4.8 from 210 votes
Enchilada Sauce Recipe
The enchilada sauce uses dried California or New Mexico red chile pods simmered then blended with flour, garlic, and salt to create a smooth, richly flavored red sauce. The sauce is strained to remove skins and seeds, resulting in a velvety texture. This traditional red chile sauce forms a base for enchiladas and other Mexican dishes, providing moderate heat and depth from the chiles.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
8
cups
Calories:
45 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Main Course, Condiments
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 8 ounces California red chile pods or New Mexico red chile pods
- 6 cups water
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour sub gluten free if necessary
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon salt
Instructions
- Remove stems, seeds, and veins from the chile pods. Place in a colander and rinse well with cool water.
- Add the chiles to a large pot and add enough water so they are just covered. Bring water to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the chiles over with tongs to make sure the chiles soften evenly. Drain cooked pods and allow time to cool down before blending. Discard water.
- Fill blender with 3 cups of water, half of the cooled chile pods, 3 tablespoons flour, 2 cloves garlic, and half of the salt. Blend until smooth. Strain sauce through a fine sieve to remove skins and seeds; discard skins and seeds. Repeat blending and straining process with remaining water, pods, flour, garlic, and salt. If necessary, season with more salt.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Remove stems, seeds, and veins from dried chiles to reduce bitterness and heat intensity.
- Wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after handling chiles to prevent skin irritation.
- Use gluten-free flour substitutes for thickening if gluten intolerant.
- Store enchilada sauce refrigerated for up to one week or freeze up to six months to preserve freshness.
- This sauce can be kept uncooked or cooked depending on dish requirements.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
45kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
10g
(3%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
1178mg
(49%)
Potassium
138mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
360IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
55mg
(61%)
Calcium
16mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 45
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 45kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 1178mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 138mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 360IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 55mg | 61% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.