This easy Homemade enchilada sauce made with just 7 ingredients is my new favorite homemade recipe. It's made in a blender in seconds. You will never buy it in a can again!
Use this sauce to make chicken enchiladas or enchilada soup.
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Why This Method Works
Necessity is the mother of invention. Isn't that what they say? In my kitchen, a lot of homemade recipes happen because I simply don't want to run to the store for just one thing. And then you do a happy dance because you just made the best enchilada sauce that is not only cheaper but took 5 minutes to whip up.
Now, this sauce is simply a substitute for the store-bought kind. I'm sure a Mexican cook will tell me it needs dried ancho peppers, and dried chiles and would not have any tomatoes. This sauce is a simplified version with ingredients that I can easily find and usually have on hand.
Ingredients:
- onion and garlic - These aromatics add flavor to the sauce. I prefer using fresh vegetables but in a pinch, garlic and onion powder work too.
- chili powder - Use the best quality you can get since this gives the sauce the flavor.
- ground cumin - This spice is the signature of many Mexican dishes. I would not skip it in this recipe.
- tomato sauce - This makes the base of the recipe.
- chicken stock - Thins out the sauce and adds more flavor.
How to make Enchilada Sauce?
- Start by adding onion, garlic, tomato sauce, water, chili powder, ground cumin and salt to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. The sauce should be thick.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
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How much sauce does this recipe make?
This recipe is really quick and easy. It makes 3 cups of sauce, which makes it way cheaper than buying the sauce in a can. Before I never had enough sauce from just one can. I like to dip the corn tortillas in a warmed-up sauce to soften them and make them more rollable. If you know what I mean. The rest of the sauce goes all over the enchiladas and is topped with cheese. Then all you need to do is bake them! So crazy good!
Recipe FAQs:
Yes! This sauce can be easily frozen in freezer-safe containers or jars. Just make sure to cool it completely before placing it in the freezer. It will be good for up to 3 months.
This recipe is a simplified version of a popular sauce. It's not 100% authentic. I used easy-to-find pantry ingredients so you can make it anytime!
How to use enchilada sauce?
While this sauce is a must for beef or chicken enchiladas, the fun doesn't stop there. You can add it to soups, casseroles, tacos, or burrito bowls. It's a great sauce to have on hand, ready when you are craving Mexican dishes!
More homemade sauce recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup yellow onion roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 cup water or chicken stock
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth. It will be thick. You can add more water or stock if you like thinner sauce.
- Place in a jar with lid and store for up to a week.
Video
Notes
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
- Use this sauce to make these easy chicken enchiladas: https://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/easy-chicken-enchiladas-recipe/
R says
Wow! Surprisingly good! I was a bit skeptical since the only enchilada sauce I've made was cooked (Emeril's) but this was great! Thanks for the recipe!
Lynn says
Thank you so much for this recipe. My family loves enchiladas but I hardly ever make them because of the cost involved. I am usually making them for 10 or more people (several being teenagers who love to eat) who want a a lot of sauce on their enchiladas and it gets very expensive. Being able to make this inexpensive sauce will make this dish much more affordable and allow me to make my family's favorite dish much more often.
Melinda says
How long would this keep for in the fridge? Was thinking about making this for a gift basket. It looks amazing!
Amanda says
This recipe is AMAZINGLY simple to make and absolutely delicious! I'm not a chef and generally if a recipe calls for my 5 ingredients... I pass it along to my husband who really enjoys cooking. My husband was out of town for the weekend so some weekly meal prep was on left to me. My daughter requested pulled chicken burritos. Usually simple easy enough however I live in Michigan & it's still snowing in March and I didn't have any red enchilada sauce... I was not about to venture out to the grocery store on a Sunday cold afternoon ! Thank you for this deliciousness of a recipe!!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Amanda! THANK YOU so much for this comment. It made my day! That is exactly why I share recipes here on my blog. I am so happy to know you love this recipe! Have a beautiful week! -Anna
Carrie Gibney says
I actually stopped making enchiladas and enchilada casserole for a while because of how much I disliked the store bought sauce. Then I found this. It's beyond easy, very tasty, and the perfect amount of sauce for a good casserole.
Thank you!
Brittany says
This recipe is delicious and so easy to make. I love that it is minimal ingredients and only takes a few minutes to make. Having lil ones in the house i am always short on time.
Becky says
Could I freeze this sauce?
Marla says
I froze 1/2 of mine, since I only cook for 2 people now this made more sauce than I needed. I'm sure it will be just fine for the next time.
Titan Tyler says
THIS RECIPE IS THE BOMB and so easy. I used dried miced onion cause it was all I had. I did cut back on the chili powder to 1 T. Then I heated it in the microwave, added about 1/4cup velveeta and 1T butter. I was looking for a light color like a mexican restaurant here. It Tastes identical and they charge 16- for a 3 enchilada dinner. I have spent years and lots of $$$ trying cream, milk, evap, sour cream standing over the stove for hours, trying to recreate their sauce. Thanks so much for this recipe
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Titan! THANK YOU so so much for this comment! I am so happy to know that you love this recipe! I totally want to try your additions - sounds crazy delicious! 😀
Maris Callahan says
Mmm enchiladas! Love this idea
Jessica says
I love homemade enchilada sauce and I don't do it enough! Looks wonderful!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Love how easy this is to make! I love my high powered blender!
carrie says
I have never made my own enchilada sauce before, but now I totally want to try after seeing how easy your recipe is! 🙂
Kimberly says
Enchilada sauce is one of the things I so often don't have when I need it. This homemade version is so quick and simple, I wouldn't even bother buying it again!
Erin says
Haha. I love that that if it Aldi doesn't have it, you make it yourself. 😀 And thank goodness you did because this looks delicious! And so easy.
Krista says
Well now I am going to have to make Enchiladas!
Medha says
This looks fabulous! I love the tomato and spice mix you used in this sauce 🙂