4.5 from 141 votes
The BEST Quick and Easy Authentic Enchilada Sauce
An authentic enchilada sauce prepared from dried guajillo and New Mexico red chilies simmers into a bright, mildly smoky, and slightly spicy sauce. Combined with aromatics like onion, garlic, tomato, and spices, then blended and strained, it yields a smooth, vibrant sauce with balanced heat and depth. This sauce enhances enchiladas or other Mexican dishes needing a flavorful, homemade touch.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
3
cups sauce
Calories:
192 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 2 ounces guajillo chile stemmed and seeded, dried
- 1 ounce red chile stemmed and seeded, dried, New Mexico
- 1 cinnamon stick optional
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 tomato seeded and chopped, medium
- 1 garlic pressed or minced, large clove
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin ground
Instructions
- In a heavy saucepan, bring water, chiles and the cinnamon stick (if using) to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chiles are tender. Drain the chiles, discard the cinnamon stick (if using) and reserve the cooking liquid in a measuring cup and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato, garlic, salt, oregano, smoked paprika, and cumin and cook for about 5 minutes more.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender and add the chiles plus 2 cups of the cooking liquid and puree until smooth. Strain the sauce through a fine strainer and discard the pulp. Add more cooking liquid to thin the sauce to your liking.
- Heat the remaining oil in the same sauté pan over high heat. Slowly add the sauce being careful to avoid the splatters. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat to low and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use or freeze flat in gallon freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
192kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
24g
(8%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Sodium
817mg
(34%)
Potassium
647mg
(14%)
Fiber
10g
(40%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
8015IU
(160%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
41mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3 cups sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 192
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 192kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Sodium | 817mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 647mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 8015IU | 160% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 41mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.