Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
A pot of thick red sauce with a white spoon resting inside.
Print Recipe
4.95 from 18 votes

Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce

This quick and easy enchilada sauce is bold on flavor, better than store-bought, and made with pantry ingredients you likely have on hand!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 21kcal
Author: Traci

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Vegetable Broth or other broth
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch or 3 tablespoons Arrowroot
  • 3 tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Dehydrated Onion or onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil or other neutral oil
  • ⅓ cup Tomato Paste about half of a 6-ounce can
  • 2 teaspoons Brown Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Add ALL ingredients to a 3-quart saucepan and whisk until smooth.
  • Set over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally to prevent clumps.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, whisking as needed until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from heat. Your enchilada sauce is ready to use.
    Note: I like to let the sauce cool for about 15 minutes before layering it with cheese in enchiladas. This helps prevent the cheese from melting too early during assembly.
  • To store, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days, or freeze for up to 90 days.

Notes

Customize Spice Levels: This enchilada sauce is naturally mild. To make it spicy, add pinches of cayenne pepper as needed until it's spicy to your liking.
Sweetness Adjustment: Brown sugar balances the flavor, but can be omitted if desired.
Broth Substitutes: Chicken broth or beef broth can replace vegetable broth if desired.
Reheating: Gently warm over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce is too thick after refrigeration.
Uses: Perfect for enchiladas, tacos, burritos, or as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cups | Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 364IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg