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4.5 from 141 votes

The BEST Quick and Easy Authentic Enchilada Sauce

A mix of dried New Mexico and guajillo chiles plus Mexican spices create an authentic homemade red enchilada sauce for enchiladas, chilaquiles and more.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 3 cups sauce
Calories: 192 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 2 ounces dried guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 ounce dried New Mexico chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 cinnamon stick optional
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 medium tomato seeded and chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove pressed or minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Nutrition Information

Calories 192kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Sodium 817mg (34%) Potassium 647mg (18%) Fiber 10g (40%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 8015IU (160%) Vitamin C 16mg (18%) Calcium 41mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3cups 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.