This Easy Enchilada Sauce is simple and easy to make at home and it’s so much more flavorful than store bought!
I feel like my cupboards hold so many props that I’m surprised they don’t jump off the wall screaming “Save me!”.
Then, I go to do a photo shoot, and all the props have left the building.
There is none. Nada. Zilch. Zippo. Prop-o gone-o. Yet the cupboards are still there. It’s baffling.
Am I alone with these silly little problems?
And then, get this!… have you ever had a day where your camera wants to take a day off, and you so don’t? Yep. Now you are as up-to-date with my current situation as I am. 🙂
Aren’t you glad you stopped by?
Nothing like feeling good about yourself to know that someone else might be having a worse day!
Yes? You’re welcome.
Thank goodness this recipe was so simple and easy to make. It kind of cuts a girl a break, you know what I’m sayin’?
I lllooovvveee Mexican food (hellooooo Enchiladas!), so making my own Enchilada Sauce was as natural as stirring with my arm. 🙂
If you’ve never made homemade Enchilada Sauce, I highly recommend it! You can tweak it to your flavor preference and it’s a noticeable difference from the cans you buy at the store.
Be sure to stop by the Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken post so you can serve up some of this delightful Enchilada Sauce and make yourself a quick and easy Enchilada or Burrito!
Enjoy!
Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce Frank's Red Hot **totally optional**
Instructions
- Mix ingredients in a medium-size bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use.*
Notes
Easy Enchilada Sauce
Post updated with new photos on 11/17/2014.
mimi says
Love it!
Kristi says
Thanks Mimi – it’s so simple and easy I’m almost embarrassed to call it a recipe!
[email protected] says
Hahaha! It sounds like both our days are going in the same direction. But I think ALL of the Mondays need enchilada sauce as amazing as this looks.
I adore making my own enchilada sauce—so much better than the canned stuff! This would be SO good with your slow-cooker chicken!
Kristi says
Exactly Sarah! It’s perfect with the Slow Cooker Chicken! Great timing! 🙂
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Homemade enchillada sauce is definitely a kitchen staple to have on hand!
Kristi says
I agree Ashley – there are just certain things you should not be without. Enchilada Sauce is one of them!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
I made enchilada sauce once. I remember I cook it for 10-15 minutes. I’m surprise you do not cook the sauce… I like it, easier and fresher!
Kristi says
Interesting Daniela – I’ve never cooked mine. I’d love to see your recipe! I’d like to try it.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love Mexican food, too!! Loved your little story about the props and camera – oh I can SO relate 🙂
Kristi says
Hahahaha! I think all us food bloggers can, Ashley! Have a wonderful day!
[email protected] TheGastronomicBong says
I loveeeee enchiladas… & this enchilada sauce looks absolutely perfect.. Love it!! 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Arpita – I love enchiladas too – they’re one of my favorite dishes when we go out to our local Mexican restaurant!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I have never been able to stomach enchilada sauce a can. I always make mine homemade I always use flour to thicken it therefore I have to cook it. But your no-cook version is very fantastic. I’m going to have to give it a whirl. Thanks.
Kristi says
I need to try the flour version too – I’ve never done that!
marcie says
My middle name is Enchilada! And this sauce is the whole enchilada! Those props need to get locked up so they quit wandering around — how annoying is that? haha Pinning. 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Marcie Enchilada.
Hahahahaha! {Hugs}
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Heck yes! You had me at easy. I never have enchilada sauce on the shelf when I want it but I do always have all the ingredients for this recipe, so yay!! Well, minus the hot sauce…I don’t stock that…Shocking! I like the minimal prop look. Simple set up for a simple sauce. Pinned.
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Lindsey! And yes…did you love the “totally optional”? That was for you darling. SWAK! 🙂 Buuuuuut…you need to at least STOCK hot sauce. What in the world are you going to do if I come over?
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I was secretly hoping that was for me and my delicate tastebuds, but I would never be so presumptive as to assume! Fortunately the flight to ATL from Seattle is long enough as to give me enough time to run out and buy several bottles of hot sauce!! And probably some chili peppers or something. See, I don’t even know because I totally bypass that entire aisle at the farmers market. Haben…whhhatt?
Kristi says
Hahahahaha! I so love you Lindsey! h.a.b.a.n.e.r.o 🙂
Kelly says
We are obsessed with enchiladas and this homemade enchilada sauce looks fantastic girl! Haha and who told the camera they could have a day off and run off with all the props? Don’t they know that there’s no such thing as breaks when yummy spicy food is involved? 🙂
Kristi says
Hahahaha! That’s right Kelly – no prop or camera vacations EVEH! 🙂
[email protected] Chef says
I said yes for any spicy Mexican sauce!!!
lovely enchiladas….
Kristi says
Yes – I agree Dedy! I’m all about the spicy Mexican sauce!
Karla - The Candid Kitchen says
Hope you´re having a better day today =)
I also love, love, love mexican food, but I must confess I never really cooked mexican food at home. I need to change this asap and this enchilada sauce is a great way to begin with!
Kristi says
Oh my gosh Karla, really? Mexican is so super simple to make at home – inexpensive too! I just get lazy and don’t want to drive to our Mexican restaurant ~ so I make it at home. Try it!
Annie @Maebells says
This is such a good recipe to have on hand! I usually make homemade enchilada sauce but I never write it down, I just throw a little of this and a little of that. Which means sometimes it is good, and sometimes not so much! ha! 🙂 So thank you for not being as lazy as I am and actually writing down a recipe!
Kristi says
That’s funny, Annie! I do that with some recipes too! And every time I get a bad one, I smack my head thinking ‘why didn’t I write that down!’ 🙂
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
Love how quick and easy this is!!
Kristi says
Thanks Jessica! So simple and quick to use – you’ve got to love that for busy weeknights!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
I love me some enchiladas and this sauce sounds delicious! I love all the ingredients. I’m going to have to try this one next time I am making some. I love experimenting with new sauce recipes 😀 Pinning!
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Cindy! Enchilada sauce on hand is one of my favorites because it spices things up so nicely!
Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com says
YUMMY! What a great recipe!! Enchilada’s sound delicious!! …and what better way to enjoy them than with this sauce?!
Kristi says
So glad you like it Cailee! I love having you visit! 🙂
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Oh, yum! My tummy is totally grumbling – absolutely not kidding! I want this! I NEED this! So gorgeously flavorful … so awesomely Mexican … so needing to be in my belly (along with that slow cooker chicken, of course! 😀 )! Sorry about your bummer camera day (hey – maybe you should try slathering your camera in this enchilada sauce – I think that’d make anybody happy!). Pinning like crazy, my dear – people have just gotta get a look at this yumminess! 😀
Kristi says
Hahahahahaha! Shelley – you made me LOL. Hey, maybe slathering my camera in this sauce WILL work. Some days I’m so desperate, I will try anything! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
I hate using the stuff in the jar and am always looking for a good homemade sauce. I’ll definitely give this one a try Kristi. Looks perfect!
Kristi says
Thanks Melanie – so easy to make it home and you can tweak it to your own tastes!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
You totally made this look easy and it looks extra delicious! We’ve been using more and more enchilada sauce so thank you for this! I just made some homemade tomato paste so perfect timing!
Kristi says
Oh Pamela – I wish I had some of your homemade tomato paste. Your garden is so amazing – and I’ll bet fresh is a million times better!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
I love enchiladas but have never made my own sauce. I think now’s the time to test it out – your recipe looks so great, Kristi! And I SO feel you on having off days with props. There’s nothing worse than having a time-sensitive recipe ready to be photographed (melty cheese, melting ice cream, etc.) and realizing that a vital piece of the puzzle is dirty and sitting in the dishwasher! Happens to me all. the. time. Now I try really hard to pull out everything I’ll need ahead of time, BEFORE the clock starts with the food! haha
Kristi says
I do too Alyssa – and yet I set up the table (and think everything looks great), then I take a shot and there’s this big hole – like HELLO! Did you forget to fill me? Hahahaha! Some days are definitely better than others! Have fun with the Enchilada Sauce!
ananda says
so spicy and yummy! dear kristi has anyone called you the queen of sauces? xx
Kristi says
Hahahaha! No, I don’t think I’ve been called the Queen of Sauces. But, I like it! 🙂
Monet says
I need to do this. There are so many nights where I give up on my Mexican food plans because I don’t have enchilada sauce. I know how to make tortillas, now I need to learn how to make sauce. Love how easy this is too!
Kristi says
Oh my gosh Monet – I’ve never made tortillas at home – but what a great idea. I’m going to hop over to your site now to see if you posted a recipe! 🙂
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
Glad you posted this, I really had in plan some enchilada for my family.. now I have the right sauce for them.
Kristi says
Thank you Ella! I love enchiladas, so I’m coming over to your house, ok? 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
I’ve never eaten an enchilada before but that is NOT going to stop me from making this enchilada sauce! We don’t get Mexican sauces here (How sad is that!!!! 🙁 ) So I’m SOOOOO glad you posted this recipe because I have ALL of these ingredients at home and mixing it up with that delish shredded chicken you’d posted, I’m going to be in food heaven! <3
Kristi says
Oh my gosh – you don’t have Enchilada Sauce there? Girl…you do not know what you’re missing!!! Now, go mix some up now. Go, go, go! 🙂
Ashley says
Yesssss for homemade enchilada sauce!! I would to jump in that bowl and swim around. haha
And um yes – I know I have a ton of props but whenever I’m shooting I complain about how I need more or different ones! Because you know, the million I have just won’t do. 🙂
Kristi says
Oh my gosh…do I ever know what you mean! YES! 1 million props…just not the perfect one. 😉
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
Obsessed with that yellow towel – what a pop of color!
Kristi says
Thanks Shikha! I love the yellow towel too! I thought it went great with the red enchilada sauce! 🙂
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
Ohh I’m so making this one for lunch today! First time making enchiladas, I’m so excited! xxxx
Kristi says
Enjoy Consuelo! i hope you love it!