Home » Mexican » Homemade Enchilada Sauce – 10 minute recipe!
by Stephanie on August 14, 2020 (Updated November 27, 2023)35*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »
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This homemade enchilada sauce is quick and easy! It takes just 10 minutes from start to finish and will take your next batch of homemade tacos or enchiladas to the next level.
Be sure to use this recipe in a batch of Taco Lasagna, Salsa Chicken, or Taco Soup!
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
I’ve come to the realization that making pantry staples from scratch is not only super easy, but tastes 10 times better than store-bought jars and packets. This homemade enchilada sauce recipe is no exception.
I don’t usually have enchilada sauce in my pantry, so I conjured up this recipe out of necessity. And I am so glad I did.
This definitely takes any Mexican-inspired recipe to the next level. And when you combine this with your favorite salsa, it truly is the best saucy base for recipes like my Taco Lasagna or my Salsa Chicken.
How to Make It
*See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Combine the flour and seasonings. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan and whisk in the flour/seasoning mixture for 1 minute, until the consistency of wet sand.
Add the honey and tomato paste and whisk to combine. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously.
Continue to whisk. Bring pot to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
Remove from heat and add the vinegar.
Sauce will thicken slightly upon standing.
Enchilada Sauce vs. Taco Sauce
Enchilada sauce tends to be thinner in consistency than taco sauce because you use much more of it when making an enchilada dish. It’s more of a base of the dish, vs. taco sauce which is more of a condiment for tacos.
Enchilada sauceis typically more robust in flavor and spicier in some cases, vs. taco sauce which tends to be more mild.
Pro Tips For This Recipe
- Cinnamon is optional, but adds a subtle depth of flavor.
- Be sure to whisk throughout the process to ensure a uniform consistency.
- A pinch of cayenne can be used for added kick.
- Combining enchilada sauce and salsa is a great way to add even more flavor variety and added texture.
Storage
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 5 days or freeze for up to 5 months.
Try These Next
- Taco Pasta
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Cajun Shrimp
- Baked Tacos
- Homemade Salsa
- Cowboy Caviar
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Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
4.93 from 14 ratings
Servings: 14 ounces
Tap or hover to scale
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This homemade enchilada sauce is quick and easy! It takes just 10 minutes to make and will take your next batch of homemade tacos or enchiladas to the next level.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon honey, can sub sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth, (a 14.5 ounce can will work fine)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, or distilled white vinegar
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, cumin
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Instructions
Combine the flour and seasonings together.
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in the seasoned flour. Whisk with a fork until it’s the consistency of wet sand, about 1 minute.
Stir in the honey and tomato paste. Add the chicken broth in small splashes, stirring continuously.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Remove from heat, stir in the vinegar.
The sauce will continue to thicken upon standing.
Notes
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 5 months.
This recipe makes 14 oz. which is equal to 1 + 3/4 cups.
Nutrition
Calories: 41kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 160mg, Potassium: 72mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 374IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Stephanie
Mexican Pantry Staples
posted by Stephanie on August 14, 2020 — 35 Comments »
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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe
35 comments on “Homemade Enchilada Sauce – 10 minute recipe!”
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JR — January 3, 2024 @ 8:43 pm Reply
This is the most delicious enchilada recipe! My husband also raved about it. Thank you for sharing it.
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Stephanie — January 4, 2024 @ 9:05 am Reply
You’re very welcome! I’m so happy he liked it. Thanks so much for the review!❤️
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Evelyn Porreco — September 19, 2023 @ 2:58 pm Reply
Made this last night. My husband thinks it is the best enchilada sauce he has ever had. I see it can be frozen but do you think it can be canned
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Stephanie — September 19, 2023 @ 7:17 pm Reply
Hi Evelyn! I am soooo happy that you love this enchilada sauce! I do too, it’s the best!! I do think this would be a good candidate for canning, but I don’t have a lot of knowledge or expertise in that area to be 100% sure!
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Tamara — August 24, 2023 @ 2:25 pm Reply
So so so good!!! Replacing this recipe with my current one!
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Stephanie — August 24, 2023 @ 9:30 pm Reply
Thanks so much for the great comments and review Tamara! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!💖
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Nancy A — August 20, 2023 @ 6:43 pm Reply
This is a five-star recipe according to my husband and my friend’s husband. They loved it. I am going to cut back on the cayenne pepper next time. It was a little too spicy for me. But I loved the flavor. And I ate leftovers the next day.
The cinnamon surprised me. I know Mexican food can call for cinnamon, but I have never made a sauce like this from scratch before. And the surprise was not that it was called for but for what it added to the recipe.
I may have to make two pans next time, one for the heat lovers and one for us spice wimps. Definitely going into the rotation!-
Stephanie — August 20, 2023 @ 8:27 pm Reply
I’m so happy everyone loved it Nancy! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and review!💖
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Gail V. — April 26, 2023 @ 6:46 pm Reply
I made this because I like Homemade verses Canned. So, I did not have any cans in the pantry at that time so I found your recipe and made it that night for my hubby and he said to me, “No more caned ever!” Now I make it for all my family. Thanks for the recipe.
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Stephanie — April 26, 2023 @ 8:39 pm Reply
Wow that’s really the ultimate compliment from your husband Gail! I’m so happy your family is enjoying it, thanks so much for the great comments and review!💖
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Addie Clark — March 11, 2023 @ 9:42 am Reply
Best enchilada sauce I have ever tasted
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Stephanie — March 11, 2023 @ 11:09 am Reply
Wahoooo! That makes me so happy Addie, thanks so much for the great review!💖
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