Best Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe (2024)

Published: Feb 20, 2019 · Modified: May 9, 2020 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Homemade Enchilada Sauce is more delicious than anything you can buy at the store and it is super easy to make. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is done in 15 minutes, with perfect flavor and consistency. Add it to your favorite enchilada recipe!

Best Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe (1)

Why This Recipe Works

I’ve been on a roll with making homemade sauces that can be (but shouldn’t be) purchased at the grocery store. This homemade enchilada sauce is a new favorite and I vow to never touch a store-bought can ever again. This recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make and it is SO DELICIOUS.

It tastes incredible when added to a batch of chicken enchiladas or a chicken enchilada bake (my favorite super-easy-cheater way to enjoy enchiladas). Another thing I love about this simple recipe is that it is very likely that you have all of the ingredients in your kitchen at any given moment.

The ingredients are staples and they come together to create an incredible red sauce that everyone will love!

How To Make Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine flour, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well.

Step 2

Heat canola, olive or vegetable oil in a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour-spice mixture and whisk until deep red in color (this will take about 60 seconds). Add tomato paste and chicken broth and whisk until smooth.

Step 3

Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low and let simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Add salt and pepper as desired (to taste). Let cool and pour into jars or use immediately in your favorite enchilada recipe

How To Store Leftover Enchilada Sauce

If you have enchilada sauce leftovers, don’t throw them away! Pour the sauce into mason jars or other containers that can be sealed. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months or in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Can You Freeze Enchilada Sauce

If you find yourself with leftover sauce, you might be wondering if you can freeze it. Click over for all the info you’ll need about how to freeze enchilada sauce.

Other Ways To Enjoy Enchilada Sauce

Enchilada sauce isn’t just for enchiladas! Here are a few other good recipe ideas for using up the delicious red sauce:

Add it to a batch of pork carnitas (YUM).
Drizzle it over Mexican Stuffed Peppers!
Use it in place of salsa in tacos, burritos, taquitos, taco salad or tostadas!
Add it to a batch of Mac and Cheese for an added kick.

If you have a different use for homemade enchilada sauce, I’d love to hear about it. Leave me a comment or send me a message so others can hear your suggestions, too! Thanks for stopping by, friends. Have a wonderful rest of your week (stay warm)!

Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 4 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 22.38kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

▢ 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
▢ 2 tbsp chili powder
▢ 1 tsp cumin
▢ 1/2 tsp oregano
▢ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
▢ 1/2 tsp salt
▢ 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
▢ 1/4 cup canola oil olive or vegetable oil
▢ 3 tbsp tomato paste
▢ 14.5 oz chicken broth
▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the flour, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well.
Heat the oil in a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour-spice mixture and whisk until deep red in color (about 60 seconds). Add the tomato paste and chicken broth and whisk until smooth.
Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Add salt and pepper as desired (to taste). Let cool and pour into jars or use immediately in yourfavorite enchilada recipe!

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Rosita Escobedo
September 20, 2023 at 1:52 pm

I made this recipe and it was perfect. The only thing I added with 3/4 teaspoon of sugar. Thank you.
Reply
- Megan Porta
  September 25, 2023 at 6:24 pm
  Great to hear, Rosita! Thank you for sharing that tip.
  Reply
Bernadette
June 18, 2023 at 3:12 am
Hello I noticed that chili powder is listed twice and just want to verify it’s 2Tbsp + 1 tsp of all regular chili powder and not 1tsp of a different flavor chili powder such as ancho or chipotle. thanks
Reply
- Megan Porta
  June 19, 2023 at 11:05 pm
  Nope! Just the 2 tbsp. I corrected it. Thanks for asking.
  Reply
Diane
March 17, 2020 at 1:52 pm

Hi!
I made your recipe yesterday. I wanted to wait until a day or so before making something with it because frankly, I just didn’t have the time to make something with it. Also, I think it tastes better after it has a chance for the flavors to meld.
I did taste it,though, and you are absolutely right about never opening another can again! Thank you so much for posting this! I use enchilada sauce in place of pizza sauce and I use pulled pork or chicken, and Jack cheese, with various other toppings. I make shredded chicken, pork or beef sandwiches on grilled burger buns, and I use various cheeses, depending upon the type of meat. Your enchilada sauce is marvelous on these.
Reply
- Megan Porta
  March 17, 2020 at 9:21 pm
  Thank you so much for sharing! I agree, the flavors of most sauces taste even better day two. This recipe freezes well too so you can make a batch for now and another for later!
  Reply