If you LOVE enchiladas, then you should definitely try making your own enchilada sauce. It's so easy and tastes much better than store bought sauce. Just a few store cupboard ingredients gives you a wonderfully smooth and spicy sauce that has more uses than just enchiladas.
If you want to make the best ever enchiladas, then you really need to be making the sauce yourself. It makes SUCH a difference. It is far easier than you think, and you probably already have the ingredients in your cupboard to make this. Make it as spicy or as mild as you like and it only takes 15 minutes to make.
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Why you will love it
- It tastes far better than store bought enchilada sauce
- You can batch cook it and freeze
- It only takes 15 minutes to make
- You can make it as mild or spicy as you like
Step by step
One: Heat the oil in a pan and then add in the flour and fajita seasoning.
Two: Slowly whisk together until it forms a paste.
Three: Gradually add the stock and passata, stirring well.
Four: Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Seasoning
You can buy fajita seasoning in a packet, but it’s usually loaded with extra sugar and salt. It’s really easy to make yourself, and then you can make a big batch and keep it in a jar for whenever you make fajitas. We like to sprinkle it on salmon before grilling too.
We mix together 1 tablespoon chilli powder, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, a pinch of sea salt, black pepper and sugar.
How to use the sauce
Well, obviously when making our Amazing Chicken Enchiladas. But there is so much more that you can do with it too. You could make some nachos and swap the salsa for this sauce, or mix it in to some shredded leftover chicken and add to tacos. You could get really creative and stir it in to pasta.
FAQs
Yes, this sauce freezes well, which makes it great for batch cooking and making quick and easy enchiladas. Make sure the sauce has fully cooled and then portion it out in to freezer bags and it will keep in the freezer for a couple of months. Fully defrost and use as normal.
Extra tips
• If you like your enchiladas really spicy, then feel free to add an extra teaspoon of chilli powder to the fajita seasoning, or you could stir a spoon of chipotle paste in to the sauce whilst it is cooking. American chilli powder is a lot milder than what we get here in the UK, so bear that in mind.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon for an extra burst of flavour.
• You can batch cook this sauce and it will freeze well. Let it cool and then portion it out in to freezer bags and it will keep in the freezer for a couple of months.
• To make this sauce gluten free, make sure you use gluten free flour and stock.
More sauce recipes
If you’ve tried this enchilada sauce recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Best Ever Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 tablespoon Plain flour
- 2 tablespoon Fajita seasoning
- 250 ml (1 cups) Vegetable stock
- 250 ml (1 cups) Passata
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and then slowly whisk in 3 tablespoon Plain flour and 2 tablespoon Fajita seasoning.
- Gradually add 250 ml Vegetable stock and 250 ml Passata, stirring continuously.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- If you like your enchiladas really spicy, then feel free to add an extra teaspoon of chilli powder to the fajita seasoning, or you could stir a spoon of chipotle paste in to the sauce whilst it is cooking. American chilli powder is a lot milder than what we get here in the UK, so bear that in mind.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon for an extra burst of flavour.
- You can batch cook this sauce and it will freeze well. Let it cool and then portion it out in to freezer bags and it will keep in the freezer for a couple of months.
- To make this sauce gluten free, make sure you use gluten free flour and stock.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
David says
Love enchiladas, and the homemade sauce is such a nice addition. Great to know that it freezes well, too!
Farah Maizar says
Loved the step by step and I can tell how rich and full of flavor this is just from the pictures! A must for my next Mexican night!
Amy says
You can't beat enchiladas and homemade sauce tastes so much better!
Gabby says
I am a very new convert to enchiladas but have become addicted very quickly! I definitely look forward to drizzling this all over my next batch... and I'll be adding the extra spice too. Yum!
Rebecca says
this is so easy & delish! thanks for sharing
Ana F. says
Here is another option on how to make enchilada sauce! Thanks so much for sharing such an easy recipe!
Kavita Favelle says
I’ve never made enchilada sauce, but this looks very straightforward, and tasty!
Kavita Favelle says
I've never made enchilada sauce, but this looks very straightforward, and tasty!
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
I've been looking for a way to make enchilada sauce and yours looks so good. I'm definitely gonna use this recipe!