Best 6 The Best Red Enchilada Sauce Recipes

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Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Mexican cuisine with our curated collection of red enchilada sauce recipes. Embark on a culinary journey through various renditions of this versatile sauce, each offering a unique blend of spices, herbs, and chiles. Whether you prefer a classic red enchilada sauce brimming with guajillo and ancho chiles, a smoky and robust sauce infused with chipotle peppers, or a tangy and vibrant sauce bursting with fresh tomatoes, our recipes cater to every palate. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your enchiladas, burritos, tacos, and more to new heights of flavor.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE BEST RED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS



The Best Red Chicken Enchiladas image

We love the smoky combination of cascabel and guajillo chiles. Using two varieties of dried peppers creates a complex sauce with wonderful depth of flavor, so we recommend seeking them both out. Look for the best-quality corn tortillas you can find. They will have a better flavor and texture and will be easier to work with.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 large skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each)
12 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded (about 4 ounces) (see Cook's Note)
3 dried cascabel chiles, stemmed and seeded (about 1/2 ounce) (see Cook's Note)
1 medium bunch cilantro, leaves and stems separated
8 cloves garlic, peeled
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 cup vegetable oil
Eight 6-inch corn tortillas
8 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
Crema, for serving
Chopped yellow or white onion, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Bring 3 cups water, the chicken, guajillo, cascabel, cilantro stems, garlic, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, peppercorns and coriander seeds to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook on low until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the liquid to a plate (reserve the cooking liquid) and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones; discard the skin and bones. Shred the meat into small pieces and put into a medium bowl.
  • Let the hot cooking liquid cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling no more than halfway. Remove the center cap from the lid and place it on the blender. Cover the lid with a folded kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Pour the sauce into a medium bowl and repeat with any remaining cooking liquid. Season with salt.
  • Pour 1/2 cup of the chile sauce over the shredded chicken. Stir to combine and season with salt if necessary.
  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until it bubbles immediately when the edge of a tortilla touches the surface. Working one at a time, fry the tortillas until just starting to brown and crisp, about 10 seconds per side (they should still be somewhat pliable). Drain on paper towels.
  • Dip both sides of each tortilla in the chile sauce just to coat and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Spread 1/2 cup of the chile sauce in a 6-inch strip down the center of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
  • Spoon 1/4 cup of the shredded chicken across the center of a tortilla. Fold one side over the filling, then roll up the tortilla. Place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with more sauce and remaining tortillas (the enchiladas should be nestled right up against each other in the pan). Top with any remaining sauce in your bowl or leftover on the baking sheet. Cover tightly with foil and bake until the sauce bubbles, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the foil, top with the cheese and bake until the cheese melts but doesn't brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes.
  • Top the enchiladas with crema, cilantro leaves and onions. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

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

RED ENCHILADA SAUCE



Red Enchilada Sauce image

This is a rich, flavorful red enchilada sauce. Pour over your favorite enchiladas and you're all set.

Provided by sal

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced onion
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 ½ teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried parsley
¼ cup salsa
1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 ½ cups water

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion, oregano, chili powder, basil, ground black pepper, salt, cumin, parsley, salsa and tomato sauce.
  • Mix together and then stir in the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 27.2 calories, Carbohydrate 2.5 g, Fat 1.9 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 191.6 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

BEST RED ENCHILADA SAUCE



Best Red Enchilada Sauce image

I have tried many different enchilada sauces over the years in search of the perfect red enchilada sauce. This recipe comes from Douglas Cullen from the Mexican Foodie. It is the best enchilada sauce I have ever made. The main ingredients which give the sauce most of its flavor are ancho chiles and chiles de arbol. The chiles de arbol are what give this enchilada sauce its heat. Reduce their number if you want to prepare a milder sauce. Increase for more heat. This sauce is delicious!

Provided by hannahamil

Categories     Mexican

Time 40m

Yield 4 cups, 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 dry ancho chilies (large chiles in the photo)
4 chiles de arbol (small chiles in the photo)
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon (optional)
salt
6 cups water

Steps:

  • 1. Rinse the ancho chiles and the chiles de arbol under cold water and pat dry. Remove the stems. Toast the chiles in a dry pan or comal over medium low heat until fragrant. Keep turning the chiles so they don't burn. You can also use a toaster oven, but be sure to watch the chiles closely so they don't burn. I find the toaster oven method easier because the ancho chiles are not flat. Toast the two different types of chiles separately.
  • 2. Sautee onion until translucent. Add garlic and diced tomatoes and saute for another minute.
  • 3. Bring six cups of water and bouillon to a boil and add all of the chiles, onion, tomato, and garlic. Reduce the heat and simmer for fifteen minutes.
  • 4. Transfer the contents of the pan to a blender and add the oregano and cumin. Place a towel over the top of the blender while blending to protect from any splatters. Blend for two minutes until the mixture is very smooth. Be careful because the mixture is very hot. Hot contents can cause the lid to fly off your blender, so just use the towel.
  • 4. Return the contents of the blender back to the pan by forcing the mixture through a strainer with the back of a spoon to remove the seeds and tough bits of chile skin that remain. Don't skip this step.
  • 5. Simmer the strained enchilada sauce for 15 minutes to blend the flavors. Add salt to taste.
  • This recipe makes about 4 cups of finished salsa. Store the salsa in the refrigerator for 3 days or in the freezer for one month.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 77.7, Fat 1.1, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 41.7, Carbohydrate 16.8, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 6.5, Protein 2.8

THE LAST RED ENCHILADA SAUCE YOU'LL NEED



The Last Red Enchilada Sauce You'll Need image

This is the tastiest red enchilada sauce I have ever had! I could literally just eat it with a spoon. The secret is cocoa powder, do not miss that step! I found it on the Texas Monthly cooking forum. A lot of times I double the recipe since its so good. Serve it over enchiladas, burritos, or grab a straw! Its scrumptious!!

Provided by Jamie Renee

Categories     Sauces

Time 20m

Yield 4 cups, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon oregano
3 cups water
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

Steps:

  • Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Stirring constantly, slowly add enough of the water to make a thin paste.
  • Pour into pan and add rest of water.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
  • Stir in tomato sauce.
  • Use in your favorite enchilada recipe.
  • The amounts on the ingredients are very flexible.
  • For instance, if I am feeding my kids who do not like"spicy", I will halve the chili powder and double the tomato sauce.
  • Experiment to suit your taste, but don't leave out the cocoa.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 36.4, Fat 0.7, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 279.1, Carbohydrate 7.4, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 1.9, Protein 1.6

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:

  • Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. If fresh tomatoes are not available, use canned whole tomatoes instead.
  • Toast the dried guajillo and ancho chiles in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant. This will help to release their flavor.
  • Soak the toasted chiles in hot water for at least 30 minutes, or until they are softened. This will make them easier to blend.
  • Use a blender or food processor to puree the chiles, tomatoes, and other ingredients until smooth. If you want a spicier sauce, leave the seeds in the chiles. If you prefer a milder sauce, remove the seeds before blending.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add additional spices, such as cumin, chili powder, or oregano, to taste.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite enchiladas, tacos, or other Mexican dishes.

Conclusion:

This red enchilada sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of Mexican dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its rich, smoky flavor, this sauce is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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