Name: Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil (or butter, or oil of choice); 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian); 15 ounces tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste); ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Description

This homemade enchilada sauce recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make sauce perfect for Mexican dishes. Made from simple pantry ingredients including garlic, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices, this sauce simmers gently to develop a rich and hearty flavor with just the right amount of heat and seasoning. It’s perfect for enchiladas, tacos, or as a dipping sauce.

Ingredients

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Enchilada Sauce Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil (or butter, or oil of choice)
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
15 ounces tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)

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Instructions

Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant but not browned.
Simmer Sauce: Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, oregano, cumin, onion powder, salt, and black pepper (if using) to the saucepan. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook and Thicken: Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to help the sauce thicken to your preferred consistency.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. The flavors mellow and develop as the sauce cooks, so seasoning after simmering ensures balanced taste.

Notes

You can substitute olive oil with butter or any neutral oil depending on preference.
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this sauce vegetarian-friendly.
If you prefer a spicier sauce, consider adding cayenne pepper or more chili powder.
This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for longer storage.
Adjust thickness by simmering longer for a thicker sauce or adding a bit more broth if too thick.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican