Years ago, back when my husband Jack worked at a popular Boston-area Mexican restaurant, the dishes they prepared and served typically came with one of three sauces – a spicy white sauce (you can see that sauce used here and here), Salsa Verde or this delicious, red Enchilada Sauce.
This enchilada sauce is (in our opinion) so much better than any jarred enchilada sauce you might buy! And since it’s also very easy and quick to prepare – there’s no reason not to make this yourself at home!
This enchilada sauce is used in our recipes for Beef and Bean Enchiladas and our Beef Chimichangas, and being so versatile and delicious, you can use it in any Mexican-inspired recipe you might make. Enjoy!
PrintEnchilada Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 2 medium garlic cloves chopped
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 14–ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon Rocket Fuel or your favorite hot sauce
Instructions
- Sauté onions in oil over medium heat for 4 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for one minute. Add tomato paste and sauté for an additional minute. Add all other ingredients and bring to a simmer and cook for about five minutes to blend flavors.
- With an emulsion blender or in a blender, puree until smooth.
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What type of chili powders
Hi Stephen – Just your basic bottled chili powder such as this one: https://amzn.to/42KKLRT (we would specify if a recipe needed another variation).
Can’t wait to try
Hope you enjoy the recipe Vivi!
Been using this recipe for years… won’t buy premade sauce. This is just too good and too easy.
Thanks Anne – so glad to read this! 🙂
Amazing! So happy you shared this recipe with me. I will use it again and again now.
Thank you Cheryl!
This enchilada sauce was awesome! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Thanks Rachel – glad you liked it!!
Have you ever tried canning this sauce?
Hi Tina – No we haven’t canned it ourselves. Thanks for visiting our site!
I have wanted to try to make my own enchilada sauce but never have. Yours sounds fantastic!
Thanks so much Kathy!
I am consistently tweaking my enchilada sauces trying to get it perfect. I’ve never added smoked paprika! Great tip! I’m going to try this recipe soon!
Thanks Ashlee! The smoked paprika adds great flavor! Hope you enjoy the recipe!