Homemade Enchilada Sauce | Recipe, Instructions to Cook and Tips

If you feel your meals are dull and require a moderate amount of spice-up, we have a solution picked straight from the Mexican kitchen. Homemade enchilada sauce can complement your cuisine with a savory and mildly spicy flavor. It offers a high degree of customization according to your taste and usually includes a combination of chili peppers, garlic, and cumin, along with other herbs and spices. The sauce has a slightly tangy and earthy flavor, with a mild to moderate level of heat. For people with a sweet tooth, some recipes offer a hint of sugary delight. Here is everything you will require while treating yourself to this handmade sauce.
Ingredients to Make Sauce
Here is the list of all the ingredients you will require to make your homemade enchilada sauce.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
In case you want to add seasonal flavors, chipotle peppers, tomatoes, and lime juice can give you the taste of your choosing. Many cooks even add chocolate and honey to balance the spice and give it a unique hint of sweetness. However, if you are trying it for the first time, it is advised to adhere to the ingredients mentioned above only.
Instructions for Cooking
Follow these enchilada sauce recipe instructions for the best taste and appropriate thickness.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over adequate heat. Once the oil is hot, add the flour and whisk it properly until it becomes smooth.
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, and salt. Whisk everything together until they are completely combined and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- As you slowly pour the mixture into the broth, whisk it constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Once all the broth has been added, bring it to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes while stirring it occasionally until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Let the sauce cool for a few minutes, then use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as per your taste. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of additional broth or water.
- Use the sauce immediately for a fresh taste or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which preserves its natural flavor for up to a week.
Following the above-mentioned instructions, you will get your delicious red enchilada sauce to enjoy with your meals and snacks.
Tips for Eating
- If you like your enchilada sauce less spicy, you can reduce the amount of chili powder in the recipe or use a milder chili powder.
- In case you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar or lemon juice as its alternative.
- You can use chicken or vegetable broth in this recipe, depending on your preference.
- This recipe makes about 2 cups of enchilada sauce, but you can easily double or halve the recipe depending on how much sauce you need.
- Enchilada sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, not just enchiladas. Try it in tacos, on top of rice bowls, or even as a dipping sauce for chips.
Conclusion
Adding homemade enchilada sauce can add a medium spicy flavor to your regular meals and elevate their taste to your liking. It is highly customizable, and multiple ingredients can be added to suit your tongue.