Most of my younger years were spent in Texas, where I developed a love for all things Mexican food. Even now I often make Mexican recipes and Tex-Mex food for my family that feature healthier ingredients, like my homemade taco seasoning.
This gluten-free version of homemade enchilada sauce tastes great on enchiladas (and a lot of other things!) and is the perfect addition to the next Mexican food night.
This really is the best enchilada sauce around and beats the canned sauce every time.
Why Homemade Enchilada Sauce?
I know that it may seem really tempting to just pick up a can of store-bought enchilada sauce from the store. After all, how bad can it be?
When modified corn starch, MSG, and vegetable oil are on a food label, I tend to run the other way. Also, if you’re avoiding gluten, making your own makes sense since the canned version often contains wheat flour as a thickener.
The method below is simple, healthy, and sans gluten. It doesn’t take much prep time, and you can even double the batch and save it for another meal with southwest flavors.
How to Use Enchilada Sauce
This tomato-based sauce is full of authentic flavor and tastes good on more than just enchiladas. I like this served over chicken or beef enchiladas or over a quick southwest scramble of veggies and eggs. This is a great recipe for grain-free enchiladas if you want this sauce on top of the real deal!
Here are some more recipe ideas to make good use of this authentic homemade enchilada sauce:
- Grain-Free Taco Scramble
- Tex-Mex Lettuce Tacos
- Chicken Fajita Salad
- Steak Fajita Salad
- Chipotle-Style Burrito Bowl
- Fajita Chicken
- Chicken Fiesta Salad
- Huevos Rancheros
(Can you tell we eat Mexican a lot?)
Adjusting the Heat
This recipe calls for cayenne pepper, which isn’t always a hit with kids. I enjoy spicy foods, and my kids can take a little heat too, but it’s not for everyone. Leave it out entirely or scale down the heat by putting in less. Ground cumin and chili powder give plenty of flavor without the cayenne.
Getting hungry yet? Here’s how to make it:
Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil (divided)
- 2 TBSP onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 TBSP arrowroot powder
- 2 TBSP chili powder
- 1¼ cup water
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- cayenne pepper (to taste, optional)
- 8 oz can diced tomatoes (drained)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onions and saute 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes longer or until garlic is fragrant and onions are translucent.
- Whisking constantly, add the arrowroot flour, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne (if using), and remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for a few minutes to blend the flavors together.
- Add the water a little at a time, making sure to stir. If the sauce seems too runny, stop adding water. If it seems too thick, add more.
- Simmer the sauce on low heat for 10 minutes.
- Put all ingredients in a blender or use an immersion blender and blend to desired consistency.
- Season with additional salt if necessary.
Notes
Nutrition
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Can You Keep or Freeze Homemade Enchilada Sauce?
The short answer is yes! This recipe only takes a total time of 20 minutes to make (not counting cook time for enchiladas), but I’m always up for saving more time. Batch cooking is a great skill to learn (it took me some time, but I’m getting there!). By doubling (or tripling) the recipe and freezing the leftovers, it makes future meals even faster.
Some people recommend ladling the cooled, homemade enchilada sauce into freezer-safe plastic bags, but we use glass jars to avoid the plastic. Just be sure to leave enough headspace (about 2-3) inches when filling.
Is Enchilada Sauce and Taco Sauce the Same Thing?
Sort of, not really. Enchilada sauce has a very smooth consistency, while taco sauce (unless it’s from the popular taco fast food joint) is sometimes chunkier. Enchilada sauce is also somewhat thinner since it’s going to be baked in the oven over enchiladas. For recipes that call for taco sauce, enchilada sauce is just as yummy and close enough to use as a substitute.
Are you a fan of enchiladas? What creative uses can you think of for enchilada sauce?
I love enchilada sauce, and I like to use homemade chicken broth instead of water for extra nutrition and deliciousness!
THANK YOU! Store bought sauce is so expensive, and we have missed enchiladas over here. I am looking forward to trying this recipe.
Wow this looks delicious!! I love that you also added links to other recipes to use it with – thank you!!
I love enchiladas but we are from AZ and prefer green sauce over red. I usually do a white sauce and blend green chilies in, but other times we use salsa verde or tomatillo sauce when we find a healthy one.
I’ll have to try this though, it sounds and looks delish!!!