updated: 05/06/25

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Enchilada Sauce is an easy homemade recipe and so much better than the store-bought version. This recipe is a keeper and will take your enchiladas to the next level!

glass mason jar of enchilada sauce with cilantro next to it

For years I have had several recipes on my site that use red enchilada sauce, but I have often taken the short cut of the store-bought version.

All of that changes now!

I have been working hard to develop this perfect Enchilada Sauce recipe, and it is absolutely amazing. The seasonings in it are inspired from a recipe in an old vegetarian cookbook my mom often used: Moosewood.

I used that as a starting point and tweaked it until I had a recipe that knocked my socks off. Please note that this is in no way an authentic Mexican enchilada sauce that has a base of chiles. This is simply meant to take the place of what Americans are used to buying.

Reader Review

This recipe was SO simple! The entire family loved this one! (which is not an easy feat! lol) Thanks for sharing this, we could not be more satisfied!

overhead of a gray skillet on a marble counter with enchilada sauce recipe, next to a white and blue striped cloth napkin and fresh cilantro

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

If you are someone who shies away from homemade ingredients for convenience, I get it. But I would urge you to bend those rules for this recipe.

This easy enchilada sauce comes together in just 20 minutes and most of the ingredients are things you probably already have in your pantry.

Thick and creamy, this recipe has the exact flavor that you are looking for. It is absolutely worth the extra time it will take to make it. Skip the added preservatives and additives in store-bought sauce and make it from scratch.

pouring homemade enchilada sauce over a baking dish full of beef enchiladas

How to Make Enchilada Sauce

Here is a brief overview of how this red enchilada sauce recipe comes together. Make sure you head to the bottom of this post to get the full list of measurements and a printable recipe.

  1. Sauté the onion. Cook the onion in a little oil until it is translucent. Then whisk in the seasonings and toast for 30 seconds.
  2. Make a roux. Stir in flour until no white streaks remain. Slowly whisk in the chicken stock and tomato sauce. Then add the garlic.
  3. Allow to simmer. Bring to a simmer and cook for five minutes. (I like to use a screen while it simmers.) Either leave it as is or transfer it to a blender to puree.

Getting the Garlic Flavor Right

I want to point out a little tip I learned from Moosewood. We are adding the garlic towards the end because it brings a stronger flavor when added later. If you aren’t the biggest garlic fan, you can add it earlier with the onion.

close up overhead of thick and creamy red enchilada sauce in a mason jar

Storing Enchilada Sauce

Use the sauce right away or store it in the refrigerator (after it cools) in an airtight container for up to one week.

You can also freeze it in an airtight container, making sure you leave room for expansion. Store in your freezer for up to three months.

a spoon dishing up red enchilada sauce recipe as it slowly drips off back into mason jar

Recipes to use Enchilada Sauce

If you make this recipe for enchilada sauce, leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Share in my obsession with me!

a spoon dishing up red enchilada sauce recipe as it slowly drips off back into mason jar
5 from 30 votes

Enchilada Sauce

Serves: 2 cups
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 4 minutes
Cook: 16 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Enchilada Sauce is an easy homemade recipe and so much better than the store-bought version. This recipe is a keeper and will take your enchiladas to the next level!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in the onions and season with salt. Sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small yellow onion, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Wisk in the cumin and chili powder and toast for 30 seconds.
    1 1/2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • Whisk in the all purpose flour.
    1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • Slowly whisk in the chicken stock, adding just a little at a time. Stir in the tomato sauce. Stir in the minced garlic.
    1 cup chicken broth, 15 ounces tomato sauce, 2 cloves garlic
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. (I like to use a screen while it simmers.) Either leave it as is or transfer to a blender to puree.
  • Use immediately, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Serving: 0.25cups Calories: 47kcal (2%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 2g (3%) Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 427mg (19%) Potassium: 289mg (8%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 3IU Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 4mg Iron: 7mg (39%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Latin American
a spoon dishing up red enchilada sauce recipe as it slowly drips off back into mason jar

did you make this

Enchilada Sauce

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    5 from 30 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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  1. Arpita says

    I love making enchilada sauce at home too. Its so much better than the store bought one. Yours looks amazing

  2. Shirley says

    I’d love a green enchilada sauce recipe.

    • James McNulty says

      5 stars
      I’d love a green one also. Love Tomatillos.

  3. Mags says

    5 stars
    I love this recipe!! I have tried so many over the years that have been disappointing, and I’m so excited I found this one. The key to this recipe is good quality chili powder. They are not all created equal. I make a double batch and put it on everything. It’s amazing over eggs in the morning, and smothered over anything for lunch and dinner. This will definitely be a staple in my household.

    • Lisa Longley says

      This is such a great comment, Mags! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know!

  4. Maria says

    Hi, What chili powder do you use?
    Thanks!!!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I keep McCormick dark chili powder on hand.

  5. Anne Menard says

    This is amazing! I don’t usually like enchilada sauce, but decided to make it anyway cause it’s so easy and I figured my husband would use it on everything from eggs to pasta. Now I might join him. Lol 😂 so yummy

    • Lisa Longley says

      This is so great to hear, Ann! Than you for coming back to tell me!

  6. Debbie says

    Can this recipe be canned? If so how long would you process it for and would you water bath it or pressure can it?

  7. Ruby says

    This sauce is just the taste that I was looking for. It is delicious & easy to make

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked it!

  8. David Lowery says

    5 stars
    I’m going to make your sauce to see if I do it and it tastes good I will use it.i have a chilli power that’s very hard to find and I’m going to use a special garlic I’m going to put with my onions. I’m a chef so I hope this comes out good!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you enjoy it!

  9. Dottie says

    I want to try this sauce as it sounds delicious but I’m gluten free and not sure GF AP flour will work the same. Cornstarch? Or other suggestions?

    Thank you!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I actually would go with a gluten free flour. It won’t have exactly the same affect, just a little less creamy, but it will work and be delicious.

  10. Jenn says

    5 stars
    This recipe was SO simple! Just pay attention during the reduction phase and give it a little love. The entire family loved this one! (which is not an easy feat! lol) Thanks for sharing this, we could not be more satisfied!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad to hear this, Jenn!

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