Description
A rich and flavorful homemade enchilada sauce made with tomatoes, chili powder, garlic, and spices. This versatile sauce is perfect for enchiladas, tacos, or as a topping for your favorite Mexican dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir the spices for about 1 minute to toast them and release their flavors.
- Add the tomato sauce and water to the saucepan, stirring to combine with the spices.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken slightly and allow the flavors to meld together.
- Taste the sauce and add sugar if needed to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Adjust the seasoning if desired.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before using.
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for later use.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the level of heat by adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicier sauce.
- This enchilada sauce works great for enchiladas, tacos, or as a topping for burritos and Mexican rice.
- The sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator to save time on busy days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: enchilada sauce, homemade enchilada sauce, Mexican sauce, homemade sauce, tomato-based sauce