Best 5 The Best Authentic Enchilada Sauce Recipes

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**Enchilada Sauce: A Culinary Journey Through Mexican Flavors**

Enchilada sauce, a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, is a captivating culinary creation that tantalizes taste buds with its rich, savory, and aromatic flavors. This versatile sauce forms the foundation of various enchilada recipes, each offering a unique symphony of flavors and textures. From the classic red enchilada sauce, brimming with robust tomato and chili flavors, to the nutty and earthy green enchilada sauce made with tomatillos and roasted poblano peppers, the world of enchilada sauces is an adventure waiting to be explored.

**Red Enchilada Sauce:** This classic sauce is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, with tomatoes, chili peppers, and spices coming together in perfect harmony. The smoky heat of the chili peppers, the tangy sweetness of the tomatoes, and the aromatic warmth of the spices create a captivating flavor profile that complements a variety of fillings, from shredded chicken to hearty vegetables.

**Green Enchilada Sauce:** A refreshing departure from the traditional red sauce, the green enchilada sauce boasts a vibrant verdant hue and a unique flavor profile. Roasted tomatillos, poblano peppers, and cilantro blend seamlessly, offering a nutty, earthy flavor with a hint of tanginess. This sauce pairs exceptionally well with seafood fillings, such as tender shrimp or flaky fish, as well as with roasted vegetables.

**Creamy Enchilada Sauce:** Indulge in the velvety richness of the creamy enchilada sauce, a luscious blend of sour cream, cream cheese, and a touch of spice. This decadent sauce adds a layer of creamy smoothness to enchiladas, balancing the heat of the chili peppers and enhancing the flavors of the fillings. Its creamy texture makes it an ideal choice for enchiladas filled with tender chicken or succulent vegetables.

**Mole Poblano Sauce:** Embark on a culinary journey with mole poblano sauce, a complex and sophisticated sauce that is the epitome of Mexican gastronomy. This rich and flavorful sauce is a symphony of ingredients, including roasted tomatoes, chili peppers, nuts, spices, and chocolate. Its deep, earthy flavors and subtle sweetness make it a perfect accompaniment to enchiladas filled with slow-cooked meats, such as pork or beef.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE



Authentic Enchilada Sauce image

Great sauce and very authentic enchiladas. If you want a hotter sauce, just add some cayenne pepper when it's done. Ancho and pasilla chile peppers are dried chiles, and may be available at your grocery store, or a Mexican market.

Provided by Bill Echols

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 ancho chile peppers
3 pasilla chile peppers
Water to cover
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 onion, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Salt to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place chile peppers on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven until slightly toasted. (Note: When you can smell them, they're done.)
  • Remove from the oven and slit them open. Remove the seeds and veins, then put them in a bowl with boiling water to cover. Allow them to sit for 30 minutes, then remove them from the water, reserving the water. Scrape the pulp from the insides of the chile peppers and discard the skins. (Note: The skins will give the mixture a bitter flavor.) Return the pulp to the water and set aside for later.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic and onion in the butter or margarine for 5 minutes, or until onion is tender. Add the flour and mix well. Add the stock, stirring until thickened, and then add the reserved chile pulp mixture. Finally, add the oregano and the cumin.
  • In a blender or food processor, puree the mixture until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 71.1 calories, Carbohydrate 6.5 g, Cholesterol 11.7 mg, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 335.7 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

ENCHILADA SAUCE



Enchilada Sauce image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     condiment

Time 35m

Yield 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell peppers
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 beef, chicken or tomato bouillon cube
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken stock
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the peppers, onions and garlic and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, cayenne, bouillon cube and some salt and pepper and cook until the spices darken and their flavors are released, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, stir to combine and cook it for another minute. Add the stock and stir to combine, then allow the liquid to thicken. Add the tomato sauce and 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cook until the sauce is nice and thick and reduced by about a third, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then use an immersion blender to completely puree the sauce until smooth. (Alternatively, you can transfer it to a blender to puree it; just make sure the sauce is cooled, as blending hot liquids is dangerous!)
  • The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week and can also be frozen! Just reheat the sauce in a saucepan or skillet for whatever recipe calls for it.

THE BEST RED ENCHILADA SAUCE



The Best Red Enchilada Sauce image

This smoky and savory enchilada sauce is simply delicious! My family won't eat out at Mexican restaurants anymore; they make me cook!

Provided by Fox Woadhill Rogers

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 dried ancho chiles
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
¼ cup corn oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
3 cups beef broth

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Arrange the ancho chiles on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven 3 to 4 minutes; remove the stems, pulp, and seeds from the toasted peppers. Place peppers in a bowl and pour enough hot water into bowl to cover completely; allow to soak for 1 hour.
  • Combine the ancho chiles, tomato paste, corn oil, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, and about 1 cup of the beef broth in a blender; blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan with the remaining beef broth and place over medium heat; simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 69.9 calories, Carbohydrate 6.3 g, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 517.4 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE



Authentic Enchilada Sauce image

Rich and robust and a thousand times better than store-bought, this authentic enchilada sauce packs some serious FLAVOR!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     condiment     Sauce

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 ounces dried ancho peppers
3 ounces dried guajillo peppers
2-3 or more dried arbol peppers (OPTIONAL: for heat)
1 medium white onion, peeled and cut in half
2 ripe tomatoes, halved
4 cloves garlic, peeled
4 cups boiling water or chicken broth (for even more flavor)
we love Aneto 100% All-Natural Chicken Broth from Spain ((it's the BEST!))
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Small piece of semi-sweet chocolate (optional)

Steps:

  • Start with that all important step: Roasting! Heat a heavy non-stick skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium-high heat. Don't add any oil. Lay the dried peppers on the skillet and toast them for a minute or two on each, just until they become very fragrant. It's better to under-toast than to over-toast them as they will become very bitter if scorched. Remove and set aside. Next place the onion, garlic and tomatoes on the skillet and toast until lightly browned.
  • Remove the stems from the peppers (using gloves if you're using hot peppers), slice the peppers open and remove and discard all of the seeds and the membranes (contrary to popular belief, it's the membranes not the seeds that are hot, the seeds are bitter). Place the peppers in a bowl.Pour the boiling water over the peppers, cover the bowl and let them sit for 20-30 minutes until soft.
  • Place the peppers and their liquid along with the onion, tomato, garlic and all remaining ingredients (except for the chocolate if using) in a blender and blend until completely smooth.Note: At this point determine for yourself whether your sauce needs to be strained. I use a Vitamix blender which does an excellent job of blending the sauce to a very smooth puree, so I don't bother straining it.
  • Time to cook the sauce: Heat a tablespoon or so of oil to a pot then add red sauce. Simmer it uncovered for about 30 minutes. Add a little more water if you prefer it thinner. The sauce should be the thickness of heavy cream.Optional: For an added flavor touch, add a small piece of semi-sweet chocolate at the end and stir until melted.If the sauce is very bitter, add a touch of brown sugar. SEE NOTE.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for several months. I like to freeze about a cup of it per freezer bag so I can conveniently grab a bag as needed.Makes approx. 5-6 cups.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.25 cups, Calories 33 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 125 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g

THE BEST AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE



The Best Authentic Enchilada Sauce image

I make it, and pour over (my very own shrimp enchilada casserole - see other recipes) enchiladas, Verdes, or anything that calls for salsa or obviously enchilada sauce!! A family favorite - plates are licked clean!

Provided by Laurenhanna

Categories     Sauces

Time 25m

Yield 2 cups, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup onion (white, minced)
1/2 jalapeno (seeded and chopped finely)
2 pinches cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1 1/4 teaspoons white sugar
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (or 1 med. garlic clove)
1 teaspoon dried onion (or 1/2 tsp onion powder)
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh basil (chopped, or 1 tsp dried)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, or 1 tsp dried)
2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
3 tablespoons salsa (homemade is best!)

Steps:

  • Heat Pan, med high, with oil and combine next six ingredients to pan. cook 3 min, stirring often. adding some salt and pepper to taste (if using fresh garlic add this to the pan as well).
  • add remaning ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil.
  • Boil for 2-3 minutes, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for up to an hour (but it only requires simmering for 10 min).
  • Hints = Can be stored in fridge for up to 7 days, or frozen for about a month and a half. Batch is easily double and tripled keeping remaining frozen until ready to use for you next dish!

Tips:

  • Using dried ancho chiles, guajillo chiles, and pasilla chiles is essential for an authentic enchilada sauce.
  • Toast the chiles gently in a skillet to bring out their flavor without burning them.
  • Soaking the chiles in hot water helps rehydrate them and makes them easier to blend.
  • Use a high-powered blender to get a smooth and creamy sauce.
  • Season the sauce to taste with salt, pepper, and cumin.
  • For a thicker sauce, simmer it for longer.
  • Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Conclusion:

This authentic enchilada sauce recipe is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used for a variety of Mexican dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your desired flavor profile. Whether you like it mild, medium, or spicy, this sauce is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're making enchiladas, tacos, or burritos, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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