Description
This rich and flavorful enchilada sauce recipe is perfect for adding a zesty and authentic Mexican touch to your dishes. Made with garlic, tomato sauce, and a blend of traditional spices simmered to perfection, it elevates enchiladas, tacos, and other Mexican-inspired meals with a delicious homemade sauce that’s simple to prepare in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (or butter, or oil of choice)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
Spices
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant but not browned, to ensure a rich garlic flavor in your sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: To the saucepan, add chicken broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper if using. Stir everything together thoroughly. Bring the mixture up to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to keep a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning: After simmering, taste the sauce. Adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or pepper if needed to balance the flavors. This final step ensures the sauce has a perfectly developed taste and heat.
Notes
- This sauce can be stored refrigerated for up to one week or frozen for longer storage.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it after cooking.
- Adjust chili powder amount based on your heat preference.
- This recipe yields enough sauce for approximately 8 servings, ideal for enchiladas or as a flavorful topping.
